Class “A” State Championship Preview (WDA Teams)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's every Basketball fan and players favorite time of year, MARCH MADNESS! Last week the WDA and EDC finished up with their regional tournaments in Bismarck for the WDA and Fargo for the EDC. This coming weekend Fargo will host the NDHSAA Class "A" Championships in which will be some of the most anticipated and exciting matchups yet this season. Coming out of the West competing for a State Title are Bismarck High School, Bismarck Legacy, Century High School and the reigning Champions Minot High. Out of the East will have West Fargo Sheyenne, Fargo Davies, Grand Forks Red River and West Fargo High. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's dive into the 4 remaining WDA Teams headed to Fargo in hopes for a State Title. Like previously stated in the EDC write up, I wish you all the best of luck this weekend. I can truly say its's been a blast watching you all do what you do best this season. Go get um'</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#1 West Minot High School (20-4 Overall)</strong>- When it comes to a team that has multiple weapons in their arsenal and is loaded with scoring potential, I think of the Majettes. The returning State Champions are nothing short of a fine-tuned team stacked with players who have individually spent endless hours in the gym outside of season elevating their skills. At a first glance you think of 2 players in particular [player_tooltip player_id='342164' first='Maggie' last='Fricke'] (17.1PPG) and [player_tooltip player_id='379041' first='Lee' last='Lee Bell'] (19.5PPG) when you think of Minot, but let me tell you they have plenty more players that can light up a score board. Along with Bell and Fricke comes [player_tooltip player_id='100460' first='Maya' last='Aguilar'] (9.4PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='379179' first='Taury' last='Hight'] (9.5PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='219714' first='Avery' last='Lunde'] (8.0PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='457913' first='Karew' last='Lamoureux'] (4.6PPG) and many more players who are good for 3-5PPG any day of the week. One of the best parts of Minot, is their overall ability to find anyone of their players and knowing confidently that player is going to score. Their depth is deep, they can score from anywhere on the floor, not to mention they have the experience to be a top contender for another title this year. Without question Minot is a very skilled athletic team that's hard for anyone to beat. As a team they average 80.3PPG, 42RPG, and 9SPG. On the defensive side of the game, they know how to hold their own, pressure the ball well and with Bell in paint, you know shes going to protect it. With their size, and overall scoring ability Minot could very well be having a repeat of last year, and we all know that is exactly what they want. Minot is headed to Fargo in hopes to claim the "Back 2 Back" status and keep the Championship where it currently sits. Their first game is tomorrow at 5:00PM vs Grand Forks Red River in a rematch game that will be a nothing short of a battle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":612101,"width":526,"height":351,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/03/min.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-612101" width="526" height="351" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#2 West Bismarck Century High School (20-3 Overall)</strong>- The 7x State Champions are what you could consider a Basketball "Dynasty" is North Dakota. Over the years the teams resume is nothing short of astonishing to say the least, and everyone on that team is dedicated on making it back to the State Championship Game in hopes of bringing it back to Bismarck, much like they have in previous years. Now, as for the players on the team...that is equally impressive as well. The Patriots have what many consider the 2 of the best players in the North Dakota and I would strongly agree with that. Those 2 players we all know too well, and for all the right reasons. The All-State, All-Conference, and WDA Senior Athletes of the year [player_tooltip player_id='100419' first='Logan' last='Nissley'] (19.2PPG) and [player_tooltip player_id='100420' first='Bergan' last='Kinnebrew'] (20.7PPG) have a history of winning together, hard work and dedication to perfecting their fine-tuned skills together since a very young age, and it has worked well. Their depth doesn't stop there, on top of 2 elite scorers/players comes a mob of elite caliber players such as [player_tooltip player_id='341476' first='Eden' last='Fridley'] (10.2PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='518353' first='Ziah' last='GreyBull'] (3.8PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='398151' first='Zoie' last='Austin'] (8.3PPG) Ashlyn Buchholz (3.6PPG) and [player_tooltip player_id='409593' first='Erika' last='Lee'] (6.2PPG) who have all proven to be major contributors offensively and defensively alike. Defensively Century is known to create turnovers and averages 12.8SPG and has an absolute bulldog of a defender in [player_tooltip player_id='398151' first='Zoie' last='Austin'] on the front court, who loves to pressure the ball and can be a headache for even the best ball handlers. On the other side the Patriots are a team that moves the ball around very well, finds their open players but has multiple players who pack a ton of confidence (as they should) who can make it rain from about anywhere on the court. On any night of the week any one of their players can easily drop 10-15 points and know how to connect their shots. When they get going, their fluid and fun to watch, plus they pack a lot of energy into their games. Their headed to Fargo for their first matchup against Fargo Davies at 3:00PM tomorrow, in another exciting game you won't want to miss. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":612102,"width":547,"height":341,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/03/century.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-612102" width="547" height="341" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":612111,"width":472,"height":472,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/03/IMG_4338-1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-612111" width="472" height="472" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#3 West Bismarck High School (19-5 Overall)-</strong> The Demons are nothing short of a scrappy, hardworking team that comes in on and flat out gets work done and gets wins. I've said it before, and one of the most impressive things about the Demons is their defense, and full-court press. You can tell Coach Shetler has spent some time perfecting their defensive side of the game and it has proven to work for them, and work well. On the offensive side of things, Bismarck has some of the best guards in the WDA and are all excellent shooters, who can also drive and finish at the rim with a floater, or layup. Scoring wise the Demons are led by Senior [player_tooltip player_id='196272' first='Peyton' last='Neumiller'] (14.5PPG), Junior [player_tooltip player_id='243474' first='Paige' last='Breuer'] (14.0PPG) and Junior [player_tooltip player_id='378042' first='Jersey' last='Berg'] (12.5PPG). All 3 of them have showcased their scoring abilities, and on any given night anyone of them can have a HUGE game, but equally are all great scorers and assisters for the Demons. Along with Berg, Neumiller and Breuer is Katie Greff (6.3PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='453038' first='Ali' last='Gulleson'] (5.6PPG) and [player_tooltip player_id='378043' first='Raya' last='Rood'] (3.9PPG) who are also proven scorers in the paint, and from the 10-15' range. As a team the Demons average 68.5PPG, lead the WDA with 12.5 Steals Per Game and 15.6APG and shoot 45.7% 2PT FG%. I like everything about this team, their grit how well they play together, and how they can disrupt any offense they see. One of the more impressive things about them, even when they are down, they don't show it and fight for a full 36Minutes every game. Their ball handling is top tier, their defense is as tough as they come, and their scoring ability is sharp. BHS is bound and determined to make a deep run this coming weekend and you know their hungry for it. Their first game is at 7:00 tomorrow vs West Fargo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":612104,"width":560,"height":281,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/03/bhs.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-612104" width="560" height="281" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#4 Bismarck Legacy (17-7 Overall)-</strong> The Sabers have had an impressive season, and they're not done yet. The Sabers have shown over the year they are battle ready and come out every night ready to go to work. Offensively the Sabers have a little of everything in their roster and Coach Petrik knows how to make it work, and work well. The team is led by Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='375796' first='Brooklynn' last='Felchle'] (16.4PPG/9RPG) who has really been a huge part of their offense and defense alike. At 6'2 she can be an absolute menace in the paint, and with an FG% of 65% she knows how to hurt a team in the paint. On top of that you also have to figure out how to contain [player_tooltip player_id='213379' first='Alyssa' last='Eckroth'] (12.8PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='245531' first='Adison' last='Sagaser'] (9.7PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='100432' first='Brooklyn' last='Brendel'] (5.9PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='462927' first='Halle' last='Severson'] (5.1PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='218143' first='Mia' last='Berryhill'] (4.8PPG) and multiple players who can come in and add points as well. One thing that really stands out about Legacy is how good they can essentially "sneak-up" on you and add 7-10 points really fast with the shooting abilities of their guards. When you have high caliber shooters like Eckroth, Berryhill and Sagasar who can pull-up and knock down bigtime shots on a moment's notice, they can be overwhelming for teams to contain. Legacy is also another one of those teams that can move the ball around very well, and just when you think you got a stop, boom...they'll go another route and make you pay. As a team the Sabers average 69.5PPG, are one of the best rebounding teams in the WDA with 41.7RPG and lead the WDA in assists with 18.2APG. All in all, the Sabers are another great team that has a little of everything in their roster. With Size, Shooters, Speed and Guards who can not only shoot, but dish a quick pass to an open player, Legacy is looking for a repeat of 2017. They Tip-Off at 1:00 tomorrow vs West Fargo Sheyenne.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":612105,"width":545,"height":341,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/03/legacy.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-612105" width="545" height="341" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Photo Credit: Jon Jablonski/Mark Kinnebrew</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->