Class B Region 1 Standings and Key Players

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With North Dakota hoops about half way through the season let's take a look at some of the key performers and current standings from Region 1, host to last years State Title Champions Kindred. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Topping off our list we have. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Central Cass</strong> - 9-3 (3-0) - The Squirrels have proved to be trouble this year. They have beaten a team ranked in the top 10 three times this year with wins vs. Shiloh Christian, Northern Cass and Carrington. Ranked at #6 currently in the state the Squirrels have been lead thus far by team captain and D2 commit Decontee Smith. Smith is a versatile athlete with elite athleticism. Backing her are the Cotton girls Delaney and Klaire. Both can really stretch the defensive in being able to put the ball on the floor or hit from deep. This is one troublesome Squirrel the state is dealing with that hopes to bring home a state title to the nest. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Northern Cass</strong> - 10-3 (5-1) - The Jags are having another phenomenal year. They've got key wins over Kindred, Grafton and EKM. The Jags are led by senior leader Halle Crocket whose an explosive firework. This is a deep team that only lose her next year and gain back 4 starters and some talented underclassman. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kindred</strong> - 8-3 (4-1) - The Vikings have stumbled a bit since their fall from grace, but no matter this is still a dangerous team. Led by senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='100436' first='Kacie' last='Burner'] a hard nosed grit player that still has Viking fans wanting a repeat. The Vikings have a solid win over a tough Oakes squad, but other than that nothing has come easy for this squad as they have a large target on their back from last years undefeated season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Maple River</strong> - 10-3 (4-2) - The Raiders are the most inexperienced team on this list, yet they come in 4th currently in a tough region 1. Filled with underclassman and only 2 seniors this is a dangerous squad to look at on paper in terms of what they will return. A well rounded attack offensively this squad has got a key win over current #7 in the state May-Port-CG 47-42. As inexperienced as they come this is a sleeper team that you have to watch come playoff time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sargent County</strong> - 7-5 (3-2) - The Bulldogs are back in the middle of the pack for the Region 1 crown. A key win over a down Linton team this year and some dog fights that've come to the wire against Oakes and EKM this is a grit and grind squad. Led by Halle Nelson and [player_tooltip player_id='211174' first='Jami' last='Bopp'] this Bulldog team could learn some new tricks come playoffs and be a real menace... They're on my must watch list! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tri-State</strong> - 6-5 (3-3) - Another middle of the pack squad that's fairly deep in the depth chart this Tiger team has got some claws. A real unpredictable team as you never know what you're for sure going to get. Looking from the outside in at their box scores it would appear they could hang with the best of them. If this team can figure out the magic formula come playoff time I think I can smell an upset cooking from this underdog. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Oak Grove</strong> - 8-5 (2-3) - It's never easy managing in the Region 1, but the Grovers have done that this year. Not making a ton of noise, but winning the games that they were meant too. They loose 3 seniors after this year, but get back a good depth of players for the years to come. A team that has struggled immensely in the past this could be the Grovers first winning season since the 17-18' season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wyndmere - Lidgerwood - Hankinson</strong> - 6-7 (2-3) - The Warriors have fought hard this year. Getting a solid win over a down LaMoure team and winning majority of the games they should win it's been a work in progress to say the least. Mergers are never easy on the athletes, but the coaching squad has done a solid job putting things together. This should be a tough squad to watch in the years to come. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lisbon</strong> - 4-9 (2-3) - It's been a struggle for this Bronco squad this year. Their record doesn't fully display the amount of heart this team expresses. They are led by Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='278889' first='Kyra' last='Haecherl'] averaging 13 points, 11.8 rebounds a game. Looking at the end of the year and to the future this Bronco squad doesn't loose anyone this year and fully returns everything for next year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Enderlin</strong> - 5-8 (1-5) - Another tough year for the Eagles. They've won majority of the games they should've with a few tough losses to Wyndmere and Lisbon. They loose senior work horse [player_tooltip player_id='211392' first='Genevieve' last='Gruba'] whose averaging 10 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists according to Max Preps. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Richland</strong> - 3-10 (0-5) - The Colts have hit a reset button over the years. They lose key player [player_tooltip player_id='243074' first='Kennedi' last='Wagner'] this year, but have a steep amount of underclassman coming up and playing at a varsity level. It'll be a rebuild for sure, but with enough culture the Colts could be a real contender for the Region 1 crown in the coming seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->