North Dakota Catchup: Region 1
***Photo Credit: Inforum*** It doesn’t feel like it, but the winter season is nearly over. With region races heating up, we turn our attention to the postseason around the corner. Here are some things to know about Region 1 as…
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Continue Reading***Photo Credit: Inforum***
It doesn’t feel like it, but the winter season is nearly over. With region races heating up, we turn our attention to the postseason around the corner.
Here are some things to know about Region 1 as we head into the final stretch:
It’s a two-horse race at the top
Richland and Kindred are among the 10 best teams in Class B at this point in the season and very little separates the two. The Colts beat the Vikings in a nip-and-tuck affair a few weeks ago but that changes little in regards to the overall upside of both teams. Both are legitimate state-tournament caliber teams and both seemingly have the talent to do damage in that environment.
Cole Meyers is one of the best scorers in Class B, averaging 18.6 points per game and Carter Lingen is a terrific floor general, averaging 14 points and six assists. They are surrounded by an athletic and explosive supporting cast difference-makers including Gavin Reiland and Hunter Lenz.
The Vikings have a very good inside-outside duo in junior guard Andrew Freier and sophomore forward Gavin Keller. Scoring hasn’t always been their strength as a team but the Vikings have one of the elite defenses in the state.
Central Cass, Milnor/North Sargent in the mix?
Central Cass has taken five losses on the year but four are to the contenders in Region 2 (Hillsboro, Thompson and Grafton) and the Squirrels have been competitive each time. Zach Koetz and Max Kobbervig lead the way on the perimeter and while they are probably a bit behind Richland and Kindred, the Squirrels have the talent and experience to be dangerous.
Milnor/North Sargent is the only other team in the Region averaging more points than it is giving up. The Bulldogs have a chance to earn the No. 3 seed in the region but will need to win some tough games down the stretch.
Enderlin, Oak Grove still dangerous?
Enderlin’s hopes seemingly rest with senior guard Chance Bye who has missed the team’s last eight games. In those contests, the Eagles are 2-6 and averaging just 58 points per game. If Bye comes back, Enderlin has the kind of firepower capable of knocking some good teams off. Without him, the freshman combination of Joe Hurlburt and Gus Hurlburt will have to step up in a big way. Joe Hurlburt is putting up monster numbers, averaging 17 points and 12 rebounds. He’s one of the best underclassmen in the state.
Oak Grove is .500 on the year and has dealt with some inconsistencies along the way but the Grovers have the kind of talent in the frontcourt that can make life difficult for opponents in a tournament setting. Noah Swenson is one of the best young big men in the state and Mayson Bolme is a multifaceted swingman who can impact the game in a variety of ways.