Class A State Tournament Preview: Day 1 Matchups
The Class A State Tournament starts Thursday in Fargo. Here’s what to watch for on Thursday: Bismarck vs. Fargo Shanley The Demons and Deacons start things off Thursday in a game that will be all about tempo. Fargo Shanley wants…
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Continue ReadingThe Class A State Tournament starts Thursday in Fargo. Here’s what to watch for on Thursday:
Bismarck vs. Fargo Shanley
The Demons and Deacons start things off Thursday in a game that will be all about tempo. Fargo Shanley wants to slow the game down, get 30 minutes into the game and let Tallon Hoffer go to work down the stretch. Bismarck wants to take 70-plus shots in a game and run the opposition out of the gym.
On paper, this is a tough matchup for Shanley. The Deacons don’t have established scorers who have proven they can break a game open if the ball is taken out of Hoffer’s hands (which Bismarck’s pressure will likely aim to do). Quincy Smith and Braden DeKeyser have had good moments throughout the year and both guys will have to step up and make plays. Roman Srjema and Patrick Bath give them an advantage up front if the game is able to get played on their terms.
Bismarck’s depth has been a real weapon this year, as the Demons use relentless pressure and pace to break the opposition. Gunner Swanson is a matchup nightmare on the wing and their ability to space the floor lends itself to some feast or famine outings.
Fargo Davies vs. Mandan
This is perhaps the most interesting first-round matchup of the day, as we get to see Elijah Klein go up against a loaded Fargo Davies frontcourt. If there’s a team equipped to neutralize Klein, it’s the Eagles because of their ability to pressure the ball at the top with Grayson Haman, Ty Satter and Cole Hage plus their ability to throw bodies at Klein including Nate Hensel, Justice Noel and Cam Van Dam.
The point guard matchup between Jaxton Wiest and Grayson Haman could be a ton of fun to watch as those are two of the best in the state at that position. Wiest has been playing exceptional basketball over the last month and can control a game as well as anybody. On the other side, Haman, Satter and Hage are elite defensively with a ton of size and athleticism.
Can the Eagles bounce back from a rough performance in the EDC Tournament Championship game? Can the Braves control the tempo and slow this game to keep the Eagles from getting out and running? On paper, Fargo Davies has a lot more guys who can win them a game, but the Braves have experience, toughness and are playing at a high level coming in.
West Fargo Sheyenne vs. Dickinson
This is another really interesting first-round matchup as the on-paper talent in this game will be as high as any game Thursday. The Mustangs perimeter trio of Blake Berg, Tyler Terhark and Zion Dettman going against the dynamic duo of Kobe Krenz and Jaiden Wright should be a ton of fun to watch. Berg and Terhark played on the top ECI team while Wright and Klatt both played on the second team, so there should be some familiarity there. Those are all big, physical guards who can bully defenders, get into the paint and either score or make plays.
The inside matchup of Tallon Klatt and the combination of Jacksen Moni, Chuck Dubois and Jah’Heem Leake is an interesting one as well. Klatt was a big reason the Midgets were able to beat Minot to get to state, thoroughly dominating one of the best frontcourts in the state. He’s been inconsistent this year, but he’s capable of going for 20-10.
Both Wright and Krenz had some moments of struggle in the WDA Tournament. If the Mustangs take one of those guys out of a game, it’s going to be really hard for the Midgets to win. Sheyenne has too much firepower and too much balance. If those two guys are able to control the game, Dickinson’s got a shot.
Jamestown vs. Devils Lake
NDSU fans could be salivating for this one if Boden Skunberg is able to play, as he and Grant Nelson would be on the floor at the same time going head-to-head. Without Skunberg, Jamestown is still the favorite to win this game, as Carson Lamp, Brooks Carroll and Keith Levin were all terrific in the WDA Tournament and have proven they can step up with Skunberg out.
There are some good frontcourts in the WDA, but there’s not a player as impactful on both ends of the floor as Nelson. Can his presence change the way Jamestown plays offense in particular? Because such a big part of their game is spreading the floor, getting to the paint and generating open 3-pointers with ease. If Nelson is sitting at the rim, are those open kickouts going to be there as often?On the other end, can someone besides Nelson score? Michael Widmer averaged 10 points per game in the EDC Tournament. Braden Fee scored 14 points in the win over Grand Forks Red River, after scoring in double-figures one other time during the year.
Jamestown should win this game. The Bluejays have the guard talent to put pressure on the Firebirds out top and will have a plan to not let Nelson wreck the game. They’ve got so many guys who can shoot, make plays, rebound and change the game. Devils Lake is a threat because Nelson can literally go for 40 and 20, but the Firebirds need to play this game completely on their terms.