Class B State Tournament Team Capsules
It’s been a long couple of days. If there’s any chance that the state tournament can still happen, you’ll want to know the teams participating. If there isn’t a state tournament, these teams can all say they ended their season…
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Continue ReadingIt’s been a long couple of days. If there’s any chance that the state tournament can still happen, you’ll want to know the teams participating. If there isn’t a state tournament, these teams can all say they ended their season on a high note as region champs.
Richland
The Colts didn’t exactly have to run that gauntlet in the region tournament, as No. 2 Enderlin was upset in the first round and No. 1 Kindred was upset in the semifinals, so the highest seed Richland had to beat was No. 4 Central Cass. The Colts did so in thorough fashion though and as a team that was ranked in the top-five going into the year, they’ve got the talent to beat anybody. Gavin Reiland turned it on in a big way in the postseason, averaging 19 points per game in the postseason after averaging less than 10 points per game during the regular season. Cole Myers is having an all-state season, averaging 22 points and nearly nine rebounds. Carter Lingen has been terrific all season and in the last six games, he’s been on a tear, averaging 18.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists.
Hillsboro/Central Valley
The No. 1 team in the preseason had its share of ups and downs in the middle of the season, but there might not be a team playing better than the Burros were. They were elite defensively in the region tournament, allowing less than 40 points in wins over Hatton/Northwood and Grafton. Oscar Benson, Patrick Limke and Landen Reed have been excellent particularly on the defensive end of the floor and Carson Henningsgard has been arguably the best player in the state.
Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier
The Rebels beat Strasburg/Zeeland thanks to 25 points from Alex Huber on their way to the state tournament berth. Huber has emerged as one of the best forwards in Class B this season and the Rebels have a solid group of guards around him including Cale Matthern, Jace Hanson and Adam Nitschke.
Four Winds/Minnewaukan
The No. 1 team in Class B and the easy favorite to win the state tournament (if it happens), the Indians have the most complete team in Class B. Doug Yankton is an all-state wing who can control the game on both ends of the floor and stuff the stat sheet. Bronson Walter is one of the best big men in the state and a nightmare to defend in the halfcourt and is a presence in the paint that few teams can handle. JaeShaun Shaw and Jayden Yankton are terrific two-way wings who have shown they can score in bunches and cross off opposing teams’ top scorers.
Shiloh Christian
The Skyhawks played in the state title game last year and despite graduating three starters, were one of the best teams throughout the season in Class B. Jaden Mitzel was the key cog, as the senior forward averaged 25 points and 11 rebounds per game. He was remarkably consistent despite being at the top of every team’s scouting report. Trey Brunelle took his game to another level and guys like Cole Walth and Luke Wanzek have been solid in complementary roles.
Rugby
The Panthers cruised through Region 6 on their way to the state tournament. Their only two losses on the year are to Four Winds and Shiloh and few teams have the kind of firepower and depth they’ve got. Jaden Hamilton had an all-state type season, averaging 20.3 points and 7.7 rebounds. Trace Goven is one of the best wings in the state, averaging 15.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists. Devan Michels stuffs the stat sheet and is one of the best two-way players on the team, averaging 9.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists. Warren Walker, Cole Slaubaugh and Isaiah Bundy-Smith round out a rock-solid rotation.
Beulah
Beulah beat Dickinson Trinity again in the Region 7 championship to advance to its third-straight state tournament. The Miners play elite defense and Trey Brandt is one of the best players in the state. The sophomore guard averages nearly 21 points, six rebounds and four assists. Brandt struggled mightily in the region championship, but the guy who stepped up in a big way was junior swingman Dawson Zuroff, who scored 11 points, grabbed six rebounds and dished out seven assists. Trapper Skalsky and Nathan Battest are solid complementary pieces and senior big man Jonah Larson is a load in the paint.
New Town
The Eagles went into Region 8 as one of the frontrunners and used homecourt advantage to roll through the tournament on their way to state. The senior guard duo of Michael Martinez and Tyler Kreil form one of the best duos in the state and junior guard Connor Smith is a go-to scorer on the wing.