Class B Region Championship Predictions
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We are two weeks into the long-anticipated season, and it has not disappointed so far. 2021 is closing in on us fast and the basketball season will be in full swing shortly. Let us look at the possible Region Championship…
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Continue ReadingWe are two weeks into the long-anticipated season, and it has not disappointed so far. 2021 is closing in on us fast and the basketball season will be in full swing shortly. Let us look at the possible Region Championship games. Who do we predict making it to the coveted ND Class B State Tournament?
When and Where is the Class B State Tournament? March 18th-20th at Minot State University.
Region 1 (Enderlin vs. Kindred)
The two biggest teams and the most athletic teams should meet in the Region 1 Championship. Kindred is led by big man
Gavin Keller
Gavin
Keller
6'9" | PF
Kindred | 2021
State
ND
and underrated junior athlete
Paul Olson
Paul
Olson
6'3" | SF
Kindred | 2022
State
ND
. The Vikings have big, strong, athletic guards. Kindred has great overall size, depth, and possibly the best defense in Region 1. Enderlin is led by all-star brothers
Joe Hurlburt
Joe
Hurlburt
6'10" | PF
Enderlin | 2022
State
#147
Nation
MN
and
Gus Hurlburt
Gus
Hurlburt
6'9" | PF
Enderlin | 2022
State
ND
. They are not only tall, but they are also skilled and athletic. The dynamic duo draws most of the attention from opposing teams. Their ability to make 3’s spread the floor and opens up the court for other Eagles to do damage. I think this will be a close one, but the Eagle’s firepower will be too much for the Vikings. This could be the first trip to the State Tournament for Enderlin since 1996.
Region 1 Champion: Enderlin Eagles
Region 2 (Grafton vs. Hatton/Northwood)
These are both talented teams that have experienced players. Grafton is deeper and more skilled, but Hatton/Northwood has the height and strength advantage. Hatton/Northwood is lead by senior do-it-all guard
Colton Konschak
Colton
Konschak
6'5" | SG
Hatton/Northwood | 2021
State
ND
. They also have powerful junior Kelby Azure that dominates in the paint. Grafton is lead by potential All-State player
Stevan Garza
Stevan
Garza
6'2" | SG
Grafton | 2021
State
ND
. He is hands down the best player in Region 2. Grafton’s seasoned squad will prevail in this heavyweight matchup. I expect Garza and the rest of the Spoilers to represent Region 2 at the State Tournament.
Region 2 Champion: Grafton Spoilers
Region 3 (Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier vs. Linton/HMB)
I see Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier winning District 5 and Linton/HMB winning District 6. Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier is the reigning Region 3 champions. They have started hot this season and are looking like a finely oiled machine. The Rebels are led by potential All-State player
Alex Huber
Alex
Huber
6'6" | SF
Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier | 2021
State
ND
. He is very skilled offensively and a very tough player. Linton/HMB is led by all-star
Lucas Schumacher
Lucas
Schumacher
6'2" | SG
Linton | 2021
State
ND
. He is the best guard in the Region and a supreme athlete. I think Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier’s size gives them the advantage in this one. I am forecasting that the Rebels win the Region again this year in a nail-biting game behind a great performance by
Alex Huber
Alex
Huber
6'6" | SF
Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier | 2021
State
ND
.
Region 3 Champion: Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier Rebels
Region 4 (Four Winds/Minnewaukan vs. Langdon/Edmore/Munich)
I have Four Winds/Minnewaukan taking District 7 and Langdon/Edmore/Munich taking District 8. Four Winds/Minnewaukan is deep, athletic, and skilled. They are led by
Bronson Walter
Bronson
Walter
6'10" | C
Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2021
State
ND
,
Jaeshaun Shaw
Jaeshaun
Shaw
5'11" | SG
Four Winds | 2021
State
ND
, and
Jayden Yankton
Jayden
Yankton
6'1" | SG
Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2022
State
ND
. Langdon/Edmore/Munich has a couple of nice guards with
Grant Romfo
Grant
Romfo
6'1" | SF
Langdon/Edmore/Munich | 2021
State
ND
who is an excellent shooter and
Simon Romfo
Simon
Romfo
6'1" | SG
Langfond-Edmore-Munich | 2021
State
ND
who is a solid point guard. I expect Four Winds/Minnewaukan’s defense to wear down Langdon and the depth from the Indians to overwhelm the Cardinals. I am looking for the Indians to make a deep run in the State Tournament this year.
Region 4 Champion: Four Winds/Minnewaukan Indians
Region 5 (Shiloh Christian vs. Garrison)
I am going with Shiloh Christian to win District 9 and Garrison to win District 10. Shiloh is deep, and athletic, with plenty of guys who can shoot it. They rotate in 10 players, so they never really get worn out. They have two (underclassmen) tough big men inside with
Carter Englund
Carter
Englund
6'7" | PF
Shiloh Christian | 2022
State
ND
and Jay Wanzek. Garrison is a legitimate contender that is led by senior Jack Bright who is a walking double-double. They also have sophomore Conner Kerzman who is a big-time scorer. With that said, I still think Shiloh wins Region 5. The Skyhawks have too much depth and weapons on both ends of the floor.
Region 5 Champion: Shiloh Christian Skyhawks
Region 6 (Rugby vs. Our Redeemer’s)
I am looking at Rugby to win District 11 and Our Redeemer’s to win District 12. Rugby is loaded with talent in the backcourt and frontcourt. The top four players for Rugby are Warren Walker, Trey Welstad, Cole Slaubaugh, and
Isaiah Bundy-Smith
Isaiah
Bundy-Smith
6'4" | PF
Rugby | 2021
State
ND
. Our Redeemer’s has a great junior point-guard in
Zach Hendrickson
Zach
Hendrickson
6'0" | PG
Our Redeemer's | 2022
State
ND
who is surrounded by quick guards with Levi Weekley providing the size inside. However, the Panthers have too many weapons for the Knights to contend with. If Rugby gets everyone playing together and they are firing on all cylinders the Panthers could be the scariest team in Class B.
Region 6 Champion: Rugby Panthers
Region 7 (Dickinson Trinity vs. Beulah)
I am looking at Dickinson Trinity and Beulah in the finals of Region 7. The Titans and Miners have met in the championship the past six seasons. To call these two teams rivals is an understatement. Trinity goes 8-9 deep and seems to always be consistent. The Titans are led by Cole Fitterer, Jake Daniel, and Tanner Soehren. These guys are athletic and disciplined. Beulah is led by star junior
Trey Brandt
Trey
Brandt
6'1" | PG
Beulah | 2022
State
ND
. He is surrounded by Dawson Zuroff, Nathan Battest, and Trapper Skalsky who can all shoot the ball and play the game the right way. It seems like these two play each other every year in the big game, and it is on the Titan’s homecourt. I am going to guess that there is some bad blood between these two foes. This game will be decided by one possession as the clock nears zeros. I am predicting
Trey Brandt
Trey
Brandt
6'1" | PG
Beulah | 2022
State
ND
to punch the Miner’s ticket to Minot on a buzzer-beating floater.
Region 7 Champion: Beulah Miners
Region 8 (White Shield vs. Powers Lake)
I am going with White Shield to win District 15 and Powers Lake to be victorious in District 16. White Shield has a dynamic and prolific scoring senior guard in
Jesse White
Jesse
White
5'11" | PG
White Shield | 2021
State
ND
. Powers Lake is led by Noah Frederickson who is a great scorer and has a picture-perfect looking jump shot. Powers Lake is my pick to win Region 8. I think they win with a more balanced team and a stronger defense. This could be a matchup with two of the best shooters in the state between White and Frederickson. The Ranchers have looked great so far this season and the Warriors still have a small sample size. Look for Powers Lake to be an underrated team coming into the State Tournament.
Region 8 Champion: Powers Lake Ranchers
Class B State Tournament Participants 2021
Region 1: Enderlin Eagles
Region 2: Grafton Spoliers
Region 3: Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier Rebels
Region 4: Four Winds/Minnewaukan Indians
Region 5: Shiloh Christian Skyhawks
Region 6: Rugby Panthers
Region 7: Beulah Miners
Region 8: Powers Lake Ranchers