Best Games to Watch This Week (January 4th-9th 2021)

A look at the top games around the state happening this coming week….. Monday, January 4th, 2021 Powers Lake (3-0) at White Shield (0-1) The Ranchers from Powers Lake come into this one undefeated and ranked #8 in this week’s Power Rankings. White Shield has only played one game, so who knows exactly what we will see from them. I am expecting to see plenty of 3-pointers made between Jesse WhiteJesseWhite5'11" | PGWhite Shield | 2021StateND and Noah FredricksonNoahFredrickson6'0" | SGPowers Lake | 2021StateND. These two shooters are as good as it gets in North Dakota. Tyson EngetTysonEnget5'10" | SGPowers Lake | 2023StateND is another nice player for the Ranchers. With White Shield only playing one game it is tough to know what else they have on their squad besides the big-time scorer Jesse WhiteJesseWhite5'11" | PGWhite Shield | 2021StateND. Whatever happens, it will certainly be entertaining hoops between the Ranchers and Warriors. Tuesday, January 5, 2021 Minot (5-0) at Mandan (4-1) These are two talented teams who are both ranked in the top 6 of our Power Rankings. Minot comes in as #1 and Mandan at #6. I am interested to see who Martinez from Minot guards, as he is the best defender in ND in my opinion. The Magi have three players scoring double digits with Deonte MartinezDeonteMartinez5'10" | PGMinot | 2021StateND (27.3 ppg), Eric Wentz (13.8 ppg), and Darik DissetteDarikDissette6'1" | SGMinot | 2023StateND (12.5 ppg). The Braves bring in 4 players scoring in double digits Aaron GrubbAaronGrubb6'2" | PFMandan | 2022StateND (16.3 ppg), Jayce LowmanJayceLowman6'1" | SGMandan | 2021StateND (16.3 ppg), Jacob Pierce (12 ppg), and Lucas Burgum (10.7 ppg). This will be a fun game because both teams have great depth and play a good brand of basketball. Bismarck Century (3-1) @ Bismarck (4-1) This is a must-see game if you live in the Bismarck area between two rival programs. Bismarck Century comes in ranked #5 and Bismarck High comes in ranked #4. The Patriots lost to Jamestown this past week and the Demons beat Jamestown. These two teams look to be equally matched and know each other well being that they are across town rivals. Both teams are skilled and deep with talent. Century has five players scoring in double figures: Ian ElyIanEly5'11" | PGBismarck Century | 2021StateND, Anthony DopplerAnthonyDoppler6'3" | SGBismarck Century | 2023StateND, Ryan Erickson, William WareWilliamWare6'3" | SFBismarck Century | 2023StateND, and Isaiah Schafer. Bismarck High has three players scoring in double digits with Treysen EaglestaffTreysenEaglestaff6'5" | SFBismarck | 2022StateND (26.3 ppg), Gunner SwansonGunnerSwanson6'5" | SFBismarck | 2021StateND (16.8 ppg), and Max TschosikMaxTschosik5'9" | PGBismarck | 2021StateND (10ppg). I could see this game being high scoring with both teams getting out playing fast and raining 3’s. I could also see the pace slowing down a bit and the teams cherishing each possession. Which will happen? No one knows for sure, but it is going to be a great game. Friday, January 8, 2021 Bismarck (4-1) @ Minot (5-0) This is the second difficult game of the week for these two top-tier teams. Will they both come in 1-0 on the week? The 3 stars in this game are Deonte MartinezDeonteMartinez5'10" | PGMinot | 2021StateND from Minot and Treysen EaglestaffTreysenEaglestaff6'5" | SFBismarck | 2022StateND and Gunner SwansonGunnerSwanson6'5" | SFBismarck | 2021StateND from Bismarck. I see Minot as having the advantage in the backcourt and Bismarck in the frontcourt. These are two well-coached teams who play the game the right way. Whoever wins could be #1 in next week’s Power Rankings. Oak Grove (2-2) @ Dickinson Trinity (5-1) Whenever these two teams play it is must-see action no matter their records. Both teams have played difficult schedules so far this season. Dickinson Trinity comes in ranked #4 in this week’s Power Rankings. Oak Grove is anchored by Noah SwensonNoahSwenson6'5" | PFOak Grove | 2021StateND who is a complete basketball player that can overwhelm the opposing team on offense. Trinity is flying high with a huge win last week over Four Winds. The Titans are led by Cole Fitterer, Jake Daniel, and Tanner Soehren. Expect a high octane game out West between these two storied basketball programs.