Best Games to Watch Thursday-Saturday (January 21-23 2021)
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A look at the top games around the state happening Thursday through Saturday…. Thursday, January 21, 2021 North Border (7-1) @ Thompson (7-3) This is a top-tier matchup in Region 2. The Eagles are red hot and coming off an…
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Continue ReadingA look at the top games around the state happening Thursday through Saturday….
Thursday, January 21, 2021
North Border (7-1) @ Thompson (7-3)
This is a top-tier matchup in Region 2. The Eagles are red hot and coming off an upset win over Grafton last week, they are looking to keep their 6-game win streak intact. The Tommies boast one of the best defenses in North Dakota only allowing 45 points per game. North Border has been flying under the radar to start the season. The Eagles will attack the Tommies with Jaden Lee (18.1 ppg), Ayden Stainbrook (15.4 ppg, 7.9 rpg), Trenton Cosley (14.4 ppg, 4.3 apg), and Jaxen Johnson (9.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg). North Border has size and skill with Stainbrook and Johnson. Lee and Cosley are tough defenders that can put up points on the offensive side. On the other end Tommies have Kyle Odenback (13.9 ppg, 9.7 rpg), Jakob Starevic (10 ppg, 5.7 rpg), and Sam Roller (8.6 ppg). This one will come down to the Tommies defense against North Borders’ potent offense. Whoever controls the tempo will win the game. Tune in Thursday if you want to see two quality teams from Region 2.
Friday, January 22, 2021
Fargo Shanley (4-5) @ Fargo Davies (7-3)
This will be the battle for the best team in south Fargo. Both teams are stocked full of young talent. Shanley has hard-working relentless guards with Braden DeKeyser Braden DeKeyser 6'3" | SF Fargo Shanley | 2021 State ND , Tyler Kraft, and Emmet Kenney. Conner Kraft is the lanky athletic big man for the Deacons. He has provided plenty of excitement this year with highlight-reel dunks. Davies has stud senior Owen Hektner Owen Hektner 6'6" | SF Fargo Davies | 2021 State ND who is an MSUM commit. The Eagles also have one of the best slashing guards in the EDC with Latrel Davis Latrel Davis 6'6" | SF Fargo Davies | 2021 State ND . Add in underclassmen Mason Klabo, Ian Motschenbacher Ian Motschenbacher 6'1" | PG Fargo Davies | 2022 State ND , Max Froslie, Raymond Brown Raymond Brown 5'11" | PG Fargo Davies | 2023 State ND , and they are a scary team. This should be an exciting game to watch that will be played fast with a ton of three-pointers being taken. Who will be crowned king of south Fargo?
Moorhead (0-2) @ Sheyenne (10-1)
One team is just getting its season started and the other team is on a 10-game win streak. Moorhead has had a tough start to its winter season after an amazing fall football season. Sheyenne is ranked #2 in this week’s Power Rankings. The Mustangs might be the best team in ND and is playing its best basketball of the year. The Spuds bring in a quick aggressive team. They are led by Blake Walthall, Brady Walthall, Trey Feeney, Belind Alemadi. The Mustangs have the best frontcourt in North Dakota with Jacksen Moni Jacksen Moni 6'9" | PF West Fargo Sheyenne | 2021 State ND and Jah’Heem Leake Jah’Heem Leake 6'8" | C West Fargo Sheyenne | 2021 State ND . I expect Moorhead to have trouble with Sheyenne’s size and will have to double inside. Will the Mustangs be able to hit from outside when the double team comes? Sheyenne does not mind playing fast and Moorhead thrives on playing fast. I am interested to see at what type of pace this game is played at. Check out this cross-state game on Friday night.
Saturday, January 23, 2021
Four Winds/Minnewauken (7-1) @ Oak Grove (5-4)
If you are in Fargo Saturday evening and like watching basketball teams that score and play fast, check this one out. Both teams trap all over on defense and will put up a ton of three-pointers. Four Winds is led by Jayden Yankton Jayden Yankton 6'1" | SG Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2022 State ND (18.8 ppg 41% for 3), Bronson Walter Bronson Walter 6'10" | C Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2021 State ND (11.6 ppg, 7.9 rpg), Jaeshaun Shaw Jaeshaun Shaw 5'11" | SG Four Winds | 2021 State ND (10.1 ppg), Caelen Lohnes Caelen Lohnes 6'1" | SF Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2021 State ND (9.6 ppg), Jonah Jackson Jonah Jackson 6'1" | SF Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2021 State ND (9.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg), and Keldon Keja Keldon Keja 5'10" | PG Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2021 State ND (6.1 ppg, 6.9 apg). Oak Grove will answer with Noah Swenson Noah Swenson 6'5" | PF Oak Grove | 2021 State ND (17. Ppg, 8.4 rpg), Mason Martinson Mason Martinson 5'11" | PG Oak Grove | 2021 State ND (11 ppg), Trevon Rodriguez (9.4 ppg), and Conner Asche (7.3 ppg). All I know is that this game will be played at a fast pace and it will be fun to watch. Make sure to check this game out.
Bismarck (8-2) @ Bismarck Century (5-3)
This is another tough game for the Demons this week in the Capitol city. By the end of Saturday night, we should know who the best team in Bismarck is. Coming into the week we had Bismarck ranked #1 in our Power Rankings. The Demons may have the best player in the WDA with junior Treysen Eaglestaff Treysen Eaglestaff 6'5" | SF Bismark | 2022 State ND . The Demons have a talented team with Treysen Egalestaff (24.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg), Gunner Swanson Gunner Swanson 6'5" | SF Bismarck | 2021 State ND (13.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg), Max Tschosik Max Tschosik 5'9" | PG Bismarck | 2021 State ND (10.2 ppg, 3.8 apg), and Logan Schaubert Logan Schaubert 6'2" | SG Bismarck | 2021 State ND (9.2 ppg). Century is full of talent as well. They might have the best young players in North Dakota. The leaders for Century are Ian Ely Ian Ely 5'11" | PG Bismarck Century | 2021 State ND (15.6 ppg), Ryan Erickson (14.6 ppg, 9.5 rpg), Anthony Doppler Anthony Doppler 6'4" | SG Bismarck Century | 2023 State ND (11.9 ppg, 5.7 rpg), Isaiah Schafer Isaiah Schafer 6'1" | CG Bismarck Century | 2024 State ND (9.4 ppg), and William Ware William Ware 6'7" | SF Bismarck Century | 2023 State ND (9.1 ppg, 6.2 ppg). I think this one is a toss-up; I could make cases for both teams winning this one. It will come down to who can execute better and who takes care of the basketball. It is going to be a fun matchup.
Mandan (8-3) @ Minot (8-1)
The last time these two teams faced each other Minot came away with a close win 69-67. I am expecting another nail-biter Saturday evening. Mandan has four players scoring in double digits with Aaron Grubb Aaron Grubb 6'3" | PF Mandan | 2022 State ND , Jayce Lowman Jayce Lowman 6'3" | SG Mandan | 2021 State ND , Jacob Pierce, and Tyler Thilmony Tyler Thilmony 6'0" | PG Mandan | 2021 State ND . This is a tough group of Braves who play hard and fast. Minot has one of the best point guards in the state and the best on-ball defender with Deonte Martinez Deonte Martinez 5'10" | PG Minot | 2021 State ND . He is complemented by Eric Wentz Eric Wentz 6'2" | SG Minot | 2022 State ND and Darik Dissette Darik Dissette 6'4" | SG Minot | 2023 State #300 Nation ND . This one seems to be an even matchup on paper. Minot is a tough team on their home court. How will Mandan travel and shoot on the road? Only time will tell. I look for this game to be in the 70’s and the winner to lead by 5 or less after the final buzzer sounds.