Best Games to Watch Thursday, February 11th

A look at the top games around the state happening Thursday…. Thursday, February 11th, 2021 Minot (15-1) @ Jamestown (12-3) This is an important game that will have an impact on who ends up with the #1 seed in the WDA. In this week’s Class A Power Rankings, we have Minot ranked #2 and Jamestown ranked #4. These two played way back on December 29th and Minot won in a low scoring game 54-50. This game should be close again, but I expect it to be a bit higher scoring. Minot scores 81.7 ppg and opponents are scoring 65.8 ppg against them. Jamestown puts up 75.1 ppg and is allowing a stingy 57.5 ppg. Deonte MartinezDeonteMartinez5'10" | PGMinot | 2021StateND is the lead guard for the Magi and Carson LampCarsonLamp6'0" | SGJamestown | 2021StateND is the go-to player for the Blue Jays. These two are a couple of the best backcourt players in the state. Martinez won the first game, now Lamp will be looking for revenge. The leading scorers for Minot are Deonte MartinezDeonteMartinez5'10" | PGMinot | 2021StateND (22.1 ppg), Darik DissetteDarikDissette6'3" | SGMinot | 2023StateND (16.5 ppg), Eric WentzEricWentz6'2" | SGMinot | 2022StateND (14.8), and Michael Ross (9.7). The leading scorers for Jamestown are Carson LampCarsonLamp6'0" | SGJamestown | 2021StateND (19.6 ppg), Brooks CarrollBrooksCarroll6'3" | SFJamestown | 2021StateND (11.8 ppg), and Keith LevinKeithLevin6'6" | PFJamestown | 2021StateND (10.5 ppg). This is the best matchup in Class A on Thursday. I am expecting an intense, physical, and competitive game in Jamestown. Dunseith (14-2) @ Four Winds/Minnewaukan (15-1) This matchup has the potential to be a preview of the Region 4 Championship game later in the year at Betty Engelstad Arena. If that is going to happen Dunseith will have to win District 8 and Four Winds/Minnewaukan will have to win District 7. Four Winds is ranked #1 in this week’s Power Rankings.  These teams are gifted offensively, and they can fill up the basket in a hurry. I expect this game to have a playoff atmosphere. Dunseith and Four Winds both have State Tournament aspirations and by winning this game they can prove they are ready for it. Dunseith scores 71.9 ppg and is giving up 59.8 ppg. Four Winds/Minnewaukan is putting up 73.8 ppg and they allow 47.2 ppg. These two are both loaded with shooters and scorers. They can come at you in waves and anyone of the players can go off for a big night. The top players for the Dragons are Ethan MorinEthanMorin6'0" | SGDunseith | 2022StateND, Joshua DeCoteau, Jalen PoitraJalenPoitra6'1" | SGDunseith | 2022StateND, Caleb PoitraCalebPoitra6'1" | SFDunseith | 2021StateND, and Julius Grant. The leading players for the Indians are Bronson WalterBronsonWalter6'10" | CFour Winds/Minnewaukan | 2021StateND, Jaeshaun ShawJaeshaunShaw5'11" | SGFour Winds | 2021StateND, Jayden YanktonJaydenYankton6'1" | SGFour Winds/Minnewaukan | 2022StateND, Keldon KejaKeldonKeja5'10" | PGFour Winds/Minnewaukan | 2021StateND, Caelen LohnesCaelenLohnes6'1" | SFFour Winds/Minnewaukan | 2021StateND, Jonah JacksonJonahJackson6'1" | SFFour Winds/Minnewaukan | 2021StateND, and Jacob LaRock. If you like great shooters, a fast-paced game, and high scoring then you will want to watch this one. Make sure you tune in for the best Class B game of the night. Hillsboro/Central Valley (9-5) @ Grafton/St. Thomas (15-1) This is an important matchup in Super Region 2 with playoff implications. The Spoilers are hoping to get a stronghold on the #1 seed and the Burros are planning to move up from their current position. Grafton and HCV match up well with each other. Neither team has a big size advantage. They are both athletic and physical teams. Grafton has been steady all year and HCV has been improving as the season has gone on. I would not be surprised a bit if these two squads run into each other later in the season in the Region Tournament. Hillsboro/Central Valley scores 58.5 ppg and they are giving up 48.1 ppg. Grafton/St. Thomas puts up 66.9 ppg and they are allowing 41.1 ppg. The top players for the Burros are Jackson AndersonJacksonAnderson6'3" | SGHillsboro/Central Valley | 2021StateND, Gannon LimkeGannonLimke6'6" | PFHillsboro/Central Valley | 2022StateND, Parker GallagherParkerGallagher5'10" | SGHillsboro/Central Valley | 2022StateND, Jacob Brandt, and Samuel PrestonSamuelPreston6'2" | SFHillsboro/Central Valley | 2021StateND. The leaders for the Spoilers are Stevan GarzaStevanGarza6'2" | SGGrafton | 2021StateND, Justin GarzaJustinGarza5'11" | SGGrafton | 2021StateND, Luis Balderas Jr., Brandon AlbrechtBrandonAlbrecht6'1" | SGGrafton | 2021StateND, and William Jiskra. Grafton has a veteran team full of seasoned players. HCV is tough, athletic, and playing well as of late. This one has all the ingredients to make up a great contest in Grafton.