Friday Night Predictions: Previewing 3 Big Games in Class A
It’s a big night in North Dakota and if weather allows games to be played then the Class A heavyweight fights will be worth the time to go see.
Minot vs Bismarck Century. This rivalry needs no introduction at all. This will be the first game for Century who won three games in Wyoming to start the year. Minot is also 3-0 and have beaten two of the top six teams in state in GFRR and Dickinson. Justin Engg has played big in both of the Minot big wins scoring 18 against GFRR and then 16 against Dickinson. Junior guard Peyton Lamoureux has emerged this year with a couple good games for the Magicians as well. How big were the Century wins in Wyoming? They beat the number two team in state while there so this new group of Patriots is likely to keep them competing for titles. Gut Feel: Minot experience gives them the win.
West Fargo vs GFRR. Have you heard about what Joe Pistorius did on Tuesday night? Had a mild FOURTY THREE points making seven threes and 10 of 13 free throws in a 95-87 win over Shanley. This breaks the single game scoring record at West Fargo high school. Raiden Forrest also continued his hot start to the year and Abdi Sufi had another good game. The Packers look for real which makes the GFRR game even more exciting. The Roughriders have won three in a row including an overtime win over West Fargo Sheyenne. Austin Slaughter and Mark Toe have led the way so far this season. GFRR is a long team so watching Pistorius against that length will be fun. Gut Feel: West Fargo wins, GFRR has more to prove. That win the other night was good but this is the need they need to build confidence.
Fargo Davies vs Fargo North. Preseason number one against Siman Sem and the face paced Spartans. Why is Davies considered a top contender? They have so many different players bringing big games on every night. So many different guys to trey and deal with. Jake Paper is coming off a big double-double, Matt Veit has had a couple big games, and sophomore Jaden Klabo is playing well despite his age. The Spartans have only played one game so far which is rare compared to the rest of the state. They beat WF Sheyenne by 13 points. In that game Siman Sem had 28 points and ten boards out-dueling Collin Trottier who had 30. Senior Cameron Sherrad had a dozen in that opener. Gut Feel: This is a Davies win by double figures.
Others: Oakes and Ellendale grabs the attention with Ellendale being ranked and Oakes having some recent solid teams…New England and Richardton-Taylor as well as Dickinson Trinity, they are in the Roughrider Tournament and that has good programs. Killder, Hear River, Bowman County, other s are also in it….
The CNDC Tournament is high quality and worth watching if you can beat the weather. Tonight St. John and New Rockford-Sheyenne play followed by Rugby versus Dunseith. New Rockford-Sheyeene barely beat Rolla last night and Dunseith got by Harvey/Wells County by seven. St. John and Rugby won in blowouts…
Season openers will be played tonight for preseason number one Four Winds/Minnewaukan (vs Beulah) and Solen (vs Wilton/Wing)….Bismarck takes on Williston a night after giving Dickinson all they could handle. Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo standout Joe Jahner had a team high 17 for Bismarck while talented lead guard Ian Schafer scored 15 and Solomon Garter had 13.