Buckle up! West Region boys' basketball tournament will feature plenty of excitement

BISMARCK –  Four WDA boys' basketball teams will extend their season and advance to the Division AA state tournament, if they can first navigate through the challenging waters that is the West Region Tournament. The conference's marquee postseason event kicked off last week with two play-in games and the quarterfinals are Thursday, March 6 at the Bismarck Event Center. teams will navigate  Semifinal and consolation play is Friday, March 7. Two state qualifiers and the championship will be held on Saturday, March 8. This marks the 45th installment of the tournament. (Tournament Schedule)
The favorites: WDA regular season champion and top seed Century suffered just one loss throughout the regular season, falling to rival Bismarck High in early January. However, the Patriots did have some close calls. Twice it rallied to defeat Minot High in overtime. Could a third meeting be on the horizon this week? Minot High is the No. 2 seed and defending tournament champion. The program is no stranger to postseason success, being in the last four regional finals, winning three. The squad has a win over EDC regular season champion Fargo Davies. As mentioned, Bismarck High was the only team to defeat Century. The squad is known for its relentless full-court pressure and fast-paced basketball. The Demons scored 100 or more points in five games. Those are not the only three teams with a shot, however. No. 4 Mandan has a talented lineup with strong perimeter scoring and posted a win over BHS and played other teams tough. The Braves’ last qualified for state in 2022 and last reached the region tournament title in 2019. No. 5 Legacy is known for playing good defense and has qualified for state in each of the past two seasons. And No. 6 Dickinson has two wins over No. 2 Minot High and has played a number of other teams close. The Midgets are somewhat of a young squad, but capable of sticking with the top seeds. They last qualified for state in 2020.
Underdogs can bite!: The last seven West Region Tournaments featured a lower seed advancing to the Class A Tournament. Last year, No. 6 Legacy earned a state tournament berth.  
Free throws: WDA newcomer Minot North is making its first appearance in the region quarterfinals...WDA teams posted a 15-7 record vs. EDC competition this season...Four WDA teams (Century, Minot High, Bismarck High and Mandan) have win streaks of 8 or more games...Jamestown has had three different coaches over the past three seasons...PSP Network (psp.network) is again live-streaming all tournament games for a fee...Fargo is hosting the Division AA Tournament, March 13-15...WF Sheyenne is the defending state champion.

Team Capsules

#1 Century (20-1 Overall; 17-1 WDA)
Head Coach: Darin Mattern (16th year)
Key 2024-25 Wins: Minot High (2), Bismarck High, Mandan (2).
Record vs. Top 4 W. Region Seeds: 5-1
Longest season win streak: 11
Longest season losing streak: 1 
Players to watch: Drew Kempel, Sr.; Garrett Nissley, Jr.; Gibson Kinnebrew, So.; 
Points Per Game Average: 82.8
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 56.3
Team FG%: 49.9 (Opponents: 37.6)
Team 3PFG%: 36.0 (Opp: 30.1)
Team FT%: 69.0 (Opp: 66.2)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 40.5 (Opp: 27.4)
Record when leading at Halftime: 17-0
Record when trailing at Halftime: 3-1
Record when tied at Halftime: 0-0
Record when scoring 70 or more points: 18-1
Record when scoring 69 or fewer points: 2-0
Record when allowing 70 or more points: 2-1
Record when allowing 69 or fewer points: 18-0
Record in games decided by 5 points or less: 2-0
Team Leaders: PPG: Drew Kempel, 18.8; RPG: Joey Kraljic, 6.8; APG: Kempel, 6.4; STPG: Kempel, 2.1; BPG: G. Kinnebrew, 0.9; FG%: Kraljic, 64.0; 3PFG%: Kinnebrew, 41.6; FT%: Kinnebrew, 74.1
2023-24 W. Region Tournament Rewind: 3rd
(Won vs. Legacy; Loss vs. Bismarck High; Won vs. Dickinson)
Last West Region Tournament Championship: 2023
Last Class A Championship: 2018

#2 Minot High (17-4 Overall; 14-4 WDA)
Head Coach: Dean Winczewski (17th year)
Key 2024-25 Wins: Fargo Davies, Bismarck High (2), Mandan (2)
Record vs. Top 4 W. Region seeds: 4-2
Longest season win streak: 8
Longest season losing streak: 2 
Players to watch: Aric Winczewski, Sr.; 
Payton Schell, Sr.; Grayson Schaeffer, Sr.
Points Per Game Average: 84.7
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 44.6
Team FG%: 51.9 (Opponents: 37.7)
Team 3PFG%: 36.8 (Opp: 29.4)
Team FT%: 67.6 (Opp: 61.5)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 38.7 (Opp: 30.1)
Record when leading at Halftime: 16-3
Record when trailing at Halftime: 1-1
Record when tied at Halftime: 0-0
Record when scoring 70 or more points: 16-4
Record when scoring 69 or fewer points: 1-0
Record when allowing 70 or more points: 2-4
Record when allowing 69 or fewer points: 15-0
Record in games decided by 5 points or less: 1-3
Team Leaders: PPG: Payton Schell, 23.1; RPG: Landon Bedell, .1; APG: Aric Winczewski, 5.0; STPG: Winczewski, 1.8; BPG: Payton Schell, 2.1; FG%: Grayson Schaeffer, 66.2; 3PFG%: Schaeffer, 45.5; FT%: Schell, 79.8
2023-24 W. Region Tournament Rewind: Champion; (Won vs. Williston; Won vs. Mandan; Won vs. Bismarck High)
Last West Region Tournament Championship: 2024
Last Class A Championship: 2022

#3 Bismarck High (16-5 Overall; 13-5 WDA)
Head Coach: Jordan Wilhelm (10th year)
Key 2024-25 Wins: Century, Mandan
Record vs. Top 4 W. Region Seeds: 2-4
Longest season win streak: 9
Longest season losing streak: 2
Players to watch: Andre Austin, Sr.; Artie Carlow, Jr.; Khaliq Austin, Fr.
Points Per Game Average: 84.1
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 64.0
Team FG%: 43.8 (Opponents: 42.3)
Team 3PFG%: 33.6 (Opp: 31.0)
Team FT%: 62.1 (Opp: 65.9)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 40.0 (Opp: 34.9)
Record when leading at Halftime: 15-1
Record when trailing at Halftime: 1-4
Record when tied at Halftime: 0-3
Record when scoring 70 or more points: 15-2
Record when scoring 69 or fewer points: 1-3
Record when allowing 70 or more points: 4-4
Record when allowing 69 or fewer points: 12-1
Record in games decided by 5 points or less: 1-2
Team Leaders: PPG: Andre Austin, 17.8 RPG: Austin, 7.2; APG: Austin, 5.6; STPG: Austin, 2.6; BPG: Khaliq Austin, 0.5; FG%: Najey Boyd, 47.9; 3PFG%: Artie Carlow, 41.0; FT%: K. Austin, 80.0
2023-24 W. Region Tournament Rewind: 3rd (Won vs. Legacy; Loss vs. Bismarck High; Won vs. Dickinson)
Last West Region Tournament Championship: 2020
Last Class A Championship: 2012

#4 Mandan (15-6 Overall; 12-6 WDA)
Head Coach: Brandon Schafer (12th year)
Key 2024-25 Wins: Bismarck High
Record vs. Top 4 W. Region Seeds: 1-5
Longest season win streak: 8
Longest season losing streak: 2
Players to watch: Hudsen Sheldon, Sr.; Brylee Bearstail, Jr.; Rylee Bearstail, Jr.
Points Per Game Average: 78.2
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 65.7
Team FG%: 46.4 (Opponents: 40.8)
Team 3PFG%: 35.9 (Opp: 30.7)
Team FT%: 67.9 (Opp: 60.4)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 35.0 (Opp: 38.1)
Record when leading at Halftime: 10-3
Record when trailing at Halftime: 5-4
Record when tied at Halftime: 0-0
Record when scoring 70 or more points: 14-3
Record when scoring 69 or fewer points: 1-3
Record when allowing 70 or more points: 4-6
Record when allowing 69 or fewer points: 11-0
Record in games decided by 5 points or less: 3-2
Team Leaders: PPG: Hudsen Sheldon, 23.0; RPG: Sheldon, 6.7 APG: Sheldon 6.5; STPG: Sheldon, 3.7; BPG: Rylee Bearstail, 0.6; FG%: Tristan Ulmer, 56.2; 3PFG%: R. Bearstail, 40.2; FT%: Sheldon, 70.7
2023-24 W. Region Tournament Rewind: Did Not Place (Won vs. Dickinson; Loss vs. Minot High; Loss vs. Legacy)
Last West Region Tournament Championship: 2012
Last Class A Championship: 2009

#5 Legacy (14-7 Overall; 11-7 WDA)
Head Coach: Jason Horner (12th year)
Key 2024-25 Wins: Bismarck High, G.F. Red River
Record vs. Top 4 W. Region Seeds: 1-7
Longest season win streak: 5 
Longest season losing streak: 2
Players to watch: Parker Falcon, Sr.; Jonathan Roubideaux, Jr.; Makiya Berryhill, Jr.
Points Per Game Average: 73.9
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 70.0
Team FG%: 45.4 (Opponents: 43.9)
Team 3PFG%: 35.8 (Opp: 30.4)
Team FT%: 68.9 (Opp: 65.5)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 36.5 (Opp: 33.5)
Record when leading at Halftime: 11-0
Record when trailing at Halftime: 2-7
Record when tied at Halftime: 1-0
Record when scoring 70 or more points: 11-1
Record when scoring 69 or fewer points: 3-6
Record when allowing 70 or more points: 4-6
Record when allowing 69 or fewer points: 10-1
Record in games decided by 5 points or less: 2-1
Team Leaders: PPG: Parker Falcon, 21.2; RPG: P. Falcon, 8.3; APG: Falcon, 3.7; STPG: Jack Julson, 1.2; BPG: Jonathan Roubideaux, 0.4; FG%: Roubideaux, 61.3; 3PFG%: Falcon, 47.1; FT%: Falcon, 84.4
2023-24 W. Region Tournament Rewind: 4th ( Loss vs. Century; Won vs. Jamestown; Won vs. Mandan)
Last West Region Tournament Championship: None
Last Class A Championship: None

#6 Dickinson (13-8 Overall; 10-8 WDA)
Head Coach: Dan Glasser (10th year)
Key 2024-25 Wins: Minot High (2)
Record vs. Top 4 W. Region Seeds: 2-6
Longest season win streak: 4
Longest season losing streak: 3
Players to watch: Nolan Weidner, Sr.; Boston Cranston, Jr.; Cameron Wolf, Jr.
Points Per Game Average: 77.3
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 72.0
Team FG%: 43.9 (Opponents: 45.2)
Team 3PFG%: 29.4 (Opp: 31.6)
Team FT%: 67.2 (Opp: 65.0)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 37.2 (Opp: 34.4)
Record when leading at Halftime: 10-4
Record when trailing at Halftime: 3-4
Record when tied at Halftime: 0-0
Record when scoring 70 or more points: 13-3
Record when scoring 69 or fewer points: 0-5
Record when allowing 70 or more points: 5-7
Record when allowing 69 or fewer points: 8-1
Record in games decided by 5 points or less: 3-1
Team Leaders: PPG: Boston Cranston, 18.0; RPG: Cameron Wolf, 7.5; Nathan Stevenson, 7.5; APG: Cranston, 3.9; STPG: Stevenson, 1.9; BPG: Wolf, 1.7; FG%: Stevenson, 60.9; 3PFG%: Nolan Weidner, 35.4; FT%: Cranston, 76.0
2023-24 W. Region Tournament Rewind: Did not place (Loss vs. Mandan; Won vs. Williston; Loss vs. Century)
Last West Region Tournament Championship: None
Last Class A Championship: 2007

#7 Minot North (9-13 Overall; 5-13 WDA)
Head Coach: Drew Hysjulien (3rd year)
Key 2024-25 Win: Williston (region play-in game)
Record vs. Top 4 W. Region Seeds: 0-8
Longest season win streak: 2
Longest season losing streak: 3
Players to watch: Kaiden Helm, Sr.; Tamari Carter, Sr.; Brayden Blikre, Jr.
Points Per Game Average: 68.2
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 72.7
Team FG%: 42.5 (Opponents: 44.9)
Team 3PFG%: 30.2 (Opp: 30.0)
Team FT%: 59.2 (Opp: 66.6)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 35.7 (Opp: 37.2)
Record when leading at Halftime: 7-3
Record when trailing at Halftime: 1-11
Record when tied at Halftime: 1-0
Record when scoring 70 or more points: 8-3
Record when scoring 69 or fewer points: 1-10
Record when allowing 70 or more points: 2-12
Record when allowing 69 or fewer points: 7-1
Record in games decided by 5 points or less: 1-0
Team Leaders: PPG: Kaiden Helm; RPG: Tamari Carter, 5.1; APG: Carter, 2.8; STPG: Brayden Blikre, 1.7; BPG: Blikre 0.3; FG%: Carter, 54.0; 3PFG%: Helm, 40.2; FT%: Kaden Flavin, 71.0
2023-24 W. Region Tournament Rewind: Did Not Compete in Varsity Play
Last West Region Tournament Championship: None
Last Class A Championship: None

#8 Jamestown (5-17 Overall; 4-14 WDA)
Head Coach: Luke Anderson (1st year)
Key 2024-25 Wins: Mandan, St. Mary’s (region play-in game)
Record vs. Top 4 W. Region Seeds: 1-7
Longest season win streak: 2 
Longest season losing streak: 13
Players to watch: Thomas Newman, Sr.; Jaxon Kolpin, Sr.; Braxton Perkins, Sr.
Points Per Game Average: 66.0
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 80.6
Team FG%: 41.9 (Opponents: 48.0)
Team 3PFG%: 29.1 (Opp: 32.7)
Team FT%: 69.0(Opp: 63.9)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 32.4 (Opp: 38.5)
Record when leading at Halftime: 3-2
Record when trailing at Halftime: 2-15
Record when tied at Halftime: 0-0
Record when scoring 70 or more points: 5-3
Record when scoring 69 or fewer points: 0-14
Record when allowing 70 or more points: 2-16
Record when allowing 69 or fewer points: 3-1
Record in games decided by 5 points or less: 1-1
Team Leaders: PPG: T. Newman, 23.0; RPG: T. Newman, 5.7; APG: Newman, 3.0; STPG: Newman, 2.1; BPG: Newman, 1.1; FG%: Braxton Perkins, 54.7; 3PFG%: Edison Walters, 38.2; FT%: Newman, 84.4
2023-24 W. Region Tournament Rewind: Did Not Place (Lost vs. Bismarck High; Lost vs. Legacy)
Last West Region Tournament Championship: 2019
Last Class A Championship: 2019

WDA/West Region Tournament History
Championship Game - Other State Qualifiers
2025: Century vs. Bismarck High: OSQ: Dickinson         

2024: Minot 69, Bismarck 63: OSQ: Century, Legacy        
2023: Century 63, Minot 58; OSQ: Legacy, Jamestown
2022: Minot 80, Bismarck High 68; OSQ: Mandan, Century
2021: Minot 89, Bismarck High 88; OSQ: Legacy, Mandan
2020: Bismarck High 84, Jamestown 79 (OT); OSQ: 
Mandan, Dickinson
2019: Jamestown 71, Mandan 63; OSQ: Century, Legacy
2018: Century 71, Jamestown 29; OSQ: Mandan, St. Mary’s
2017: Century 70, Minot 64; OSQ: Bismarck High, 
Dickinson
2016: Minot 82, Century 69; OSQ: Bismarck High, Dickinson
2015: Minot 69, Century 42; OSQ: TMCHS, Jamestown
2014: Century 53, Bismarck High 32; OSQ: St. Mary’s, Minot
2013: St. Mary’s 63, Century 50; OSQ: Mandan, Bismarck High
2012: Mandan 63, Bismarck High 62; OSQ: St. Mary’s, Minot 
2011: Bismarck High 56, Century 44; OSQ: Mandan, Minot
2010: Bismarck High 50, Mandan 48; OSQ: Century, Minot
2009: Mandan 65, Williston 63; OSQ: Bismarck High, 
Dickinson
2008: Bismarck High 76, Minot 75; OSQ: Dickinson, 
Williston
2007: Bismarck High 70, Dickinson 55; OSQ: Williston, Minot
2006: Minot 72, Bismarck High 66 (OT); OSQ: Williston, Century
2005: Bismarck High 55, Mandan 44; OSQ: Williston, 
Dickinson
2004: Bismarck High 55, Williston 51; OSQ: St. Mary’s, 
Century
2003: Bismarck High 68, St. Mary’s 50; OSQ: Dickinson, Williston
2002: St. Mary’s 57, Minot 35; OSQ: Williston, Bismarck High
2001: Bismarck High 53, Century 49; OSQ: St. Mary’s, Williston
2000: Bismarck High 52, Century 48; OSQ: Minot, Beulah
1999: Minot 63, Bismarck High 61; OSQ: Century, Mandan
1998: Bismarck High 63, Minot 58; OSQ: Williston, Century
1997: Century 70, TMCHS Belcourt 62; OSQ: Minot, 
Bismarck High
1996: Minot 68, Mandan 55; OSQ: Bismarck High, Williston
1995: Bismarck High 70, Minot 61; OSQ: Century, TMCHS
1994: Bismarck High 44, Mandan 41; OSQ: Minot, Century
1993: TMCHS Belcourt 54, Century 53; OSQ: Minot High, 
Mandan
1992: Minot 54, Century 39; OSQ: Bismarck High, Williston
1991: Bismarck High 62, Century 51; OSQ: Minot Bishop Ryan, Minot 
1990: Williston 84, Minot 72; OSQ: Century
1989: Century 83, Minot 67; OSQ: Dickinson
1988: Bismarck High 62, Minot 55; OSQ: Williston
1987: Bismarck High 57, Minot 54; OSQ: Dickinson
1986: Minot 58, Williston 52; OSQ: Dickinson
1985: Minot 62, Williston 49; OSQ: St. Mary’s    
1984: Century 54, St. Mary’s 49; OSQ: Bismarck High
1983: Century 59, St. Mary’s 52; OSQ: Bismarck High
1982: Williston 52, Century 39; OSQ: Bismarck High
1981: St. Mary’s 55, Minot 48; OSQ: Mandan
Titles by Team: Bismarck High, 16; Minot High, 11; Century 8; St. Mary’s 3; Mandan, 2; Williston, 2; TMCHS, 1; Jamestown 1 

Notes: From 1981-1989, the tournament was called the WDA Tournament and was under the management of the conference. Only the top 3 tournament finishers qualified for the Class A Tournament. From 1990-present the tournament is called the West Region Tournament and is under the sponsorship of the NDHSAA. The top 4 tournament finishers qualify for the Class A Tournament
OSQ: Other State Qualifiers

Photo courtesy of Lyle Ripplinger, WDA event photographer