Fit to be tied

BISMARCK – Jamestown and Bismarck Legacy shared the WDA regular season title a season ago, so perhaps it's fitting the two are tied again. This time in the 2024 preseason coaches rankings. Both teams received 59 total points from league coaches in the recently-conducted poll. Legacy did, however, garner seven first place votes to two for Jamestown. Minot High was third in voting with 50 points. Century was fourth followed by Bismarck High, fifth; Mandan-St. Mary's, sixth; Dickinson, seventh; Minot North, eighth; and Williston ninth. Teams received eight points for a first place vote; seven for second; six for third; five four fourth; four for fifth; three for sixth; two for seventh; and one for eighth. Coaches did not include their teams during voting. The 2024 season gets underway on Friday, Aug. 16 for a handful of WDA teams. This marks the 30th year of NDHSAA-sponsored play and there are a few noted changes this season. Minot North is making its debut at the varsity level. And conference officials have opted not to conduct a WDA Tournament due to the increased number of teams and the desire for a complete double round robin schedule. The change also means teams will avoid having to play three matches in a week. The top four teams with the most points in the WDA standings will qualify for the ND state tournament in October.

2024 WDA Coaches' Poll

T1. Bismarck Legacy (7), 59 points

T1. Jamestown (2), 59 points

3. Minot High, 50 points

4. Bismarck Century, 42 points

5. Bismarck High, 39 points

6. Mandan-St. Mary's, 26 points

7. Dickinson, 19 points

8. Minot North, 17 points

9. Williston, 13 points

First place votes in parenthesis