Minot High eyes third-straight West Region girls' basketball title

BISMARCK – The last WDA team to string three consecutive West Region girls' basketball tournament titles together was Bismarck Century. Minot High has a strong chance to make it three straight this week at the at the Bismarck Event Center. The WDA’s marquee postseason tournament officially began last week with a pair of region play-in games. The quarterfinals are Thursday, March 6 with semifinal, consolation play on 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 favorite: Defending champion Minot High has just one loss on the season and captured its second-straight WDA regular season title. The squad handed EDC champ West Fargo Horace its only loss and also earned a win over defending state champ Fargo Davies. What’s most impressive about the Majettes’ regular season performance is that it was done without one of its standouts -- junior Maggie Fricke. The all-stater played just three games before suffering a season-ending injury. She averaged 21 points in those contests. However, the squad has other talented players, none bigger than junior Leelee Bell. The all-state led the conference in points and rebounding for a second year in a row. 
Also in the hunt: Bismarck Legacy has the reputation of being a postseason squad. The program has qualified for the state tournament in all nine seasons its been a varsity participant. The Sabers are the No. 2 seed and have a balance attack, scoring near the basket and the perimeter. No. 3 Mandan is the only team to defeat top-ranked Minot High. And the squad nearly did it again, falling in OT. The Braves won their first nine games and feature a team with senior leadership and youthful talent. No. 4 Century, No. 5 Bismarck High and No. 6 St. Mary’s also have winning records this season and have signature wins. The goal will be to win at least two games and move on to the state tournament in Fargo.
Free throws: For the first time since 2020, Williston reached the region quarterfinal round... The last time St. Mary's had back-to-back state touranment appearances was 1993-94…Minot High won its first 10 games to start the season while Mandan won its nine contests…WDA teams posted a 19-4 record vs. EDC competition...PSP Network  (psp.network ) is livestreaming all tournament games again this season for a fee....Fargo is hosting the Class AA Tournament, March 13-15.

Team Capsules

#1 Minot High (20-1 Overall; 17-1 WDA)
Head Coach: Jason Schwarz (6th year)
Key 2024-25 Wins: Mandan, Legacy (2), Century (2), WF Horace, Fargo Davies, West Fargo
Record vs. Top 4 W. Region seeds: 5-1
Longest season win streak: 10 (twice, and current)
Longest season losing streak: 1
Players to watch:  Leelee Bell, Jr.; Sydney Aberle, Sr.; Eve Knutson, Jr.
Points Per Game Average: 74.0
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 50.8
Team FG%: 44.0 (Opponents: 32.1)
Team 3PFG%: 35.5 (Opp: 23.6)
Team FT%: 71.5 (Opp: 65.0)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 39.1 (Opp: 35.3)
Record when leading at Halftime: 18-0
Record when trailing at Halftime: 2-1
Record when tied at Halftime: 0-0
Record when scoring 60 or more points: 18-1
Record when scoring 59 or fewer points: 2-1
Record when allowing 60 or more points: 6-0
Record when allowing 59 or fewer points: 14-1
Record in games decided by 5 points or less: 1-1
Team Leaders: PPG: Leelee Bell, 27.3; RPG: Leelee Bell, 11.0; APG: Sydney Aberle, 2.9; STPG: Bell, 1.8; BPG: Bell, 1.3; FG%: Bell, 50.5; 3PFG%: Kinley Bartsch, 44.7; FT%: Bell, 88.1
2023-24 W. Region Tournament Rewind: Champion; Won vs. Jamestown; Won vs. Mandan; Won vs. Legacy
Last West Region Tournament Championship: 2024
Last Class A Championship: 2022

#2 Legacy (16-5 Overall; 13-5 WDA)
Head Coach: Jim Petrik (10th year)
Key 2023-24 Wins: Mandan, Century, G.F. Red River
Record vs. Top 4 W. Region seeds: 3-3
Longest season win streak: 5 (twice)
Longest season losing streak: 2
Players to watch: Brooklynn Felchle, Sr.; Whitney Welk, Sr.; Marlee Falcon, So.
Points Per Game Average: 64.6
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 54.3
Team FG%: 40.0 (Opponents: 34.2)
Team 3PFG%: 28.7 (Opp: 28.7)
Team FT%: 64.4. (Opp: 61.7)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 45.9 (Opp: 31.0)
Record when leading at Halftime: 13-0
Record when trailing at Halftime: 2-6
Record when tied at Halftime: 0-0
Record when scoring 60 or more points: 12-0
Record when scoring 59 or fewer points: 3-6
Record when allowing 60 or more points: 0-6
Record when allowing 59 or fewer points: 15-0
Record in games decided by 5 points or less: 2-0
Team Leaders: PPG: Brooklynn Felchle, 18.8; RPG: Marlee Falcon, 9.8, APG: Ava Lucas, 4.0; STPG: Sammy Watson, 1.9; BPG: Felchle, 1.9; FG%: Felchle, 64.7; 3PFG%: Falcon, 38.2; FT%: Falcon, 77.6
2023-24 W. Region Tournament Rewind: 2nd, Won vs. St. Mary’s; Won vs. Bismarck High; Loss vs. Minot High
Last West Region Tournament Championship: 2020
Last Class A Championship: 2017

#3 Mandan (16-5 Overall; 13-5 WDA)
Head Coach: Shannon Copas (1st year)
Key 2024-25 Wins: Minot High, Century,
Record vs. Top 4 W. Region seeds: 2-4
Longest season win streak: 9
Longest season losing streak: 2
Players to watch: McKenna Johnson, Sr.; Ziah Grey Bull, Sr.; Kimi McAllister, Jr.
Points Per Game Average: 63.7
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 46.1
Team FG%: 40.1 (Opponents: 29.8)
Team 3PFG%: 26.9 (Opp: 24.4)
Team FT%: 65.3 (Opp: 68.3)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 42.4 (Opp: 34.2)
Record when leading at Halftime: 16-2
Record when trailing at Halftime: 0-3
Record when tied at Halftime: 0-0
Record when scoring 60 or more points: 13-1
Record when scoring 59 or fewer points: 3-4
Record when allowing 60 or more points: 0-2
Record when allowing 59 or fewer points: 16-3
Record in games decided by 5 points or less: 2-3
Team Leaders: PPG: McKenna Johnson, 13.8; RPG: Johnson, 9.3; APG: Ziah GreyBull, 3.5; STPG: Kimi McAllister, 2.3 BPG: Johnson, 3.3; FG%: Johnson, 48.4; 3PFG%: Sapphire Lablanc, 38.4; FT%: McAllister, 78.0
2024-25 W. Region Tournament Rewind: Did Not Place; Won vs. Century; Loss vs. Minot High; Loss vs. St. Mary’s
Last West Region Tournament Championship: 2017
Last Class A Championship: 2008

#4 Century (13-8 Overall; 11-7 WDA)
Head Coach: Nate Welstad (4th year)
Key 2024-25 Wins: Legacy, Mandan
Record vs. Top 4 W. Region seeds: 2-4
Longest season win streak: 5 
Longest season losing streak: 4
Players to watch: Zoie Austin, Sr.; Abby Fosland, Jr.; Olivia Klimpel, So.
Points Per Game Average: 58.0
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 48.5
Team FG%: 38.8 (Opponents: 36.4)
Team 3PFG%: 26.8 (Opp: 28.4)
Team FT%: 70.4 (Opp: 64.0)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 32.2 (Opp: 33.0)
Record when leading at Halftime: 12-2
Record when trailing at Halftime: 1-6
Record when tied at Halftime: 0-0
Record when scoring 60 or more points: 8-4
Record when scoring 59 or fewer points: 5-4
Record when allowing 60 or more points: 0-6
Record when allowing 59 or fewer points: 13-2
Record in games decided by 5 points or less: 0-2
Team Leaders: PPG: Zoie Austin, 15.2; RPG: Olivia Kimpel, 7.6; APG: Abby Fosland, 3.8; STPG: A. Fosland, 3.3; BPG: Klimpel, 0.9; FG%: Austin, 45.5; 3PFG%: Lakyn Johnson, 36.8 FT%: Austin, 80.0
2023-24 W. Region Tournament Rewind: Did not Place (Loss vs. Mandan; Win vs. Jamestown; Loss vs.Bismarck High)
Last West Region Tournament Championship: 2022
Last Class A Championship: 2021

#5 Bismarck High (12-9 Overall; 10-8 WDA)
Head Coach: Bill Shetler (11th year)
Key 2023-24 Win: Legacy, Mandan
Record vs. Top 4 W. Region seeds: 3-5
Longest season win streak: 4 
Longest season losing streak: 2 (three times)
Players to watch: Taya Fettig, Sr.; Jordyn Rood, Jr.; Kambree Neumiller, Jr.
Points Per Game Average: 56.2
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 56.0
Team FG%: 35.0 (Opponents: 35.3)
Team 3PFG%: 30.7 (Opp: 31.1)
Team FT%: 60.4 (Opp: 64.1)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 36.0 (Opp: 39.3)
Record when leading at Halftime: 10-3
Record when trailing at Halftime: 2-6
Record when tied at Halftime: 0-0
Record when scoring 60 or more points: 6-1
Record when scoring 59 or fewer points: 6-8
Record when allowing 60 or more points: 1-5
Record when allowing 59 or fewer points: 11-4
Record in games decided by 5 points or less: 4-2
Team Leaders: PPG: Kambree Neumiller, 9.0; RPG: Taya Fettig, 5.5; APG: Jordyn Rood, 2.0; Taylor Mayer, 2.0; STPG: Fettig, 2.0 BPG: Rood, 3.3; FG%: Grace Neumann, 50.0; 3PFG%: Rood, 33.3; FT%: Izzy Dahl, 74.2
2023-24 W. Region Tournament Rewind: 3rd; Won vs. Dickinson; Loss vs. Legacy; Won vs. Century
Last West Region Tournament Championship: 2014
Last Class A Championship: 2009

#6 St. Mary’s (12-9 Overall; 10-8 WDA)
Head Coach: Ty Terry (2nd year)
Key 2024-25 Win: Century
Record vs. Top 4 W. Region seeds: 1-7
Longest season win streak: 6 
Longest season losing streak: 3
Players to watch: Natalie Benning, Sr.; Mataya Messer, Jr.; Journey Oukrop, Jr.
Points Per Game Average: 55.6
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 58.1
Team FG%: 33.0 (Opponents: 37.3)
Team 3PFG%: 25.1 (Opp: 27.0)
Team FT%: 61.9 (Opp: 65.1)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 36.6 (Opp: 42.0)
Record when leading at Halftime: 8-1
Record when trailing at Halftime: 3-8
Record when tied at Halftime: 1-0
Record when scoring 60 or more points: 9-0
Record when scoring 59 or fewer points: 3-9
Record when allowing 60 or more points: 2-7
Record when allowing 59 or fewer points: 10-2
Record in games decided by 5 points or less: 3-1
Team Leaders: PPG: Mataya Messer, 17.4; RPG: Messer, 8.4; APG: Eva Selensky, 2.8; STPG: My. Messer, 4.0; BPG:  Messer, 1.3; FG%:  Messer, 38.2; 3PFG%: Benning, 31.9; FT%: Messer, 69.0
2023-24 W. Region Tournament Rewind: 4th; Loss vs. Legacy; Won vs. Dickinson; Win vs. Mandan
Last West Region Tournament Championship: None
Last Class A Championship: None

#7 Williston (10-10 Overall; 6-12 WDA)
Head Coach: Jacob Braaten (1st year)
Key 2024-25 Win: Century
Record vs. Top 4 W. Region seeds: 1-7
Longest season win streak: 5
Longest season losing streak: 5
Players to watch: Mekiah Klumker, So.; Alex Austreim, Fr.; Averi Austreim, Fr.
Points Per Game Average: 65.4
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 63.9
Team FG%: 38.1 (Opponents: 35.7)
Team 3PFG%: 31.7 (Opp: 29.9)
Team FT%: 59.6 (Opp: 62.8)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 41.0 (Opp: 39.0)
Record when leading at Halftime: 5-1
Record when trailing at Halftime: 3-9
Record when tied at Halftime: 2-0
Record when scoring 60 or more points: 10-2
Record when scoring 59 or fewer points: 0-8
Record when allowing 60 or more points: 5-9
Record when allowing 59 or fewer points: 5-1
Record in games decided by 5 points or less: 2-2
Team Leaders: PPG: Averi Austreim, 16.9; RPG: Av. Austreim, 7.4; APG: Alex Austreim, 4.1; STPG: Rylee Irgens, 3.0; BPG: Al. Austreim, 0.6; FG%: Al. Austreim, 46.6; 3PFG%: Av. Austreim, 37.7; FT%: Al. Austreim, 69.6
2023-24 W. Region Tournament Rewind: Lost in play-in round.
Last West Region Tournament Championship: 1999
Last Class A Championship: 1977

#8 Jamestown (9-13 Overall; 6-12 WDA)
Head Coach: Andy Skunberg (14th year)
Key 2024-25 Win: Legacy
Record vs. Top 4 W. Region seeds: 1-7
Longest season win streak: 3 (current)
Longest season losing streak: 5 (twice)
Players to watch: Leah Trumbauer, Sr.; Hannah Attelson, So.; Macey Neumiller, 8th
Points Per Game Average: 53.0
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 55.5
Team FG%: 32.2 (Opponents: 35.0)
Team 3PFG%: 28.2 (Opp: 28.2)
Team FT%: 62.0 (Opp: 66.9)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 39.8 (Opp: 35.5)
Record when leading at Halftime: 7-4
Record when trailing at Halftime: 2-9
Record when tied at Halftime: 0-0
Record when scoring 60 or more points: 7-0
Record when scoring 59 or fewer points: 2-13
Record when allowing 60 or more points: 1-7
Record when allowing 59 or fewer points: 8-6
Record in games decided by 5 points or less: 1-0
Team Leaders: PPG: Macey Neumiller, 11.0; RPG: Hannah Attelson, 9.1; APG: Yunck, 2.6; STPG: Attleson, 1.4; BPG: Attleson, 0.3; FG%: Leah Trumbauer, 36.6; 3PFG%: Attleson, 31.6; 35.2; FT%: Trumbauer, 74.5
2022-23 W. Region Tournament Rewind: Did Not Place; Loss vs. Minot High; Loss vs. Century
Last West Region Tournament Championship: None
Last Class A Championship: 1974

WDA/West Region Tournament History
Championship Game - Other State Qualifiers (OSQ)   
2025: Century 57, Mandan 5;  OSQ: Minot High, Legacy     

2024: Minot 73, Legacy 51; OSQ: Bismarck High, St. Mary’s    
2023: Minot High 75, Century 57; OSQ: Bismarck High, Legacy
2022: Century 76, Minot High 52; OSQ: Bismarck High, Legacy
2021: Century 74, Watford City 53; OSQ: Legacy, Jamestown
2020: Legacy 69, Century 63; OSQ: Mandan, St. Mary’s
2019: Century 64, Mandan 35; OSQ: Legacy, Williston
2018: Century 71, Mandan 58; OSQ: Legacy, St. Mary’s
2017: Mandan 59, Century 57 (OT); OSQ: Bismarck High, Legacy
2016: Century 69, Mandan 62;  OSQ: Legacy, Minot
2015: Century 50, Minot 47; OSQ: TMCHS, Bismarck High
2014: Bismarck High 64, Century 61; OSQ: Minot, Jamestown
2013: Bismarck High 49, Century 46; OSQ: Jamestown, Mandan
2012: Century 64, Bismarck High 39; OSQ: Mandan, Minot
2011: Century 49, Minot 41; OSQ: Bismarck High, Jamestown
2010: Century 66, Williston 44; OSQ: Minot, Mandan
2009: Century 57, Mandan 55; OSQ: Bismarck High, Jamestown
2008: Mandan 64, Bismarck High 56; OSQ: Minot, Century
2007: Mandan 76, Bismarck High 59; OSQ: Century, Jamestown
2006: Mandan 62, Century 57; OSQ: Bismarck High, Minot
2005: Century 51, Mandan 47; OSQ: Dickinson, Bismarck High
2004: Mandan 56, Century 52; OSQ: Dickinson, Williston
*2003: Mandan 48, Dickinson 28; OSQ: Century, Minot
2001: Minot 59, Beulah 32; OSQ: Mandan, Dickinson
2000: Bismarck High 74, Minot 48; OSQ: Mandan, 
Century
1999: Williston 65, Mandan 60; OSQ: Bismarck High, Mandan
1998: Mandan 55, Century 43; OSQ: Bismarck High, 
St. Mary’s
1997: Mandan 65, Century 47; OSQ:Bismarck High, 
Williston
1996: Mandan 57, Minot 53; OSQ: St. Mary’s, Century
1995: Mandan 55, Williston 32; OSQ: Bismarck High, Minot
1994: Mandan 58, Williston 31; OSQ: St. Mary’s, 
Dickinson
1993: Mandan 54, Century 19; OSQ: St. Mary’s, Minot
1992: Minot 46, Mandan 35; OSQ: St. Mary’s, Century
1991: Bismarck High 42, Mandan 37; OSQ: Minot, 
St. Mary’s
1990: Bismarck High 43, Minot 41; OSQ: Century, 
St. Mary’s
1989: Bismarck High 50, St. Mary’s 45; OSQ: Minot
1988: Mandan 67, Century 44; OSQ: Bismarck High
1987: Minot 47, Century 41; OSQ: Mandan
1986: Century 52, Dickinson 46; OSQ: Minot
1985: Bismarck High 39, Century 33; OSQ: Williston
1984: Minot 50, Bismarck High 45; OSQ: Mandan
1983: Bismarck High 58, Century 55l OSQ: Dick. Trinity
1982: Minot 39, Bismarck High 35; OSQ: Century
1981: Minot 48, Williston 36; OSQ: Dickinson
Titles by Team: Mandan, 13; Century, 13; Bismarck High, 8; Minot, 7; Legacy, 1; Williston, 1
Note: 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
*2003 The girls’ basketball season moved to winter.

Photo courtesy of Loralyn Joyce, WDA event photographer