WDA boys' basketball returns to Bismarck for West Region Tournament

BISMARCK – The Western Dakota Association's marquee postseason tournament officially began last week with a pair of West Region play-in games. (7) Bismarck St. Mary’s defeated (10) Williston and (8) Minot North edged (9) Jamestown to advance  to the quarterfinal round.
Four quarterfinals will be held on Thursday, March 5 at the Bismarck Event Center. (1) Bismarck High takes on (8) Minot North, 2 p.m.; (4) Bismarck Legacy faces (5) Minot High, 3:45 p.m.; (2) Bismarck Century meets (7) Bismarck St. Mary's, 5:30 p.m. and the final game has (3) Dickinson against (6) Mandan, 7:15 p.m. The semifinal and consolation play is Friday, March 6. Two state qualifiers and the championship will be held on Saturday, March 7. This year marks the 46th installment of the tournament. Tournament Website
2024-25 Tournament Rewind
Bismarck Century captured its ninth W. Region Tournament title, besting rival Bismarck High in the championship. Mandan and Dickinson both won state qualifiers For the Braves, it was their first state appearance since 2021. Dickinson advanced for the first time since 2020.
The favorites
Top seed Bismarck High has been impressive this season, dropping just one game. That coming to rival Century in January. Its explosive offense averages 90 points a game and a pressure defense that spans the full court mot of the time. BHS is riding a nine-game winning streak. The program has reached the region title game in five of the six years, including a championships in 2020. Defending West Region tournament and Division AA state champion Bismarck Century is the No. 2 seed and certainly a strong contender. The Pats handed BHS its lone defeat and in the season opener beat a very good Scottsbluff, Nebraska squad in a tournament in Wyoming. The squad play an up-tempo style, or grind it out in a half-court, patient game.
A couple of teams to also keep an eye are No. 3 Dickinson and No. 4 Bismarck Legacy. The Mavericks have posted their best league finish since a second place effort in 2016-17. Dickinson’s resume includes a season-opening win at a good West Fargo team from the EDC. It has a balanced attack. Legacy, meanwhile, is playing some of its best basketball right now, entering the tournament on a four-game win streak and showing its patented gritty play on defense. Both Dickinson and Legacy are looking for its first tournament title.
Welcome back!
For the first time since the 2021-22 season, Bismarck St. Mary’s has advanced to the quarterfinal round. The Saints are the No. 7 seed. 
Beware of Underdogs
The last eight West Region Tournaments featured  lower seeds advancing to the Division AA Tournament. Last year, No. 6 Dickinson gained a berth.
The 20-point club
Four WDA players finished the regular season averaging 20 or more points a game. Boston Cranston, Dickinson, 21.3; Jonathan Roubideaux, Bismarck Legacy, 21.3; Gibson Kinnebrew, Bismarck Century, 20.5; Brayden Blikre, Minot North, 20.3
 

Free Throws: Six WDA teams (Bismarck High, Century, Dickinson, Legacy, Minot High and Mandan) have winning records...Bismarck High has scored 90 or more points in nine games so far this season...WDA teams went 15-6 vs. EDC foes this regular season...PSP Network (psp.network ) is again livestreaming all tournament games...Bismarck is also hosting the Division AA Tournament, March 12-14.

Team Capsules

#1 Bismarck High (20-1 Overall; 17-1 WDA)
Head Coach: Jordan Wilhelm (11th year)
Key 2025-26 Wins: Century (2), Dickinson (2), WF Sheyenne
Record vs. Top 4 W. Region Seeds: 5-1
Longest season win streak: 11 games
Longest season losing streak: 1
Players to watch: Artie Carlow, Sr.; Khaliq Austin, So.; Weston Scott, Jr.
Points Per Game Average: 90.1
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 60.6
Team FG%: 49.5 (Opponents: 44.1)
Team 3PFG%: 37.0 (Opp: 27.9
Team FT%: 68.2 (Opp: 68.2)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 37.0 (Opp: 29.2)
Team Turnovers PG Avg: 10.6 (Opp: 22.5)
Record when leading at Halftime: 20-0
Record when trailing at Halftime: 1-0
Record when tied at Halftime: 0-1
Record when scoring 70 or more points: 20-0
Record when scoring 69 or fewer points: 0-1
Record when allowing 70 or more points: 3-1
Record when allowing 69 or fewer points: 17-0
Record in games decided by 5 points or less: 0-0
Team Leaders: PPG: Artie Carlow, 18.8; RPG: Khaliq Austin, 7.4; APG: Weston Scott, 3.9; STPG: Austin, 2.7; BPG: Austin, 0.8; FG%: Najeh Boyd, 62.2; 3PFG%: A. Carlow, 45.8; FT%: A. Carlow, 82.8
2024-25 W. Region Tournament Rewind: 2nd (Won vs. Dickinson; Won vs. Minot High; Loss vs. Century)
Last West Region Tournament Championship: 2020
Last Class A/Division AA Championship: 2012

#3 Century (18-3 Overall; 15-3 WDA)
Head Coach: Darin Mattern (17th year)
Key 2023-24 Wins: Bismarck High (1), Scottsbluff, NE
Record vs. Top 4 W. Region Seeds: 4-2
Longest season win streak: 17 games
Longest season losing streak: 2 games (current)
Players to watch: Gibson Kinnebrew, Jr.; Garrett Nissley, Sr.; Joey Kraljic, Sr.
Points Per Game Average: 75.0
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 50.1
Team FG%: 49.2 (Opponents: 37.6)
Team 3PFG%: 34.3 (Opp: 25.6)
Team FT%: 64.7 (Opp: 77.1)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 35.2 (Opp: 25.9)
Team Turnover PG Avg: 10.4 (Opp: 18.4)
Record when leading at Halftime: 17-1
Record when trailing at Halftime: 0-2
Record when tied at Halftime: 1-0
Record when scoring 70 or more points: 14-1
Record when scoring 69 or fewer points: 4-2
Record when allowing 70 or more points: 0-2
Record when allowing 69 or fewer points: 18-1
Record in games decided by 5 points or less: 2-0
Team Leaders: PPG: Gibson Kinnebrew, 20.5 RPG: Garrett Nissley, 6.4; Joey Kraljic, 6.4; APG: G. Nissley, 3.3; STPG: Kinnebrew, 3.1; BPG: G. Nissley, 0.6; FG%: G. Kinnebrew, 63.0; 3PFG%: G. Kinnebrew, 38.5; FT%: G.Nissley, 76.7
2024-25 W. Region Tournament Rewind: 1st (Won vs. Jamestown; Won vs. Legacy; Won vs. Bismarck High)
Last West Region Tournament Championship: 2025
Last Class A/Division AA Championship: 2025

#3 Dickinson (15-6 Overall; 13-5 WDA)
Head Coach: Dan Glasser (11th year)
Key 2025-26 Wins: West Fargo, Legacy (2)
Record vs. Top 4 W. Region Seeds: 2-4
Longest season win streak: 3 games (three times)
Longest season losing streak: 1
Players to watch: Boston Cranston, Sr.; Nathan Stevenson, Jr.; Cameron Wolf, Sr.
Points Per Game Average: 82.1
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 71.4
Team FG%: 46.6 (Opponents: 44.4)
Team 3PFG%: 32.8 (Opp: 27.2)
Team FT%: 67.1 (Opp: 64.9)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 37.3 (Opp: 35.5)
Team Turnovers PG Avg: 14.1 (Opp: 17.5)
Record when leading at Halftime: 14-1
Record when trailing at Halftime: 1-5
Record when tied at Halftime: 0-0
Record when scoring 70 or more points: 13-4
Record when scoring 69 or fewer points: 2-2
Record when allowing 70 or more points: 7-6
Record when allowing 69 or fewer points: 8-0
Record in games decided by 5 points or less: 3-2
Team Leaders: PPG: Boston Cranston, 21.3; RPG: Nathan Stevenson, 9.5; APG: Stevenson, 3.7; STPG: Cranston, 2.2; BPG: Cameron Wolf, 1.4; FG%: Stevenson, 56.1; 3PFG%: Cranston, 42.3; FT%: C. Wolf, 73.0
2024-25 W. Region Tournament Rewind: Fourth (Loss vs. Bismarck High; Won vs. Minot North; Won vs. Legacy)
Last West Region Tournament Championship: None
Last Class A/Division AA Championship: 2007

#4 Legacy (15-6 Overall; 13-5 WDA)
Head Coach: Jason Horner (11th year)
Key 2025-26 Wins: Century, WF Sheyenne
Record vs. Top 4 W. Region Seeds: 1-5
Longest season win streak: 6 games
Longest season losing streak: 3 games
Players to watch: Jonathan Roubideaux, Sr.; Brody Weigel, Sr.; Makiya Berryhill, Sr.
Points Per Game Average: 75.0
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 66.0
Team FG%: 43.7 (Opponents: 42.9)
Team 3PFG%: 32.5 (Opp: 32.6)
Team FT%: 71.5 (Opp: 64.0)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 33.1 (Opp: 33.5)
Team Turnovers PG Avg: 12.4 (Opp: 17.5)
Record when leading at Halftime: 12-0
Record when trailing at Halftime: 2-6
Record when tied at Halftime: 1-0
Record when scoring 70 or more points: 13-3
Record when scoring 69 or fewer points: 2-3
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: 5-1
Team Leaders: PPG: Jonathan Roubideaux, 21.3; RPG: J. Roubideaux. 8.7; APG: J. Roubideaux, 2.6; Brody Weigel, 2.6; STPG: J. Roubideaux, 1.6; Jack Julson, 1.6; BPG: J. Roubideaux, 0.4; FG%: J. Roubideaux, 54.2; 3PFG%: B. Weigel, 40.0; FT%: B. Weigel, 89.6
2024-26 W. Region Tournament Rewind: Did not Place (Won vs. Mandan; Loss vs. Century; Won vs. Dickinson)
Last West Region Tournament Championship: None
Last Class A/Division AA Championship: None

#5 Minot High (12-9 Overall; 10-8 WDA)
Head Coach: Jeremy Brandt (1st year)
Key 2025-26 Wins: Century, West Fargo, WF Sheyenne
Record vs. Top 4 W. Region seeds: 1-7
Longest season win streak: 3 games (twice)
Longest season losing streak: 2 games
Players to watch: Oakley Trueblood, Jr.; Drew Jordan, Jr.; Patrick Shanahan, So.
Points Per Game Average: 73.9
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 69.4
Team FG%: 47.6 (Opponents: 42.3)
Team 3PFG%: 36.7 (Opp: 31.3)
Team FT%: 73.2 (Opp: 67.4)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 32.4 (Opp: 34.9)
Team Turnovers PG Avg: 14.7 (Opp: 12.7)
Record when leading at Halftime: 11-3
Record when trailing at Halftime: 1-6
Record when tied at Halftime: 0-0
Record when scoring 70 or more points: 10-2
Record when scoring 69 or fewer points: 2-7
Record when allowing 70 or more points: 3-8
Record when allowing 69 or fewer points: 9-1
Record in games decided by 5 points or less: 2-3
Team Leaders: PPG: Oakley Trueblood, 18.9 RPG: O. Trueblood, 8.0; APG: Patrick Shanahan, 3.8; STPG: P. Shanahan, 1.5; BPG: Drew Jordan, 0.8; FG%: P. Shanahan, 52.4; 3PFG%: O. Trueblood, 42.7; FT%: O. Trueblood, 83.3
2024-25 W. Region Tournament Rewind: Did Not Place (Won vs. Minot North; Loss vs. Bismarck High; Loss vs. Mandan)
Last West Region Tournament Championship: 2022
Last Class A/Division AA Championship: 2022

#6 Mandan (12-9 Overall; 9-9 WDA)
Head Coach: Brandon Schafer (13th year)
Key 2025-26: Win: WF Sheyenne
Record vs. Top 4 W. Region Seeds: 0-8
Longest season win streak: 3 (twice)
Longest season losing streak: 4
Players to watch: Brylee Bearstail, Sr.; Rylee Bearstail, Sr.; Nunpa Kirkie, Sr.
Points Per Game Average: 70.5
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 69.9
Team FG%: 42.6 (Opponents: 42.6)
Team 3PFG%: 29.5 (Opp: 30.0)
Team FT%: 64.2 (Opp: 65.9)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 35.4 (Opp: 37.9)
Team Turnover PG Avg: 14.2 (Opp: 12.7)
Record when leading at Halftime: 10-1
Record when trailing at Halftime: 2-7
Record when tied at Halftime: 0-1
Record when scoring 70 or more points: 11-2
Record when scoring 69 or fewer points: 1-7
Record when allowing 70 or more points: 2-8
Record when allowing 69 or fewer points: 10-1
Record in games decided by 5 points or less: 0-2
Team Leaders: PPG: Brylee Bearstail, 12.6; RPG: Nunpa Kirkie, 5.3; APG: N. Kirkie, 3.5; STPG: Kenneth Eaglestaff, 2.1; Rylee Bearstail, 2.1; BPG: R. Bearstail, 1.5; FG%: Carson Shimek, 54.4; 3PFG%: B. Bearstail, 37.9; FT%: R. Bearstail, 78.4
2024-25 W. Region Tournament Rewind: Third (Loss vs. Legacy; Win vs. Jamestown; Win vs. Minot High)
Last West Region Tournament Championship: 2012
Last Class A/Division AA Championship: 2009

#7 St. Mary’s (8-14 Overall; 4-14 WDA)
Head Coach: BJ Eztold (6th year)
Key 2025-26 Win: Dickinson
Record vs. Top 4 W. Region Seeds: 1-7
Longest season win streak: 3 games
Longest season losing streak: 5 games
Players to watch: Trason Terry, So.; Jackson Barth, Sr.; Christian Benning, Sr.
Points Per Game Average: 63.0
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 72.2
Team FG%: 43.7 (Opponents: 41.9)
Team 3PFG%: 27.6 (Opp: 34.8)
Team FT%: 66.3 (Opp: 62.0
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 35.8 (Opp: 33.6)
Team Turnovers PG Avg: 18.0 (Opp: 11.0)
Record when leading at Halftime: 5-1
Record when trailing at Halftime: 1-13
Record when tied at Halftime: 2-0
Record when scoring 70 or more points: 7-3
Record when scoring 69 or fewer points: 1-11
Record when allowing 70 or more points: 5-9
Record when allowing 69 or fewer points: 3-5
Record in games decided by 5 points or less: 2-2
Team Leaders: PPG: Trason Terry, 17.4 ; RPG: Jackson Barth, 7.3; APG: Brooks Armstrong, 3.2; STPG: T. Terry, 1.1; BPG: Keller Hertz-Barnett, 1.5; FG%: J. Barth, 53.7; 3PFG%: T. Terry, 34.1; FT%: T. Terry, 89.2
2024-25 W. Region Tournament Rewind: Lost in W. Region play-in game
Last West Region Tournament Championship: 2013
Last Class A/Division AA Championship: 2004

#8 Minot North (5-17 Overall; 4-13 WDA)
Head Coach: Drew Hysjulian (3rd year)
Key 2025-26 Win: Jamestown (play-in) 
Record vs. Top 4 W. Region Seeds: 0-8
Longest season win streak: 2 games (current)
Longest season losing streak: 8 games
Players to watch: Brayden Blikre, Sr.; Brady Vigestad, So.; TJ Hjelmstad, Sr.
Points Per Game Average: 60.3
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 83.7
Team FG%: 37.5 (Opponents: 48.3)
Team 3PFG%: 28.1 (Opp: 33.9)
Team FT%: 62.3 (Opp: 61.9)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 33.5 (Opp: 40.6)
Team Turnovers PG Avg: 20.4 (Opp: 13.3)
Record when leading at Halftime: 4-1
Record when trailing at Halftime: 1-16
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: 4-15
Record when allowing 69 or fewer points: 1-2
Record in games decided by 5 points or less: 4-1
Team Leaders: PPG: Brayden Blikre, 20.3; RPG: Brady Vigestad, 8.5; APG: B. Blikre, 2.3; STPG: K’Shaun Taylor, 1.5; BPG: B. Vigestad, 0.5; FG%: B. Vigestad, 61.5; 3PFG%: B. Blikre, 31.7; FT%: B. Blikre, 72.0
2024-25 W. Region Tournament Rewind: Did Not Place (Loss vs. Minot High; Loss vs. Dickinson)
Last West Region Tournament Championship: None
Last Class A/Division AA Championship: None

Notes and Stats provided by Matt Mullally, 
WDA Executive Secretary/SID

Photo by Jon Jablonski