Jamestown, ND (NewsDakota.com) – Another regular season of girls basketball has come and gone. This time around we got to experience the first season of 3 classes. No more Kindred, Central Cass, or Northern Cass to worry about in the old Region 1 nor a Carrington from the old Region 3. New teams get to shine and it was showcased specifically at the District 1 tournament where we saw Maple River and Sargent County battle it out for the #1 spot from the District. They met last year in the post season as well where the Bulldogs eliminated the Raiders in the Region 1 quarterfinals before going on to lose to eventual State Champs Central Cass. The top 3 teams from Region 1 last year were all moved to the middle division of Class A.
The shake up in classes also leads to an interesting post season dynamic. The 3rd place games now mean something and so does being runner up, but we’ll get to that later.
With all that in mind lets take a look at the contenders.
GAME 1 – R1#1 (#5) Sargent County Bulldogs vs R2#4 Napoleon/GS Imperials – 3:00 PM
The Bulldogs have been nigh unstoppable all year long with a commanding 19-3 record they have scored on average 61 points per game while only giving up around 41. They have beaten ranked and non ranked teams. They have won games that looked like they weren’t on their best and games when they have been at their best. They beat #5 Maple River in the District Championship to claim the top spot and are looking to keep rolling all the way through. If they want a shot at state though they’ll probably have to go through the team that handed them their 3rd loss in EKM.
Napoleon/GS is a Cinderella story in the making. They were the #5 team going into the District 2 tournament. They beat the #3 team in the District in Kidder County to punch their ticket to their fourth straight Regional appearance. They have a great mix of youth and veteranocity and they are getting hot at the right time. They also want revenge for the loss they suffered at the beginning of the season to these same Bulldogs. As every coach I’ve met says it all depends one when you start winning games and Napoleon-GS is winning games at the right time. Watch for them to play the Bulldogs hard
Previous Meeting: Dec 1st Sargent County 71 – 39 Napoleon-GS
Last District Title: Sargent County (2024), Napoleon-GS (2015 (D6))
Last Region Title: Sargent County (None since 04), Napoleon-GS (2013)
Best State Finish: Sargent Count (as Milnor 3rd 1990, 93), Napoleon-GS (4th 2013)
Game 2 – R2#2 LaMoure-LM Loboes vs R1#3 Oakes Tornadoes – 20 mins after Game 1 ends
The Loboes are once again back into a Region Tournament because it just wouldn’t be the same without them. Before the shake-up they had made the Region 3 Tournament the last 12 years straight dating back to 2012. This is their 13th straight year. This is a dynasty. They played well of course as they always do. 14-8 overall this year with 49.8 PPG and a 41.6 PPG. Last year they struggled to get past Linton-HMB this year however is different they take on the Tornadoes who they thwomped at the end of the regular season. They want a rematch of the District 2 Championship with EKM but this time for a Region Title.
The Oakes Tornadoes are back for their 9th straight year in a Region Tournament. Last year they were upset by Kidder County in the first round and sometimes it feels like they are reliving that loss in this season. They have been excellent all year long and were in the Media Polls for most of the season however they haven’t beaten a team in the polls all season. They also have some bad losses such as their District semifinal loss to Sargent County where they didn’t have a field goal till the end of the first half. Another bad loss was to this same LaMoure team. They want revenge for both of those losses. They want to prove themselves and they have the pieces to do it. Their defense specifically has been lights out this season and as the old saying goes “defense wins championships.”
Previous Meeting: Feb 1st LaMoure-LM 54 – 27 Oakes
Last District Title: LaMoure-LM (2022 D5), Oakes (None since 2004)
Last Region Title: LaMoure-LM (2020) , Oakes (None since 2004)
Best State Finish: LaMoure-LM (3rd 2015), Oakes (Won 1997)
Game 3 – R2#1 (#6)EKM Rebels vs R1#4 Wyndmere/Lidgerwood Warbirds – 20 Mins after Game 2 Ends
The Rebels are repeat District Champions after a copy of the game from last year this time in District 2 instead of 5. They are EXCELLENT. Looking at this team its hard to see a flaw. Only 4 losses on the year all of which were to top teams or Carrington who’s now in Class A. They have all the components of a State Champion as well. Last year they made it to state after going through MPB, Carrington, and Linton-HMB. This year it starts with the Warbirds and EKM wants to repeat after a quick exit from the State Tourney last year.
The Warbirds are back in the quarterfinals of a Region Tournament. They were here last year however they ran into the eventual State Champions in Central Cass, a team who’s now in Class A and a team who had long since been a thorn in the sides of the Warbirds. This is also the first year being Wyndmere/Lidgerwood again after combining with Hankinson last year then splitting from them again this year to avoid going into Class A. They have been hanging out at .500 or around there all season long. They almost upset the #5 Maple River Raiders in the District 1 Semifinals so they smell blood in the waters. They are ready to play spoiler and they are eyeing the Rebels hungrily.
Previous Meeting: Jan 30th EKM 48 – 35 Wyndmere/Lidgerwood
Last District Title: EKM (2024), Wyndmere/Lidgerwood (None since 2004)
Last Region Title: EKM (2023), Wyndmere/Lidgerwood (None since 2004)
Best State Finish: EKM (5th 2023), Wyndmere/Lidgerwood (Won as Lidgerwood 1982)
Game 4 – R1#2 (#7) Maple River Raiders vs R2#3 Linton-HMB Lions – 20 Mins after Game 3 Ends
The Raiders are a team that are taking full advantage of the 3 class shake up. They were runner ups of District 1 and they are back to the quarterfinals. In past Region 1 tournaments they struggled to get past Sargent County for 1 and for 2 Kindred. Now they can’t meet either team in the first round and can’t meet Kindred at all. They are a team that also only has 4 losses on the season losing to either a top 10 team or a Class A team. They have the abilities and skill to go far. They have good wins against top teams however they have stumbled as of late falling to Sargent County in the District Championship and almost not making it there by struggling against Wyndmere/Lidgerwood in the Semifinals. They need to rebuild their confidence with a win here.
Ah the Lions. The Linton-HMB Lions the dynasty team from the old District 6. This is their 7th straight season making a Region Tournament. In the previous 3 tournaments they have played in the Championship game winning it once. These seniors know nothing but success. They are looking to continue their winning even though this year was a “down” year for them and I use the word “down” extremely loosely. They were *gasp* 16-6! Yeah even their down years are excellent. They have history, skill, and momentum on their side. They want to keep doing what they’ve been doing and they definitely can make it to the Dance.
Previous Meeting: DID NOT MEET THIS SEASON
Last District Title: Maple River (None since 2004), Linton-HMB (2022 D6)
Last Region Title: Maple River (None since 2004), Linton-HMB (2022)
Best State Finish: Maple River (3rd as Maple Valley 1991), Linton-HMB (Runner Up 2012, 04 as Linton)
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Now for the changes in the playoff format. The 3rd Place Game now means something. Previously it meant nothing outside of one final time for seniors to play together. Now the winner of that game will go on to a 1 game playoff for a chance to play in state. Who will they play you may ask? Why they’ll play the Region 2 Runner Up! That’s right! No longer will the Runner Ups have to hang their head in sorrow after losing in the Region Championship they get one last shot at the dance in a State Qualifier game to be held on Saturday February 24th in Mayville. The Runner Up from Region 1 will take on the 3rd place team from Region 2 and vice versa. Expect State Tournament level atmosphere at those games!
The Region 1 Tournament starts on Monday February 19th at 3:00 PM at the Jamestown Civic Center and can be heard both on KDDR The Tornado and Thunder 98.3.