Two weeks after being ranked No. 1, Devils Lake has fallen from the top five in Class A boys’ basketball.
One week after falling to No. 5, the Firebirds did not crack the NDAPSSA poll released Wednesday. They did still receive votes.
The Firebirds lost their third consecutive game Tuesday, 69-60 to Turtle Mountain. They opened in a 13-0 hole, failing to score for the first five-plus minutes of the game. The Braves led 31-10 at one point. Their largest lead was 46-22.
Devils Lake rode a big night from Ben Brodina to almost pull off an incredible comeback. Brodina, like the rest of the team, got off to a slow start. But, after only two points in the first quarter, Brodina ended up totaling 26. He hit three triples in the second half. It was a career high for Brodina at the varsity level. He’s now averaging more than 14 points per game.
Devils Lake made it as close as 64-58 in the fourth quarter. The early deficit was ultimately too much to overcome.
The Firebirds didn’t get enough scoring from the rest of their starting five. They did get a boost off the bench from Miguel Dunn and Egan Laite, who scored 15 and six points, respectively. Laite’s points came from two triples. Both players had strong showings for the JV team in the Ramsey County tournament last week.
Last year, Devils Lake beat Turtle Mountain 80-31. The Braves are off to a 7-1 start after going 6-18 last season.
Devils Lake is now 6-3 after a 6-0 start.
With a 2-1 record in region play, the Firebirds have a big game coming up Monday against Grafton. It’ll be Devils Lake and Grafton’s only regular-season meeting, accounting for two points in the standings.
Grafton is 5-2 overall and unranked. The Spoilers have taken losses to No. 3 Central Cass and No. 1 Kindred. They’re 2-0 in region play, with wins over Harvey/Wells County and Thompson.
Devils Lake’s descent wasn’t the only shakeup in the poll. Wahpeton dropped from No. 4 out of the top five after losing 57-53 to Oak Grove.
Kindred and Four Winds/Minnewaukan remained at No. 1 and 2, respectively. Kindred received 15 out of 16 first-place votes. FW/M is 14 points behind Kindred with 65 points overall.
Beulah, which was once No. 2, reentered the poll at No. 5. The Miners dropped two close games to Devils Lake and FW/M in Minot over Christmas break. They’ve since won three in a row.
Shiloh Christian also entered the poll for the first time this season, coming in at No. 4. The Skyhawks are 6-1. Their lone loss was a 73-60 defeat to Kindred.
Class A girls and Class B changes
In the girls’ Class A poll, the main change was Hazen entering at No. 5. Hazen won 48-40 over the previous No. 4, Watford City.
Thompson, after beating Devils Lake 63-53, moved from No. 5 to No. 4. Devils Lake continued to not receive any votes. The Firebirds had won three in a row before their loss to Thompson. They’re 5-4 overall and 0-1 in region play.
Fellow region foe Carrington received votes after winning seven of its last eight games. Most recently, the Cardinals beat FW/M 45-33. The Indians did not receive votes this week after receiving some for the first time last week.
In Class B, the Benson County girls remained at No. 1 with all 16 of the first-place votes and 80 points. The defending state champion Wildcats are 12-0. They recently won 47-38 over Hatton/Northwood, which had been tied for No. 5. H/N is now unranked but received votes.
On the boys’ side, New Rockford-Sheyenne remained at No. 5. The Rockets are 4-1, most recently beating rival Carrington 53-40. Central McLean is the unanimous No. 1 in Class B boys’ basketball.
Class A boys’ basketball
- Kindred (15) – 79 points (Previous: 1)
- Four Winds/Minnewaukan (1) – 65 points (Previous: 2)
- Central Cass – 44 points (Previous: 3)
- Shiloh Christian – 27 points (Previous: NR)
- Beulah – 21 points (Previous: NR)
Received votes: Wahpeton, Devils Lake
Class A girls’ basketball
- South Prairie-Max (15) – 79 points (Previous: 1)
- Valley City (1) – 61 points (Previous: 2)
- Turtle Mountain – 46 points (Previous: 3)
- Thompson – 32 points (Previous: 5)
- Hazen – 14 points (Previous: NR)
Received votes: Carrington, Kindred, Wahpeton
Class B boys’ basketball
- Central McLean (16) – 80 points (Previous: 1)
- Our Redeemer’s – 58 points (Previous: 2)
- Hankinson – 41 points (Previous: 3)
- Ray – 40 points (Previous: 4)
- New Rockford-Sheyenne – 12 points (Previous: 5)
Received votes: Midway/Minto, Wilton/Wing
Class B girls’ basketball
- Benson County (16) – 80 points (Previous: 1)
- Flasher – 58 points (Previous: 3)
- Central McLean – 39 points (Previous: 4)
- LaMoure-Litchville/Marion – 28 points (Previous: 2)
- Maple River – 25 points (Previous: T5)
Received votes: Hatton/Northwood, Tioga, Kenmare-Bowbells
