Devils Lake is back in the top five.
For the first time since Jan. 7, the Firebirds cracked the weekly Division A boys’ basketball poll voted on by the NDAPSSA. They came in tied for No. 4 with Wahpeton on Wednesday. Each team received 14 points.
After a 6-0 start to the season, Devils Lake lost seven of its next 11. The Firebirds have now won their last two games to improve to 12-7 overall. They’ve scored 159 points in those two games, with Mason and Max Palmer accounting for 108 of them.
Wahpeton, despite losing 70-60 to Kindred on Feb. 12, went from No. 5 to a tie for No. 4.
Kindred, the previous No. 4, fell out of the top five. The defending state champion has lost three in a row, including a 79-49 thrashing by No. 2 Central Cass. Notably, though, the Vikings were without star Brooks Bakko in that game as he nursed a sprained ankle.
Devils Lake is 6-6 in region play. The Firebirds have one region game remaining: a two-pointer against Thompson on Feb. 27.
Four Winds/Minnewaukan is ranked No. 1 for the fifth straight week. The Indians are still unanimous, receiving all 17 of the first-place votes. They’ve won 15 games in a row. They have a perfect 12-0 region record, with a two-pointer against Hillsboro/Central Valley still left on their schedule.
Kindred, Shiloh Christian, Grafton and Hazen all received votes.
On the girls’ side, Nos. 2 and 3 are both in the same region as Devils Lake. Carrington moved up from No. 3 to No. 2, receiving one first-place vote. The Cardinals have won 16 in a row. Thompson advanced from No. 4 to No. 3 after beating Devils Lake 69-60.
Carrington and Thompson are the No. 1 and No. 2 seed, respectively, in the Region 2 tournament that begins Monday in Devils Lake. Thompson will likely be Devils Lake’s opponent in the semifinals.
South Prairie-Max and its 19-game winning streak are still leading the way with 16 first-place votes and 84 points.
Valley City fell from No. 2 to No. 4 after losing to Carrington, 44-34.
This was the last poll for the girls’ Division B, which has already crowned district champions. Benson County remains at No. 4 after winning the District 4 title. Central McLean is the overwhelming No. 1 with 15 first-place votes, while Flasher and LaMoure-Litchville/Marion each received one first-place vote.
Benson County enters the region tournament with a 19-2 overall record.
On the boys’ side, New Rockford-Sheyenne is the only area team receiving votes. The Rockets have won their last seven, including their last five district games. Their final district record came in at 5-2 after an 0-2 start.
North Star, which has received votes at times this year, lost 59-55 to Langdon Area/Munich on Tuesday. The Bearcats have a 4-2 district record with first-place St. John still left to play.
LA/M’s final district record is 5-2, tied with NR-S. The Rockets won the head-to-head matchup.
Division A boys’ basketball
- Four Winds/Minnewaukan (17) – 85 points (Previous: 1)
- Central Cass – 61 points (Previous: 2)
- Beulah – 51 points (Previous: 3)
- (T4) Devils Lake – 14 points (Previous: NR)
- (T4) Wahpeton – 14 points (Previous: 5)
Received votes: Kindred, Shiloh Christian, Grafton, Hazen
Division A girls’ basketball
- South Prairie-Max (16) – 84 points (Previous: 1)
- Carrington (1) – 68 points (Previous: 3)
- Thompson – 41 points (Previous: 4)
- Valley City – 33 points (Previous: 2)
- Hazen – 27 points (Previous: 5)
Received votes: Kindred, Turtle Mountain
Division B boys’ basketball
- Central McLean (17) – 85 points (Previous: 1)
- Our Redeemer’s – 65 points (Previous: 2)
- Ray – 52 points (Previous: 3)
- Midway/Minto – 25 points (Previous: 5)
- Hankinson – 19 points (Previous: 4)
Received votes: Bishop Ryan, New Rockford-Sheyenne, Oakes
Division B girls’ basketball
- Central McLean (15) – 82 points (Previous: 2)
- Flasher (1) – 63 points (Previous: 1)
- LaMoure-Litchville/Marion (1) – 46 points (Previous: 3)
- Benson County – 37 points (Previous: 4)
- Hatton/Northwood – 22 points (Previous: 5)
Received votes: Kenmare/Bowbells, Garrison, Tioga
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