The seeding is finalized for the District 4 boys’ basketball tournament being held at Langdon Area High School on Feb. 27, March 2 and March 3.
- St. John: 6-1 (12-7 overall)
- New Rockford-Sheyenne: 5-2 (16-3 overall)
- Langdon Area/Munich: 5-2 (9-10 overall)
- North Star: 5-2 (15-4 overall)
- Nelson County: 4-3 (13-5 overall)
- North Prairie: 2-5 (5-13 overall)
- Benson County: 1-6 (2-16 overall)
- Warwick: 0-7 (2-18 overall)
It was a competitive district throughout the regular season. There were small gaps between each of the top five teams.
St. John wound up winning the district with a 6-1 district record. The Woodchucks’ lone loss came to No. 4 seed North Star.
North Star was one of three teams to finish 5-2 in district play. Tiebreakers had New Rockford-Sheyenne second, Langdon Area/Munich third and North Star fourth.
Nelson County wasn’t terribly far behind with a 4-3 district record. The Chargers beat NR-S during the regular season.
NR-S is the defending district champion. The Rockets were ranked No. 5 in Division B for a solid portion of the season, but they fell from the top five after an 0-2 start in district play — losing to Nelson County and St. John. They ended up winning their final five district games. They have the best overall record of any team in the district, at 16-3.
NR-S is led by star senior point guard Easton Simon.
North Star also received votes at times this season. The Bearcats have the statistically best offense in the district, with 66.2 points per game. They have a wealth of weapons, including Ian Westlind, Kade Mitchell, Hunter Hagler and a rotation of bench options. But they got cold in losses to NR-S and LA/M. North Star is 15-4 overall.
LA/M finished higher in the district standings than North Star despite a 9-10 overall record. The Cardinals have had kind of a strange season — they haven’t won more than one game in a row, and they haven’t lost more than two games in a row. Two of their district losses were a 59-56 defeat to St. John and a 50-42 loss to NR-S.
Nelson County has had a bounceback season. A year after winning just eight games, the Chargers have a 13-5 regular-season record.
Nelson County has two big forwards, Jaxson Joramo and Rider Schmidt, who have helped the Chargers post the fewest points allowed per game in the district at 48.3. They have some scrappy outside shooters as well.
Nelson County had a strong start, with a tight battle against North Star in the Ramsey County tournament championship and a win over then-No. 5 NR-S. The Chargers hit a brief slide as they lost three district games in a row, including a 42-39 loss to LA/M and another loss to North Star. But they beat North Prairie and Warwick to finish a solid regular season.
At the bottom of the district are Benson County and Warwick. The only district win for either team was when the Wildcats won 67-58 over Warwick.
It’s been a tough season for both teams, especially Warwick after a solid year last year. Elijah Feather Jr. was last season’s Region 2 Senior Athlete of the Year, and the Warriors have missed his production.
They have a certified star in Anthony Touche Jr., but their additional offense is limited. They also have, by far, the most points allowed per game at 72. They went just 2-18 in the regular season.
It’s Warwick’s first year under head coach Robert Lawrence. Warwick made it to the region tournament last year under Ryan Brown.
No. 6 seed North Prairie’s only district wins were against Benson County and Warwick.
The highlight of the first round on Friday should be the third matchup of the season between North Star and Nelson County. North Star has taken the first two, 65-57 and 72-60.
The tournament is double-elimination, with the top four teams advancing to the Region 2 tournament in Devils Lake.
It gets going at 3 p.m. Friday at Langdon Area High School.
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