Devils Lake continues to inch back towards the top.
In the latest basketball polls released Wednesday, as voted on by the NDAPSSA, Devils Lake was ranked No. 3 in Division A boys’ basketball. The Firebirds were tied for No. 4 last week.
They beat then-No. 2 Central Cass on Feb. 20, riding a monster second half to win 81-73. It was Devils Lake’s third consecutive win, improving to 13-7 overall. Devils Lake has scored 240 points in that three-game stretch.
The Firebirds have a key region matchup on Friday. They currently sit in fifth place in Region 2 with a 6-6 record. They’ll take on Thompson, which is currently fourth at 6-5. The game will count for two points in the standings. It will also be Devils Lake’s last regular-season game.
Central Cass fell to No. 4 in this week’s ranking.
Four Winds/Minnewaukan, with its 17-game winning streak, still sits at No. 1 unanimously. Beulah stands between the two local teams. The Miners have quietly won 14 in a row. In fact, the only games they’ve lost this season were Dec. 29 and 30 against Devils Lake and FW/M, respectively.
The Indians have their last region game of the season on Friday, on the road against third-place Hillsboro/Central Valley. FW/M is 12-0 in region play. It will count for two points in the standings.
After that game, H/CV still has to play a one-pointer against Grafton. If the Burros lose both games, Devils Lake has a chance at the third seed in the region.
Wahpeton, previously tied with Devils Lake for No. 4 in the poll, is now No. 5.
In Division B, New Rockford-Sheyenne continued to receive votes but remained unranked. The Rockets are 16-3 heading into the District 4 tournament that begins Friday.
There were no girls’ polls this week, as those divisions are already about to hold their region championships.
Division A boys’ basketball
- Four Winds/Minnewaukan (14) – 70 points (Previous: 1)
- Beulah – 44 points (Previous: 3)
- Devils Lake – 38 points (Previous: T4)
- Central Cass – 30 points (Previous: 2)
- Wahpeton – 16 points (Previous: T4)
Received votes: Kindred, Grafton, Shiloh Christian
Division B boys’ basketball
- Central McLean (14) – 70 points (Previous: 1)
- Our Redeemer’s – 53 points (Previous: 2)
- Ray – 43 points (Previous: 3)
- Hankinson – 20 points (Previous: 5)
- Midway/Minto – 19 points (Previous: 4)
Received votes: New Rockford-Sheyenne, Oakes