Ben Brodina is announced in the starting lineup for Devils Lake. (Photo by Cameron Carlson)
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
