The Devils Lake boys’ basketball team celebrates a shot from the bench. (Photo by Noah Clooten)
Basketball polls are back in full swing.
The first edition of the Class A and B boys’ basketball rankings, as voted on by the NDAPSSA, were released Wednesday. At the same time, the third edition of the girls’ polls were published.
Defending state runner-up Devils Lake is ranked No. 3 in the preseason Class A boys’ poll. Four Winds/Minnewaukan also made the poll at No. 4.
The Firebirds and Indians open their seasons this Friday and Saturday, respectively.
Devils Lake has a ton of senior talent to replace from last year. But the Firebirds have made the Class A state championship game in each of the first two seasons of the three-class system. The Indians have some talent to replace, too, but they still have their star in Marial Deng.
FW/M is yet to make a Class A state tournament, although it’s come close both years.
Grafton also received votes, making three teams from Region 2 to at least get votes.
Defending state champion Kindred was ranked No. 1 with 13 out of 18 first-place votes. No. 2 Beulah received the remaining five. Devils Lake, though, with 61 points, is only four behind Beulah’s 65.
On the girls’ side, Devils Lake did not receive any votes. As of Wednesday, the Firebirds are off to an 0-2 start, including a 72-41 loss to Turtle Mountain. Devils Lake started the year at No. 4.
Turtle Mountain, previously unranked, slid up to No. 5. Thompson fell from No. 3 out of the top five, after a 1-1 start. The Tommies lost 55-36 to No. 3 South Prairie-Max on Saturday.
Region 2 is still represented in the top five by No. 2 Carrington.
Valley City, which beat Devils Lake 69-65 on Dec. 2, came in at No. 1 with 12 of the 17 first-place votes. Carrington isn’t all that far behind with 71 points compared to the Hi-Liners’ 78.
Devils Lake will play Carrington on Dec. 18 and Jan. 27. Last year, Devils Lake beat Carrington in the region championship.
In Class B, there was nothing much new on the girls’ side. Benson County was voted the unanimous No. 1 for the third straight week. The defending state champion Wildcats are off to a 5-0 start. They have four players averaging double figures.
Langdon Area/Munich, after receiving votes last week, did not receive any this week. The Cardinals are off to a 1-1 start. They lost 56-45 to Central Cass on Monday.
No local teams made the top five in the Class B preseason boys’ poll. However, New Rockford-Sheyenne received votes.
The Rockets reached their fourth state tournament in co-op history last year. They share a handful of players with the back-to-back nine-man football champions, including star quarterback Easton Simon, who’s their point guard.
NR-S opens the boys’ season this Saturday against Bowman County at Linton High School.
Parentheses indicate first-place votes.
Class A boys’ basketball
- Kindred (13) – 79 points
- Beulah (5) – 65 points
- Devils Lake – 61 points
- Four Winds/Minnewaukan – 24 points
- Wahpeton – 17 points
Received votes: Grafton, Central Cass, Shiloh Christian, Dickinson Trinity, Bottineau
Class A girls’ basketball
- Valley City (12) – 78 points (Previous: 1)
- Carrington (4) – 71 points (Previous: 2)
- South Prairie-Max (1) – 48 points (Previous: 4)
- Kindred – 23 points (Previous: 5)
- Turtle Mountain – 22 points (Previous: NR)
Received votes: Central Cass, Dickinson Trinity, Thompson
Class B boys’ basketball
- Our Redeemer’s (13) – 79 points
- North Border (5) – 59 points
- Central McLean – 51 points
- Hankinson – 28 points
- Ray – 26 points
Received votes: New Rockford-Sheyenne, Oakes, Linton/HMB, Bishop Ryan, Midway/Minto
Class B girls’ basketball
- Benson County (17) – 85 points (Previous: 1)
- LaMoure-Litchville/Marion – 48 points (Previous: 4)
- Tioga – 45 points (Previous: 5)
- Maple River – 25 points (Previous: 3)
- Central McLean – 15 points (Previous: NR)
Received votes: Powers Lake/Burke Central, New Salem/Almont, Berthold, Kenmare/Bowbells, Linton/HMB, Flasher
