Devils Lake takes over No. 1 spot from Kindred in Class A boys’ basketball

Class A saw major shakeups in boys’ and girls’ basketball on Wednesday.

The weekly polls were voted on by the NDAPSSA.

Class A boys

The biggest change: Devils Lake is now the No. 1 in the Class A boys’ division.

The Firebirds were ranked No. 3 in the preseason poll. They’re off to a 3-0 start, as of Wednesday, including an 80-25 stomping of Carrington in their region opener Tuesday. They’ve scored a combined 222 points over their first three games.

Devils Lake received 74 points, with nine of the 18 first-place votes.

Beulah remained at No. 2 with 65 points and four first-place votes.

Kindred, the defending state champion and previous No. 1, fell to No. 3. The Vikings opened their season Tuesday and only narrowly beat Hillsboro/Central Valley. It was 70-68 in overtime. Devils Lake happens to be hosting H/CV in a region contest this Friday.

Kindred received 59 points and five first-place votes.

Four Winds/Minnewaukan remained at No. 4 after opening the season with an 84-54 win over Oak Grove.

Central Cass entered the top five after beating Grafton 88-50. Grafton, another region opponent of Devils Lake, did not receive any votes this week.

Class A girls

There were also some changes on the girls’ side.

Turtle Mountain earned its way to the top spot after a 4-0 start. The Braves have beaten Devils Lake and Carrington by 31 and 21 points, respectively. Turtle Mountain wasn’t even ranked in the preseason poll. It was ranked No. 5 last week.

Now it’s No. 1.

The Braves received 11 out of 18 first-place votes and 80 points.

Valley City, the previous No. 1, fell to No. 3 with two first-place votes and 51 points. The Hi-Liners are 3-1. Their lone loss came to LaMoure-Litchville/Marion, the No. 2-ranked team in Class B.

South Prairie-Max rose from No. 3 to No. 2.

Carrington had been No. 2 last week. The Cardinals fell out of the top five while still receiving votes. After beating SP-M in their season opener, they’ve since lost to Turtle Mountain and Benson County, the No. 1-ranked team in Class B. That makes them 1-2 overall. Devils Lake is scheduled to host Carrington this Thursday.

Kindred fell from No. 4, out of the top five after losing by 18 to Valley City.

Watford City and Thompson both entered the top five.

Devils Lake still didn’t receive any votes in the girls’ Class A poll. The Firebirds were the preseason No. 4, but they dropped from the rankings after losing to Valley City and Turtle Mountain. Still, their loss to Valley City was only by four points, and they’ve won their last two games, including a 28-point win over Rugby.

Class B

Going back to Benson County’s win over Carrington, the Wildcats were actually penalized for that game — ever so slightly. It was an odd contest that Benson County won 34-33.

So, for the first time this season, No. 2 L-L/M received a first-place vote. Benson County merely received the other 17 first-place votes and 89 overall points.

L-L/M is coming off the aforementioned win over Valley City.

Benson County is off to a 6-0 start after winning the state championship last season.

In the boys’ Class B, New Rockford-Sheyenne continued to receive votes after a 1-0 start.

Class A boys’ basketball

1. Devils Lake (9) – 74 points (Previous: 3)
2. Beulah (4) – 65 points (Previous: 2)
3. Kindred (5) – 59 points (Previous: 1)
4. Four Winds/Minnewaukan – 36 points (Previous: 4)
5. Central Cass – 16 points (Previous: NR)

Received votes: Wahpeton, Shiloh Christian, Bottineau, Nedrose, Watford City

Class A girls’ basketball

1. Turtle Mountain (11) – 80 points (Previous: 5)
2. South Prairie-Max (5) – 64 points (Previous: 3)
3. Valley City (2) – 51 points (Previous: 1)
4. Watford City – 17 points (Previous: NR)
5. Thompson – 15 points (Previous: NR)

Received votes: Kindred, Carrington, Hazen, Oak Grove

Class B boys’ basketball

1. Our Redeemer’s (14) – 81 points (Previous: 1)
2. North Border (4) – 63 points (Previous: 2)
3. Central McLean – 50 points (Previous: 3)
4. (T4) Hankinson – 33 points (Previous: 4)
5. (T4) Ray – 33 points (Previous: 5)

Received votes: Wilton/Wing, Midway/Minto, New Rockford-Sheyenne, Mohall/Lansford/Sherwood

Class B girls’ basketball

1. Benson County (17) – 89 points (Previous: 1)
2. LaMoure-Litchville/Marion (1) – 72 points (Previous: 2)
3. Tioga – 44 points (Previous: 3)
4. Central McLean – 39 points (Previous: 5)
5. Flasher – 13 points (Previous: NR)

Received votes: Maple River, Kenmare/Bowbells, Hatton/Northwood, Our Redeemer’s