CNDC Tournament Preview
Photo credit: Minot Daily News As the first week of the 2018-19 North Dakota Class B girls basketball season is coming to an end, Rugby is set to host its annual Central North Dakota Conference Tournament — one of the…
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Continue ReadingPhoto credit: Minot Daily News
As the first week of the 2018-19 North Dakota Class B girls basketball season is coming to an end, Rugby is set to host its annual Central North Dakota Conference Tournament — one of the oldest Class B tournaments in the state. Eight teams are participating in the tournament with tipoff set for 3 p.m. Thursday.
Who are the favorites?
It’s very hard to say that Rugby isn’t the favorite to win its own tournament. The Panthers have won the last three championships and they are the favorites to win it again this season. Jen Brossart and her Region 6 squad were picked No. 4 in the Preseason Power Poll and won their season-opener, 53-26 over Benson County on Tuesday.
Nipping at Rugby’s heals for the title is No. 14-ranked St. John. The Woodchucks are coming off an 11-11 season but bring back two point scorers who averaged 21.5 points per game and 18.9. St. John cruized through its first game of the season with a 25-point win over Warwick. The Woodchucks will need to play as a team and head coach Jacob McCloud will have to bring the defensive gameplans to win the championship.
Who are the dark horse teams?
Two teams that have potential to be in the tournament favorites category are Harvey/Wells-County and Towner-Granville-Upham. H/W-C lost to Rugby by 17 (52-35) in last year’s title game and is ranked No. 27 in the Preseason Power Poll. The Hornets defeated No. 19-ranked Des Lacs-Burlington, 43-36 in their first game of the year. Watch out for head coach Mary Fike and the swarm this weekend. A team that has a combination of youth and experience, TGU is a team that can’t be overlooked in the CNDC tournament. The Titans lost their season-opener to Lewis & Clark-Berthold, 65-59 but have a lot of good height to compete with teams in this tournament.
What are the intriguing Day One games?
There are four games on Thursday, however, just one game catches my eye. The last game of the evening (7:30 p.m.) features TGU and No. 14 St. John. The Titans run with a solid inside-out game because their height down low draw double-teams which gives 3-point threat junior Neeleigh Wollenzien good looks. St. John does have more depth on its roster but rebounding the basketball is going to be something they’ll need to work on all season. The Woodchucks will be able to put points on the scoreboard with sophomore Kendra Prouty and senior Larissa McKay returning.
Who are the top players?
Anni Stier | Rugby, Sr.
Karsyn Hager | Rugby, Sr.
Kendra Prouty | St. John, So.
Larissa McKay | St. John, Sr.
Jaidyn Brummond | TGU, Jr.
Jay Fike | H/W-C, Sr.
McKayla Jones | H/W-C, Sr.
Kyleigh Wilkes | Rolla, Jr.
Hannah Haley | New Rockford-Sheyenne, Jr.
Sierra Hansen | Glenburn, Sr.
Baylee Bachmeier | Glenburn, Sr.
Bethany Filler | Drake-Anamoose, Jr.
Where will each team finish?
1. Rugby
2. H-W/C
3. St. John
4. TGU
5. Glenburn
6. New Rockford-Sheyenne
7. Rolla
8. Drake-Anamoose