Class B 2023-24

[Sparty48]

Open conversations about Class B boys basketball.
1.) Who’s the top teams now in Class B
2.) Early Rankings

[WalkingStick]

Early thoughts on Class B Top Teams: Bowman County, Bishop Ryan, Sargent County, North Star

[Region 1 Fan]

My top 8 Class B picks would be: Bowman County, Sargent County, North Star, Flasher, EKM, La Moure, Ellendale and May-Port.
Sargent County will have a nice core of 4 with two experienced big guys that will create match up issues. I like EKM and Flasher as sleepers. Flasher really shoots the ball well. If they can get some inside help with rebounding, they will be a tough team to beat as well. Bowman County and North Star will be tough with some very talented kids coming back.
I'm sure I'm missing a few teams, but the 8 I listed should be contenders.

[WalkingStick]

I forgot about Flasher...maybe even Washburn, they have some good shooters.

Ellendale, Linton, EKM, LaMoure-LM...always legit - just didn't know what they had coming back.

[bk1990]

One team that doesn't get mentioned is Westhope/Newburg. They have I believe their entire team returning. Their top player was 2nd team All State and has 1500 career points and will be a junior. A tough point guard, with a good compliment of player surrounding these two. A couple of younger big guys, and I think they get a big guy back who got hurt in football and didn't play last season.

[WalkingStick]

Just typing this for reference for all who will post in this topic - Class B Regions/Districts
REGION 1
District 1
Wyndmere-Lidgerwood
Maple River
Enderlin
Hankinson
Richland
Oakes
Tri-State
Barnes County North
Sargent County

District 2
Linton-HMB
Ellendale
Kidder County
Napoleon/Gackle-Streeter
Strasburg/Zeeland
South Border
Medina/Pingree-Buchanan
LaMoure-LM
Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier

REGION 2
District 3
Drayton/Valley-Edinburg
Cavalier
North Prairie
North Border
St. John
North Star
Langdon/Edmore/Munich
Park River-FL
Midway-Minto

District 4
New Rockford-Sheyenne
Benson County
Nelson County
Warwick
Larimore
Griggs/Midkota
May-Port-CG
Hatton-Northwood

REGION 3
District 5
Hettinger-Scranton
New England
Solen
Beach
Grant County/Mott-Regent
Richardton-Taylor
Glen Ullin-Hebron
Flasher
Bowman County
South Heart
Belfield

District 6
Garrison
New Salem-Almont
Mandaree
Wilton-Wing
Center-Stanton
Washburn
Central McLean
White Shield

REGION 4
District 7
Divide County
Trenton
Trinity Christian
Alexander
Tioga
Parshall/North Shore-Plaza
Ray
Kenmare-Bowbells
Powers Lake-Burke Central

District 8
Bishop Ryan
Our Redeemer's
Westhope-Newburg
Glenburn
Drake-Anamoose
Velva
Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood
Berthold
TGU
Harvey-Wells County
Surrey

[Flip]

What about Nelson County? I thought Lakota was OK last year and returned everyone. If they can get a little help from DP I would think they could be decent.

[bk1990]

Just typing this for reference for all who will post in this topic - Class B Regions/Districts
REGION 1
District 1
Wyndmere-Lidgerwood
Maple River
Enderlin
Hankinson
Richland
Oakes
Tri-State
Barnes County North
Sargent County

District 2
Linton-HMB
Ellendale
Kidder County
Napoleon/Gackle-Streeter
Strasburg/Zeeland
South Border
Medina/Pingree-Buchanan
LaMoure-LM
Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier

REGION 2
District 3
Drayton/Valley-Edinburg
Cavalier
North Prairie
North Border
St. John
North Star
Langdon/Edmore/Munich
Park River-FL
Midway-Minto

District 4
New Rockford-Sheyenne
Benson County
Nelson County
Warwick
Larimore
Griggs/Midkota
May-Port-CG
Hatton-Northwood

REGION 3
District 5
Hettinger-Scranton
New England
Solen
Beach
Grant County/Mott-Regent
Richardton-Taylor
Glen Ullin-Hebron
Flasher
Bowman County
South Heart
Belfield

District 6
Garrison
New Salem-Almont
Mandaree
Wilton-Wing
Center-Stanton
Washburn
Central McLean
White Shield

REGION 4
District 7
Divide County
Trenton
Trinity Christian
Alexander
Tioga
Parshall/North Shore-Plaza
Ray
Kenmare-Bowbells
Powers Lake-Burke Central

District 8
Bishop Ryan
Our Redeemer's
Westhope-Newburg
Glenburn
Drake-Anamoose
Velva
Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood
Berthold
TGU
Harvey-Wells County
Surrey

Going to take a stab at it, the appeal of three class system is more teams have a chance to go to state, I think it is still pretty predictable who will go, so here are my predictions. I put in bold who I think will go.

[Sparty48]

I’m only District 1-2 but I think order will be
Sargent County
Richland
Maple River
Hankinson
Oakes
Wyndmere/Lidgerwood
Tri-state
Barnes County
Enderlin
2. Idk much could be way off
Linton
Ellendale
LaMoure
MPB
EKM
NGS
Kidder
Straburg
South Boarder

[packers21]

I’m only District 1-2 but I think order will be
Sargent County
Richland
Maple River
Hankinson
Oakes
Wyndmere/Lidgerwood
Tri-state
Barnes County
Enderlin
2. Idk much could be way off
Linton
Ellendale
LaMoure
MPB
EKM
NGS
Kidder
Straburg
South Boarder

I thought SB brings back there entire team and so does BC

[Flip]

SB graduates one. After next year they may fall off a cliff.

[Region 1 Fan]

Maple River and Richland will be tough and should contend as well. Maple River brings back a nice nucleus of players that really started to play well at the end of the year. If Richland's big guy can recover from his season ending injury last year, they will be a tough out as well.

[WalkingStick]

Maple River and Richland will be tough and should contend as well. Maple River brings back a nice nucleus of players that really started to play well at the end of the year. If Richland's big guy can recover from his season ending injury last year, they will be a tough out as well.

Hankinson also returns a very good young player in Earl.

[TommiesFan]

Just typing this for reference for all who will post in this topic - Class B Regions/Districts
REGION 1
District 1
Wyndmere-Lidgerwood
Maple River
Enderlin
Hankinson
Richland
Oakes
Tri-State
Barnes County North
Sargent County

District 2
Linton-HMB
Ellendale
Kidder County
Napoleon/Gackle-Streeter
Strasburg/Zeeland
South Border
Medina/Pingree-Buchanan
LaMoure-LM
Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier

REGION 2
District 3
Drayton/Valley-Edinburg
Cavalier
North Prairie
North Border
St. John
North Star
Langdon/Edmore/Munich
Park River-FL
Midway-Minto

District 4
New Rockford-Sheyenne
Benson County
Nelson County
Warwick
Larimore
Griggs/Midkota
May-Port-CG
Hatton-Northwood

REGION 3
District 5
Hettinger-Scranton
New England
Solen
Beach
Grant County/Mott-Regent
Richardton-Taylor
Glen Ullin-Hebron
Flasher
Bowman County
South Heart
Belfield

District 6
Garrison
New Salem-Almont
Mandaree
Wilton-Wing
Center-Stanton
Washburn
Central McLean
White Shield

REGION 4
District 7
Divide County
Trenton
Trinity Christian
Alexander
Tioga
Parshall/North Shore-Plaza
Ray
Kenmare-Bowbells
Powers Lake-Burke Central

District 8
Bishop Ryan
Our Redeemer's
Westhope-Newburg
Glenburn
Drake-Anamoose
Velva
Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood
Berthold
TGU
Harvey-Wells County
Surrey

Obviously most familiar with Region 2, so here are my thoughts on that Region:

North Star - will be loaded, and should be one of the favorites in Class B next year. Almost came out of R4 this year, and have everyone back.
Nelson County - I believe Lakota was very young last year, and had some success. I'd say they'll be competitive.
Midway-Minto - old Region2 foe of the Tommies. 3 Robinson kids will all be a year older, and the oldest one is a very nice player. They have everyone back from this past season, and could make some noise.
Warwick - defending R4 champs - lose a kid or two, but are always a scary team to play in tournament, as they have proven what they can do if they get hot from 3pt land.
Langdon - Worley very nice ballplayer. Not sure what they have coming back around him, but he's a great piece to center your offense around.
MPCG - Lose a lot in Koenig and Carlson. Judisch is nice player coming back, and they are well-coached, but don't see them making too much noise...their JV struggled last year.

Outside of R2 the ones that jump out at me are Bowman County, Sargent County, and Westhope.

[Class B]

District 8 - As long as Walker Braaten is in the gym, you'll have a hard time believing Westhope won't be one of those teams. I think they might lack a little depth, but they're going to have a solid 2-3 guys (Bailey, Tolstad) who will be able to score when teams are trying to throw the kitchen sink defensively at Braaten. I wouldn't be too quick to crown the Minot privates in District 8.

Wild card: TGU had a nice, young team that was able to cause some fits to some of the stronger teams this past season. Velva returns their nucleus but will need to find length to match up with the likes of Hanson (TGU) and Walz (BR). MLS is also a team you can't sleep on. Lots of exciting young, basketball-loving potential on that squad.

This will be a fun district to watch next season.