Greatest upsets of all time

[vikingman]

With the Bison just 2 wins away from the biggest March Madness upset ever, what are some of the BIG upsets in ND Class B? 'Meaningful' games only -- Region and State tourney games.

[Wilbur]

A couple that come to mind from my day are Robinson over Napoleon in 1976 and Linton over Newburg in 1985. Napoleon was 23-0 entering the Region 5 tournament in 1976 and beat Robinson, 64-38 late in the season. However, Robinson beat Napoleon, 59-45, in the opening round and went on to win the region crown.
Linton beat Newburg in the 1984 State championship game but Newburg had four starters back in 1985 while Linton graduated 5 of its top six players. Newburg was unbeaten and ranked number one for all or most of the year. Linton beat Newburg, 72-70, in overtime for the State title. What made it more stunning was that Mr. Basketball finalist Jon Richter (Linton's only returning starter) injured his ankle in a first-round win over Ellendale. He did not play against Karlsruhe in the semi-finals, and was very limited in the championship game.

[NodakQ2]

I think Carrington over North Star in the Region 4 Championship in 2010 was pretty big. Carrington went on to win the title in '10 and North Star came back and won it in 2011. North Star was the BIG favorite to win it all in 2010 as well. After beating Carrington handily during the season lost to them in OT in the finals.

[heimer]

I know this is a girls reference, but wasn't there a girls team from Harvey that advanced to a state tournament with a losing record about 10 or 15 years ago?

[Wilbur]

Yes, Harvey Girls went to state in either 2003 or 2004. Thinking 2004. Don't know if they had a losing record but do believe they had double digit losses. Don't know if there were any powerhouse teams they upset in the region, though. I hope this thread stays on track with big upsets. I find it very interesting, especially at the region level. In 1986, Glen Ullin and Page were heavily favored in their region but both were upset in the region finals by Belfield and Oak Grove, respectively. I believe Page was unbeaten to that point.

[heimer]

1996, Oakes girls took first loss of the season to Kindred in regional semi-final.

Kindred then knocked off Verona to go to state.

Kindred got a lot of calls.

Oakes won state next year without much challenge.

[The Schwab]

2013 Region 7 Final: Dickinson Trinity defeated previously unbeaten Beulah (defending state champs, ranked 2nd in the first 3 polls, then number 1 after that). I don't know how much of an upset it was because Dickinson Trinity was a top 5 team, but still kind of surprising to see the undefeated, defending state champs lose in the region title game.

[The Schwab]

2010 Region 3 First Round: Defending State Champions and number 6 ranked Linton got beat by LaMoure.

[justplayalready]

The way the question is phrased, it would be looking for heavy region favorites knocked off the first round regions by a team that somehow squeaked into regions...

I don't know that any Region championship game on a neutral court could be considered an upset...maybe a better argument that the "true" state championship game was played region final night...

Carrington over Nstar, not an really an "upset", but I will admit I am still upset by that game... especially if they back up a big win with three more...

[Wilbur]

Carrington over Nstar, not an really an "upset", but I will admit I am still upset by that game... especially if they back up a big win with three more...

When you beat a team by 25 points during the season and lose to them in the region finals, that IS an upset. LaMoure’s win over Linton in 2010 as stated by The Schwab is a case in point. Linton beat LaMoure by 20 points in their regular-season meeting, and LaMoure took 4th in District 5, while Linton was the defending State champion.

[yellowjacket]

1994, Mohall was ranked number 2 in state with only two losses to eventual state champions Minot Ryan. Third meeting never materialized as Mohall was upset by Trenton in first round of regionals.

[NodakQ2]

The way the question is phrased, it would be looking for heavy region favorites knocked off the first round regions by a team that somehow squeaked into regions...

I don't know that any Region championship game on a neutral court could be considered an upset...maybe a better argument that the "true" state championship game was played region final night...

Carrington over Nstar, not an really an "upset", but I will admit I am still upset by that game... especially if they back up a big win with three more...

Not only did anyone think Carrington had a chance to win that game but I don't think they were favored to win State either. Definitely an upset...

Here's another one: #1 Ranked Carrington Girls (The year after winning the State title) lost a Region semi-final game to Midkota in 2012 . They beat Midkota during the year by almost 30 and were a favorite to repeat as State Champions. Midkota lost in the Regional championship to Lakota.

[defense1st]

I realize it was at the state tournament, but Beulah beating Central Cass, Berthold, and North Star in that order I think qualifies for this discussion. One win against an undefeated team at state might not, but going 3-0 against undefeated teams does.

[defense1st]

Go back to the 1982 Cando boys' team. Lost in the district final to Rolette, then first round of regionals to Edmore. Undefeated regular season to first round exit.

*edited for accuracy. Thanks to yadot for the correction.

[Thundersnow]

In 2012, the District 16 #4 seed Ray took on District 15 champions New Town in the Region 8 quarterfinals. New Town was defending Region champions and had taken 3rd place in the 2011 state tournament. Ray upset New Town 59-57 in overtime, eventually advancing to the Region 8 championship game where they would miss a buzzer-beater and lose to Divide County in a 2-point game.

[yadot]

The year Cando got upset was 1982. Undefeated and ranked #1, lost to Rolette in district championship then Edmore in first round of regionals.

[woodchuck10]

2014 District 8 semis (in Rolla) vs Rolette defeated 1 seed and No. 9ish in state. Rolette was down by 25 in the second half. Came back to win by 1 point on a Casey Julson shot clock beating three pointer. Was a 4 second difference on shot clock and game clock and some fans stormed the court and there could’ve been a technical called, wasn’t, SJ gets off a desperation shot that missed. I missed the game and haven’t seen video but that’s what I’ve been told happened.

A few weeks prior SJ defeated Rolette by 49 points in Rolette, reason I didn’t attend districts until Monday, SJ almost and probably should’ve lost to Rolla in region qualifier game. I’ve heard of a lot of past Woodchuck heart breaks in Rolla gym during districts when they were a regular host.

[Wilbur]

In 1979, Linton, making its first appearance at the State Tournament in 13 years, faces defending State champion and top-ranked Larimore in the opening round. Linton jumped out to a 12-point lead early in the second half and had to hold on for a 40-38 win. Linton finished in fourth place and Larimore won the consolation title. I truly believe that if Larimore would have beaten Linton, the Polar Bears would have defended their state crown.

[defense1st]

The year Cando got upset was 1982. Undefeated and ranked #1, lost to Rolette in district championship then Edmore in first round of regionals.

Thank you, I've corrected my post.

[elfman77]

one of the first that comes to mind is the 2014 region 4 title game FWM vs North Star, I think FWM was no 1 in the state at that time and I think north star had like 6-7 losses that year and north star won on an alex Weston buzzer beater in 2ot.

[woodchuck10]

one of the first that comes to mind is the 2014 region 4 title game FWM vs North Star, I think FWM was no 1 in the state at that time and I think north star had like 6-7 losses that year and north star won on an alex Weston buzzer beater in 2ot.

Weston had a handful of big shots and buzzer beaters from the right wing and baseline in that game. In 2013 Four Winds beat North Star (Hagler, Grande senior year) in region championship, Weston had 0 points in that game. 2015 Weston didn’t play because of a football injury in playoff game.

[woodchuck10]

The year Cando got upset was 1982. Undefeated and ranked #1, lost to Rolette in district championship then Edmore in first round of regionals.

Thank you, I've corrected my post.

1982 Cando vs Edmore first round Region 3 game is on YouTube. Definitely worth a watch. Intense game.

[vikingman]

2010 North 'Star vs Carrington. Yes, NS won handily in the regular season, but Carrington was ranked #7 in the final poll (2 losses, with 1 to NS), so it wasn't like they didn't have a chance.

2001 -- North Star beat North Border by around 30 at North Border. In the State Championship, NB won by about 8.

2012 -- North Star beat Beulah by about 30 on Beulah's court. In the state championship, Beulah wins by 2. NS fans have had some bitter pills to swallow over the years.

[Wilbur]

In 2001, I think Cando was still called Cando.

[scc]

In 2001, I think Cando was still called Cando.

Yes