Division AA boys' basketball tournament tips off in Bismarck

BISMARCK – The Division AA state tournament is back in Bismarck and five of the eight teams were in the field a season ago. They include defending champion Bismarck Century; runner-up Fargo Davies; Bismarck High, Dickinson and West Fargo. The trio of newcomers to the field are Bismarck Legacy, West Fargo Sheyenne and West Fargo Horace, which is making its tournament debut. The quarterfinals are Thursday, March 12 at the Bismarck Event Center. WDA regular season and West Region Tournament champion Bismarck High faces (4E) Fargo Davies in the opening game at 2 p.m. (2E) West Fargo Sheyenne faces (3W) Dickinson game two at 4 p.m. (1E) West Fargo takes on (4W) Bismarck Legacy in the third game, starting at 6 p.m. Defending champion (2W) Bismarck Century takes on (3E) West Fargo Horace in the nightcap at 8 p.m.

2024-25 Tournament Rewind
Bismarck Century capped off an impressive season by winning its fourth Division AA state title and first since 2018. The Pats finished 26-1. Fargo Davies was runner-up with Mandan placing third. West Fargo was fourth; Bismarck High, fifth; Fargo North sixth.

The favorites
WDA regular season and West Region Tournament champion Bismarck High is 23-1 and has won its last 12 games. The Demons won all three of their region tournament games by an average margin of 30 points. Yes, that is right, 30. The squad has plenty of talent and its up-tempo and aggressive style gives opponents a lot of headaches. BHS' last title came in 2010. Defending state champion Bismarck Century turned in a solid regular season. Two of its four losses have come to BHS. The Pats have their share of dynamic players. West Fargo won the East Region Tournament and has shown it can play fast or it can slow the pace and get into a defensive battle. West Fargo Horace lost just one conference game in the regular season. Its 21 wins is most among the East entries and is 7-1 against state tournament participants.
Pencil them in!
Fargo Davies has qualified for the Division AA tournament every season since it began varsity play in 2013. The Eagles won the title in 2014 and reached the finals in 2019 and 2025. Fargo Davies' string of appearances is longest active streak among Division AA teams.

Getting offensive
Bismarck High’s 89.5 points per game average is best among the eight teams in the field. West Fargo Horace is next with an 88.8 scoring average.

Getting defensive
Bismarck Century is allowing just 51.4 points per game which is best among the tournament teams. Bismarck High is next best, alloing 59.5 points. 

Free throws: Legacy is participating in its fifth tournament, but still seeking its first quarterfinal win...WDA teams went 15-6 vs. EDC foes this regular season...The last back-to-back Division AA state champion was 2017 when Minot High won its third consecutive crown.

Team Capsules

1W Bismarck High 
(23-1 Overall; 17-1 WDA)
Head Coach: Jordan Wilhelm 
Record vs. State Tournament teams: Century, 2-1; Legacy, 3-0; Dickinson, 2-0; 1-0 vs. WF Sheyenne
Longest season win streak: 12 games (current)
Longest season losing streak: 1
Players to watch: Artie Carlow, Sr.; Khaliq Austin, So.; Weston Scott, Jr.
Points Per Game Average: 89.5
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 59.5
Team FG%: 49.6 (Opponents: 43.9)
Team 3PFG%: 38.3 (Opp: 29.1)
Team FT%: 69.6 (Opp: 66.6)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 36.4 (Opp: 29.1)
Team Turnovers PG Avg: 10.5 (Opp: 22.3)
Team Steals PG Avg: 14.0 (Opp: 6.3)
Team Blocks PG Avg: 1.9 (Opp: 2.0)
Team Leaders: PPG: Artie Carlow, 19.2; Khaliq Austin, 15.0; RPG: Khaliq Austin, 7.1; Weston Scott, 6.9; APG: W. Scott, 3.9; K. Austin, 3.4; STPG: Austin, 2.6; A. Carlow, 2.2; BPG: K. Austin, 0.8; FG%: Najeh Boyd, 62.5; 3PFG%: A. Carlow, 46.1; FT%: N. Boyd, 8.2.2
2025-26 W. Region Tournament Rewind: 1st (Won vs. Minot North; Won vs. Legacy; Won vs. Century)
Last Class A/Division AA Championship: 2010

2W Bismarck Century 
(20-4 Overall; 15-3 WDA)
Head Coach: Darin Mattern 
Record vs. State Tournament teams: Bismarck High, 1-2; Legacy, 2-0; Dickinson, 3-0
Longest season win streak: 17 games
Longest season losing streak: 2 games
Players to watch: Gibson Kinnebrew, Jr.; Garrett Nissley, Sr.; Joey Kraljic, Sr.
Points Per Game Average: 74.5
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 51.4
Team FG%: 48.9 (Opponents: 38.2)
Team 3PFG%: 36.0 (Opp: 26.9)
Team FT%: 63.7 (Opp: 76.5)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 34.9 (Opp: 26.2)
Team Turnover PG Avg: 10.5 (Opp: 17.9)
Team Steals PG Avg: 10.9 (Opp: 5.2)
Team Blocks PG Avg: 1.9 (Opp: 1.8)
Team Leaders: PPG: Gibson Kinnebrew, 20.3; Garrett Nissley, 15.7; RPG: G. Nissley, 6.3; Joey Kraljic, 6.3; APG: G. Nissley, 3.2; G. Kinnebrew, 2.7; STPG: Kinnebrew, 2.9; G. Nissley, 2.3; BPG: G. Nissley, 0.5; FG%: G. Kinnebrew, 62.7; 3PFG%: G. Kinnebrew, 42.5; FT%: G.Nissley, 75.6
2025-26 W. Region Tournament Rewind: 2nd (Won vs. St. Mary’s; Won vs. Dickinson; Loss vs. Bismarck High)
Last Class A/Division AA Championship: 2025

3W Dickinson 
(17-7 Overall; 13-5 WDA)
Head Coach: Dan Glasser
Record vs. State Tournament Teams: 1-0 vs. West Fargo; 0-2 vs. Bismarck High; 0-3 vs. Century; 2-0 vs. Legacy; 0-1 vs. WF Horace
Longest season win streak: 3 games (three times)
Longest season losing streak: 1
Players to watch: Boston Cranston, Sr.; Nathan Stevenson, Jr.; Cameron Wolf, Sr.
Points Per Game Average: 80.8
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 70.3
Team FG%: 46.3 (Opponents: 44.0)
Team 3PFG%: 32.1 (Opp: 27.8)
Team FT%: 66.4 (Opp: 66.0)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 37.6 (Opp: 34.3)
Team Turnovers PG Avg: 13.9 (Opp: 16.7)
Team Steals PG Avg: 9.3 (Opp: 8.3)
Team Blocks PG Avg: 2.5 (Opp: 2.3)
Team Leaders: PPG: Boston Cranston, 20.3; Nathan Stevenson, 14.6; RPG: N. Stevenson, 9.3; Cameron Wolf, 6.1; APG: Stevenson, 3.5; B. Cranston, 3.2; STPG: B. Cranston, 2.0; N. Stevenson, 1.7; BPG: Cameron Wolf, 1.2; FG%: N. Stevenson, 54.7; 3PFG%: B. Cranston, 41.6; FT%: C. Wolf, 76.7
2025-26 W. Region Tournament Rewind: 3rd (Won vs Mandan; Loss vs. Century; Won vs. Minot High)
Last Class A/Division AA Championship: 2007

4W Bismarck Legacy 
(17-7 Overall; 13-5 WDA)
Head Coach: Jason Horner 
Record vs. State Tournament Teams: 1-1 vs. Century; 0-2 vs. Bismarck High; 0-2 vs. Dickinson; 0-1 vs. West Fargo
Longest season win streak: 6 games
Longest season losing streak: 3 games
Players to watch: Jonathan Roubideaux, Sr.; Brody Weigel, Sr.; Makiya Berryhill, Sr.
Points Per Game Average: 73.7
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 65.5
Team FG%: 44.1 (Opponents: 45.5)
Team 3PFG%: 33.1 (Opp: 33.0)
Team FT%: 71.3 (Opp: 64.8)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 33.0 (Opp: 32.7)
Team Turnovers PG Avg: 12.6 (Opp: 16.5)
Team Steals PG Avg: 10.3 (Opp: 8.3)
Team Blocks PG Avg: 1.6 (Opp: 1.9)
Team Leaders: PPG: Jonathan Roubideaux, 20.6; Brody Weigel, 10.8; RPG: J. Roubideaux. 8.9; Weston Kraft, 3.2; APG: J. Roubideaux, 2.8; B. Weigel, 2.4; STPG: Jack Julson, 1.6; Roubideaux, 1.5; BPG: J. Roubideaux, 0.4; FG%: J. Roubideaux, 54.5; 3PFG%: B. Weigel, 40.4; FT%: B. Weigel, 88.2
2025-26 W. Region Tournament Rewind: 4th (Won vs. Minot High; Loss vs. Bismarck High; Won vs. Mandan)
Last Class A/Division AA Championship: None

1E West Fargo
(18-6 Overall; 13-3 EDC)
Head Coach: Adam Palczewski
Record vs. State Tournament Teams: 3-0 vs. WF Sheyenne; 2-1 vs. Fargo Davies; 1-0 vs. Legacy; 0-1 vs. Dickinson; 0-2 vs. WF Horace
Longest season win streak: 7 games
Longest season losing streak: 2 games
Players to watch: Aiden Simek, Sr.; Beckett Pfau, Sr.; Wyatt Knudsen, So.
Points Per Game Average: 84.2
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 73.5
Team FG%: 47.7 (Opponents: 44.7)
Team 3PFG%: 34.8 (Opp: 32.3)
Team FT%: 66.1 (Opp: NA)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 35.0 (Opp: 31.0)
Team Turnovers PG Avg: 13.0 (Opp: 16.0)
Team Steals PG Avg: 10.3 (Opp: NA)
Team Blocks PG Avg: NA; (Opp: NA)
Team Leaders: PPG: Aiden Samek, 20.6; Beckett Pfau, 17.7; RPG: Wyatt Knudsen, 6.0; B. Pfau, 5.9; APG: B. Pfau, 4.4; Sam Glandt, 4.1; SPG: B. Pfau, 2.2; Haakon Seymor, 1.8; BPG: Stephon Booth, 0.7; FG%: S. Booth, 65.5; 3PFG%: B. Pau, 41.3; FT%: A. Samek, 90.2
2025-26 E. Region Tournament Rewind: 1st (Won vs. Fargo North; Won vs. Fargo Davies; Won vs. WF Sheyenne)
Last Class A/Division AA Championship: 2021

2E West Fargo Sheyenne
(14-10 Overall; 11-5 EDC)
Head Coach: Tim Brandt
Record vs. State Tournament Teams: 1-1 vs. Fargo Davies; 1-2 vs. WF Horace; 0-3 vs. West Fargo; 0-1 vs. Bismarck High
Longest season win streak: 5 games
Longest season losing streak: 4 games
Players to watch: Kyson Keller, Jr.; Brennen Gable, Sr.; Kayson Bernstein, Jr.
Points Per Game Average: 73.7
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 69.2
Team FG%: 44.6 (Opponents: 43.5)
Team 3PFG%: 29.9 (Opp: 33.4)
Team FT%: 67.3 (Opp: NA)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 39.0 (Opp: 31.0)
Team Turnovers PG Avg: 14.0 (Opp: 14.0)
Team Steals PG Avg: 8.0 (Opp: NA)
Team Blocks PG Avg: NA; (Opp: NA)
Team Leaders: PPG: Kyson Keller, 15.6; Kayson Bernstein, 10.7; RPG: K. Keller, 7.3; K. Bernstein, 6.4; APG: Chase Speelmon, 3.7; Tanner Kratcha, 2.5; SPG: T. Kratcha, 1.2; K. Keller, 1.2; BPG: Wyatt Zimny, 1.7; FG%: Brennen Gable, 62.6; 3PFG%: T. Kratcha, 33.3; FT%: K. Keller, 84.7
2025-26 E. Region Tournament Rewind: 2nd (Won vs. G.F. Red River; Won vs. WF. Horace; Loss vs. West Fargo)
Last Class A/Division AA Championship: 2024

3E West Fargo Horace
(21-3 Overall; 15-1 EDC)
Head Coach: Kyle Cummings
Record vs. State Tournament Teams: 2-0 vs. West Fargo; 2-0 vs. Fargo Davies; 2-1 vs. WF Sheyenne; 1-0 vs. Dickinson
Longest season win streak: 11 games
Longest season losing streak: 1 game
Players to watch: Carter Evanson, Sr.; Brett Livingston, Jr.; Aiden Green, Jr.
Points Per Game Average: 88.8
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 71.0
Team FG%: 51.5 (Opponents: 41.2)
Team 3PFG%: 38.9 (Opp: 33.1)
Team FT%: 70.5 (Opp: NA)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 37.0 (Opp: 34.0)
Team Turnovers PG Avg: 10.0 (Opp: 15.0)
Team Steals PG Avg: 10.3(Opp: NA)
Team Blocks PG Avg: NA; (Opp: NA)
Team Leaders: PPG: Carter Evanson, 26.0; Owen Terras, 14.0; RPG: Brett Livingston, 8.6; O. Terras, 7.8; APG: C. Evanson, 5.2; Aiden Green, 5.1; SPG: C. Evanson, 3.2; O. Terras, 2.0; BPG: B. Livingston, 2.0; FG%: B. Livingston. 56.9; 3PFG%: B. Livingston, 47.4; FT%: A. Green, 82.4
2025-26 E. Region Tournament Rewind: 3rd (Won vs. G.F. Central; Loss vs. WF Sheyenne; Won vs. Fargo North)
Last Class A/Division AA Championship: None

4E Fargo Davies
(17-7 Overall; 13-3 EDC)
Head Coach: Bart Manson
Record vs. State Tournament Teams: 2-0 vs. WF Sheyenne; 1-1 vs. WF Horace; 1-2 vs. West Fargo
Longest season win streak: 5 games
Longest season losing streak: 2 games (twice)
Players to watch: Collin Williams, Sr.; Colton Reinke, Sr.; Thomas Lawrence, Sr.
Points Per Game Average: 73.6
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 65.6
Team FG%: 45.3 (Opponents: 42.1)
Team 3PFG%: 31.7 (Opp: 33.2)
Team FT%: 64.5 (Opp: NA)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 35.0 (Opp: 31.0)
Team Turnovers PG Avg: 12.0 (Opp: 15.0)
Team Steals PG Avg: 11.1 (Opp: NA)
Team Blocks PG Avg: NA; (Opp: NA)
Team Leaders: PPG: Collin Williams, 19.8; Colton Reinke, 13.0; RPG: C. Williams, 11.3; Colton Reinke, 6.4; APG: Thomas Lawrence, 4.1; Cameron Miller, 3.0; SPG: Brady Vetter, 2.2; C. Reinke, 1.9; BPG: NA; FG%: C. Williams, 54.4; 3PFG%: Andrew Lawrence, 40.4; FT%: C. Reinke, 76.2
2025-26 E. Region Tournament Rewind: 4th (Won vs. Fargo South; Loss vs. West Fargo; Won vs. G.F. Central)
Last Class A/Division AA Championship: 2014

Photo: Jon Jablonski