Division AA girls' basketball tournament tips off in Bismarck

BISMARCK – The Division AA state tournament is back in Bismarck and all eight participants were in the field last season. Bismarck Legacy is making its 11th consecutive state tournament appearance which is the longest active streak.
The quarterfinals begin on Thursday, March 12 with WDA and West Region Tournament champion Minot High taking on (4E) Grand Forks Red River at 1 p.m. Game two has defending champ (2E) West Fargo Horace meeting (3W) Mandan at 3 p.m. East Region Tournament champion (1E) Fargo Davies takes on (4W) Bismarck Legacy in the third game at 5 p.m. The nigthcap has (2W) Bismarck Century facing (3E) Fargo Shanley at 7 p.m.

2024-25 Tournament Rewind
West Fargo Horace was the lone EDC team to win its quarterfinal game, but the Hawks would win two more to claim its first-ever state girls’ title. WF Horace defeated Bismarck Century in the finals. Minot High was third; Mandan, fourth; Fargo Davies, fifth; Bismarck Legacy, sixth.

The favorites
WDA regular season and West Region Tournament champion Minot High has just one loss and is seeking its first state tournament title since 2022. The Majettes are a veteran team. Minot’s title was the last for the WDA. 
Fargo Davies won the East Region Tournament and its 21 wins are most of any EDC entry. The team did not face a WDA team in non-conf. play, but played some strong teams from Minnesota.
Bismarck Century last won a state crown in 2021, but the Patriots have been in the finals in 2022, 2023 and 2025. This is a battle-tested group. And don't count out defending champion West Fargo Horace. The Hawks won the EDC regular season title, and despite, not winning the East Region Tournament, are capable of stringing three wins in a row.

1-2 Punch
Several teams boast a 1-2 scoring punch in their lineup. Here’s a look at some of the top combinations. Minot High’s LeeLee Bell (28.0) and Maggie Fricke (16.5). Fargo Davies’ Fallon Passanante (22.1) and Quinn Skari (16.2); Mandan’s AnnaClaire Bugbee (17.3) and Mimi McAllister (15.4); and Fargo Shanley’s Rylee Seavert (19.8) and Jaya Taylor (17.6)

Freethrows
The WDA posted an 18-2 record against EDC Div. AA opponents in the regular season...WF Horace sophomore Lakyn Donnelly is the state’s top scorer, averaging 29.1 points per game...Minot High’s LeeLee Bell surpassed the 3,000 career point total last week at the West Region Tournament...All eight teams have won at least one state title...The last team to win back-to-back championships was Century.

Team Capsules

1W Minot High (24-1 Overall; 17-1 WDA)
Head Coach: Jason Schwarz 
Record vs. State Tournament Teams: 3-0 vs. Century; 3-0 vs. Legacy; 1-1 vs. Mandan; 1-0 vs. WF Horace)
Longest season win streak: 19 games
Longest season losing streak: 1
Players to watch: Maggie Fricke, Sr.; LeeLee Bell, Sr; Kiney Bartsch, Sr.
Points Per Game Average: 76.3
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 54.7
Team FG%: 45.6 (Opponents: 35.1)
Team 3PFG%: 35.4 (Opp: 27.5)
Team FT%: 77.6 (Opp: 61.1)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 38.6 (Opp: 32.3)
Team Turnovers PG Avg: 13.3 (Opp: 17.3)
Team Steals PG Avg: 9.6 (Opp: 7.7)
Team Blocks PG Avg: 3.8 (Opp: 1.5)
Team Leaders: PPG: LeeLee Bell, 28.0; Maggie Fricke, 16.5; RPG: Leelee Bell, 11.8; Eve Knutson, 4.2; APG: Maggie Fricke, 3.6; Ariana Rood, 3.2; STPG: L. Bell, 2.5; Kinley Bartsch, 1.7; BPG: Bell, 2.1; E. Knutson, 0.8; FG%: Bell, 57.1; 3PFG%: Eve Knutson, 39.5; FT%: M. Fricke, 85.7
2025-26 W. Region Tournament Rewind: 1st (Won vs. St. Mary’s; Won vs. Bismarck High; Won vs. Century)
Last Class A/Division AA Championship: 2022

2W Bismarck Century (19-5 Overall; 14-4 WDA)
Head Coach: Nate Welstad 
Record vs. State Tournament Teams: 3-0 vs. Legacy; 2-1 vs. Mandan; 0-3 vs. Minot High
Longest season win streak: 7 games
Longest season losing streak: 2 games
Players to watch: Kaylie Welstad, Fr.; Abby Fosland, Sr.; Olivia Klimpel, Jr.
Points Per Game Average: 70.0
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 50.5
Team FG%: 45.6 (Opponents: 37.2)
Team 3PFG%: 35.9 (Opp: 25.9)
Team FT%: 74.3 (Opp: 65.8)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 32.0 (Opp: 31.8)
Team Turnovers PG Avg: 13.3 (Opp: 20.1)
Team Steals PG Avg: 13.1 (Opp: 7.3)
Team Blocks PG Avg: 2.4 (Opp: 2.0)
Team Leaders: PPG: Abby Fosland, 14.0; Kaylie Welstad, 13.6; RPG: Olivia Klimpel, 7.0; K. Welstad, 5.3; APG: K. Welstad, 4.3;A. Fosland, 2.6; STPG: K. Welstad, 3.0; O. Klimpel, 2.5; BPG: A. Fosland, 0.8; FG%: K. Welstad, 52.7; 3PFG%: Lakyn Johnson, 42.6; FT%: A. Fosland, 81.3
2025-26 W. Region Tournament Rewind: 2nd (Won vs. Legacy; Won vs. Mandan; Loss vs. Minot High)
Last Class A/Division AA Championship: 2021

3W Mandan (20-4 Overall; 15-3 WDA)
Head Coach: Tanner Purintun 
Record vs. State Tournament Teams: 1-1 vs. Minot High; 2-0 vs. Legacy; 1-2 vs. Century; 1-0 vs. G.F. Red River
Longest season win streak: 10 games
Longest season losing streak: 1 
Players to watch: AnnaClaire Bugbee, So.; Mimi McAllister, Sr.; Hadley Harris, So.
Points Per Game Average: 68.5
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 55.5
Team FG%: 37.0 (Opponents: 37.5)
Team 3PFG%: 27.2 (Opp: 29.0)
Team FT%: 65.8 (Opp: 65.2)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 42.9 (Opp: 32.5)
Team Turnovers PG Avg: 18.1 (Opp: 24.0)
Team Steals PG Avg: 15.1 (Opp: 10.6)
Team Blocks PG Avg: 2.5 (Opp: 2.9)
Team Leaders: PPG: AnnaClaire Bugbee, 17.3; Mimi McAllister, 15.4; RPG: A. Bugbee, 12.7; Ali Reiner, 7.7; APG: Hadley Harris, 3.2; A. Bugbee, 2.8; STPG: Sierra Gustavsson, 3.2; M. McAllister, 3.2; BPG: Ali Reiner, 0.8; FG%: A. Bugbee, 48.2; 3PFG%: Mimi McAllister, 31.1; FT%: M. McAllister, 72.5
2025-26 W. Region Tournament Rewind: 3rd (Won vs. Williston; Loss vs. Century; Won vs. Jamestown)
Last Class A/Division AA Championship: 2008

4W Bismarck Legacy (14-10 Overall; 9-9 WDA)
Head Coach: Jim Petrik 
Record vs. State Tournament Teams: 1-0 vs. WF Horace; 1-0 vs. G.F. Red River; 0-3 vs. Mandan; 0-3 vs. Century; 0-2 vs. Minot High
Longest season win streak: 5 games
Longest season losing streak: 2 (three times)
Players to watch: Marlee Falcon, Jr.; Sammy Watson, Jr.; Gracie Watson, So.
Points Per Game Average: 62.8
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 56.9
Team FG%: 39.9 (Opponents: 36.1)
Team 3PFG%: 29.9 (Opp: 29.5)
Team FT%: 58.5 (Opp: 69.8)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 40.3 (Opp: 33.2)
Team Turnovers PG Avg: 18.6 (Opp: 20.1)
Team Steals PG Avg: 12.9 (Opp: 10.8)
Team Blocks PG Avg: 4.0 (Opp: 2.8)
Team Leaders: PPG: Marlee Falcon,19.2; Sammy Watson, 9.4; RPG: Falcon, 9.5; Gracie Watson, 6.2; APG: Ava Lucas, 4.2; G. Watson,3.3; STPG: Gracie Watson, 4.4; A.Lucas 2.1; BPG: Falcon, 1.6; FG%: Sammy Watson, 47.3; 3PFG%: M. Falcon, 34.1; FT%: M. Falcon, 76.1
2025-26 W. Region Tournament Rewind: 4th; (Loss vs. Century; Won vs. Williston; Won vs. Bismarck High)
Last Class A/Division AA Championship: 2017

1E Fargo Davies (21-3 Overall; 14-2 EDC) 
Head Coach: Matt Veit
Record vs. State Tournament Teams: 1-2 vs. WF Horace; 2-0 vs. GF Red River; 2-0 vs. Fargo Shanley
Longest season win streak: 9 games
Longest season losing streak: 1 game
Players to watch: Fallon Passanante, Sr.; Quinn Skari, Sr.; Nasra Nuur, Sr.
Points Per Game Average: 72.6
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 47.6
Team FG%: 43.1 (Opponents: 32.7)
Team 3PFG%: 35.8 (Opp: 26.8)
Team FT%: 71.4 (Opp: NA)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 35.0 (Opp: 31.0)
Team Turnovers PG Avg: 13.0 (Opp: 19.0)
Team Steals PG Avg: 12.0 (Opp: NA)
Team Blocks PG Avg: NA (Opp: NA)
Team Leaders: PPG: Fallon Passanante, 22.1; Quinn Skari, 16.2; RPG: F. Passanante, 7.5; Q. Skari, 7.2; APG: 1. Skari, 4.2; F. Passanante, 3.3; STPG: Q. Skari, 4.2; F. Passanante, 3.3; BPG: Sierra Reinke, 1.0; Q. Skari, 0.8; FG%: Nasra Nuur, 48.2; 3PFG%: N. Nuur, 39.4; FT%: F. Passanante, 80.2
2025-26 E. Region Tournament Rewind: 1st (Won vs. West Fargo; Won vs. WF Sheyenne; Won vs. WF Horace)
Last Class A/Division AA Championship: 2024

2E West Fargo Horace (19-5 Overall; 15-1 EDC) 
Head Coach: Brent Hintz
Record vs. State Tournament Teams: 2-1 vs. Fargo Davies; 3-0 vs. Fargo Shanley; 2-0 vs. GF Red River; 0-1 vs. Legacy; 0-1 vs. Minot High
Longest season win streak: 7 games
Longest season losing streak: 1 game
Players to watch: Lakyn Donnelly, So.; Ava Larson, Jr.; Taylor Majkrzak, Sr.
Points Per Game Average: 80.5
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 53.1
Team FG%: 45.5 (Opponents: 36.9)
Team 3PFG%: 38.4 (Opp: 28.2)
Team FT%: 72.3 (Opp: NA)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 40.0 (Opp: 31.0)
Team Turnovers PG Avg: 13.0 (Opp: 19.0)
Team Steals PG Avg: 13.2 (Opp: NA)
Team Blocks PG Avg: NA (Opp: NA)
Team Leaders: PPG: Lakyn Donnelly, 29.1; Ava Larson, 7.1 RPG: L. Donnelly, 6.9; Ava Niewind, 4.8; APG: L. Donnelly, 4.7; A. Larson, 2.2; STPG: L. Donnelly, 4.0; A. Larson, 1.4; BPG: A. Larson, 0.7 FG%: L. Donnelly, 49.2; 3PFG%: Taylor Majkrzak, 43.2; FT%: L. Donnelly, 81.8
2025-26 E. Region Tournament Rewind: 2nd (Won vs. G.F. Central; Won vs. Fargo Shanley; Loss vs. Fargo Davies)
Last Class A/Division AA Championship: 2025

3E Fargo Shanley (16-8 Overall; 10-6 EDC) 
Head Coach: Beth Bue-Maher
Record vs. State Tournament Teams: 0-2 vs. Fargo Davies; 0-3 vs. WF Horace; 3-0 vs. GF Red River
Longest season win streak: 3 games (three times)
Longest season losing streak: 2 games (twice)
Players to watch: Rylee Seavert, So.; Jaya Taylor, 8th; Peace Hakim, Sr.
Points Per Game Average: 67.2
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 60.0
Team FG%: 39.4 (Opponents: 35.5)
Team 3PFG%: 27.3 (Opp: 30.3)
Team FT%: 66.9 (Opp: NA)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 41.0 (Opp: 36.0)
Team Turnovers PG Avg: 18.0 (Opp: 17.0)
Team Steals PG Avg: 10.4 (Opp: NA)
Team Blocks PG Avg: NA (Opp: NA)
Team Leaders: PPG: Rylee Seavert, 19.8; Jaya Taylor, 17.6; RPG: R. Seavert, 12.3; Peace Hakim, 5.6; APG: R. Seavert, 3.3; J. Taylor, 2.4; STPG: R. Seavert, 2.3; P. Hakim, 1.5; J. Taylor, 1.5; BPG: R. Seavert, 2.0; FG%: S. Seavert, 45.8; 3PFG%: J. Taylor, 32.4; FT%: J. Taylor, 76.2
2025-26 E. Region Tournament Rewind: 3rd (Won vs. GF Red River; Loss vs. WF Horace; Won vs. West Fargo)
Last Class A/Division AA Championship: 2016

4E G.F. Red River (12-12 Overall; 8-8 EDC) 
Head Coach: Kent Ripplinger
Record vs. State Tournament Teams: 0-3 vs. Fargo Shanley; 0-2 vs. Fargo Davies; 0-2 vs. WF Horace; 0-1 vs. Mandan; 0-1 vs. Legacy
Longest season win streak: 3 games
Longest season losing streak: 3 games (twice)
Players to watch: Reese Remz, Sr.; Taylor Hodny, Jr.; Amy Jacobson, Sr.
Points Per Game Average: 58.9
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 56.6
Team FG%: 35.6 (Opponents: 35.6)
Team 3PFG%: 29.9 (Opp: 29.8)
Team FT%: 67.1 (Opp: NA)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 30.0 (Opp: 42.0)
Team Turnovers PG Avg: 18.0 (Opp: 17.0)
Team Steals PG Avg: 15.0 (Opp: NA)
Team Blocks PG Avg: NA (Opp: NA)
Team Leaders: PPG: Reese Remz, 16.5; Taylor Hodny, 11.5; RPG: T. Hodny, 6.7; R. Remz, 5.7; APG: R. Remz, 4.4; T. Hodny, 3.0; STPG: R. Remz, 5.0; T. Hodny, 3.0; BPG: Ella Speidel, 0.9; FG%: Amy Jacobson, 38.4; 3PFG%: A. Jacobson, 39.6; FT%: R Remz, 76.7
2025-26 E. Region Tournament Rewind: 4th (Loss v. Fargo Shanley; Win vs. G.F. Central; Win vs. WF Sheyenne)
Last Class A/Division AA Championship: 2023

Photo: Loralyn Joyce