WDA girls' basketball returns to Bismarck for West Region Tournament

BISMARCK – The West Region Tournament officially got underway last week with a pair West Region play-in games. (7) Williston defeated (10) Dickinson and (8) Bismarck St. Mary’s defeated (9) Minot North.
The quarterfinals tip off on Thursday, March 5 at the Bismarck Event Center. No. 1 Minot High meets No. 8 Bismarck St. Mary's in the opener at 1 p.m. That is followed by (4) Bismarck High battling (5) Jamestown, 2:45 p.m.; (2) Mandan and (7) Williston square off at 4:30 p.m. The final quartefinal has (3) Bismarck Century against (6) Bismarck Legacy. The semifinal and loser-out games will take place on Friday, March 6 with two state qualifiers and the championship to be played on Saturday, March 7. This year marks the 46th installment of the tournament. Tournament Website
2024-25 Tournament rewind
For the first time since 1990, the West Region Tournament final did not include the No. 1 or No. 2 seeds. No. 4 Bismarck Century edged No. 5 Mandan. 57-55, in an entertaining final that went right down to the final seconds. Top-seed Minot and No. 2 Legacy did bounce back from semifinal defeats to pick up state-qualifying wins.
The favorites
Minot High spent much of the season ranked No. 1 in Division AA polls and ended with a 21-1 record. The Majettes’ only blemish came on the road at Mandan late in the season. The senior-laden group has been in a number of big games over their careers and have a state title to their credit. Under first-year coach Tanner Purintun, Mandan turned in an impressive regular season, winning 18 games, including victories over top seed Minot High and perennial contender Century. The squad won its first 10 games and has proven it can go toe-to-toe with the top teams in the state. No. 3 Bismarck Century is the defending tournament champion and advanced to last year’s Division AA title game. The squad has a solid lineup and is capable of stringing three victories together this weekend. Last year saw a pair of lower seeds shine on the big stage. Will there be a darkhorse again? 
Getting offensive
Williston recorded five games where it scored 90 or more points, and twice hit the century mark. Minot High had four 90-plus games. Century recorded three, including one game over 100 points. Jamestown had two 90-plus contests.
Twenty-point club
Six players averaged over 20 points per game in the regular season. LeeLee Bell, Minot High, 27.1; Elli Laskowski, Minot North, 24.5; Mataya Messer, Bismarck St. Mary’s, 21.6; Averi Austreim, Williston, 21.4; Alex Austreim, Williston, 20.6; Marlee Falcon, Bismarck Legacy, 20.5
Free throws: Seven WDA teams posted winning records in the regular season (Minot High, Mandan, Century, Bismarck High, Jamestown, Legacy and Williston)...The WDA went 18-2 vs. EDC foes in the regular season...Bismarck Legacy’s streak of 10-consecutive state tournament appearances is the most among WDA teams....PSP Network (psp.network) is livestreaming all tournament games again this season...Bismarck is also hosting the Class AA Tournament, March 12-14.

Team Capsules
#1 Minot High (21-1 Overall; 17-1 WDA)
Head Coach: Jason Schwarz (7th year)
Key 2025-26 Wins: Mandan (1), Century (2), WF Horace, WF Sheyenne
Record vs. Top 4 W. Region seeds: 6-1
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: 76.5
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 55.1
Team FG%: 45.7 (Opponents: 35.2)
Team 3PFG%: 35.3 (Opp: 27.7)
Team FT%: 76.7 (Opp: 59.5
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 38.5 (Opp: 33.0)
Team Turnovers PG Avg: 13.8 (Opp: 18.0)
Record when leading at Halftime: 20-0
Record when trailing at Halftime: 0-1
Record when tied at Halftime: 0-0
Record when scoring 60 or more points: 19-1
Record when scoring 59 or fewer points: 1-0
Record when allowing 60 or more points: 8-1
Record when allowing 59 or fewer points: 12-0
Record in games decided by 5 points or less: 1-1
Team Leaders: PPG: LeeLee Bell, 27.1; RPG: Leelee Bell, 11.6; APG: Maggie Fricke, 3-1; Ariana Rood, 3.1; STPG: L. Bell, 2.6; BPG: Bell, 2.2; FG%: Bell, 56.3; 3PFG%: Eve Knutson, 37.3; FT%: M. Fricke, 85.1
2024-25 W. Region Tournament Rewind: Third; Won vs. Jamestown; Loss vs Century; Won vs. St. Mary’s
Last West Region Tournament Championship: 2024
Last Class A/Division AA Championship: 2022

#2 Mandan (18-3 Overall; 15-3 WDA)
Head Coach: Tanner Purintun (1st year)
Key 2025-26 Win: Minot High (1), Century (1), WF Sheyenne
Record vs. Top 4 W. Region seeds: 4-2
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: 70.0
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 55.2
Team FG%: 37.3 (Opponents: 37.3)
Team 3PFG%: 27.5 (Opp: 28.3)
Team FT%: 67.5 (Opp: 65.2)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 43.6 (Opp: 32.9)
Team Turnovers PG Avg: 18.6 (Opp: 25.0)
Record when leading at Halftime: 16-1
Record when trailing at Halftime: 1-2
Record when tied at Halftime: 1-0
Record when scoring 60 or more points: 16-2
Record when scoring 59 or fewer points: 2-1
Record when allowing 60 or more points: 5-2
Record when allowing 59 or fewer points: 13-1
Record in games decided by 5 points or less: 4-1
Team Leaders: PPG: AnnaClaire Bugbee, 17.0; RPG: A. Bugbee, 12.5; APG: Hadley Harris, 3.5; STPG: Sierra Gustavsson, 2.5; BPG: Ali Reiner, 0.8; FG%: A. Bugbee, 47.3; 3PFG%: Mimi McAllister, 31.0; FT%: M. McAllister, 72.8
2024-25 W. Region Tournament Rewind: 2nd; Won vs. St. Mary’s; Won vs. Legacy; Loss vs. Century
Last West Region Tournament Championship: 2017
Last Class A/Division AA Championship: 2008

#3 Century (17-4 Overall; 14-4 WDA)
Head Coach: Nate Welstad (5th year)
Key 2025-26 Wins: Mandan (1), Benilde-St. Margarets, MN
Record vs. Top 4 W. Region seeds: 3-3
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: 71.1
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 49.3
Team FG%: 45.8 (Opponents: 36.6)
Team 3PFG%: 36.3 (Opp: 25.8)
Team FT%: 74.8 (Opp: 66.8)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 32.7 (Opp: 31.1)
Team Turnovers PG Avg: 13.5 (Opp: 21.0)
Record when leading at Halftime: 17-0
Record when trailing at Halftime: 0-4
Record when tied at Halftime: 0-0
Record when scoring 60 or more points: 15-2
Record when scoring 59 or fewer points: 2-2
Record when allowing 60 or more points: 3-3
Record when allowing 59 or fewer points: 14-1
Record in games decided by 5 points or less: 2-1
Team Leaders: PPG: Abby Fosland, 13.4; RPG: Olivia Klimpel, 7.3; APG: Kaylie Welstad, 4.0; STPG: K. Welstad, 2.8; BPG: K. Welstad, 0.6; FG%: K. Welstad, 53.7; 3PFG%: Lakyn Johnson, 43.0; FT%: Kinley Thorton, 81.8
2024-25 W. Region Tournament Rewind: Champion (Won vs. Bismarck High; Won vs. Minot High; Won vs. Mandan)
Last West Region Tournament Championship: 2022
Last Class A/Division AA Championship: 2021

#4 Bismarck High (12-9 Overall; 9-9 WDA)
Head Coach: Bill Shetler (12th year)
Key 2025-26 Wins: WF Sheyenne
Record vs. Top 4 W. Region seeds: 0-6
Longest season win streak: 4 games 
Longest season losing streak: 3 games
Players to watch: Grace Neumann, Jr.; Izzy Dahl, Jr.; Jordyn Rood, Sr.
Points Per Game Average: 60.6
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 59.5
Team FG%: 38.0 (Opponents: 37.7)
Team 3PFG%: 31.6 (Opp: 31.8)
Team FT%: 69.2 (Opp: 71.1)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 32.8 (Opp: 38.0)
Team Turnovers PG Avg: 16.6 (Opp: 20.7)
Record when leading at Halftime: 10-1
Record when trailing at Halftime: 2-8
Record when tied at Halftime: 0-0
Record when scoring 60 or more points: 9-3
Record when scoring 59 or fewer points: 3-6
Record when allowing 60 or more points: 2-6
Record when allowing 59 or fewer points: 10-3
Record in games decided by 5 points or less: 3-2
Team Leaders: PPG: Grace Neumann. 10.2; RPG: G. Neumann, 6.3; APG: G. Neumann, 3.7; STPG: G. Neumann, 2.6; BPG: Jordyn Rood, 2.7; FG%: Izzy Dahl, 46.8; 3PFG%: I. Dahl, 39.7; FT%: I. Dahl, 80.0
2024-25 W. Region Tournament Rewind: Did Not Place (Loss vs. Century; Won vs. Jamestown; Loss vs. Mandan)
Last West Region Tournament Championship: 2014
Last Class A/Division AA Championship: 2009

#5 Jamestown (11-10 Overall; 9-9 WDA)
Head Coach: Andy Skunberg (15th year)
Key 2025-26 Wins: Mandan (1), Century (1)
Record vs. Top 4 W. Region seeds: 3-5
Longest season win streak: 4 games
Longest season losing streak: 5 games
Players to watch: Macey Neumiller, Fr.; Haley Attelson, Sr.; Milan Martin, Jr.
Points Per Game Average: 62.1
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 56.2
Team FG%: 36.5 (Opponents: 37.1)
Team 3PFG%: 34.3 (Opp: 30.0)
Team FT%: 73.2 (Opp: 63.7)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 39.4 (Opp: 29.0)
Team Turnovers PG Avg: 18.1 (Opp: 14.9)
Record when leading at Halftime: 10-4
Record when trailing at Halftime: 1-6
Record when tied at Halftime: 0-0
Record when scoring 60 or more points: 8-1
Record when scoring 59 or fewer points: 2-9
Record when allowing 60 or more points: 2-7
Record when allowing 59 or fewer points: 9-3
Record in games decided by 5 points or less: 3-3
Team Leaders: PPG: Macey Neumiller, 16.0; RPG: Claire Marker, 9.9; APG: M. Neumiller, 2.8; STPG: Hannah Attleson. 2.2; BPG: Han. Attleson, 0.4; FG%: Haley Attelson, 41.7; 3PFG%: M. Neumiller, 38.8; FT%: Adisyn Yunck, 88.0
2024-25 W. Region Tournament Rewind: Did Not Place; Loss vs. Minot High; Loss vs. Bismarck High)
Last West Region Tournament Championship: None
Last Class A/Division AA Championship: 1974

#6 Legacy (12-9 Overall; 9-9 WDA)
Head Coach: Jim Petrik (11th year)
Key 2025-26 Win: WF Horace
Record vs. Top 4 W. Region seeds: 0-8
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: 64.2
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 57.8
Team FG%: 41.0 (Opponents: 36.3)
Team 3PFG%: 31.2 (Opp: 29.7)
Team FT%: 58.6 (Opp: 69.7)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 40.2 (Opp: 33.1)
Team Turnovers PG Avg: 19.2 (Opp: 20.3)
Record when leading at Halftime: 11-0
Record when trailing at Halftime: 1-8
Record when tied at Halftime: 0-1
Record when scoring 60 or more points: 11-0
Record when scoring 59 or fewer points: 1-9
Record when allowing 60 or more points: 3-8
Record when allowing 59 or fewer points: 9-1
Record in games decided by 5 points or less: 1-0
Team Leaders: PPG: Marlee Falcon, 20.5; RPG: Falcon, 9.5; APG: Ava Lucas, 4.5; STPG: Gracie Watson, 4.6; BPG: Falcon, 1.6; FG%: Sammy Watson, 50.7; 3PFG%: M. Falcon, 35.8; FT%: M. Falcon, 78.3
2024-25 W. Region Tournament Rewind: 4th; Won vs. Williston; Loss vs. Mandan; Won vs. Bismarck High)
Last West Region Tournament Championship: 2020
Last Class A/Division AA Championship: 2017

#7 Williston (12-10 Overall; 8-10 WDA)
Head Coach: Jacob Braaten (2nd year)
Key 2024-25 Wins: Bismarck High (2), WF Sheyenne
Record vs. Top 4 W. Region seeds: 2-6
Longest season win streak: 3 games
Longest season losing streak: 2 games (four times)
Players to watch:  Alex Austreim, So.; Averi Austreim, So.; Rylee Irgens, So.
Points Per Game Average: 73.0
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 62.7
Team FG%: 45.8 (Opponents: 37.9)
Team 3PFG%: 32.7 (Opp: 29.4)
Team FT%: 70.5 (Opp: 69.7)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 36.2 (Opp: 32.6)
Team Turnovers PG Avg: 18.7 (Opp: 20.8)
Record when leading at Halftime: 9-0
Record when trailing at Halftime: 3-10
Record when tied at Halftime: 0-0
Record when scoring 60 or more points: 12-5
Record when scoring 59 or fewer points: 0-5
Record when allowing 60 or more points: 4-10
Record when allowing 59 or fewer points: 8-0
Record in games decided by 5 points or less: 1-3
Team Leaders: PPG: Averi Austreim, 21.4; RPG: Alex Austreim, 8.6; APG: Rylee Irgens, 6.8; STPG: R. Irgens, 3.7; BPG: Al. Austreim, 1.3; FG%: Al. Austreim, 51.1; 3PFG%: Al. Austreim, 41.3; FT%: Av. Austreim, 85.1
2024-25 W. Region Tournament Rewind: Did not place; Loss vs. Legacy; Loss vs. St. Mary’s)
Last West Region Tournament Championship: 1999
Last Class A/Division AA Championship: 1977

#8 St. Mary’s (10-12 Overall; 7-11 WDA)
Head Coach: Ty Terry (3rd year)
Key 2025-26 Wins: vs. Jamestown (2)
Record vs. Top 4 W. Region seeds: 0-8
Longest season win streak: 2 (twice)
Longest season losing streak: 4 (four times)
Players to watch: Mataya Messer, Sr.; Lily Edinger, 8th; Mya Jones, So.
Points Per Game Average: 60.2
Points Allowed Per Game Avg: 62.3
Team FG%: 37.6 (Opponents: 38.0)
Team 3PFG%: 20.2 (Opp: 28.8)
Team FT%: 65.2 (Opp: 67.6)
Team Rebounds PG Avg: 38.2 (Opp: 39.3)
Team Turnovers PG Avg: 20.1 (Opp: 21.0)
Record when leading at Halftime: 8-2
Record when trailing at Halftime: 2-10
Record when tied at Halftime: 0-0
Record when scoring 60 or more points: 9-2
Record when scoring 59 or fewer points: 1-10
Record when allowing 60 or more points: 5-11
Record when allowing 59 or fewer points: 5-1
Record in games decided by 5 points or less: 2-1
Team Leaders: PPG: Mataya Messer, 21.6; RPG: Lily Edinger, 9.8; APG: M. Messer, 3.7; STPG: M. Messer, 3.4; BPG: L. Edinger, 1.6; FG%: L. Edinger, 50.3; 3PFG%: Stella Gallik, 23.5; FT%: M. Messer, 74.3
2024-25 W. Region Tournament Rewind: Did not place (Loss vs. Mandan; Won vs. Williston; Loss vs. Minot High)
Last West Region Tournament Championship: None
Last Class A/Division AA Championship: None

Notes and Stats provided by Matt Mullally, 
WDA Executive Secretary/SID. HUDL team stats were used to compile information. Some teams my not have had all their stats uploaded.

Photo by Jon Jablonski