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North Dakota is getting set to crown new champions for girls and boys basketball for their two big classes this weekend. All the action will be in Fargo with some of the best high school athletes in the state ready to take the stage.

Thursday, March 8th
Quarterfinals
Game 1: W#1 Century vs. E#4 Fargo Davies    In the first game today Century will try to ignore their late season hiccups and get back to their dominant ways. Alexis Jacobs and Hannah Larson have been rock steady with 13.6ppg and 11.8ppg respectively. But the team defense and rebounding for the Patriots have been their hallmark.  Fargo Davies has crashed the party with their win in region play over favored Red River. Jasmine Moffet and Lexi Bolstad have shared the point production all season and will need a great effort to upend Century.
Game 2: E#2 Fargo Shanley vs. W#3 Mandan     Mandan has quietly won 11 of their last 13 games and could be a real threat with one of the best guards in the state, Mic Longtin (13.7 ppg 3.6apg) running the show. Courtney Goetz also provides a scoring punch for the Braves. Shanley brings their own star power with Rachel Weir (18ppg) who is extremely efficient with the ball. Jess Anderson is one of the best rebounders in the state and is a high percentage inside shooter (64%) on putbacks and layups. Watch out for Sarah Jacobson the 8th grader who is way beyond her years in maturity and skill on the court.

Game 3: E#1 West Fargo vs. W#4 Minot   West Fargo's Schnepf leads the conference in assists at 4.2 apg. There are a lot of assists to be had in this offense and it illustrates just how good of a "team" the Packers are. They have multiple leaders who have shared the spotlight all season long. Lexi Lennon is the only player averaging double digits; five other players are between 5-9 ppg. West Fargo leads the EDC in points per game and points per game against. A great formula for success, they are my pick to win it all. But hold on one second, they have a very tough first round opponent in Minot. Holly Johnson is the single most talented player in the state in my opinion. Johnson averages 17.8 ppg 8.7 rpg and Jayd Eggert and Angela Hankla have been great support players for the Magi.

G4: W#2 Bismarck High  vs. E#3 GF Central  Don't look now but Bismarck could be the hottest team in a field full of molten squads. Naomi Rust has been a huge boost and a great player with 10 rpg, 15.9ppg on the season. RyLee Meier could drop a big game (10ppg) at any point as well. Grand Forks Central has the makings to pull off an upset with players like Katelyn Olson (12.2 ppg 7.9 rpg), and Taylor Hammer (11.5ppg 7.0 rpg) hitting the boards.