2024-03-07 22:43:55
BISMARCK — The No. 1 team from the West moves on to the North Dakota Division AA boys state semifinals as the Minot Magicians defeated the West Fargo Packers in the quarterfinals Thursday at the Bismarck Event Center.
While the Packers struck the first blow with a two-point shot from Bonfas Loria, the Magicians responded with multiple lengthy scoring runs to win 86-61.
“It’s exciting,” said Minot coach Dean Winczewski. “Let’s not take anything for granted. You get a chance to play in state, you get a chance to win a game and play in the semifinals. It’s awesome no matter how many times you do it or how it works out.”
Minot’s Braden Nelson shoots once morest West Fargo during the North Dakota Division AA state high school boys basketball tournament quarterfinals at the Bismarck Event Center on Thursday, March 7, 2024.
David Samson/The Forum
Minot had five players in double figures, combining for 77 of the team’s 86 points, as Grayson Schaeffer had 20, Logan Conklin 17, Aric Winczewski 15, Payton Schell 14 and Braden Nelson 11.
“I think a lot of (our scoring) came down to our defense,” said Dean Winczewski. “We were able to get some transition things, get stops and get out and run. We also had a lot of people making shots off of assists. I thought we did a great job of sharing the ball and that made it easy for everybody.”
Minot’s Logan Conklin hits a 3-point basket once morest West Fargo’s Bonfas Loria during the North Dakota Division AA state high school boys basketball tournament quarterfinals at the Bismarck Event Center on Thursday, March 7, 2024.
David Samson/The Forum
West Fargo had a trio of players hitting double digits as well, with Aiden Samek scoring 16, Tony Leal with 14 and Beckett Pfau with 11. Bonfas Loria almost made it four players for the Packers with nine points.
“Our scoring was really good in the second half in transition because we got steals,” said West Fargo coach Adam Palczewski. “And we played good defense in the second half. We have good defenders and if they would have done that in the first half, we would have had a few more points.
“But, Minot is really good and we knew they were good. We let them have their way in the first half and they took all they might.”
Minot’s Aric Winczewski blocks a shot by West Fargo’s Anthony Leal during the North Dakota Division AA state high school boys basketball tournament quarterfinals at the Bismarck Event Center on Thursday, March 7, 2024.
David Samson/The Forum
As the Packers head to the consolation bracket, Palczewski’s message to the Packers as they look for a win at the state tournament is to play hard and work together.
“We need to share the ball, attack the rim and do the things we teach in practice,” he said. We need to play together as a team.”
Minot moves on to the semifinals where they will play either East No. 2 Fargo North or West No. 3 Bismarck Century.
Halftime: Minot 48, West Fargo 20
West Fargo — Samek 16, Leal 14, Pfau 11, Loria 9, McGregor 4, Troftgruben 3, Willie 2, Seymour 2,
Minot — Schaeffer 20, Conklin 17, Winczewski 15, Schell 14, Nelson 11, Johnson 4, Gunville 3, Beeter 2.
Minot and West Fargo players work for position under the basket during the North Dakota Division AA state high school boys basketball tournament quarterfinals at the Bismarck Event Center on Thursday, March 7, 2024.
David Samson/The Forum
Minot’s Aric Winczewski drives to the basket once morest West Fargo during the North Dakota Division AA state high school boys basketball tournament quarterfinals at the Bismarck Event Center on Thursday, March 7, 2024.
David Samson/The Forum
Todd Rose joined The Forum in August of 2022 as a sports reporter. Prior to joining The Forum, Rose worked as a sports reporter for the Daily Press in his hometown of Escanaba, Michigan from October 2020 to July 2022.
Rose can be reached via email at trose@forumcomm.com or via Twitter @To2D_Rose.
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