The Indians won the 2016 state title, beating Our Redeemer’s in the championship game.
Last season, the Indians were knocking on the door for another state championship before COVID-19 brought the sporting world to a halt.
Four Winds-Minnewaukan has been ranked No. 1 in the state Class B polls for a good chunk of this season as well, and will carry the No. 1 seed into this weekend’s state tournament at the Minot State Dome.
The pressure isn’t easy to handle, but the Indians are making the most of it
“The kids have had a bulls-eye on their backs all year long,” said Four Winds-Minnewaukan coach Rick Smith. “But when you have senior leadership like we do, it’s a lot easier to coach. But, then again, they’re just kids and they’re playing under a big spotlight and in a big venue with a lot of fans.
“It’s been a lot of fun all year and the kids have done a good job responding to that pressure and getting to our final goal, the final tournament of the season. It’s not easy for those guys to go out and battle everyone's best game with the schedule we play.”
Four Winds-Minnewaukan (23-1) has earned its top ranking this season.
The Indians, who have not been ranked lower than No. 3 this season, have played an aggressive schedule, going up against Powers Lake, Rugby, Shiloh Christian and Dickinson Trinity -- teams that will comprise half the field in this week’s Class B tournament.
Four Winds-Minnewaukan beat three of the four, losing only to Dickinson Trinity 62-57 in late December on the road. Shiloh Christian reached the tournament for the third-straight season and will take on the Indians in Thursday’s quarterfinal round. Four Winds-Minnewaukan beat Shiloh Christian 61-45 on Feb. 20.
The Indians will be led by 6-foot-10 Bronson Walter, an imposing center who has the ability to change the game in the lane. And his soft scoring touch near the basket makes him a scoring threat every time he receives an entry pass. And the Indians run the fastbreak perhaps better than most teams, led by JaeShaun Shaw and Jayden Yankton.
The No. 1-ranking the Indians have had most of the season hasn’t been a huge distraction, said Walter.
“We try not to pay attention to it,” said Walter. “Rankings don’t matter. We put the work in each and every day and I believe we have that No. 1 spot for a reason. We credit coach. He makes us work hard.”
Walter said the seniors on Four Winds-Minnewaukan have played together since the fourth grade. It’s a tight group and basketball is nearly a year-around sport for the players.
“I’m in the gym whenever I can be,” said Walter. “But with COVID around, we had to shoot outside sometimes. And I live in a rural area so it was a little more difficult for me. We’ve played together since we were little kids. I wouldn’t play with any other team.”
Yankton, a junior, said the Indians receive a lot of community support, evidenced by the large turnout of Four Winds-Minnewaukan fans during the Region 4 title game last week at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.
“You have to go out there and get the job finished,” said Yankton of his team’s mindset. “And even if that target is on your back, you have to play through it.”
Coach: Rick Smith, 22nd season
Record: 23-1
Leading scorers: Jayden Yankton 16.6 ppg, JaeShaun Shaw 13.7 ppg; Bronson Walter 13.7 ppg
Leading rebounders: Bronson Walter 8.9 rpg; Jayden Yankton 5.1 rpg; Jonah Jackson 5.1 rpg
Assist leaders: Keldon Keja 7.0 apg, JaeShawn Shaw 2.3 apg, Jayden Yankton 2.3 apg
Of note: Four Winds-Minnewaukan has been in four of the past seven state Class B title games, winning the championship in 2016
At Minot State Dome
Thursday, March 18
Quarterfinals
No. 2 Grafton vs. Powers Lake (second random draw), noon
No. 3 Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier vs. Rugby (third random draw), 2:30 p.m.
No. 1 Four Winds-Minnewaukan vs. Shiloh Christian (first random draw), 6:30 p.m.
No. 4 Dickinson Trinity vs. No. 5 Kindred, 9 p.m.
Friday, March 19
Consolation semifinals games, noon and 2:30 p.m.
Championship semifinals games, 6:30 and 9 p.m.
Saturday, March 20
Seventh place, noon
Fifth place, 2:30 p.m.
Third place, 6 p.m.
Championship, 8:30 p.m.
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Four Winds-Minnewaukan seek another state Class B boys basketball championship this weekend - Grand Forks Herald
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