BBB: West Fargo Sheyenne Captures First Ever State Title

THE MUSTANGS WON THE CLASS AA STATE TOURNAMENT AS THE EAST'S 3-SEED.

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR)–The boys Class AA State Title game presented a first. For the first time in their program’s history, West Fargo Sheyenne captured the State Title defeating the defending champs Fargo North 78-62.

“This is for every single graduating class that we have had in this program,” said head coach Tim Brandt. “Every single class has raised the bar higher, higher and higher. For these kids to reach this this year. This says a lot about every single graduating class that we have had. They set the standards for these kids, and [this team] met that standard.”

The road for Sheyenne was not easy. Entering the season unranked after missing the state tournament a season ago, the team battled all year and defeated the East’s 1-seed, Fargo Davies, to reach the final and then capped it off Saturday with the win. For the Mustangs, they felt doubted all year and to finish the year on top means everything.

“We felt very pushed to the side because we did not make it last year,” said junior forward and tournament MVP Tommy Ahneman. “We did not get ranked in the top-5 in the state, so that lit a fire under us the whole year and just to close it out like this is awesome.”

“Nobody thought we would be here,” said senior guard and All-Tournament Team member Celeb Duerr. “We believed in ourselves that we could do it. We just rode the course all year and come tournament time, we made it.”

The two All-Tournament Team members also shared what winning Sheyenne their first State Championship in boys basketball means to them.

“I cannot even really describe it,” said Ahneman. “It is just awesome. I mean to just give it to the seniors who have been through the program’s ups and lows, and we did not make state last year, so to come back and win it, it is just awesome.”

“It feels amazing,” said Duerr. “Especially as a senior. There is no better way to go out.”

When asked, Coach Brandt said the following on how he feels coaching Sheyenne’s first State Title team.

”Really Really Really Really Really Really good,” said Brandt.

The Mustangs graduate Seven seniors.