EDC GBB: Grand Forks Red River Meets West Fargo Horace for East Crown

THE ROUGHRIDERS AND HAWKS WILL MEET SATURDAY FOR THE EDC GIRLS BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP.

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR)–Entering Thursday, just four teams remained battling for the Eastern Dakota Conference girls basketball title. Once the day was over, we were down to two.

Last year’s state champion secured their spot in this years State Tournament with a 70-45 win over West Fargo Sheyenne Thursday night. The Roughriders were led by 25-points from last season’s State Tournament MVP and North Dakota commit Jocelyn Schiller.

After the game Schiller shared their thoughts on heading back to the state tournament with a chance to repeat.

“I think that was the goal this whole season,” said Schiller. “I think we all came in, knew we had to play some defense and rebound against a big team like [Sheyenne]. We are just going to go and play our hearts out every single game and we will see what happens.”

Head coach Kent Ripplinger is glad the team is not in a ‘win and in’ scenario to reach the State Tournament, but he still wants his team to have the East 1-seed heading to Minot. He shared his thoughts on what it will take to defeat the Hawks Saturday.

“Well guard them,” Ripplinger said laughing. “They have a lot of girls, like Sheyenne, that can score, so, we just have to figure out ways to get out and guard. If we can do that, at least make it tough and not give up open looks and make it tough on them then, you know, we have a chance. All we want is a chance.”

In the other semifinal game, history was made. In just their second year as a Varsity program, the Horace Hawks are heading to the State Tournament after an 86-79 win over Fargo Davies. The Hawks were led by four double digit scorers, led by Jaiden Haile with 22 and Lakyn Donnelly with 20.

The Hawks entered Thursday’s tilt with Davies having lost to them twice during the regular season. With the win, the Hawks now set their sights on capturing the EDC crown on Saturday vs. Red River, another team they lost to twice this season.

Haile shared her thoughts after the game and says Thursday’s win has them confident for Saturday.

“We are only a second year varsity program, so to get this win is really huge,” said Haile. “I am so proud of this team and proud of us as a whole group. We show up every day to practice and we get better. We just love to be together. We mesh so well as teammates and as friends and that allowed us to get the win.” Haile continued saying, “Everyone on our team is a basketball junkie. I know everyone is going to go home and watch this game and we are going to take from that tomorrow and learn. Then same with the last two Red River games. We lost to them twice in the beginning of the season. We are going to go back, watch those games, learn from that, apply that in practice and hopefully it is going to allow us to get the win on Saturday.

3-seed Horace and 1-seed Red River will battle Saturday at West Fargo High School for the EDC Championship.

Horace is 19-4 on the year. The four losses coming to Red River and Davies (2 each.) They got their revenge on Davies, will they do the same Saturday vs Red River?

As for the Roughriders, they own a stellar 21-2 record coming in. The two losses to the 1 and 3 seeds out west.

The winner of Saturday’s Championship gets the East 1-seed at State, the loser will get the 2-seed.