AS I SEE IT
By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor
It’s state tournament time in North Dakota and Watford City and McKenzie County are going to be very well represented once again this year as our student-athletes make their way to center stage in hockey and girls basketball.
This week the Watford City varsity girls basketball team will be returning to the State Class B Girls Basketball Tournament in Grand Forks for the second straight year. Making it to a state high school basketball tournament is no easy task as only the eight region championship teams from across North Dakota can make it to the “big dance.” And that means not only advancing through their respective district tournaments but going undefeated in their region tournaments. Take it from someone who has covered high school basketball for the past 30 plus years, every team that makes it to the state tournament has a good chance to emerge as the state championship team.
Likewise, Watford City and McKenzie County have always been well represented each and every year at the state hockey tournaments across the state. And this year the Oilers will be sending four teams to the state tournaments with the Junior Gold competing in Grand Forks, March 2-4, the girls 19U team hosting the state tournament at the Rough Rider Center on March 3-5, while the Bantams and girls 14U teams will be competing in West Fargo and Mandan, respectively, on March 10-12.
Making it to a state tournament is a big honor for our student-athletes and for our community and county.
And being able to host a tournament, such as the State 19U Girls Hockey Tournament is an equally big honor for our community.
We wish all of our teams the very best of luck as they compete in their respective state tournaments.
We know that win or lose, they will compete their best and represent their hometown with pride.