Earlier this week, I sat down with Minot High School junior basketball player Brandon VanDusen. The versatile swingman has been the Magicians most consistent scoring threat this season. His soft touch around the rim and ability to hit 3-pointers makes him a matchup problem for opposing defenses. His favorite food is lasagna and his favorite television channel is the Travel Channel.
- Best male and female basketball players in the state?
BVD: Girls, (Alexis) Jacobs from Century. Boys? I'd have to say either Mac Arvidson (Grand Forks Red River) or Dexter Werner (Bismarck High). I guess they kind of play different positions so it's kind of hard to say who's better.
- How far will Minot High go this season?
BVD: I think we can make it all the way to the state title game and I think we can win this year if we put everything together and play like we should. (If) we play our best basketball at the end of the year I think we got a good shot to win.
- Favorite personality trait of coach Dean Winczewski?
BVD: Probably how he gets extremely excited over stuff. I don't know if you've ever watched him, but when we score big baskets, he's always fist-pumpin' and jumpin' around. I like that part about coach.
- Best overall athlete at Minot High?
BVD: I'd say Morgan Milbrath. She's really athletic.
- Worst thing about Minot?
BVD: Probably the worst thing is getting in arguments with kids from Class B schools about sports. We seem to go at that quite a bit ... (They're) always thinking they can always beat us in anything and I think we need to get a game some time.
With Bishop Ryan?
- BVD: Yeah, or something like that ... DL-B because I've got some friends at DL-B and we talk a lot of smack.
Tim Chapman is the Class A beat writer for The Minot Daily News. He can be reached by e-mail at tchap