Demetreus Roby wasn't even 24 hours into his first day at Minot High before making a life decision.
Last November, Roby, who had just relocated from Hawaii, wanted to trim down his sizable frame. By happenstance, Minot's first wrestling practice of the season was at end of his first day at the Magic City campus.
Considering the strenuous nature of the sport, the now 6-foot-1, 220-pound brute figured it'd be an apt pursuit.
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Minot High School’s then-junior Demetreus Roby controls a Bismarck Century opponent during the state tournament in February. Roby is the top-ranked 220-pound wrestler in North Dakota.
Now, just a year removed from donning his first singlet, Roby's the top-ranked 220-pounder in the Class A ranks, per the recent preseason coaches poll.
Not that Roby, who finished runner-up at state in his debut season, puts much stock into the distinction.
"To be honest, I don't really put a thought into (the rankings) - it's a whole new year," said Roby, who plans to wrestle in college. "But there's always pressure to go out there and perform."
Third-ranked Minot returns a horde of capable grapplers this winter, five of whom garnered preseason recognition.
Other than Roby, heavyweight Nick Nesdahl is also holding a down a top slot. Jesse Hoffart (fourth, 132), Cody Haugen (fourth, 145) and Dayne Haman (fourth, 182) will also by vying for state crowns.
"Man, (Nesdahl) is very, very, very strong," Roby said. "We really want to take it this year."
Minot wasn't the only area Class A program represented on the poll. Williston's Paul Michaelson ranked No. 2 at 160 and the Coyotes' Bret Sandberg is No. 6 at 195.
Turtle Mountain is formidable in the lighter weights.T.J. LaVallie (120) is ranked second and the Braves' Grant Laducer (126) is sixth.
Johnson shining early at NDSU
Holly Johnson, a 2012 Minot High graduate, is proving her worth early at North Dakota State.
The 5-foot-11 forward is averaging 6.3 points and 2.5 rebounds a contest for the Bison (3-3), starting three of the four games she's been active. Johnson missed games against Harvard and Boise State due to an ankle injury.
Johnson had a career-high 14 points in helping NDSU best Prairie View A&M 61-56 in the third-place game of the Great Alaska Shootout
Johnson averaged 12.5 points in exhibition wins over Minnesota State-Moorhead and Minnesota, Crookston.
Euro hoops
kind to Qvale
Brian Qvale's making the most of his across-the-pond basketball career.
The former Williston High School and University of Montana standout is putting up 9.3 points and 7.3 rebounds a game for Belfius Mons-Hainut of the Belgium-Ethias League.
Qvale, 24, has started all season for Mons-Hainut (6-1). The 2006 WHS grad played briefly for Aliaga of the Turkish League before making the move to Belgium.