Adam Papin/MDN Minot High’s Aric Winczewski drives to the basket during the Magi’s home matchup with the Fargo Davies Eagles on Thursday.

Fargo Davies came into its matchup with the Minot High Magicians boys basketball team as the No. 2 ranked team in Division AAA. However, they did so without first-team all-state basketball player Mason Klabo, who was averaging 30 points a game for the Eagles but was out with an injury..

Minot High took advantage of his absence, jumping out to a 15-0 lead in the first four minutes of the game, quickly expanding it to 25-5 halfway through the first half, on their way to a 72-60 win. Grayson Schaeffer was a key to the quick start making several three-pointers during the opening minutes of the game.

“I think jumping out in the beginning was just Grayson hitting shots, and then Aric [Winczewski] stepped up too,” said Minot High forward Logan Conklin.

According to Fargo Davies head coach Bart Manson, Klabo’s first absence coming against Minot High, who is currently ranked third in the latest AAA poll, was a challenge for his team to overcome.

“It’s a big impact,” said Manson. “I think the biggest thing for us is we’re missing a guy that will go get us baskets when we need baskets. We saw it in our slow start tonight; guys were looking around, so they weren’t used to it. It’s a bad game to come into when you’re not used to him playing, so the first five minutes of the game probably ended up being the decider of the game.”

Once the Eagles were able to settle down, they slowly crept back into the game, going on an 18-9 run before the Magi answered with a 6-2 run of their own to take a 40-25 lead into the half.

“I think the guys tried to do too much right away,” said Minot High boys’ basketball coach Dean Winczewski about the team’s turnovers midway through the first half. “And instead of letting things happen, we tried to force things, and you can’t do that against anybody, especially a good team; they’re going to take advantage.”

The Magi were able to answer the Eagles throughout the second half, although Fargo Davies was able to cut Minot High’s lead to nine points. However, a late three-pointer by Carson Ressing, and a basket and foul by Logan Conklin sealed the game for the Magi.

“Sessing had a big three minutes at the end of the second, and hit that three which was huge,” said Winczewski. “He hasn’t played much, but he came ready and took care of the ball, and his defense was huge.”

The Magi’s grit and determination impressed Winczewski.

“We’re starting to develop a little bit of toughness and a little bit of grit,” said Winczewski.

The win improves Minot High’s record to 8-0 on the year. Next up for the Magi is a trip to Sioux Falls, S.D. for the inaugural Battle of the Dakotas on Jan. 6, 2024.

The game was a bit of a homecoming for Fargo Davies head coach Manson, who had a storied career at Minot High.

“It didn’t really hit me until I started getting closer to Minot High here, and just seeing a lot of people around the gym that I knew was just a fantastic reunion. It was great to see everyone and fun being back.”