Minot High phenom Leelee Bell has another accolade to add to her trophy case: the Gatorade 2023 – 2024 North Dakota Girls Basketball Player of the Year. The six-foot, three-inch Bell joins Holly Johnson, the winner from 2011-2012 and Shelley Berg, the winner from 1992-1993 as the program’s other winners.

The biggest difference between Bell and the previous awardees is that Bell is a sophomore while the others were seniors.

Bell averaged more than 26 points and more than 11 rebounds per game this season. She became Minot High’s all-time leading scorer in program history with 1,673 points, breaking the record set by her teammate and fellow sophomore Maggie Fricke, who had set the mark earlier in the year. Bell also set the single-game scoring record with 45 points in a game against Mandan.

“I am so glad for Leelee,” said Minot High girls basketball head coach Jason Schwarz. “She’s incredibly deserving of the award. It’s pretty special she’s won this award only as a sophomore. Leelee can do it all. It’s impressive the improvement she’s made from a year ago. If she keeps making those same strides from year to year, the sky’s the limit for her.”

Bell and Fricke led the Majettes to a state title as eighth graders, and to the state semifinals this year.

In addition to the most points in a game and most career points, Bell also holds records for most points in a single season at 706, highest season average at 26.1 points per game, highest career points per game average at 20.9, most field goals made in a game with 17, most rebounds in a game with 25, most rebounds in a season with 298 and most three point shots in a single season with 63 for Minot High. This season Bell set Western Dakota Association (WDA) records for most points in a championship game at 33 and most points over a tournament (three games) with 83 points.

Bell is ranked as the state’s No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2026 by PrepGirlsHoops.com and has maintained a B average in the classroom.Bell has volunteered locally with the Dream Catchers Baseball program, which provides baseball opportunities for youth with physical and mental disabilities. She has also donated her time on behalf of the Special Olympics and as a youth.

The selection process is administered by the Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee, which leverages experts including coaches, scouts, media and others as sources to help evaluate and determine the state winners in each sport.

On the boys side, Tommy Ahneman of West Fargo Sheyenne High School is the 2023-24 Gatorade North Dakota Boys Basketball Player of the Year. Ahneman is the Mustangs’ first recipient of the award.

Each Player of the Year also receives a grant to donate to a social impact partner in the community.