It’s never easy being the guy replacing the guy, but that is the situation Minot High boys basketball head coach Jeremy Brandt finds himself in, taking over for Dean Winczewski and all the success he had with the Magicians during his tenure.

Brandt, who came over from Minot State University as an assistant with the men’s basketball program since 2023, didn’t have to wait long to capture his first win with the Magicians, defeating No. 5 West Fargo 88-87 on Saturday, Dec. 6, in their second game of the season.

Oakley Trueblood led the Magicians (1-1) with 28 points and Drew Jordan poured in 26 to hold off the Packers in the second half. The Magicians had five players finish in double figures.

West Fargo received a game-high 40 points from Beckett Pfau.

Minot High led 48-41 at halftime.

It’s the first win for Brandt as coach of the Magicians, but the former Beulah coach knows a thing or two about piling up victories. Brandt won a state title with Beulah in 2012 and has nearly 500 career wins during his time with the Miners, Sherwood High School and Bottineau.

Still, it’s big shoes to fill for Brandt, as Winczewski guided the Magicians to four state championships, including three straight from 2015-17, in his 17 seasons with the team. He also won two state titles during his time coaching at Dickinson.

Brandt made his coaching debut for the Magicians on Friday, Dec. 6, in a 91-81 loss to West Fargo Horace. Jordan had a team-high 19 points. Jalen Gunville (18), Tayvin Archer (14), Trueblood (13) and Patrick Shanahan (10) also finished in double figures.

Carter Evanson netted 41 points for the Hawks.

Brandt makes his home debut when the Magicians host West Fargo Sheyenne on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 1:30 p.m. at Magic City Campus.