Entering the 2022-2023 season as the reigning North Dakota Class A state basketball champions, the Minot High Magicians and head coach Dean Winczewski eye a repeat of last year’s 27-2 dream season thanks to the return of two-time All-State star Darik Dissette and starters Jaeger Gunville, Morgan Nygaard, and Logan Conklin.

Highlighting the significance of the extensive varsity experience found across the Magi roster, Coach Winczewski explained, “Darik Dissette will be a young man we will lean on to lead us, but we also have three other starters back in Gunville, Nygaard, and Conklin that need to step up their level of play and leadership to help us grow to what we can become.”

Along with Dissette, Gunville, Nygaard, and Conklin, Coach Winczewski has high expectations for Aric Winczewski, Grayson Schaefer, and Jack Keirser, who he anticipates to make huge strides forward and to bring a plethora of significant varsity experience back for Minot High for their 2022-2023 campaign.

When asked about the strengths that he expects to power the Magi to another state title, Coach Winczewski emphasized the team’s difference-making athleticism and size as factors that will provide Minot High with a distinct edge over other West Region and state adversaries.

Moreso, Winczewski stated, “For us to be successful, we have to guard the ball and rebound. Our team will hopefully be able to score the ball and have kids that can make deep shots.”

Despite bringing back a solid core of contributors from last year’s state championship squad, Winczewski made sure to point out that no player’s spot is guaranteed and that everyone will have to put in top-tier effort to earn their time in the Magi rotation.

“The people that will play will first and foremost be kids that guard, rebound, and play with great effort and attitude.”

After dedicating notable time on improving in the areas of shooting and physical strength in the off-season, the returning depth and experience found on the reigning Class A champion Minot High’s roster seems poised to once again provide the means for the Magi to make noise throughout the basketball ranks of North Dakota as they defend their spot upon the hardwood throne.

Minot High will open their 2022-2023 title-defense tour at home on Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. against the Devils Lake Firebirds at the Magic City Campus.