The Williston High boys basketball team opens the state tournament in Fargo today in the second game of the day against West Fargo, starting 20 minutes after the 2 p.m. game ends.
The Packers (15-7, 13-3 EDC) are the No. 3 seed out of the East after sharing the regular-season title with Fargo North and Wahpeton.
The game is the Coyotes’ first look at an EDC team. West Fargo has played three teams from the West, defeating Bismarck St. Mary’s and losing to Bismarck Century and Mandan.
The Packers are led by senior forwards Jason Moch (17 points per game) and Mike Benson (15 points per game). The Coyotes, as always, depend on their inside presence with senior center Brent Qvale, who is averaging a double-double. Qvale is third in the state in scoring (21 points per game) and first in rebounding (12 per game). Senior forward/center John Oyloe adds 12 points per game, and Tyler Eiken is a guard/forward who provides an outside shooting threat.
Showing steady progress as his playing time increased in the regular season was junior forward CJ Vinger, who came into his own by averaging 11 points per game in the WDA tournament, including 20 against Minot and 12 against Mandan, second on the team on both nights.
The Coyotes are making their ninth straight appearance in the state tournament. A victory would put the Coyotes in the state semifinals against either No. 1E Wahpeton or No. 4W Bismarck.
Class A state basketball at Fargo
Thursday’s quarterfinals
Boys
No. 1E Wahpeton vs. No. 4W Bismarck, 2 p.m.
No. 2W Williston vs. No. 3E West Fargo, 4 p.m.
No. 1W Mandan vs. No. 4E Fargo North, 6 p.m.
No. 2E Grand Forks Red River vs. No. 3W Dickinson, 8 p.m.
Girls
No. 1E Fargo South vs. No. 4W Jamestown, 1 p.m.
No. 2W Mandan vs. No. 3E Grand Forks Red River, 3 p.m.
No. 1W Century vs. No. 4E West Fargo, 5 p.m.
No. 2E Devils Lake vs. No. 3W Bismarck, 7 p.m.
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