North Dakota
Defending champs Fargo North back in boys state title game after win over Minot in Division AA semifinals
BISMARCK — The defending state champion Fargo North Spartans now have a shot to go back-to-back as they punched their ticket to the North Dakota Division AA boys state basketball championship with a win over Minot Friday.
The East No. 2 North utilized offensive attacks from both the inside with Carter Zeller and outside with Jeremiah and Matthew Sem to bolster their lead over West No. 1 Minot on their way to the 81-58 semifinal win.
David Samson/The Forum
All three finished with more than 20 points with Zeller scoring 26, Jeremiah 22 and Matthew 20.
To North coach Travis Hoeg, the win might be the Spartans’ best game they’ve played in the 2023-24 season to date.
“For our 2023-24 season that is about as perfect as we’ve played a game in both halves,” Hoeg said. “My dudes were so efficient statistically tonight, it’s just unbelievable. Our number one thing was to limit Minot’s offensive rebounds. That’s how they kill teams.
“And we only allowed nine offensive rebounds tonight. That’s a huge part of why we were so successful.”
David Samson/The Forum
North went 35 of 60 from the field and eight for 20 on triples while Minot was 22 of 52 on field goals and five of 20 on threes.
In addition to his team-leading 26 points, North’s Zeller was also snagging rebounds finishing with nine, one away from a double-double.
“That’s one of my favorite things to do,” said Zeller of his rebounding. “Points are good and all but I like getting rebounds and setting the screens. I like being the big presence down there.”
As far as a chance to play for another state championship, Zeller is already looking forward to Saturday night’s tip.
“It’s great,” he said. “I’m real excited and we’re ready to go get it tomorrow.”
David Samson/The Forum
Like North, Minot also put three players in double figures scoring.
The Magicians’ Logan Conklin had 16, Payton Schell 14 and Aric Winczewski 12.
Minot coach Dean Winczewski felt North finishing early shots, hitting second half baskets and performing on defense were the biggest factors in the loss.
David Samson/The Forum
“They finished baskets around the rim early then made shots in the second half and we didn’t,” coach Winczewski said. “You have to give them credit for playing extremely well and shooting as well as they did and defending us. We didn’t take advantage of the chances we had. Unfortunately, that’s the way it goes sometimes.”
As far as one last chance to play together, the Magicians are going to give it their all in the third place game, added Winczewski.
“We get one more chance to be together as a family,” he said. “We just have to take advantage of it.”
David Samson/The Forum
North plays the winner of East No. 3 West Fargo Sheyenne and East No. 1 Fargo Davies, who they fell short against last week in the East Region championship game. Minot faces the loser.
“They’re two teams we’re very familiar with,” said Hoeg. “We split with Sheyenne and haven’t found an answer yet for Davies. We’re going to watch their game and get together as a coaching staff.
“It’s going to be a late night coming up with some different schemes. But, we’ll be ready. We’ll have our guys ready.”
And if the Spartans perform like they did Friday night?
“If my guys play like tonight,” said Hoeg. “I don’t know if there’s a team that can beat them if they play like tonight.”
Halftime: Fargo North 36, Minot 26
Fargo North — Zeller 26, J. Sem 22, M. Sem 20, Hannestad 3, Shilling 2, Busanga 2, Opheim 2, DeBoer 2, Haugo 2.
Minot — Conklin 16, Schell 14, Winczewski 12, Nelson 8, Jensen 3, Bedell 2, Schaeffer 2, Deaver 1.
David Samson/The Forum
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – Roads in northwest North Dakota are reporting extremely low visibility due to blowing dust and dirt.
The North Dakota Highway Patrol shared photos of an intense dust storm that led to a crash in Williams County on Highway 85 at 1:30 p.m.
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Photo courtesy of the North Dakota Highway Patrol -
Photo courtesy of the North Dakota Highway Patrol
The NDHP is advising the public to stay home if possible, and if you must travel, slow down, turn on your headlights, increase following distance, and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions.
KELOLAND News also received photos from our viewers of dust storms in South Dakota.
WILLIAMS COUNTY, N.D. (Valley News Live) – The North Dakota Highway Patrol is urging drivers in northwest North Dakota to stay off the roads Thursday afternoon as blowing dirt creates near-zero visibility in some areas.
As of 1:30 p.m. Thursday, troopers were reporting low to no visibility in parts of the region, including along Highway 85 in Williams County near mile marker 212, where a crash occurred. The Highway Patrol shared a photo from the crash scene showing extremely reduced visibility.
Officials are asking people to stay home if possible. Those who must travel are urged to slow down, turn on their headlights, leave extra space between vehicles and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions.
Copyright 2026 KVLY. All rights reserved.
WASHINGTON — The North Dakota Department of Emergency Services has been recognized for its wildfire prevention efforts with a national Bronze Smokey Bear Award.
“These awardees demonstrate what fire prevention looks like in action,” said U.S. Forest Service Deputy Chief Sarah Fisher. “Their efforts protect lives, support firefighters and make a real difference in communities across the country.”
May is Wildfire Awareness Month, and with North Dakota experiencing another active spring wildfire season, each fire prevented is one that local responders don’t have to put out, underscoring the importance of each individual’s responsibility to work and recreate safely outdoors. The award to the N.D. Department of Emergency Services (NDDES) recognizes its efforts in communicating just that.
The communications team is led by Strategic Communications Chief Alison Vetter and is supported by Autonomous Systems and Communications Specialist Clint Fleckenstein.
According to information from the Forest Service, the team’s creative products are visually appealing, engaging and effective. The “Learn Before You Burn” tagline urges North Dakotans to visit the interactive N.D. Fire Declarations and Burn Restrictions map to learn their local restrictions, fire danger and red flag warnings before burning or recreating outdoors. Vetter and Fleckenstein consistently take initiative to address fire prevention issues proactively and go above and beyond to become the best possible storytellers of wildfire prevention messaging.
Alison Vetter
Their statewide efforts identify unique and effective avenues to communicate these important public safety topics, addressing top human-caused fire causes like open burning and equipment use through reels, interviews, Gas Station TV, visits with local students, and GoodHealthTV kiosks found in local health units, schools and other public buildings.
During the historic October 2024 wildfires, NDDES mobilized the Joint Information Center, responding to the elevated need for education, prevention and response to determine messaging needs in real time. This included topics like publicizing daily fire danger, sharing resources for affected landowners, advocating for defensible space and safety tips, and messaging ways to minimize fire risk when harvesting, hunting, or enjoying the outdoors. Alison and her team worked over the winter of 2024-2025 to identify prevention efforts and causes, and crafted effective communications strategies to reduce wildfire occurrence, which proved necessary into an active spring 2025 fire season as well. After the devastation of the October 2024 wildfires, they created a documentary to highlight the value and appreciation for those who responded to the call and showcase the unique way North Dakota communities show up for one another in crisis.
The 2026 Smokey Bear Awards will be presented at the National Association of State Foresters’ annual meeting in Lexington, Kentucky, in September.
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