BISMARCK N.D.– The Lions basketball tournament brings the best high school players in the state together for a couple games to show off the high level talent in the state. Even though the last two days were just practices for these athletes, the excitement level is high for the opportunity to play in these games.

“Super excited, it’s fun to have North Dakota talent on the floor, class B and all the classes,” Bishop Duffield said. “I’m super excited to go out there and just play with talented people and just have fun.”

“Yeah there’s going to be a lot of oops, I’m happy to be able to throw oops now,” Bohden Duffield said. “So, it’s going to be fun.”

The player’s excitement goes beyond just the opportunity to represent themselves These games give them an opportunity to represent their schools, and for a number of athletes they are the only player from their school in the games.

“We actually had two a couple years ago represent our school,” Deng Deng said. “So me being another one to represent it, and be selected to this game, just means a lot to the school and just is a very nice opportunity for me.”

Being one of the players selected into the lions all-star games also gives players a rare opportunity, they are able to compete with the high level athletes that they have been competing against throughout their time in high school.

“it’s amazing, you know, even in practices you’re like, ‘wow I’ve wished to play with you this whole time,” Eden Fridley said. “Like you play against them and you just think they’re so good, you scout them, and you know how good they are. people have been showing up and showing what they can do, and it’s really special.”

the Lions all-star gamer will take place for the girls and the boys teams Monday and Tuesday. with the Monday games being played at Bismarck high School, and the Tuesday games taking place at Fargo South High School.