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West Fargo’s efforts fall just short as Bismarck Century returns to ND Division AA boys title game

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West Fargo’s efforts fall just short as Bismarck Century returns to ND Division AA boys title game


BISMARCK — Down 14 points at halftime, West Fargo didn’t quit.

The Packers made Friday’s North Dakota Division AA boys basketball state tournament semifinal game against Bismarck Century interesting late, but were unable to complete the comeback in a 69-67 loss to the Patriots at the Bismarck Event Center.

“This is a great team over here that we just played,” said Century junior Gibson Kinnebrew, who finished with 25 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Patriots to the state title game for the second straight year. “We’ve been through this before, we just had to stay aggressive. We knew (West Fargo) was going to keep fighting. We just had to stay gritty, keep the aggressiveness up and play as a team.”

West Fargo’s Stephon Booth defends against Bismarck Century’s Gibson Kinnebrew on Friday, March 13, 2026, during the North Dakota Division AA basketball tournament semifinals at the Bismarck Event Center.

David Samson / The Forum

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With the win, West No. 2 Century (22-4) will get a chance to defend its 2025 state title. The Patriots will play West No. 1 Bismarck (25-1) at 8 p.m. Saturday back at the Bismarck Event Center.

Century dealt Bismarck its lone defeat this season, a 73-64 result in January. The Demons won the other regular season contest over the Patriots, as well as last weekend’s West Region championship game.

“We’ve just got to talk on defense and keep our guys in front of us,” Kinnebrew said. “We’ve got to calm down on offense too, but we’ve just got to play solid.”

East No. 1 West Fargo (19-7) will play West No. 3 Dickinson (18-8) in the third-place game at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

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Down 38-24 at half, the Packers clawed away at the deficit over the final 18 minutes. With 1:19 left, an Aiden Samek bucket brought West Fargo as close as it had been all night — bringing the margin to just four at 65-61.

Later, AJ Brackins hit a late jumper to pull the Packers within two points at 69-67 with 0.7 seconds remaining on the clock.

On the ensuing Century inbound, the Patriots heaved the ball to half-court where West Fargo’s Beckett Pfau picked it off. One final desperation shot from Pfau was off the mark and, regardless, didn’t make it out of his hands before the final horn.

West Fargo shot just 27.6% in the first half and were unable to recover from an 11-0 Century run to open the game.

“You’ve got to make your layups, we were a little bit cold from 3, and we shot too many early ones,” West Fargo head coach Adam Palczewski said. “So the shot selection was rough, but sometimes they go in. I have 100% confidence in my guys and I’ll never not believe in those guys.”

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West Fargo’s Wyatt Knudsen elbows Bismarck Century’s Joey Kraljic while he watches a missed shot on Friday, March 13, 2026, during the North Dakota Division AA basketball tournament semifinals at the Bismarck Event Center.

David Samson / The Forum

Zavion Harildstad opened the scoring for Century with a two-point bucket. He was followed up by three consecutive triples from Braylon Aldinger, Kinnebrew and Aldinger again.

Brackins stopped the early bleeding for the Packers with a pair of free throws, but the Patriots utilized the momentum from the early scoring sequence and never relinquished the lead.

“We had a layup to start the game and we didn’t shoot it,” Palczewski said. “There was no shell shock (to start). We just didn’t make our shots.”

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The Packers finished the night 23 of 59 (39%) from the floor including 7 of 23 (30.4%) from range.

Samek paced West Fargo with 18 points. Haakon Seymour had 13 points to go with seven rebounds. Brackins and Wyatt Knudsen each had 11 points and six boards while Stephon Booth led the Packers in rebounds with eight.

West Fargo’s roster consisted of nine seniors this season.

“They’re amazing,” Palczewski said. “They did everything and they expect nothing. I just don’t want to let those guys down. I’m so happy to coach those young men.”

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West Fargo’s Aiden Samek drives against Bismarck Century’s Garrett Nissley on Friday, March 13, 2026, during the North Dakota Division AA basketball tournament semifinals at the Bismarck Event Center.

David Samson / The Forum

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Century finished 25 of 60 (41.7%) shooting including 8 of 25 (32%) from three. Kinnebrew’s double-double was followed up by 12 points from Garrett Nissley. Harildstad collected eight rebounds.

Halftime: Bismarck Century 38, West Fargo 24

BC: Kinnebrew 25, Nissley 12, Aldinger 8, Kraemer 7, Zakai Harildstad 7, Kraljic 6, Zavion Harildstad 2, Spears 2.

WF: Samek 18, Seymour 13, Brackins 11, Knudsen 11, Booth 8, Pfau 3, Glandt 3.

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West Fargo’s AJ Brackins is dejected as the buzzer sounds after the 69-67 loss to Bismarck Century on Friday, March 13, 2026, during the North Dakota Division AA basketball tournament semifinals at the Bismarck Event Center.

David Samson / The Forum

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West Fargo’s Stephon Booth reaches for a rebound against Bismarck Century on Friday, March 13, 2026, during the North Dakota Division AA basketball tournament semifinals at the Bismarck Event Center.

David Samson / The Forum

031426.S.FF.DivisionAA.BBB.SF2
West Fargo’s Haakon Seymour and Bismarck Century’s Camden Kraemer scramble for a loose ball on Friday, March 13, 2026, during the North Dakota Division AA basketball tournament semifinals at the Bismarck Event Center.

David Samson / The Forum

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031426.S.FF.DivisionAA.BBB.SF2
West Fargo’s Stephon Booth and Haakon Seymour work for position against Bismarck Century on Friday, March 13, 2026, during the North Dakota Division AA basketball tournament semifinals at the Bismarck Event Center.

David Samson / The Forum

031426.S.FF.DivisionAA.BBB.SF2
West Fargo’s AJ Brackins steals the ball from Bismarck Century’s Garrett Nissley on Friday, March 13, 2026, during the North Dakota Division AA basketball tournament semifinals at the Bismarck Event Center.

David Samson / The Forum

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Ryan Spitza
Ryan Spitza joined The Forum in December 2021 as a sports reporter. He grew up in Marquette, Mich., a city of 20,000 on the southern shore of Lake Superior. He majored in multimedia journalism and minored in public relations at Northern Michigan University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in May 2019. While attending college, Spitza gained real-world experience covering high school and college athletics for both The Mining Journal and The North Wind.

Spitza can be reached at 701-451-5613 or rspitza@forumcomm.com. Follow him on Twitter @ryspitza.





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North Dakota Highway Patrol identifies 4 injured in south Fargo crash

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North Dakota Highway Patrol identifies 4 injured in south Fargo crash


FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – The North Dakota Highway Patrol has released the names of four people involved in a three-vehicle crash Thursday night in south Fargo.

Randon Kleppe, 21, of Fargo, was driving a 2009 Chevrolet Impala and suffered serious injuries, according to the Highway Patrol. His passenger, Carter York, 19, of Grand Forks, also suffered serious injuries.

Tracy Myhra, 41, of Fargo, was driving a Chevrolet Equinox and suffered serious injuries, the Highway Patrol said. Rhonda Gatheridge, 53, of West Fargo, was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee and suffered minor injuries.

The crash happened around 11:45 p.m. Thursday, May 21 at the intersection of 42nd Street South and 52nd Avenue South.

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The Highway Patrol said the Impala was headed south on 42nd Street when it ran a red light and hit the Equinox that had just entered the intersection. The Impala hit the driver’s side of the Equinox, causing the Equinox to leave the road and overturn. After the initial impact, the Impala began rotating and was then rear-ended by the Jeep.

Kleppe faces charges of driving under the influence, criminal vehicular injury, open container and no insurance, according to the Highway Patrol. York is facing charges of minor in consumption and open container.

All occupants were taken to Essentia Health. The crash remains under investigation.

Copyright 2026 KVLY. All rights reserved.



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Calendar for May 23-25, 2026

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Calendar for May 23-25, 2026


The Community Calendar publishes events, meetings and fundraisers in The Jamestown Sun at no charge. To submit an activity, email it to news@jamestownsun.

Saturday, May 23

Buffalo City Group Alcoholics Anonymous, 9 a.m. (open), AA Clubhouse, 518 10th Ave. SE.

James River Alcoholics Anonymous, noon (open) and 8 p.m. (open), AA Clubhouse, 518 10th Ave. SE.

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James River Alcoholics Anonymous, 1:30 p.m., women (closed), AA Clubhouse, 518 10th Ave. SE.

James Valley Street Machines Shop Tour 2026. Schedule: 9-9:30 a.m.: Dakota Engine Builders, 2809 U.S. Highway 281; 9:40-10:20 a.m.: Adam Auto Express, 3735 U.S. 281; 10:30-10:55 a.m.: Tom Ravely, 1205 15th St. SW; 11:05-11:35 a.m.: Klein’s Body Shop, 414 17th St. SW; 1-1:30 p.m.: Preferred Transmission, 825 5th Ave. NE; 1:40-2:15 p.m.: Kainz Klassics, 2614 4th St. NE (take 3rd Street Southeast, turn left on 85th Avenue North); 2:30-3:15 p.m., Jon Greeinstein, 1424 Hwy 281 (across from the North Dakota National Guard); 3:25-4 p.m.: Neil Baker, 1142 41st St. NW; 4:10-5 p.m.: Steve Jaskoviak, 500 block 1st Street East (east of Orphan Grain Train, north side of street).

Sunday, May 24

James River Alcoholics Anonymous, 1 p.m. and 8 p.m., AA Clubhouse, 518 10th Ave. SE.

James River Alanon Family, 4 p.m., AA Clubhouse, 518 10th Ave. SE.

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Adult Children of Alcoholics, 7 p.m., AA Clubhouse, 518 10th Ave. SE.

Narcotics Anonymous, 4:30 p.m., New Hope Free Lutheran Church, 1545 4th Ave. NW.

Monday, May 25
James River Alcoholics Anonymous, 4:30 (open) and 8 p.m. (closed), 518 10th Ave. SE, (topic).

Celebrate Recovery, 6 p.m. dinner, 7 p.m. meeting, Church of the Nazarene, 1306 6th Ave. SE.

Narcotics Anonymous, noon, Clubhouse. 518 10th Ave. SE.

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Memorial Day observances in the area:
Jamestown: 9 a.m., Gladstone Inn and Suites, followed by naval ceremony is planned at Nickeus Park, visits to city cemeteries, 11 a.m. Veterans Memorial Wall ceremony. Freewill lunch, 11:30 a.m., All Vets Club.
Gackle: 10 a.m., Gackle Legion Hall Mayer-Morlock Post #250, followed by ceremonies at the Gackle Cemetery, Alfred Cemetery. Potluck lunch after at Gackle Legion Hall.
Kensal: 10:30 a.m., Kensal Public School, followed by ceremonies at Kensal Cemetery and St. John’s Cemetery. Lunch at St John’s Catholic Church.
Medina: 10:30 a.m., Medina High School, followed by visits to Medina Community Cemetery and the Catholic Cemetery. Dinner follows at American Legion.
Pettibone/Woodworth: 9 a.m. at Pettibone Cemetery; 10:30 a.m., at Woodworth Gem Cemetery. Potluck dinner follows at Woodworth Fire Hall.
Pingree: 10:30 a.m., Pingree Community Center. After, meet at the depot and march to the cemetery to decorate military veterans’ graves. Noon meal follows at community center.
Sanborn: 9:30 a.m., rifle volley, Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery; 9:45 a.m., at Fairview Cemetery; 10 a.m., donuts and coffee at the Sanborn Community Center.





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Plain Talk: North Dakota needs ‘hundreds of billions of tons’ of carbon

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Plain Talk: North Dakota needs ‘hundreds of billions of tons’ of carbon


MINOT — “It’s hard to do enhanced oil recovery,” Charles Gorecki said during a Plain Talk podcast interview from the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference.

Gorecki is the head of the Energy and Environmental Research Center at the University of North Dakota. That organization conducts exploratory research explicitly driven by North Dakota’s industrial and environmental needs. Stuff like how to reduce flaring, how to build safer pipelines and how to enhance oil recovery.

The theme of the conference, which

brings together all the major players in North Dakota’s oil and gas industry,

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was “cracking the code,” which is a reference to ongoing efforts for enhanced oil recovery. Something that could perhaps set off a second oil boom, and prolong the oil and gas industry’s prodigious contributions to North Dakota’s economic prosperity and tax revenues.


Gorecki said there are many promising paths to enhanced oil recovery, but using captured carbon emissions to unlock more oil from wells is one of the most promising. The problem? We don’t have enough of it.

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“I’ve talked about CO2 being the thing that we need in massive quantities, hundreds of billions of tons to really unlock the Bakken,” he told us.

“For context, our coal fire power plants in the state of North Dakota produce annually about 30 million tons of CO2,” he continued. “So it would take all the coal fire power plant CO2 emissions captured times three or more to really enhance that recovery to have what we would consider basically, volumetrically, a second boom in the Bakken.”

But getting that carbon to North Dakota has proven politically fraught. Opposition to a carbon pipeline proposed by Summit Carbon Solutions has

caused that project to be rerouted to Wyoming,

and while some of that outcome had to do with Summit’s

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aggressive and ham-handed

approach to landowners, there’s no question there’s a noisy and organized movement against carbon pipelines in general.

Gorecki told us “there’s a lot of misinformation” about the issue. “We transport things in a number of different ways in this country. We transport them by truck, by train, by pipeline,” he said. “And by far the safest way to transport large amounts of liquids and gases is in pipelines.”

Also on this episode, guest co-host Alison Ritter and I talked about the controversies around data centers, and carbon pipelines, and whether too many in the public are taking North Dakota’s economic prosperity for granted.

If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at

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701-587-3141.

It’s super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you’re from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below.

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Rob Port is a news reporter, columnist, and podcast host for the Forum News Service with an extensive background in investigations and public records. He covers politics and government in North Dakota and the upper Midwest. Reach him at rport@forumcomm.com. Click here to subscribe to his Plain Talk podcast.





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