Kari Gibb/MDN Minot High sophomore Kinley Bartsch (4) had 20 points in the quarterfinal game and nine points in the semifinals at the 2025 NDHSAA Division AA Girls Basketball State Tournament in Fargo.

FARGO – The Minot High girls basketball team started their competition at the Fargodome in a quest for the state championship in the 2025 NDHSAA Division AA Girls Basketball State Tournament in Fargo on Thursday, March 13, in the late quarterfinal game and will complete their journey today but in the third place game instead of the title tilt. .

The Majettes and the Bismarck Century Patriots have played quite a few tight games already this season. During the regular season play Minot High picked up two wins against Bismarck Century. In the postseason West Region Tournament the Patriots beat out the Majettes in the semifinals 57-54.

The Majettes got one more chance to play one of their toughest opponents this season in the state semifinals. Minot High played hard and took the lead in the first half of the game, but lost their lead in the second half and lost the game to Bismarck Century 57-54 – again.

Minot High started the game out strong and slowly took the lead throughout the first half of the game. LeeLee Bell was the Majettes strongest scorer of the game and helped lead them to a 30-25 lead at halftime. The second half of the game Minot High couldn’t quite keep the lead and was outscored 32-24.

The top scorer of the game was Minot High’s Bell, followed by the Patriots’ Zoie Austin. Bell brought in an impressive 28 points for the Majettes with 16 points in the paint and 12 at the foul line.

Bell also picked up the most rebounds with nine offensive rebounds and seven defensive rebounds. Austin made 15 Patriot points, mainly shooting in the lane, teammate Abby Fosland right behind her with 14 points.

Both teams had to battle through the game but overall Bismarck Century had a high shooting percentage and utilized higher scoring shots to take home the 57-54.

The Majettes took on the Fargo Davies Eagles in the quarterfinals to get to the semifinal match up with Century. Minot High played Davies earlier this season and came out on top with a 70-46 win.

The Eagles came into the tournament as the second ranked east region team, the Majettes came in as the number three team from the west region. Fargo Davies played a close game finishing both halves within six points. Minot High took the lead in the end and won the game 65-59.

Minot High took the lead in the first half of the game relying heavily on Kinley Bartsch and LeeLee Bell for scoring. Bartsch played out on the wing making four 3-pointers, Bell earned most of her points down in the paint and at the foul line.

The Majettes outscored the Eagles again in the second half of the game 37-35. Sydney Aberle and Ariana Rood started putting up points to win the game 65-59.

The top scorer of the game was Fargo Davies’ Quinn Skari with 31 points throughout the game. Skari made 14 points in the lane, nine on the arc and made a perfect eight out of eight at the free throw line.

The next top scorer was the Majettes’ Bartsch with 20 points, four in the paint, 12 at the 3-point line and a perfect four out of four at the free throw line.

Minot High picked up the most rebounds 36 compared to the Eagles 35, both teams played strong close to the basket but Minot HIgh had a secret weapon. The Majettes Bell picked up 16 of the rebounds, 14 of them defensive to cut the Eagles possessions short.

The Majettes continue their Division AA State Tournament journey today, March 15, as the team will play their final game of the season. At the FargoDome Minot High will take on the Mandan Braves in the third place match at the state tournament.

Minot High and Mandan faced off against each other twice during regular season play, each taking one win. The Braves won the first of the two games 53-51. A month later the Majettes 71-68.

In the later of the two games Minot High excelled with free throw accuracy and a higher 3-point shooting percentage. Defensively, the Majettes picked up more rebounds and caused more turnovers. The Braves bested them on deflections, steals and points off of turnovers.

Tipoff for the third place contest is at 1:30 p.m. today.