12 to watch on the girls' basketball court this season

BISMARCK – The 2025-26 season has tipped off and should again feature some exciting and highly-competitive games. Several WDA teams are poised to challenge for state titles in Division AA and A play. In addition to several talented teams, there are a number veteran and underclassmen who will have an impact for their team. Here’s 12 to follow this season.

Bismarck High: Grace Neumann, Junior
The 5-8 junior is one of the steady workhorses on the Demon squad. She possess a high basketball IQ and chips in each game in a number of ways. She averaged right around six points per game and three rebounds and also was a good playmaker, finding open teammates and playing good defense. Coaches are encouraged by her early contributions this season. The experience she gained last year will serve her well as they continue to develop her game.

Bismarck Century: Abby Fosland, Senior
The 5-10 senior is one of the top all-around players in the conference and her impact could be seen on the score sheet every game. She averaged double digits in points (13.3 ppg) a season ago and was effective at getting the ball to her open teammates; notching three assists per game. Her strong defensive play included forcing turnovers and turning away shot attempts. She averaged 3.2 steals and one block. The all-conference selection played a big part of the Patriots’ late-season run to the Division AA championship game.

Bismarck Legacy: Ava Lucas, Junior
The 5-3 junior point guard will be a key part of getting the Sabers’ offense rolling with her ball-handling and passing skills. She is quick, shifty and sees the court well; characteristics that will serve her well as a catalyst for the offense. She averaged just under four assists per game.  She has a great attitude and energy level to pump up her teammates each day.

Bismarck St. Mary’s: Lily Edinger, 8th grade
The eighth grader enters her first year in the Saints program and is already displaying poise beyond her years. While her 6-3 frame provides a big presence in the post,  her good footwork and court vision enable her to get in the right positions to make plays, With more game experience, her point production and defensive stats will only rise. She possesses a great attitude and work ethic. Her ceiling for development is  high and over time will develop into one of the conference’s best all-around talents.

Dickinson: Abby Praus, Junior
The ball is often in the hands of the 5-7 junior who is developing into one of the top players in the WDA. She averaged 16 points per game a season ago, which was among the league leaders. She was especially effective beyond the arc, providing the Mavericks a perimeter shooting threat. Her scoring prowess often gets the attention of opposing defenses who look to deny her the ball. Her passing skills enable her to find open teammates. She averaged three assists a game. She is one of a large DHS junior class looking to lead the team.

Jamestown: Milan Martin, Junior
The 5-9 junior is poised to have a breakout season for the Blue Jays. She proved to be a steady contributor last year and that experience should help elevate her play in 2025-26. She has the versatility to play in the post and on the perimeter. And has good vision and a knack to quickly find an open teammate. She netted nearly seven points per game as a sophomore and chipped in with stong defensive play. She is not afraid to battle for rebounds against, bigger players. And brings a great attitude and work ethic in practice.

Mandan: AnnaClaire Bugbee, Sophomore
The 6-2 sophomore is expected to have a breakthrough season for the Braves. She averaged around five points and five rebounds a season ago, but in just a handful of games so far this year, has easily eclipsed those totals. She is showing her strength on the boards and her versatility to score near the rim or from the perimeter. She was voted a captain by her teammates and is a great communicator on and off the court. That is helping to create a strong culture of togetherness for the program.

Minot High: Ariana Rood, Senior
The 5-3 senior guard is a tenacious defender that puts relentless pressure on the ball handler all over the court. While the Majettes have a roster full of standouts, her defensive contributions carry just as much weight. And despite her diminutive size, she makes up for it with her quickness and positioning. 
Her offensive stats don’t jump off the page, but they don’t have to. As a point guard, her primary role is to direct her teammates in the proper positions and get the ball to the scorers. She’s a heady player who knows the offensive game plan well. Last year she did develop the confidence to take her shots when the opportunity presents itself.

Minot North: Brynn Francis, Junior
The 5-10 junior prides herself as a strong defender in the post. Despite being undersized in many matchups, she is effective by reading the play quickly. This court vision allows her to get in position to challenge a shot, deflect a pass or grab a rebound. The multi-sport athlete brings a high compete level to the court which rubs off on her teammates. Although she is not called upon to be a regular scorer, that part of her game is continuing to develop.

Williston: Averi Austreim, Sophomore
While on paper still considered an underclassmen, Austreim is anything but for the Coyotes. She has been in the lineup as a seventh grader and is emerging as one of the talented players in the conference. She is coming off a breakout freshman season where she averaged 16.8 points and just over seven rebounds a game. Those stats mean she will garner the attention of opponents this season, but she’s ready to face the challenge. She has embraced a leadership role and works hard each to day to make continue to develop her skills to help her squad.

(Division A) TMCHS Belcourt: Emberlyn Poitra, Senior
The 6-0 senior was one of the standouts on a good TMCHS squad which advanced to the Division A state tournament. She averaged 12 points and 12 rebounds per game and was an intimidating force in the post, averaging 2.3 blocks per game. Her strong two-way play is a reason the program is again expected to be in contention for another state tournament berth.

(Division A) Watford City, Bailey Mattson, Senior
The 5-9 senior is expected to be a steady producer on the court with her play around the basket. She averaged 10 points a season ago and nearly six rebounds a game along with two steals. And while those contributions are important, so is being part of a strong upperclassmen group to lead the program with positive communication and a strong work ethic. Other ways she stands out is to bring the right level of energy and focus in practice as well as on the court. It’s all those small details which will help the Wolves program have success.

Photo: Minot High's Ariana Rood