Grand Forks Red River wins NDHSAA Class A girls basketball state title

By Tom Mix
NDHSAA Media Specialist

FARGO – Behind a record setting performance by junior guard Jocelyn Schiller, Grand Forks Red River claimed its first NDHSAA Class A girls basketball state championship since 1988 on Saturday, March 11.

The Roughriders, the No. 4 seed from the East Region entering the state tournament defeated Bismarck Century 61-48 in the title game played at the Scheels Center in the Sanford Health Athletic Complex (SHAC).

Leading the way for Red River was Schiller, who scored 34 points, which broke the state tournament record for points scored by an individual in a championship game. The previous record was 33 points held by Devils Lake’s Durene Heisler in the 1984 title game vs. Wahpeton. Schiller was 8-for-23 from the field and was 18 of 21 from the free-throw line.

Cassidy O'Halloran added 10 points for the Roughriders.

Red River led 36-22, but Century started the second half on a 9-1 run to cut the Roughriders’ lead to single digits. With Century looming, Red River was able to make enough plays and get enough defensive stops down the stretch to stave off the Patriots, who were the No. 1-ranked team in Class A for much of the year.

Century was led by senior NDAPSSA Miss Basketball finalists – seniors Logan Nissley and Bergan Kinnebrew who finished with 16 and 12 points respectively for the Patriots. Nissley was named NDAPSSA Miss Basketball following the game.  

Schiller was voted Tournament MVP. The Roughriders finished the 2022-23 season 25-2.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
(selected by media covering the tournament)

Brenna Dick, West Fargo Sheyenne
Leelee Bell, Minot High School
Miriley Simon, West Fargo High School
Chloe Pfau, West Fargo High School
Alyssa Eckroth, Bismarck Legacy
Bergan Kinnebrew, Bismarck Century
Logan Nissley, Bismarck Century
Eden Fridley, Bismarck Century
Cassidy O’Holloran, Grand Forks Red River
Jocelyn Schiller, Grand Forks Red River
Tournament MVP: Jocelyn Schiller, Grand Forks Red River

BOX SCORE: GRAND FORKS RED RIVER 61, BISMARCK CENTURY 48

2023 NDHSAA CLASS A GIRLS BASKETBALL STATE TOURNAMENT BRACKET

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