Kristian Ferrell
North Dakota's high school basketball landscape is changing with the introduction of a three-class system. The North Dakota High School Activities Association (NDHSAA) has approved the new format, which will see high school teams sorted into Divisions AA, A, and B based on student enrollment numbers. This change, championed by member schools, will take effect from the 2023-24 season and will replace the previous two-division format. The new system has the potential to create an exciting dynamic, with the possibility of two or three teams from the same region competing in the state tournament.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Regions | 3 |
| Basis of Classification | Student Enrollment |
| Class AA | Schools with 650 or more students |
| Class A | Schools with 162.5 to 649 students |
| Class B | Schools with less than 162.5 students |
| Number of Schools in Class B | 76 |
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What You'll Learn
- North Dakota High School Activities Association (NDHSAA) approves three-class system
- Division classifications based on student enrollment numbers
- State Tournament sites for 2024-25 approved
- Native American culture celebrated in basketball communities
- NDHSAA administers two divisions of boys' basketball in winter
North Dakota High School Activities Association (NDHSAA) approves three-class system
In February 2023, the North Dakota High School Activities Association (NDHSAA) approved a three-class system for high school basketball teams, to be implemented in the 2023-24 season. The new format will see high school teams, previously classified as Class A or Class B, now sorted into Class AA, Class A, and Class B. This classification will be based on student enrollment numbers, with Class AA consisting of schools with 650 or more students, Class A hosting schools with 162.5 to 649 students, and Class B for schools with enrollment below 162.5 students.
The three-class system will create a more balanced playing field for high school basketball in North Dakota. Class B, the largest division with 76 schools, will now include mostly small-town schools, fostering a sense of community and excitement for these smaller towns. The new format also allows for the possibility of two or three teams from the same region competing in the state tournament, adding an extra layer of competition and excitement.
The NDHSAA has approved Regional and State Tournament sites for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. The State Class B Girls Basketball Tournament will take place in Jamestown in 2024 and 2025, while the Class A Girls Basketball Tournament will be held in Minot during the same years. The Class AA tournament, adopting the "Super AA" format, will be hosted in Bismarck in 2024 and Fargo in 2025, featuring both boys' and girls' basketball tournaments on the same weekend.
The change to a three-class system was championed by a grassroots effort among member schools, and the NDHSAA has laid out a proposal for the divisions, although schools will have the opportunity to opt up or down in the coming months.
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Division classifications based on student enrollment numbers
In February 2023, the North Dakota High School Activities Association (NDHSAA) approved a three-class system for high school basketball teams, based on student enrollment numbers. This system will be implemented for the 2023-24 season.
Under this new format, high schools will be classified as Division AA, Division A, or Division B. Division AA schools will have 650 or more students, Division A schools will have between 162.5 and 649 students, and Division B schools will have 162.5 or fewer students. This change was championed by a grassroots effort among member schools and is expected to create a more exciting and competitive atmosphere for the basketball community in North Dakota.
The three-class system will replace the previous two-division format, which consisted of Class A and Class B. The new structure aims to foster a sense of community and provide opportunities for smaller towns and schools to excel in basketball. It will also allow for more flexibility, as schools will have the opportunity to opt up or down depending on their success and performance.
Division AA will include larger schools, such as those in Bismarck, Fargo, and Minot. Division A will be the middle division, consisting of schools with enrollment numbers that fall between Division AA and Division B. Division B will be the largest division, with 76 schools, and will primarily include smaller schools in towns like Garrison and Grant County/Mott-Regent.
The NDHSAA has also approved Regional and State Tournament sites for the upcoming seasons. The State Class B Girls Basketball Tournament will take place in Jamestown in 2024 and 2025, while the Class A Girls Basketball Tournament will be hosted in Minot during the same years. The State Class AA Basketball Tournament will follow the "Super AA" format, combining boys' and girls' basketball tournaments on the same weekends.
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State Tournament sites for 2024-25 approved
The North Dakota High School Activities Association (NDHSAA) has approved a three-class system for high school basketball teams, which will be based on student enrollment numbers. This new system will come into effect for the 2023-24 season, with Class AA for schools with 650 or more students, Class A for schools with 162.5 to 649 students, and Class B for schools with enrollment below 162.5 students.
The NDHSAA has also finalized the locations for the state basketball tournaments for the next two seasons. For the 2024-25 season, the State Class B Girls Basketball Tournament will be held at the Jamestown Civic Center, and the Class A Girls Tournament will take place in Minot. Both tournaments will be held from February 29 to March 2, 2024, and March 6-8, 2025, respectively. The State Class AA Tournament, which will combine the boys' and girls' tournaments, will be held in Bismarck in 2024 and then in Fargo in 2025, from March 7-9, 2024, and March 13-15, 2025.
Additionally, the Class B Boys will play in Minot for the next two years, while the Class A Boys will play in Fargo in 2023-24 and then move to Bismarck for the 2024-25 season. These tournaments will be held from March 14-16, 2024, and the dates for 2025 are yet to be announced.
This marks a significant change for high school basketball in North Dakota, as it transitions from a two-class to a three-class system for the first time since 1963.
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Native American culture celebrated in basketball communities
North Dakota's high school basketball scene is undergoing changes with the introduction of a three-class system, which will categorise teams into AA, A, and B classes, based on student enrollment. However, beyond the competitive aspects of the game, basketball communities in North Dakota also showcase a celebration of Native American culture.
At the Four Winds Community School, Native American traditions are honoured before basketball games. Catherine Howard, a Spirit Lake tribal elder, performs a ceremonial smudging of the gym with sweetgrass, followed by prayers for safety and goodwill. The walls of the gym display Native American artwork, and the pre-game drum music creates an atmosphere that reflects the rich cultural heritage of the community. The Four Winds/Minnewaukan Boys Basketball Head Coach, Rick Smith, emphasises the unifying power of basketball in their community, where it has brought people together during challenging times.
The Bilingual Basketball League is another initiative that combines basketball with Indigenous language preservation. The program, founded by basketball coach Thompson, organises free basketball camps that incorporate bilingualism and sociolinguistics. It aims to reclaim overlooked spaces through basketball while promoting social equity and cultural empowerment. The league has worked with tribes like the Yakama and Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation (PBPN) to translate basketball jargon into their ancient languages, a challenging yet creative endeavour. The Potawatomi language, with only a handful of fluent speakers remaining, is considered nearly extinct, making these translation efforts crucial for language preservation.
Additionally, the film "Rez Ball," produced by LeBron James, explores the story of a Navajo high school team in Arizona. The Toronto Raptors also showcased their support for Indigenous Heritage by unveiling an alternate logo designed by Native American artist Luke Swinson. NBA star Kyrie Irving, a member of the Lakota tribe, met with Native American fans after a game, and he debuted a pair of Indigenous-inspired sneakers during the 2024 NBA finals. These examples demonstrate how basketball communities in North Dakota and beyond are embracing and celebrating Native American culture, whether through language preservation, artistic expressions, or community-building initiatives.
North Dakota also offers other avenues to experience Native American culture. The North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum in Bismarck houses one of the largest collections of Plains Indian artefacts in the nation. Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, the oldest state park in the state, provides insights into the lives of the Mandan Native Americans through the reconstructed earth lodges of the On-A-Slant Indian Village. The Standing Rock National Native American Scenic Byway, within the boundaries of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's land, offers a 350-mile journey along the Missouri River, featuring significant sites such as the final resting places of Sitting Bull and Sakakawea. These cultural touchpoints, combined with the vibrant basketball communities, showcase North Dakota's commitment to honouring and preserving Native American history and traditions.
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NDHSAA administers two divisions of boys' basketball in winter
The North Dakota High School Activities Association (NDHSAA) administers two divisions of boys' basketball in winter. In February 2023, the NDHSAA approved a move to a three-class basketball system for the 2023-24 season. This change was championed by a grassroots effort among member schools.
The three classes are: Division AA, Division A, and Division B. Division AA schools have 650 or more students, Division A schools have between 162.5 and 649 students, and Division B schools have 162.5 or fewer students. The new system also includes a location adder for public and non-public schools within a Division AA school district. Schools with 100 to 399 students in these districts will be placed in Division A, while those with 400 or more students will be placed in Division AA. This means that most smaller schools in larger towns, such as Bismarck, Fargo, and Minot, will not be placed in Division B.
The three-class system will replace the previous two-division format, in which high school teams were classified as either Class A or Class B. The change is expected to bring a range of benefits, including a sense of community and improved opportunities for smaller towns and schools.
The NDHSAA has also approved Regional and State Tournament sites for the 2023-24 season and State Tournament sites for 2024-25. The tournaments will be held on separate weekends, with specific dates already announced for each tournament.
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Frequently asked questions
There are three classes in the North Dakota high school basketball system: AA, A, and B.
The divisions are based on student enrollment, with class AA consisting of schools with 650 or more students, class A consisting of schools with 162.5 to 649 students, and class B for schools with enrollment below 162.5 students.
Division AA schools include Minot, West Fargo, and Bismarck. Division A schools include Linton-HMB and New Rockford-Sheyenne. Division B schools include Wyndmere/Lidgerwood and Linton-HMB.
