Prep Notebook

Midgets and Demons set for big game

The Dickinson High boys basketball team will face yet another stiff test when it travels to Bismarck High for a West Region tilt with third-ranked Bismarck High.

The Midgets, ranked second, won the teams' first game 63-55 victory over the Demons at home.

"It's always good to go down and play a team as talented as Bismarck," Dickinson coach Dean Winczewski said.

Dickinson is tied atop the West Region standings with Mandan, but could be replaced by Bismarck with a loss.

"(A win) could put us in great shape in controlling our own destiny," Winczewski said. "Even if we do lose, we still have some opportunities out there. We both still have Mandan left."

Both teams enter today's contest on four-game winning streaks.

"We're catching each other at the either the wrong time or the right time, depending on what your perspective is," Winczewski said. "Hopefully, we're starting to play our best ball."

Freshman Morey stepping into positive role for Trinity

In thirteen years of coaching, Titans boys basketball coach Gregg Grinsteinner has only brought up two freshman to the varsity team.

This season, freshman Robbie Morey has stepped up to fill some varsity shoes.

"He's a very coachable kid," Grinsteinner said. "Obviously, he's got the ability, but more importantly, I think he's a team player. He's not going to be our go-to guy right now, but he's playing his current role very well and we need him to continue to do that."

Morey was put in the starting lineup in January when Trinity seniors Mark Keithley and Brian Marsh were temporarily sidelined due to illness and injury.

Now that his teammates have returned, Morey has been taken off the starting lineup. Even so, he still recognizes he has a part to play.

"I just try to play my role and do whatever I can to help the team," Morey said. "We're playing real good team ball now and I just try to do what I can to help."

DHS gymnastics hosting parents night

The Dickinson High gymnastics team is hosting the Glenn Heiser invitational today starting at 5:30 p.m.

The team is also celebrating parent's night with a presentation of the team members and their parents before the start of the meet.

Teams invited include Bismarck High and Bismarck Century. It will be the last meet in which the Midgets will compete before the West Region Meet on Feb. 17, also at Dickinson High.

"From a team aspect, we need to keep our average up," Midgets coach Kent VanElls said. "There's a seeding process at the state meet and we want to keep up in the top three to get the best seed possible."

Killdeer's Gaugler commits to Minot State

Killdeer senior Zach Gaugler has inked his letter of intent to play football for Minot State next fall.

Gaugler, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound lineman, was a first-team all-state selection in helping guide the Cowboys to a 7-2 overall record. He was also selected to the Shrine Bowl.

"I felt more comfortable with (Minot State's) coaching staff," Gaugler said. "It is more like what we have at Killdeer."

According to Gaugler, it came down to Minot State or Jamestown College. Gaugler will likely be a defensive lineman for the Beavers, who will be led by first-year coach and Stanley native Paul Rudolph.

"I don't have to worry about choosing where to go to college now," Gaugler said of his decision. "It makes going through school a little easier."

Area players nominated for All-American team

Dickinson High seniors Tate Kick and Katelyn Steffan, and Killdeer senior Jacob Wheeling have been nominated for the 2007 McDonald's All American teams.

Each year, 1,500 players throughout the country are given a nomination for separate boys and girls teams. Of those players, 24 are selected to play in the nationally televised game March 28 on ESPN.

(Dotzenrod and Aarhus are prep reporters for The Dickinson Press. They also contribute to the Press sports blog at www.areavoices.com/monke )