The Williston (ND) varsity basketball team will be hosting Century (Bismarck, ND) in a home conference game today at 7:45 PM.

Game Details
Teams: Century @ Williston
Date: Friday, January 31, 2025
Time: 7:45 PM
Location: Williston High School

• Live stream: Watch Here
• Live stream: Watch Here

Century vs. Williston: A Tale of Two Basketball Teams in North Dakota

The Century Patriots and the Williston Coyotes, two teams with vastly different records and seasons, recently faced off in a high-stakes basketball matchup that highlighted the contrasting strengths of these two North Dakota schools.

Century’s Dominant Season

Century (Bismarck, ND) enters the 2024-2025 season with a stellar overall record of 12-1 and a commanding 9-1 in the district. Their consistency and high-scoring offense have led them to dominate most opponents, evidenced by their impressive .923 win percentage and .900 district percentage. Century has been a powerhouse on both ends of the court, scoring a total of 1,079 points while allowing only 670. Their team scoring averages are also a testament to their offensive might, with the Patriots posting 83 points per game.

Key to their success is their strong scoring across all four quarters, consistently putting up 22 points in the first quarter, 19 in the second, 20 in the third, and 17 in the final period. This balance and ability to maintain pressure throughout the game have been crucial in their dominant performances.

In their head-to-head matchup with Williston on December 20th, 2024, Century proved their superiority, defeating Williston 114-35 in a lopsided affair. Century’s offensive explosion and defensive prowess were on full display, leaving Williston with little room to breathe throughout the game.

Williston’s Struggles

On the other hand, Williston (ND) has had a challenging season, with a 3-12 overall record and a 2-10 mark in district play. Their struggles are evident in their .200 win percentage and .167 district win percentage, making this season one to forget for the Coyotes. Scoring has been a major issue, with the team only managing to score 855 points, while allowing an alarming 1,238 points.

Williston’s performances have been inconsistent, failing to reach Century’s level of offensive production. With a team average of just 57 points per game, they’ve faced challenges in nearly every matchup, often falling short against stronger opponents. Despite these struggles, Williston has shown flashes of competitiveness, including a notable win over Jamestown on January 17, 2025, with a score of 81-71.

However, their head-to-head loss against Century highlighted the gap between the two teams. In their earlier matchup, Williston’s defense was overwhelmed by Century’s offensive firepower, a result that wasn’t surprising given the Patriots’ dominance across the season.

Common Opponents

Looking at common opponents, Century has had a much stronger showing, with an 8-1 record against teams the Coyotes have also faced. Williston, however, has struggled with a 2-9 record against these same teams. For example, both teams met Dickinson, and while Century dominated them 85-44 on January 3, 2025, Williston suffered a 103-54 defeat to Dickinson just a week earlier. Similarly, while Century overcame Minot 75-72 on January 17, 2025, Williston was outclassed by Minot in an earlier contest, 95-40.

These head-to-head matchups further showcase the disparity in talent between the two teams, with Century regularly coming out on top against teams Williston has struggled to compete with.

A Closer Look at the Future

As the season progresses, Century will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the district, with games against Mandan and Bismarck on the horizon. Their strong, well-rounded team and the experience gained from a variety of competitive matchups should help them in their pursuit of the district title.

Meanwhile, Williston will look to bounce back from a tough season, with opportunities to improve against teams like Dickinson and Minot North. While the Coyotes have had their fair share of losses, they’ll have to focus on refining their defense and developing more offensive consistency if they hope to close the gap with the stronger teams in the district.

Conclusion

The stark contrast between Century and Williston’s performances in the 2024-2025 basketball season is a reminder of the unpredictable nature of high school sports. Century’s dominance, especially their recent 114-35 victory over Williston, highlights their status as one of the top teams in North Dakota, while Williston is left to regroup and find a way to turn around a difficult season. Fans of both teams will be eagerly watching how each squad adapts as they move further into the season, but for now, Century remains the team to beat.