BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – Century boys basketball won the west region, now they’re trying their hand at winning their first state title since 2018.
Drew Kempel represents the engine of the Patriot Machine. When he goes, so do the Patriots.
Kempel has known what he’s good at for a very long time.
“I always knew I was going to be a hooper. There’s not another sport I enjoy as much as basketball. I always knew I’d keep putting the work in,” Kempel said.
He’s a point guard through and through.
“If I know I can get my teammate a better look than the one I’m about to get, I’ll probably just pass it to them,” Kempel said.
He does that a lot. Century’s got five players averaging in double figures.
“I think to have a good team, you got to have an efficient point guard,” Century head coach Darin Mattern said.
“He’s a willing passer. With Drew we say all the time, ‘better have your hands ready, if you’re open, he’s going to find you,‘” Mattern said.
“We want to play winning basketball,” said Kempel. “I don’t like losing at all. If you play all flashy basketball in the regular season, you’ll come into the postseason and you might not be ready.”
The Patriots reigned as the top ranked team in Double A for most of the regular season. Now, it’s postseason time.
“I’m in bed at night just thinking about the tournament, I can’t wait,” Kempel said.
As a senior, Kempel has one last chance at a state championship.
“If everything fails I feel like it’s my fault,” Kempel said.
He has plans after high school: he’s going to play at Minot State next season.
“He puts as much time into the game as any player I’ve ever coached,” Mattern said.
It’s a big transition, but one that Kempel is ready for.
“I’m just going to soak in all the information I can get from older teammates, [Minot State Men’s Basketball head coach] Coach Murken, everyone that I can,” Kempel said.
“I think he’s going to be a tremendous player. I think his vision is going to carry over to the next level. He’s going to get better. Basketball’s an honest sport, so you’re going to get out of it what you put into it,” Mattern said.
The Patriots play Fargo North in the state quarterfinals Thursday in Fargo.
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