BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Star Athletic Association announced their eighth edition of the 2024-25 Men’s Basketball Players-of-the-Week Monday.  Valley City State (N.D.) swept the weekly honors as Lamar Grayson was named as the Offense Player-of-the-Week, while his teammate Caden Grinde was selected as the Defense Player-of-the-Week.  

North Star Athletic Association Men’s Basketball Player-of-the-Week – Offense
Lamar Grayson – Valley City State (N.D.) – 6’0″ – Senior – guard – Richfield, Minn. – Garyson scored 19 points on his 6-of-13 field goals and converted 7-of-8 free-throws in helping Valley City State (N.D.) defeat Mount Marty (S.D.) 76-66 on the road.  He also grabbed two offensive rebounds and dished out two assists in the game in VCSU’s lone game of the week.

North Star Athletic Association Men’s Basketball Player-of-the-Week – Defense
Caden Grinde – Valley City State (N.D.) – 6’4″ – Junior – guard – Spring Grove, Minn. – Grinde stole the ball five times in helping Valley City State (N.D.) defeat Mount Marty (S.D.) 76-66 on the road.  He also registered two blocks and grabbed three defensive rebounds in the game in Vikings’ lone contest for the week.

Recap from last week’s games
Valley City State (N.D.) held on to defeat Mount Marty (S.D.) 76-66 on the road on Dec. 20.  The Vikings raised their overall record to 10-4.

Jamestown (N.D.) earned their season series sweep of NCAA Division II Northern State (S.D.), winning on the road on Dec 16 by the score of 77-62.  The Jimmies improved their overall record to 5-8.

Bellevue (Neb.) earned their 73-63 home victory over former North Star Athletic Association member Waldorf (Iowa) on Dec. 18.  The Bruins lifted their overall record to 8-5.
Dickinson State (N.D.) improved to 6-5 overall record as they defeated Midland (Neb.) 86-72 at home on Dec. 19.

Mayville State (N.D.) and Dakota State (S.D.) were idle last week.  The Comets are 10-3 overall record, while the Trojans are 7-7 overall record.

Looking Ahead This Week
The teams return to action after Christmas break this weekend.  Dickinson State (N.D.) plays a pair of games in the Rocky Mountain (Mont.) Classic, facing Providence (Mont.) on Saturday and host-team (RV) Rocky Mountain on Sunday.

Bellevue (Neb.) continues their home stand as they host their own home tournament.  Mayville State (N.D.) will also be in the tournament.  Both teams will face Haskell (Kan.) and No. 14 ranked Morningside (Iowa) on Sunday and next Monday.

Jamestown (N.D.) travels to Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) on Sunday for a non-conference game.

Dakota State (S.D.) remains idle until Jan. 4 as they return to North Star conference action.

Saturday’s Game
Green and Gold Classic – Billings, Mont.
                        Dickinson State (N.D.) vs. Providence (Mont.) – 4 p.m. (CT)/3 p.m. (MT)

Sunday’s Games
            Jamestown (N.D.) @ Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) – 2 p.m.
Four Points by Sheraton Bruin Classic – Bellevue, Neb.
                        Mayville State (N.D.) vs. (14) Morningside (Iowa) – 2:30 p.m.
                        Haskell (Kan.) @ Bellevue (Neb.) – 7 p.m.
Green and Gold Classic – Billings, Mont.
                        Dickinson State (N.D.) @ (RV) Rocky Mountain (Mont.) – 8 p.m. (CT)/7 p.m. (MT)

            Monday’s (Dec. 30) Games
Four Points by Sheraton Bruin Classic – Bellevue, Neb.
                        Mayville State (N.D.) vs. Haskell (Kan.) – 2:30 p.m.
                        (14) Morningside (Iowa) @ Bellevue (Neb.) – 7 p.m.

NSAA Men’s Basketball Conference Standings

SchoolOverall
Record		NSAA
Record		Games
Behind		Streak
Mayville State (N.D.)10-32-0—-Won 8
Dickinson State (N.D.)6-51-00.5Won 3
Bellevue (Neb.)8-51-11.0Won 2
Valley City State (N.D.)10-41-11.0Won 2
Jamestown (N.D.)5-80-11.5Won 1
Dakota State (S.D.)7-70-22.0Lost 3