Column: A standing ovation for the Magicians magical march

Minot Daily News

BISMARCK — The greatest Magicians never run out of tricks.

After pulling a rabbit out of the hat against West Fargo in the opening round and following that up by making Fargo Davies unbeaten record disappear in the Class A boys basketball state semifinals, the Minot High School Magicians saved its best illusion for the final act.

The stage was set one week ago – a demoralizing defeat that raised doubts about the possibility of a three-peat. The Century Patriots jumped onto stage and stole the show in its hometown venue at the Bismarck Event Center.

There was no denying that the Patriots deserved their newly acquired West Region crown. The Magi didn’t put on the type of show they were capable of. For only the second time this season, they fell flat.

That could have been the end of it. They could have packed it in and said it was a nice ride while it lasted.

Not this group. The Magi got back on the bus and headed back to Bismarck with a belief that anything was possible.

Nothing was going to prevent them from bringing a third straight state championship to the Magic City.

Not a double-digit halftime deficit. Or a previously perfect performer. Or the regional rivals that thought they had figured out all of Minot’s secrets seven days ago.

The Magi had one more card up their sleeve, and now have one more banner to add to their collection. Seventeen state championships in total, but this one keeps the historic streak alive. Three in a row.

It’s a feat that has only been done once before in North Dakota history, over half a century ago.

For a squad that only had two players – seniors Justin Engg and KyJuan Johnson – get minutes in last year’s championship game, these players embodied a winning culture that was largely not their own by studying and learning from their predecessors before them. A sign of conviction and dedication of wanting to be the very best and not settling for anything less.

A Magician doesn’t rely on luck to dazzle an audience, but rather practice and preparation.

All that is left to do now is get on your feet and applaud, as the curtain closes on an unforgettable season.