LISTEN: Austin Erickson’s interview with Justin Fletschock
NORTH DAKOTA – The Associated Press reports participation in high school girls’ basketball declined 21% nationwide and 40% in North Dakota since 2000.
That’s the third biggest dropoff for a state according to National Federation of State High School Associations numbers.
There could be a positive reason for that in The Peace Garden State. North Dakota Athletics and Activities Association Assistant Director Justin Fletschock said it could be because more girls winter sports were added to the NDHSAA in the last 26 years like hockey and wrestling.
Girls’ wrestling became a varsity sport in the 2021-2022 season and has exploded in popularity.
“The first year I think they maybe had 150 girls. This year we have close to 700 girls wrestling,” Fletshock said.
WNBA viewership hit a record in 2025 with ESPN reporting their networks seeing their most-watched regular season and postseason ever. Games on ABC, ESPN and ESPN 2 averaged 1.3 million viewers for regular season games and 1.2 million for the playoffs. The WNBA Finals averaged 1.5 million.
Many people tuned in to watch Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark and Hopkins, Minnesota native Paige Bueckers who plays for the Dallas Wings.
Fletshock said the interest in those players could have led to girls signing up to play basketball.
“I think we maybe have 100 to 200 more girls playing this year than last year. I think the biggest factor there is the addition of new schools in West Fargo Horace, Minot North and Bismarck Legacy,” Fletschock said.
