Sept 25th Update Carson Dennis rejoined ECI after an injury and his play in the Twin Cities events, especially the Great Plains Alliance, caught the eye of a couple D3 schools in Minnesota. “I have visits set up with Concordia…
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Carson Dennis rejoined ECI after an injury and his play in the Twin Cities events, especially the Great Plains Alliance, caught the eye of a couple D3 schools in Minnesota.
“I have visits set up with Concordia (Moorhead) and St. Olaf so those are the two top choices right now,” Carson said.
Both the Cobbers and the Olies are MIAC schools in Minnesota’s very competitive D3 league. Both schools have very good academic and athletic programs so Carson has set himself up with a nice future.
After his injury he worked out the kinks with ECI and the year went very well.
“My final (Grassroots basketball) season was a huge success, I had a great time with the guys and the coaches helped me grow a lot,” said Dennis.
“I became much more confident with the ball and my shooting became more consistent as the season progress. It also exposed me to some new colleges that have shown interest which probably wouldn't have happened if it weren't for my involvement with ECI.”
Now it’s time for Grand Forks Red River to live up to expectations. This is a program that has scoring talent, great size, several future college hoopers, and much else. They have a chance to be a contender.
“We should have a pretty good team this year for high school, the guys on my team and I have played together since 4th grade so we know how everyone plays. I expect a championship at the end of the year.”
Minot is everybody’s favorite and after Century pushed them to the limit a year ago they are up there too. But after that, it’s hard to not see GFRR making a run.
June 17th Update
Carson Dennis was a key part of the Grand Forks Red River squad but a leg injury took away a good part of his junior season. Now the 6-foot-3 wing is getting back to full strength and helping the ECI squad prepare for a three weekend summer run in St. Cloud, Milwaukee, and Sioux Falls.
“It's been so much fun,” Carson said with excitement about his ECI squad. “I love playing with these guys.”
The Prospects are 11-11 after winning the last event they played in but the improvements in that event have them excited for the summer.
“We need to show up to the games ready to go, when we share the ball and it moving fast great things have started happening, so that's what we need to continue be doing,” Carson.
As far as his own game goes Carson is working to be more of a multi-dimensional scoring threat.
“I've definitely become more comfortable with the three point shot and I've been getting myself to the basket and finishing a lot better,” explained Dennis.
Dennis without a doubt has the ability to play college basketball. The talent, skill, and work ethic are there. That said, he missed a lot of games this winter and has been in recovery so interest is just getting started.
One MIAC school at the high D3 level in Minnesota has liked what they saw so far.
“St. Olaf has been showing interest in me,” said Dennis.
Feb 24th update
Carson Dennis is a Roughrider. One of the Red River Rough Riders from Grand Forks who have worked their way to 11-7 on the schedule winning four of their last five games. There are three games left on the schedule and 6-foot-3 junior Carson Dennis likes where his team is headed.
“Our team has constantly been improving and has been working well together recently,” Dennis said. “I only was able to play the first couple games because of a meniscus tear in my knee but hopefully I'll be back soon!”
Before he went down Carson was giving the Rough Riders 11 points and six rebounds a game shooting 58 percent from the field and 54 percent from the arc.
“Our team needs to be playing our best basketball by March when it counts so we can hopefully get that state championship,” Dennis explained. “Also when I get back, I just want to do my best and what's best for the team so in the end we can get the win.”
Returning this late in the year will be tough but all Carson is worried about is helping his team win.
“I know I'll have my good nights and others will too but if we come out on top that's all that's Important to me and the team. I've definitely been working on my penetration and just my confidence on the court in general.”
Carson impressed local schools playing at the 16U level last year but since he’s been hurt, the recruiting talk has been quiet.
“Since I've been out a lot of the season due to my knee injury not many have contacted me yet and I played on the ECI prospect team, and hope to make that again this year,” Carson told PHD.
We expect that when Dennis returns to the court, schools will starting watching him play as he’s got good size and skill for a wing.
