North Dakota Class A Way-too-Early 2019-20 Preview
High school hoops in North Dakota ended a few weeks ago. Before moving into full offseason mode and focusing on AAU and recruiting stuff, let’s take a quick look at what could be ahead next winter. Here’s a Way-too-Early Class…
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Continue ReadingHigh school hoops in North Dakota ended a few weeks ago. Before moving into full offseason mode and focusing on AAU and recruiting stuff, let’s take a quick look at what could be ahead next winter.
Here’s a Way-too-Early Class A Preview
Jamestown
The Bluejays won a state title and were the best team in Class A by a significant margin. Losing guys like Mason Walters and Jared Kallenbach means they won’t be nearly as dominant, but this team will still be very good. Defense will be a calling card more than piling up huge point totals and in Boden Skunberg, the team still has the best player in the state. Throw in returning guys like Jacob Hilgeman and Carson Lamp and the Bluejays will be one of the best in Class A again.
West Fargo
The Packers were one of the three or four best teams in Class A by about the midway point of last season and with four of their top six guys set to be back, they should be a state title contender next winter. Hunter Lyman will be a year further removed from a season-ending injury he had as a sophomore and should get a full offseason to further develop after a really good junior year. Matt Miller should be one of the best guards in the EDC. Carter Birrenkott gives them size and athleticism, and to-be sophomore wing Carson Hegerle averaged 11.9 points per game over his final 10 games as a freshman.
Mandan
The Braves looked like a state title contender but had a disappointing state tournament showing. Still, Mandan always has talent and is always well-coached. The talent is certainly not going to be lacking as the Braves should have one of the best inside-outside duos in to-be senior big man Elijiah Klein and to-be senior swingman Jaxton Wiest.
Grand Forks Red River
Red River got the state tournament for a second year in a row thanks in large part to the strong play of an awesome junior class. The Roughriders graduate one starter but bring back five other key guys including Brady Dvorak, Cole Benson and Bryce Enerson. Will Obioha was an all-league type guy as a sophomore and could emerge as a Player-of-the-Year candidate if he continues to develop. Watch out for Kobe Springer as a breakout guy too.
West Fargo Sheyenne
The Mustangs looked like a state title contender before fading late in the season. Gone are Christian Kuntz and Ryan Reynolds but Sheyenne brings back two good guards in Blake Berg and Zion Dettman plus a stud swingman in Tyler Terhark. Throw in Chuck Dubois and the Mustangs have a really nice core coming back.
Fargo Davies
The Eagles won’t go into the year with an overwhelming amount of talent, but they certainly won’t have a shortage either. Cole Hage and Cam VanDam both return after starting last year and should take on bigger roles. Ty Satter was one of the team’s best perimeter players and guys like Grayson Haman and Justice Noel should also step into bigger roles after playing sparing minutes off the bench.
Minot
The Magicians were up and down last year and actually probably hurt themselves by winning the first game in the WDA Tournament over Bismarck Century. They were undoubtedly one of the best teams not in the state tournament field. With backcourt pairing Jaxon Gunville and Deonte Martinez both set to return along with center Easton Larson, Minot should be a force in the WDA.
Bismarck Century
The Patriots won’t have the high-end talent they’ve had in previous years and there will be even more turnover after graduating a big senior class for the second year in a row but this ranking is trusting the Patriots program to churn out talent and get the most out of whoever steps into a new role. Cade Feeney should be one of the best players in the state – which is a good start.
Devils Lake
The Firebirds return arguably the best big man in the state in Grant Nelson. The 6-foot-8 to-be senior averaged 16 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks per game. He can dominate both painted areas plus step away from the basket and still be effective. He’ll be joined by Michael Widmer and Joey Frelich as well.
Bismarck Legacy
The Sabers were one of the mid-tier teams in the WDA and should take a step forward next year as guys like Rhett Clements and Nick Kupfer are set to return. Legacy surged late in the season with several really nice wins before getting to the state tournament. The Sabers could be even better next winter.