Way-Too-Early Class A Rankings
Basketball season is months away but it’s never too early for way-too-early season. Preseason rankings aren’t all that important given so many things can change between now and December, but they can at least play a part in establishing a…
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Continue ReadingBasketball season is months away but it’s never too early for way-too-early season. Preseason rankings aren’t all that important given so many things can change between now and December, but they can at least play a part in establishing a base for expectations for teams. And even if they are pointless, they can be fun – for the teams that are ranked high it’s validation and for teams that feel slighted, it’s a tool to use as motivation to make prognosticators look stupid.
Here’s a way-too-early Top 10 at the Class A level:
1.Jamestown
The Bluejays won’t go undefeated next winter (I make my money on bold predictions) but they’ve got the best player in the state in Boden Skunberg, a couple returning bit guys ripe for breakout seasons in Carson Lamp and Jacob Hilgemann and a handful of guys from the JV team that was the best in the state a year ago ready to step into big roles. Size is a question mark at this point, but there’s a ton of perimeter talent and a winning culture that appears to be well on its way to being established.
2.West Fargo
The next five or six teams in Class A could probably get ranked anywhere from No. 2 to No. 7 but the Packers get the nod here because of the talent they have coming back. Hunter Lyman struggled a late in the year but he had a solid summer playing ECI and will have the paint all to himself as a senior. Matt Miller is one of the best returning guards in the EDC. Carter Birrenkott averaged just under 10 points per game as a sophomore and Carson Hegerle looked like a stud at times in his freshman year.
3.Fargo Davies
The Eagles are never going to lack for talent and despite losing arguably their two best players from a year ago, they can stake a claim as the most talented team in North Dakota. Cole Hage and Cam Van Dam are two of the best players in Class A. Grayson Haman looks primed for a breakout on the wing. Owen Hektner is a name to get familiar with as well. Ty Satter and Nate Hensel are solid role players and there’s more young talent in the pipe. Another EDC title and state trip shouldn’t surprise.
4.Grand Forks Red River
The Roughriders have as much returning talent as any team in Class A and after two straight trips to the state tournament, this is their time. Will Obioha is one of the best players in the state. Brady Dvorak is one of the best returning guards in the EDC and Bryce Enerson is a rock solid third scorer. Throw in a few other returning guys like Cole Benson, Kobe Springer, Paine Parks and Khamani Steckler and Red River has the talent to contend for a league and state title.
5.Minot
The Magicians return six of their top seven guys and while the team was up and down a year ago, there’s no shortage of talent. Jaxon Gunville and Deonte Martinez form arguably the best backcourt tandem in Class A. Easton Larson averaged 10 and seven a year ago and should be even better this year after a strong summer. Caden Johnson, Tucker Olson and Derry Lentz all return in complementary roles too. This team is talented enough to win the WDA.
6.West Fargo Sheyenne
The Mustangs looked like a top-five team in Class A last year before sputtering down the stretch and missing the state tournament entirely. Four of their top six guys are back and with Tyler Terhark, Blake Berg and Zion Dettman, they may have the best perimeter trio in the state. Chuck Dubois is back and junior big man Jacksen Moni is a breakout candidate.
7.Mandan
The Braves graduated three starters but return arguably the best point guard and the best big man in the WDA in Jaxton Wiest and Elijah Klein. Klein put up 19 and 12 a year ago and could be even better as a senior. He’s a force inside/ Wiest was the top assist guy in the WDA last year and he’ll have the ball in his hands a lot next winter which should lead to an increase in scoring. Filling in around them will be the question.
8.Bismarck Legacy
The Sabers were middle of the pack last year in the WDA and went to state. They return three starters including all-league caliber guys in Rhett Clements and Nick Kupfer. Keagen Woodbury and Joe Buzalsky were underclassmen in the rotation a year ago and should grow into bigger roles this winter. Size will be a question mark again, as will the overall scoring ability but this team will be able to get stops.
9.Bismarck Century
The Patriots won’t have the kind of returning talent they are used to but Cade Feeney is one of the best two-way guards in the state heading into his third year as a starter. The junior class at Century is very talented headlined by Justice Coleman and Ian Ely. This ranking is banking on the program’s culture shining through and growing guys who just haven’t gotten an opportunity to play yet.
10.Fargo North
The Spartans were inconsistent last year and only won nine games but there’s hope for a turnaround thanks to the return of Cayden Rickard and Carson Critchley. Alijah Armstrong joins that group to form what could be a deadly perimeter trio. With some young forwards also back in the fold, this could be a surprise team in the EDC.