North Dakota Preview: Dickinson
The Dickinson Midgets went 7-17 last season, struggling mightily to generate consistent offense while combining to go 0-14 against the top six teams in the WDA. There are causes for optimism though, as the Midgets return four starters including two…
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Continue ReadingThe Dickinson Midgets went 7-17 last season, struggling mightily to generate consistent offense while combining to go 0-14 against the top six teams in the WDA. There are causes for optimism though, as the Midgets return four starters including two of the better guards in the league.
KEY RETURNERS: Jaiden Wright, Kobe Krenz, Talon Klatt
Wright is one of the best point guards in the WDA and built on his solid junior year with a terrific summer playing with ECI. He’s got the size, toughness, smarts and skills to dominate games. He averaged 15.5 points per game and knocked down 38 percent of his 3-pointers on five attempts per game. He’s solid defensively and rebounds at a high rate for a guard, hauling in more than five per game.
Krenz led the team in scoring last year, averaging 16.2 points per game. The 5-foot-10 combo guard showed a rare ability to get his shot off against set defenses and was generally the guy the Midgets got the ball to in late-clock situations. If he can shoot it with a little more consistency this season, he’s a potential 20 point-per-game guy.
Klatt is the guy the Midgets need to be dominant. The 6-foot-7 senior averaged 10 points and 5.5 rebounds per game last year and had a great summer on the AAU circuit. He’s got the size, strength and athleticism to be a force inside and there’s no reason he can’t get into double-double average territory. He’s a solid interior defender and rim-protector. He can be a terror as a screener and rim-runner if he dedicates himself to that role.
STEPPING INTO NEW ROLES: Jayden Hocker, Remington Schatz, Kyle Brilz, Alex Praus, Isaac Gjerde
Hocker played a lot as a sophomore and averaged seven points per game. He was one of the team’s best 3-point shooters, knocking down better than 40 percent of his attempts. He’ll be a valuable floor-spacer for the Midgets this winter and has a chance to be a double-figure scorer if he takes that typical sophomore-to-junior jump.
Praus was a bench guy last season as a junior and will have a shot to play a lot more minutes this winter. He’ll fill a complementary role.
Schatz and Brilz saw sparing minutes last year as underclassmen and should have opportunities to fill either that fifth starter or key bench roles. Both guys had good moments this past summer on the AAU circuit and bring athleticism and could be a boost to the team’s offensive struggles.
SEASON OUTLOOK
The Midgets have a chance to be one of the most improved teams in the state this winter. They struggled to stay in games last year against the top teams in the league but there’s no shortage of returning talent. The backcourt of Wright and Krenz is one of the best in the state. Klatt can be one of the best big men in the WDA. And the young talent in the program could provide a big lift. Dickinson looks like a team that could surprise people.