North Dakota Preview: Devils Lake
The Devils Lake Firebirds were firmly in the middle class of the EDC last season, winning 12 games before losing to West Fargo and Wahpeton in the EDC Tournament. With one of the best players in the state manning the…
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Continue ReadingThe Devils Lake Firebirds were firmly in the middle class of the EDC last season, winning 12 games before losing to West Fargo and Wahpeton in the EDC Tournament. With one of the best players in the state manning the middle, Devils Lake has a chance to be solid again this winter.
KEY RETURNERS: Grant Nelson, Michael Widmer, Joey Frelich
For Devil Lake to b good, it all starts with Grant Nelson. The 6-foot-8 senior center had a monster junior year, averaging 16 points and 12 rebounds to go along with five blocks and seemingly took his game to another level over the summer with ECI before committing to play for North Dakota State. He’s capable of dominating a game like few other guys in the league. He’s got a soft touch inside with good post footwork. He’s a decent long-range shooter and capable ball-handler and his length allows him to collect offensive rebounds. That length serves him well defensively too, where he’s arguably the most impactful defender in the EDC.
Widmer and Frelich saw rotation minutes last year and will be in line for significant increases in role and responsibility this winter. Frelich averaged 5.6 points per game last year while Widmer put up 5.5 points and 2.5 rebounds off the bench.
STEPPING INTO NEW ROLES: Keauno Newton, Ben Heilman, Derek Steffan, Parker Hanson
Newton and Heilman were JV guys as freshman and could both step into starting roles this winter as sophomores. Newton is one of the better prospects in North Dakota’s 2022 class and had a solid summer on the AAU circuit. He’s an athletic guard who can defend, make plays for others and get to the rim.
Heilman is a solid perimeter shooter who has the potential to break out as a really solid scorer on the wing.
Both guys might be a year away from being big impact guys, but they’ll have chances to earn major minutes and with defenses keying on Nelson inside, there’ll be room for both to operate and potentially flourish early.
Steffan and Hanson were bit guys last year as juniors, seeing sparing minutes off the bench but with a big senior class gone to graduation, those guys will be in line to earn quite a few more minutes either in starting roles or as key bench players.
QUESTION: Who is going to score?
Devils Lake wasn’t particularly good offensively last year and at times, it held the Firebirds back. With just Nelson back as a proven scorer, it stands to wonder how the team is going to generate consistent offense. Frelich and Widmer combined to average a little better than 11 per game and the rest of the roster is largely unproven. Nelson will draw a ton of attention from every team the Firebirds play, which could be what some of those perimeter guys need to find their way.
SEASON OUTLOOK
Devils Lake was a middling team in the EDC last year and it should be solid if unspectacular again this winter. It’ll be a team that has to win with defense, especially early in the year as guys grow into roles where they need to create shots. Nelson gives them the floor of a team that will be competitive. How high the Firebirds’ ceiling goes, ultimately depends on the complementary guys.