Way-Too-Early Class B Team Rankings
With the season over, barring something unforeseen, it’s time to look ahead. With the AAU season on hold, there’s a lot of unknown with regards to individual players developing and who is set up well for next season. Here’s a…
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Continue ReadingWith the season over, barring something unforeseen, it’s time to look ahead.
With the AAU season on hold, there’s a lot of unknown with regards to individual players developing and who is set up well for next season.
Here’s a quick look at the top 10 teams way too far in advance:
Four Winds/Minnewaukan
The Indians were going to be a heavy favorite to win the Class B state title had it occurred last month. They’ll lose an all-stater in Doug Yankton, but return four starters including all-region guards Jayden Yankton and JaeShaun Shaw plus potential all-state big man Bronson Walter. All three averaged double-figures and proved to be good enough to carry the Indians when Yankton missed time last year. They also return rotation players in Keldon Keja and Caelen Lohnes.
Enderlin
The Eagles were upset in the early rounds of the Region 1 Tournament but have the look of a top-five team in the state going into next year. Joe and Gus Hurlburt will be upperclassmen with multiple years of starting experience under their belts. Dawson Lemna and Alijah Dixson were solid last year and will both be upperclassmen in the backcourt and Carson Bartholomay could be a breakout guy after a good freshman season.
Beulah
The Miners had the pieces to win a state title last year and they’ll be the favorites to win Region 7 for the fourth year in a row next year. Trey Brandt was one of the best guards in the state as a sophomore and could be primed for another jump as an upperclassman. Dawson Zuroff, Trapper Skalsky and Nathan Battest are all back as role players too. They’ll have to find bodies up front to replace Jonah Larson.
Grafton
The Spoilers won 18 games last year in what was supposed to be a rebuilding season. Expect them to be even better next year as they return all five starters including all-region guard Stevan Garza who averaged 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Brandon Albrecht and Justin Garza both averaged double figures and watch out for William Jiskra as a breakout candidate as a junior after averaging nine points and eight rebounds. Size may be an issue, but they’ve got the firepower and toughness to win Region 2.
Langdon/Edmore/Munich
The Cardinals were one of the best teams in the state this past season and while they lose a strong senior class, they return two of the best players in Region 4 in Grant Romfo and Simon Romfo. Senior-to-be swingman Jagger Worley returns as well, giving the Cardinals a potent three-headed attack.
Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier
The Rebels won the Region 3 championship, earning a state bid for the first time in more than 30 years. The wait for another run might not take near as long as EKM should be the favorite in Region 3 going into next year. They lose two good senior guards but return one of the best forwards in the state in Alex Huber. Jorgen Paulsen had a terrific postseason and could be primed for a much bigger role as a senior. Chayse Entzi is solid inside and sophomores Dalton Madcke and Adam Nitschke could be breakout guys as upperclassmen.
Our Redeemer’s
The Knights reached the Region 6 championship game for the second year in a row and they should be among the best teams in Class B next year. Zach Hendrickson has been one of the best guards in Class B the last two years and could be an all-state guy next year as an upperclassman. William Sanders is an excellent defender at the point guard spot and pairs with Hendrickson to form a terrific backcourt. And Levi Weekly is a productive faceup big man.
Rugby
The Panthers are losing a ton, so this ranking could be a bit aggressive, but its equal parts a belief that there is talent in the pipeline ready to graduate to the varsity level and faith that Isaiah Bundy-Smith, Warren Walker and Cole Slaubaugh can all take on bigger roles. Bundy-Smith showed potential to be one of the best forwards in Class B and Walker looks like one of the best point guards in Region 6.
Dickinson Trinity
The Titans are one of the consistently excellent teams in Class B and should be strong again in 2020-21 despite losing several key seniors. The to-be senior guard duo of Jake Daniel and Cole Fitterer have two years of experience already under their belts and give the Titans a terrific two-way backcourt. And to-be senior forward Tanner Sohren emerged as a rock-solid interior piece last year.
Velva
The Aggies won 15 games last year and should be even better in 2020-21 as they return their entire roster. To-be junior big man Kaden Chadwick emerged as one of the top bigs in Class B and could be even better as an upperclassman. He’s joined by Adam Schepp up front, forming one of the best frontcourt duos in the state while Jersey Seltzer and Hunter Suckut are two of the returners in the backcourt.