Way-Too-Early Preview: Bismarck Legacy
The WDA was an absolute grind last year. One of the teams that figures to benefit from that grind against older, experienced teams is Bismarck Legacy. The Sabers were one of the youngest teams in the league last year, relying…
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Continue ReadingThe WDA was an absolute grind last year. One of the teams that figures to benefit from that grind against older, experienced teams is Bismarck Legacy. The Sabers were one of the youngest teams in the league last year, relying on a bevy of sophomores and newcomers, fighting injury and attrition before just missing the state tournament. With a big core returning, the Sabers have the talent to contend in the WDA.
Go-To Guy: Nick Kupfer
Kupfer was one of the best players in the WDA during his sophomore season and led the Sabers to the state tournament two years ago. He missed the first 16 games last year with an injury and while he was solid upon return, there’s more in the tank. He’s one of the best wings in the WDA and could be a darkhorse Player-of-the-Year candidate. He’s got the size and athleticism to get to the paint and score from the mid-range, and gets to the free throw line at a high rate. If he improves even marginally as a perimeter shooter, he’ll be a big problem for opposing defenses.
Breakout Candidate: Zander Albers
Albers was one of the best sophomores in the league last year, averaging 9.2 points and 5.9 rebounds in a starting role. He showed the potential to be a big time difference-maker on both ends of the floor and with Rhett Clements gone to graduation, Albers will have to take on an even bigger role on both ends of the floor in the frontcourt. He shot better than 50 percent from inside the arc and knocked down a respectable 31 percent on his 3-pointers (on more than three attempts per game). If he takes a step forward from beyond the arc and at the free throw line (31% 3-pt and 48 % FT), expect that scoring average to jump. He’s got 15 and 10 potential as an upperclassman.
Question: Can The Sabers Be the Best Team in Bismarck?
To some degree, this question in a roundabout way is about whether or not the Sabers can legitimately win the WDA. At this way too early stage, the top two teams in the WDA are probably Jamestown and Bismarck. Bismarck Legacy, on paper, might be the best team in the tier below those two. With guys like Joe Buzalsky, Albers, Logan Wetzel entering their upperclass years plus the return of Lyric Hoffman, and a full year (hopefully) from Kupfer to go along with Keagen Woodbury and Ben Patton, the depth is there for this team to contend at the very top of the league.
Outlook
Bismarck Legacy has the look of a top-five team in Class A heading into next winter. The Sabers won 15 games last year with two starters missing nearly the entire year plus several others missing varying degrees of time. They return a great core. The depth is there for this group to contend and if a couple of those guys like Kupfer, Woodbury or Albers, take the jump into upper-echelon status, this team can contend in the WDA and be one of the best teams in the state.