Way too Early Preview: EDC Breakout Candidates
Fall sports are right around the corner. That means winter sports aren’t all that far behind. With that in mind, here are some potential breakout candidates for the 2020-21 season: Michael Nhial, West Fargo Sheyenne West Fargo Sheyenne is replacing…
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Continue ReadingFall sports are right around the corner. That means winter sports aren’t all that far behind.
With that in mind, here are some potential breakout candidates for the 2020-21 season:
Michael Nhial, West Fargo Sheyenne
West Fargo Sheyenne is replacing its three top scorers from a year ago and given that all three were perimeter players, the Mustangs are going to have a lot of shots available. Nhial is an intriguing talent because of his combination of size and skill. He was productive in mop-up minutes last year and while he might be closer to a four man than a true wing, he might be called upon to play on the perimeter and provide production.
Parker Nelson, West Fargo
West Fargo has a solid talent well and there are going to be opportunities for guards to step in and play big minutes with their starting point guard gone to graduation. Nelson is one of several guys who should be ready for them and he seems like an ideal fit into the Packer lineup given their shooting woes a year ago. Nelson is a solid spot up shooter who can attack gaps and make plays in secondary fashion.
Ian Motschenbacher Ian Motschenbacher 6'1" | PG Fargo Davies | 2022 State ND , Fargo Davies
There was a mass exodus at Fargo Davies last year as the Eagles graduated eight of their nine regular players. So there’s an opportunity for a lot of guys to step into prominent roles. The guy with perhaps the greatest chance at stepping in and producing big right away is Motschenbacher, a 6-foot-1 point guard. He’s a smart player who does a good job balancing finding his shot with facilitating. He’s got deep shooting range and the ability to get his shot off against just about anybody. And he’ll have the ball in his hands a lot, so don’t be surprised if he puts up solid numbers from the jump.
Ben Heilman, Devils Lake
Heilman was one of Devils Lake’s top perimeter scoring options last year as the Firebirds relied heavily on Grant Nelson inside. Heilman is a bigger guard who can create his shot from the perimeter and while he didn’t shoot all that well as a sophomore, he’s got the ability to take a big step from the 3-point line with more experience. Look for him to put up big point numbers as a junior.
Paine Parks Paine Parks 6'3" | SG Grand Forks Red River | 2022 State ND , Grand Forks Red River
Parks was a rotation player for the Roughriders as a sophomore, averaging about five points and four rebounds per game in a complementary role. He’s going to start and he’ll have an opportunity to play all the minutes he can handle as a junior, pairing with Will Obioha Will Obioha 6'6" | SF Grand Forks Red River | 2021 ND to form what should be one of the top duos in the EDC. Parks is a big, physical guard who can play through contact and score in the paint. If he improves his perimeter jumper, he’ll be a problem for people.