North Dakota Preview: Region 2 Top Guards

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s never too early for too-early-season. With fall sports and school underway, it’s only a matter of time before the winter sports season is upon us. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With that in mind, here’s a look at some of the top guards in Region 2</span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="731907" first="Stevan" last="Garza"], Grafton</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Grafton should be the favorite in Region 2 this year and Garza emerging as a potential all-state guy is a big reason why. The 6-foot-2 lead guard averaged 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists last year and impacts the game in a lot of ways. He’s an excellent shooter from distance, gets to the rim and can create for his teammates. Look for him to have a big senior year. </span></p> <p><strong>Colton Konschak, Hatton/Northwood</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Konschak has been one of the top players in the region each of the last two years but he’ll be expected to take his game to another level as a senior with the Thunder losing three starters. At 6-foot-5, he’s got the length to pose a lot of problems for opposing perimeter players, as he’s a skilled scorer in the mid-range and around the rim, plus a solid passer. He’ll have the ball in his hands a lot as a senior and the Thunder should be among the best teams in the region.</span></p> <p><strong>Justin Garza, Grafton</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Garza enjoyed a strong junior year, averaging 12 points, five rebounds and four assists. He’s the definition of solid, as he’s just good in a lot of areas. He’s a good long-range shooter, he can get to the paint as a secondary ballhandler and he’s a feisty defender. </span></p> <p><strong>Hunter Gronneberg, Griggs County Central</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Griggs County Central should be improved this upcoming year and could be a darkhorse contender in the region with Gronneberg leading the way. The senior swingman averaged better than 15 points and five rebounds a season ago. He’s a deadly 3-point shooter who can dominate stretches of a game with his shooting, and he’s improved the other areas of his game as teams have started trying to take that away from him. </span></p> <p><strong>Jaden Lee, North Border</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">North Border was one of the top teams in the region last season and while it is losing a good chunk of its core, Lee is back, which gives the Eagles an excellent starting point. Lee averaged nearly 14 points, three rebounds and three assists and has the size and athleticism to defend multiple positions. </span></p> <p><strong>Tyson Backer, Drayton/Valley-Edinburg</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Drayton/Valley-Edinburg won eight games last year - expect it to come up in a big way next winter. Backer was terrific as a junior, averaging 12 points, six rebounds and four assists per game and is one of the top all-around guards in the region. </span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="998911" first="Ryan" last="Sletten"], Larimore</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Larimore struggled a lot last year but Sletten was one of the bright spots. The 6-foot-2 combo guard is an excellent facilitator and capable scorer, who excels in the mid-range and in. </span></p> <p><strong>Seth Robinson, Midway-Minto</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s going to be the Seth Robinson show for Midway-Minto next season. He’s a big, skilled guard who can stuff the stat sheet in a big way. He scores it at a high rate, possessing long-range shooting plus the ability to get to the rim, makes plays for guys and defends multiple positions. </span></p>