North Dakota Preview: Sophomores to Watch

<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 sophomores in the state</span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1050245" first="Ryan" last="Erikson"], Bismarck Century</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Erikson is one of the best prospects in North Dakota’s 2023 class and was a productive freshman for Bismarck Century. At 6-foot-8, Erikson has a nice blend of low post skill and perimeter ability. He’s a heady passer and has the range to step out and threaten teams from the 3-point line. And he’s a strong interior rebounder. If he continues to develop on the defensive end of the floor - and the Patriots have a strong history of developing players defensively - he’ll be one of the best bigs in Class A very soon. </span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1048689" first="Anthony" last="Doppler"], Bismarck Century</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Doppler was a rotation player for the Patriots last year, averaging better than five points per game and flashing the scoring ability to grow into a legitimate bucket-getter. He’s got good size and can fill it up from the 3-point line with as much ease as any player in the 2023 class. He had an excellent showing on the grassroots circuit and could be something of a go-to guy for the Patriots this winter. </span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1050246" first="Darik" last="Dissette"], Minot</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dissette saw solid rotation minutes last year on a senior-laden Minot team and had his share of solid moments. At 6-foot-2, he’s an athletic combo guard who can slash, get to the paint and make plays in traffic. He’s developed his outside jumper and continuing to do so will be a big key, but he’s an intriguing talent and should get a lot of run this winter for a rebuilding Magicians club.</span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1050248" first="Carson" last="Bartholomay"], Enderlin</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The talent well up front runs deep for Enderlin, as it’s not just the Hurlburts dominating the interior. Bartholomay enjoyed a solid freshman season, averaging nine points and five rebounds while showcasing an intriguing blend of inside and outside ability. He’s 6-foot-6, shoots it at a solid level and can make plays. He might not be heavily featured for an Eagles team that expects to contend for a state title, but he’ll be a key rotation piece and could give this team yet another game influencing player in the paint.</span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1050257" first="Tyson" last="Enget"], Powers Lake</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Enget developed into one of the better guards in Region 8 last winter, providing shooting and scoring on the perimeter for a Powers Lake team that had state tournament aspirations. With a bevy of returning talent, the Ranchers should expect to contend again this winter. Enget ascending toward elite status in the region would give them a big boost.</span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1050253" first="Noah" last="Daniel"], West Fargo</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Daniel saw spot minutes for the Packers last season and in abbreviated action, showed serious two-way potential on the wing. He’s long and rangy on the defensive end of the floor and can get out and run in transition. He gets to the rim and can finish at a high level too. Don’t be surprised if he figures heavily into the West Fargo rotation this winter.</span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1050258" first="Hudson" last="Schmitz"], Carrington</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Schmitz was a bright spot in an otherwise difficult season for the Cardinals. The 6-foot-2 swingman emerged as a legitimate scoring threat next to [player_tooltip player_id="853274" first="Seth" last="Nelson"] and has the athleticism and skill to take his game to another level as a sophomore. </span></p>