Class A - 2022 State Tournament - Top Players

After watching basketball yesterday, I started to wonder who would make the State Tournament next season? Who brings back the most talented team? Who has the best young talent? I will attempt to answer these questions below. 2022 State Tournaments Predictions: E#1 – Fargo North – The Spartans will have two sensational sophomores and a strong senior forward. They will all have varsity experience and will have a trip to State under their belt. I expect North to be a high-scoring team with athletic guards and strong players inside. [player_tooltip player_id="1046363" first="Jalen" last="May"] (2022) |6-3 F| - A strong and wide player who can score inside and outside. Jalen is a good rebounder and a serious threat from the outside. [player_tooltip player_id="1144475" first="Jeremiah" last="Sem"] (2024) |6-1 G| - He may be the best player in North Dakota next season. Sem looks to be a D1 type player and athlete. He is a gifted scorer with dynamic skills. [player_tooltip player_id="1144600" first="Carter" last="Zeller"] (2024) |6-5 F| -A physical and tenacious post player. Carter does not shy away from contact. He has the potential to be one of the best posts in the EDC.   E#2 – Grand Forks Red River – The Roughriders had a young team this season with loads of talent. Their young players received a ton of varsity experience. They bring back their best two guards. Red River will be athletic, and they will also have good size. [player_tooltip player_id="812222" first="Paine" last="Parks"] (2022) |6-3 G| - All EDC this year. A big and strong guard. Parks excels at slashing and finishing in the paint. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/zach-kraft-red-river-2023.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1063637" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/zach-kraft-red-river-2023-300x188.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="188" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1115649" first="Zach" last="Kraft"] (2023) |5-11 G| - He will be one of the best PG’s in the EDC. Zach is a smooth player and an excellent shooter. [player_tooltip player_id="1138811" first="Reis" last="Rowekamp"] (2023) |6-3 G| - He has a quality 3-point shot and a nice pull-up jumper. Reis is a legit athlete who is good off the bounce.   E#3 – West Fargo – They are fresh off a State Championship and an amazing season. They will lose all their size, but they should be able to fill those holes. The Packers will have 2 of the best backcourt players in the State returning next season who know what it takes to win the big game. [player_tooltip player_id="812219" first="Carson" last="Hegerle"] (2022) |6-4 G| - All EDC this year. A D1 level athlete. I expect him to be the leading scorer in the EDC next year. Carson is unreal at slashing and finishing. [player_tooltip player_id="812231" first="Brett" last="Limke"] (2022) |6-1 G| - All EDC this year. He will be the best FT shooter in ND next year. Brett will be one of the best point guards and 3-point shooters in the state.   E#4 – West Fargo Sheyenne – They lose a ton of scoring, size, and experience. They do bring back some experience, size, and scoring. The Mustangs will not have to rebuild, they will reload. Their sub-varsity teams are filled with talent and Sheyenne will have no trouble putting together another tough team. [player_tooltip player_id="812221" first="Dominic" last="Dosmann"] (2022) |6-8 F| - A long-armed lefty forward who will be one of the best rebounders in the EDC next year. Dominic has a nice 15-foot jumper, and he is a quality finisher around the basket. [caption id="attachment_1137617" align="alignnone" width="240"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/Michael_Nhial_Varsity_11.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1137617" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/Michael_Nhial_Varsity_11-240x300.jpg" alt="" width="240" height="300" /></a> Photo: WF Sheyenne[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="1046354" first="Michael" last="Nhial"] (2022) |6-6 F|- He has the potential to be a prolific scorer. Michael has a nice left-handed stroke from deep. He can score off the bounce and finish with power or touch at the cup.   W#1 – Bismarck Century – The Patriots will be the most complete team in ND coming into the season. They have all the pieces to be elite. They have great guards, awesome wings, athletic forwards, and a powerful big man. [caption id="attachment_1144417" align="alignnone" width="200"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/ryanerickson.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1144417" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/ryanerickson-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a> Photo: Jon Jablonski Life-Images[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="1050245" first="Ryan" last="Erikson"] (2023) |6-8 F| - A tall and powerful post player. He will only improve as he gets older. I expect him to be a dominant frontcourt player in the WDA next year. [player_tooltip player_id="1050255" first="William" last="Ware"] (2023) |6-7 F| - He is long and athletic. Ware will be a mismatch problem in every game. As his skills develop, he will be a very scary player. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/doppler-crop-1178x774-1614785364-crop-527x346-1614785383-crop-417x274-1614785409.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1143355" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/doppler-crop-1178x774-1614785364-crop-527x346-1614785383-crop-417x274-1614785409-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1048689" first="Anthony" last="Doppler"] (2023) |6-4 G| - An all-around player with all the tools. He is a stud athlete with nice hops. Anthony is an excellent shooter from long-range. [caption id="attachment_1146278" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/isaiah-schafer-crop-1089x715-1615216676.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1146278" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/isaiah-schafer-crop-1089x715-1615216676-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Photo: Jon Jablonski Life-Images[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="1111175" first="Isaiah" last="Schafer"] (2024) |6-1 G| - One of the best young PG’s in North Dakota. Schafer is a quick player with solid handles and an excellent jumper. All WDA this year. [player_tooltip player_id="812232" first="Connor" last="Trahan"] (2022) |6-4 G| - A serious threat from 3-point land. I like the looks of his shooting form. Connor is a long and athletic guard.   W#2 – Minot – They were State runners-up this season. All their returning players will bring back that awesome experience. The Magi will have some big shoes to fill at the point guard position. Minot has a good system, and they play great team defense. They bring back two great players that are All-State caliber players. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/Ewentz-1-crop-1516x996-1614278787.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1139061" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/Ewentz-1-crop-1516x996-1614278787-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1111173" first="Eric" last="Wentz"] (2022) |6-2 G|- He is a great shooter, and he will be one of the best guards in the West. Eric is an electric slasher and crafty finisher. All WDA this year. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/DD-2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1153444" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/DD-2-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1050246" first="Darik" last="Dissette"] (2023) |6-3 G| - A superb athlete that is a joy to watch. He is excellent at getting to the paint and making things happen. Darik has one of the best first steps in ND. All WDA this year.   W#3 – Bismarck – The Demons lose a talented group of seniors. However, they bring back a high-caliber player who will lead the way. Bismarck has plenty of young talent to fill the holes. Their defensive system will continue to thrive in 2021-2022. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/treysen.png"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1151524" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/treysen-300x207.png" alt="" width="300" height="207" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1046352" first="Treysen" last="Eaglestaff"] (2022) |6-5 F| - He should be a Mr. Basketball candidate next year. He is a D1 type of talent. Treysen is a lights-out shooter, has a great feel for the game, and a high hoops IQ. All WDA this year. [player_tooltip player_id="996110" first="Logan" last="Schaubert"] (2021) |6-2 F| - A lefty who works hard. Logan has the potential to be a knock-down 3-point shooter. Expect him to be a tough defender and a physical rebounder.   W#4 – Dickinson – The Midgets will have a talented group of young guards who have played varsity minutes. They will play an up-tempo and in-your-face type of game. I can see them full-court pressing on defense and shooting a ton of 3-pointers on offense. The Midgets play a fun style of basketball. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/IMG_9101.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1077238" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/IMG_9101-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1050249" first="Alex" last="Dvorak"] (2023) |6-0 G| - He will be one of the best guards in North Dakota next season. Alex is a phenomenal shooter and a steady scorer. I like his quickness and his handles. All WDA this season. [player_tooltip player_id="1133066" first="Britton" last="Cranston"] (2022) |5-9 G|– He will be a great compliment to Dvorak. The Midgets will have a nice 1-2 punch next year. Cranston is a nice shooter with legitimate ball skills.