Top Rebounders By Region: Class B

<p>Let us take a look at the potential top rebounders in Class-B for the next high school season. For this article, we will take 1 player from each region.</p> <p>Rebounding is a vital part of the game. Contests are won and lost because of rebounds. To be a great team you need to be excellent on the glass. Being athletic and long helps, but it takes much more than that to be effective. Hard work, hustle, positioning, anticipating, and guile are a few terms to describe an excellent rebounder.</p> <p>Alphabetically here are PHD’s best rebounders for next year:</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Region-1</span></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Hurlburt.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1015643" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Hurlburt-300x253.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="253" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="787658" first="Joe" last="Hurlburt"] (2022) |6-10 F| Enderlin/D1 Minnesota</strong> - 14.3 RPG this season. His game-high is 23 rebounds. Joe has been the best rebounder in ND for the last three seasons. I do not see that changing in his senior season. If Hurlburt keeps up the same rebounding pace he should become the All-Time leading rebounder in North Dakota next season. He is like a rebounding magnet, the ball always seems to get into his hands. There is not another big man in the state that moves like Hurlburt. I expect the University of Colorado commit to lead ND in rebounding once again next season. </p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Region-2</strong></span></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/kelbyazure-crop-1144x751-1622303514.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1203524" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/kelbyazure-crop-1144x751-1622303514-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1125918" first="Kelby" last="Azure"] (2022) |6-4 F|</strong> <strong>Hatton/Northwood </strong>- He averaged 8.7 RPG this season. Kelby is big, strong, powerful, and athletic. Azure has received multiple D1 football offers and his stock continues to rise. As the summer goes on the offers will continue to come in. Kelby embraces contact in and around the paint. He reminds me of a bull in a china shop. I expect his strength will continue to improve over the summer months. Kelby will be an absolute beast in Region-2 next year. Look for him to dominate the glass in the Northeast. </p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Region-3</strong></span></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/scottwagner-crop-1296x851-1622309367.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1203540" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/scottwagner-crop-1296x851-1622309367-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="812224" first="Scott" last="Wagner"] (2022) |6-8 F| Ellendale/Sacred Hoops</strong> - He averaged 12 RPG this season. His game-high is 21 rebounds. Scott is one of the biggest players in all of North Dakota. Wagner will be the biggest and strongest player in Region-3 next year. Outside of being the tallest player on the court, Scott is a very hard worker. I love the way he battles for position around the basket. Wagner is excellent at carving out space in the lane. Next year he will be the best rebounder in Region-3 and he will challenge Hurlburt for the top spot in the state. </p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Region-4</strong></span></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/poitra-crop-1080x710-1622309761.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1203543" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/poitra-crop-1080x710-1622309761-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1129433" first="Jalen" last="Poitra"] (2022) |6-2 G| Dunseith</strong> - He is an exceptional offensive rebounder. It doesn’t matter if he is inside the arc or behind it, Jalen crashes hard and does not stop. I witnessed many O-board tip-ins from Jalen last season. His quickness and hops aid him in out-rebounding opposing players. Poitra’s ability to keep attacking the boards on every possession makes him very hard to defend. He is 6’2" with a long wingspan and excellent athleticism. These characteristics make him a great rebounder. He will be one of the best players in Region-4 next year, and potentially the top rebounder. </p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Region-5</strong></span></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/jaceflasher.png"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1156801" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/jaceflasher-169x300.png" alt="" width="169" height="300" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1133050" first="Jace" last="Friesz"] (2022) |6-4 F| Flasher</strong> - He averaged 11.8 RPG this season. The Bulldogs will expect him to lead the Region in rebounding again next season. Friesz is relentless when it comes to boarding. Jace has a knack for positioning and he gathers many rebounds because of this. He has got a quick second jump, which helps him get to offensive boards. Jace takes great pride in owning the glass, and he is a very fundamental rebounder. Rebounding is all about effort and his motor is always running full tilt! </p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Region-6</strong></span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1050256" first="Will" last="Mayo"] (2023) |6-6 F| Des Lacs Burlington/ND Attack</strong> - 11 RPG this season. Very few sophomore average double digits in rebounds. Mayo is a bloodthirsty competitor, and he will do whatever it takes to get his paws on the rock. He is not afraid of contact, his new coach loves that about him. Will is a strong, sturdy, and powerful forward. He elevates well and high-points the ball with precision. Mayo is not just a hard worker, he is a witty player with a good head on his shoulders. Once he secures the rebound, no defender will swipe it away. Will is ball-strong. Mayo will be a force to be reckoned with next season. </p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Region-7</strong></span></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/beach-crop-1125x739-1622312682.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1203560" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/beach-crop-1125x739-1622312682-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1203556" first="Trey" last="Swanson"] (2023) |6-4 F| Beach</strong> - 13+ RPG this season. That is an impressive number for a sophomore. His game-high is 26 rebounds. Trey was excellent at boarding up for the Buccaneers. He does a great job of using his size and strength to get a position in the paint. Swanson is big and strong. Once Swanson is in a favorable position, he is hard to move. Trey will be a force for the Bucs in the next couple of seasons.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Region-8</strong></span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1203570" first="Oscar" last="Felix"] (2024) |6-4 F| White Shield</strong> - A long, rangy, and bouncy player. Oscar had many games this season where he grabbed double-digit rebounds. He moves smoothly and smartly. Oscar will get much more attention this coming season with White graduating. However, he will be bigger, fast, and stronger next year. Look out for Felix, he has the potential to be a top-notch rebounder out west in Region-8. </p>