A Bit Too Early ND Class A Power Rankings – 2nd Draft

<p>Our last rankings came out exactly 2 months ago. After watching, listening, and reading about these teams and players we have updated our ND Class A Power Rankings for the 2021-2022 season. </p> <h3><strong>1. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Bismarck Century</span></strong></h3> <p> The Patriots hold strong at the top spot of the rankings. I was able to see their talent at the NDSU team camp in June. They are full of size, athleticism, shooters, and skill.  Individually the Century players had great showings in AAU ball. [player_tooltip player_id="1048689" first="Anthony" last="Doppler"] was the best player at the NDSU team camp the day that I watched. Doppler had an outstanding AAU season with Phenom as well. He was the most consistent player and shooter. Anthony produced all summer long on the AAU scene. Fellow junior Andrew Erickson was also a standout this summer. The big man can dominate inside and own the glass. What is more impressive is his passing. The big man can see the floor and drop dimes like a PG. Another bright spot for the Patriots will be sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="1111175" first="Isaiah" last="Schafer"]. He played up a year with ECI and gained valuable experience by going against top competition. Schafer was brilliant in Atlanta and he showed signs of stardom. Junior [player_tooltip player_id="812232" first="Connor" last="Trahan"], [player_tooltip player_id="1050255" first="William" last="Ware"], and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="1139254" first="Tyler" last="Birst"] will be other huge pieces of the puzzle for Century. Ware will be the x-factor as he is an elite athlete and an ultra-talented versatile player. The Patriots will be young, but these players have plenty of varsity experience and big AAU games under their belts. </p> <h3><strong>2. </strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Fargo Davies</strong></span></h3> <p>The Eagles are up one spot from the last ranking. They were as good as advertised on the two occasions that I watched them live. Davies is deep with talent but very guard-heavy. However, they do have some nice size with 6’7" junior [player_tooltip player_id="1167651" first="Max" last="Froslie"] who is a versatile big man. In the backcourt, the Eagles will be led by seniors [player_tooltip player_id="812229" first="Ian" last="Motschenbacher"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1161486" first="Alex" last="Proctor"]. They have many more athletic guards with junior [player_tooltip player_id="1050247" first="Raymond" last="Brown"], sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="1161524" first="Daniel" last="Yorke"], and freshman [player_tooltip player_id="1169136" first="Mason" last="Klabo"]. The young Klabo is an exciting player as he had a great summer of hoops and he already has a year of varsity experience. If you like fast-paced games with high energy then you will want to watch the eagles. </p> <h3><strong>3.</strong> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Bismarck</strong></span></h3> <p>The Demons will be led by UND commit [player_tooltip player_id="1046352" first="Treysen" last="Eaglestaff"]. Bismarck will only go as far as Trey takes them. I knew Eaglestaff was good, but wow! He is GREAT. I was able to watch him play live once this summer and also watched many clips of AAU games. Bismarck has to have the best team defense in Class A. They press, pressure, trap, hassle, and frustrate the opposing team non-stop. I love the way the Demons communicate on defense and rotate like a tornado. Other notable names for the Demons are [player_tooltip player_id="1136404" first="George" last="Gillette"], [player_tooltip player_id="1141138" first="Cole" last="Jahner"], [player_tooltip player_id="1135881" first="Ethan" last="Stotz"], and [player_tooltip player_id="1144489" first="Preston" last="Lemar"]. Because of the intense defense that the Demons play, they have a very deep rotation. I expect other players to step up in the season as well. Look out for the Demons and Mr. Eagestaff! They will be a thrill to watch.</p> <h3><strong>4. </strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Bismarck St. Mary’s</strong></span></h3> <p>The Saints are up one spot from the last poll. St. Mary’s brings back a ton of experience with some great shooters. These guys had a great summer individually in AAU ball. St. Mary’s also improved as a team over the summer. I heard reports of them looking very good at the MSUM team camp. [player_tooltip player_id="1046367" first="Nate" last="Fedorchak"] might have had the best summer of all the Saints. The lefty shot the lights out in everything that he did. Look for Nate to put up big points once the season comes around. A  few of the other big names for the Saints are [player_tooltip player_id="1046359" first="Evan" last="Gross"], [player_tooltip player_id="1135509" first="Garrett" last="Bader"], [player_tooltip player_id="1046361" first="Nick" last="Schumacher"], [player_tooltip player_id="1165553" first="Ben" last="Morman"]. The city of Bismarck is loaded with talent, Saint Mary’s deserves to be mentioned with the best of them!</p> <h3><strong>5. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Fargo North</span></strong></h3> <p>The Spartans are down a few spots from the last poll. They are very young, but they are very talented. North was great at team events throughout the summer. They beat some very talented Minnesota teams and they won the Courts Plus, summer league. The big-name for the Spartans is sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="1144475" first="Jeremiah" last="Sem"] who is a D-1 athlete with all the potential in the world. They also have another stud sophomore with [player_tooltip player_id="1144600" first="Carter" last="Zeller"] who played like a man amongst boys in AAU ball. The Spartans have many more ballers besides the two youngsters. Here are some of the other top Spartans: [player_tooltip player_id="1046363" first="Jalen" last="May"], [player_tooltip player_id="812228" first="Luke" last="Loberg"], [player_tooltip player_id="1228094" first="Blake" last="Schafer"], [player_tooltip player_id="1180420" first="Nathaniel" last="Kallod"], [player_tooltip player_id="1135520" first="Isaac" last="Cody"], and [player_tooltip player_id="1161540" first="Bode" last="Hoeg"]. The question is, how will all of these pieces fit together? Also, how will this young team respond to adversity? My guess is that the Spartans will have a seamless transition from a successful summer into a great winter season. Look out for North, they are a scary group of Spartans. </p> <h3><strong>6. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Grand Forks Red River</span></strong></h3> <p>The Roughriders are sitting in the same spot as the last poll. They were very young last season and the players cut their teeth on varsity. Red River will come into EDC ready to prove that they belong near the top. [player_tooltip player_id="812222" first="Paine" last="Parks"] is a senior guard that is built like a college athlete. He can shoot it, score in the paint, and board like a big man. [player_tooltip player_id="1115649" first="Zach" last="Kraft"] (junior) is a smooth PG and a lethal shooter. [player_tooltip player_id="1138811" first="Reis" last="Rowekamp"] (junior) is a big guard that can crush it from beyond the arc and stretch the floor. [player_tooltip player_id="1138812" first="Carter" last="Byron"] (senior) is the size and big man for Red River. It will be interesting to see if Red River can live up to the hype once the season comes along. The Rough Riders will be on my "watch list" early in the season, they will be an entertaining group to watch. </p> <h3><strong>7. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">West Fargo</span></strong></h3> <p>The Packers are up one spot from the last poll. Largely because of [player_tooltip player_id="1161460" first="Nick" last="Carlson"]. The 6’5 senior had as good of summer as anyone in North Dakota. In my opinion, he will be the best "new face" in Class A this year. He plays with a ton of energy, hustle, and passion. He thrives around the basket and can also score in the mid-range out to the arc. [player_tooltip player_id="812231" first="Brett" last="Limke"] (senior) is the PG for WF and he is as good as they come. Brett is a top-tier shooter and floor general. [player_tooltip player_id="812219" first="Carson" last="Hegerle"] (senior) is a freak athlete and a D-1 football recruit. He will be the difference-maker for the Packers once again. The question is, what does WF have to go with their "big 3"? I know that the Packers are the reigning State Champs and that they will be ready to defend their title. </p> <h3><strong>8. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Minot</span></strong></h3> <p>The Magi are up one spot from the last ranking because of [player_tooltip player_id="1111173" first="Eric" last="Wentz"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1050246" first="Darik" last="Dissette"]. These two illustrious players looked spectacular all spring and summer. I predict Wentz and Dissette will take the next step and be tremendous in the coming season. Minot plays tough defense and they have plenty of talent to go along with Eric and Darik. Look for Minot to be one of those teams that nobody wants to play late in the year. </p> <h3><strong>9. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">West Fargo Sheyenne</span></strong></h3> <p>The Mustangs are up one spot from the last ranking. They lost many big names, but they are reloading. [player_tooltip player_id="812221" first="Dominic" last="Dosmann"] (6’8 senior) will be the anchor and most consistent player. [player_tooltip player_id="1046354" first="Michael" last="Nhial"] (6’7 senior) is the most intriguing player in ND. He has length, college-level athleticism, handles, and a sweet stroke. Nhial has the potential to take the Mustangs to the top. [player_tooltip player_id="1133064" first="Kaleb" last="Larson"] (6’3 senior) will be the most underrated shooter in the EDC. He has range and Larson has no conscious when it comes to shooting. Kaleb will be a key to Sheyenne’s success.  Do not forget about [player_tooltip player_id="1133224" first="Zander" last="Newton"] (6’5 senior) because he is a workhorse. Sheyenne is full of other talented players chomping at the bit for varsity burn. Look for this well-coached team to be one of the best in the EDC again.  </p> <h3><strong>10. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Fargo Shanley</span></strong></h3> <p>The Deacons are ready to be a top-notch team in ND. The Kraft’s will be the players to lead them. [player_tooltip player_id="1128188" first="Conner" last="Kraft"] (6’7 junior) has been getting D-1 interest all sping and summer. He had a nice showing with Howard Pulley in AAU. Look for Conner to be a beast in the east. His size, explosiveness are a sight to be seen. Do not forget about [player_tooltip player_id="1123122" first="Tyler" last="Kraft"] (6’3 senior) because he shot the rock amazingly all summer. He is a big guard that can score in a hurry. Tyler’s pull-up game is great and his 3-point shooting will be near the top. The Deacons will be a dangerous team in the coming year.</p>