ND Class B Region 1: Player Watchlist

The always difficult Region 1 is full of talented teams and players once again. It looks like Enderlin and Kindred will be the teams to beat this year. There are some amazing seniors and many gifted young players throughout the Region. Let us take a look at who made the player watchlist... <h3>Region 1 Teams</h3> Central Cass Squirrels, Enderlin Eagles, Hankinson Pirates, Kindred Vikings, Lisbon Broncos, Maple River Raiders, Northern Cass Jaguars, Oak Grove Grovers, Richland Colts, Sargent County Bulldogs, Tri-State Tigers, Wyndmere/Lidgerwood Warbirds. <h3>Top Player in Region 1</h3> <h4><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/joehurlburt-crop-1232x809-1618967538.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1173633" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/joehurlburt-crop-1232x809-1618967538-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a></h4> <h4>[player_tooltip player_id="787658" first="Joe" last="Hurlburt"] - Enderlin</h4> <h3>REGION 1 PLAYER WATCHLIST</h3> (alphabetically ordered) [player_tooltip player_id="1184526" first="Adam" last="Baldwin"] (2023) |6-1 G| Wyndmere/Lidgerwood He shoots it well from the perimeter and he has good ball-handling skills. Adam sees the court well and he will be a primary ball-handler for the Warbirds. Baldwin is an improving defender and he will be a key player for Wyndmere/Lidgerwood. [player_tooltip player_id="1129974" first="Alijah" last="Dixson"] (2022) |5-11 G| Enderlin He is the floor general and the primary ball-handler for Enderlin. Dixson is the best perimeter defender that the Eagles have. He is the engine that makes the Eagles go. Alijah is quick and smart with a very nice pull-up jumper. He creates for others but he can also do his fair share of scoring. Dixson will be one of the best PG’s in Class B this season. [player_tooltip player_id="1138706" first="Bryer" last="Kaczynski"] (2023) |6-10 C| Wyndmere/Lidgerwood He will dominate the boards and be an elite rim protector for the Warbirds. In the past year, Bryer has improved his aggressiveness and physicality. When Kaczynski catches in the post he will have a score-first mentality instead of deferring to others. He improved over the summer while playing AAU ball against stiff competition. Bryer will be one of the best BIGS in Region 1. [player_tooltip player_id="1138819" first="Caleb" last="Kocka"] (2023) |6-1 G| Maple River He is a great shooter with good balance and a quick release. Kocka has a keen understanding of the game. Caleb is an unselfish player and he gets good looks for his teammates. He was the second-leading scorer for the Raiders last year. Expect a high-quality year from Kocka. [player_tooltip player_id="1318349" first="Caleb" last="Olson"] (2022) |6-3 F| Lisbon He has committed to playing football at UND next year. Olson averaged 19 ppg last season for the Broncos and he was an All-Region selection. He is a competitor and a hard worker. Caleb is a leader that younger kids look up to. Olson does the majority of his damage from the free-throw line area and in. His athleticism allows him to guard posts or wings. He does have the ability to hit outside shots. The Broncos will lean heavily on Olson this season. [player_tooltip player_id="1050248" first="Carson" last="Bartholomay"] (2023) |6-6 SF| Enderlin He has all the tools and he will be an x-factor for the Eagles. The Hurlburt’s get most of the attention, so Bartholomay will have a chance to really do some damage. His body is bigger and stronger compared to last year because of the time he spent in the weight room. Carson is a gamer and he will have a big season for the Eagles. [player_tooltip player_id="1189430" first="Carter" last="Baasch"] (2025) |5-4 PG| Maple River He is a quick kid that can really handle the ball and he changes speeds effectively. For his young age, Carter is a great floor general and he has a high IQ. Baasch penetrates well and he is also a legit threat from the perimeter. He is improving as a defender. Carter is one of the top freshmen in the Region. [player_tooltip player_id="1144577" first="Carter" last="Vrchota"] (2024) |6-0 G| Central Cass He will be one of the key players for CC. Carter is a shooter and a playmaker. Last season he came off the bench and he always seemed to make a big 3-pointer. Vrchota will play a bigger role this season. I expect this skilled youngster to be a top sophomore in the Region. I like his confidence and big-shot-making ability. Clay Hovelson (2023) |6-1 G/F| Maple River He is a great defender and an extra physical player. Clay is athletic enough that he can guard post or guard players. His flexibility is a great asset to the Raiders. Hovelson is a hard worker and a fierce competitor. [player_tooltip player_id="1133068" first="Cody" last="Card"] (2022) |6-1 SG| Oak Grove He is as physical as they come. Cody is very aggressive on O & D. This lefty is good off the bounce and he can also shoot it from outside. Card can hurt you in transition or in the halfcourt. He is a versatile defender that can lock up with bigger players. Look for him to be a leader for the Grovers. [player_tooltip player_id="1144578" first="Cole" last="Holzer"] (2024) |6-5 PF| Central Cass This big lefty can stroke it from deep and post up with crafty footwork. Holzer is very skilled for his height and youth. He will be a mismatch problem for most teams. Cole is excellent at picking-and-popping and spacing the floor. He is a prototypical "stretch-4". Cole will need to dominate on the boards and be a tough defender around the basket. The future is bright for this Squirrel. [player_tooltip player_id="1138685" first="Cruz" last="Hernandez"] (2023) |5-11 G| Hankinson He averaged 15 ppg last season. He set a school record last year with 12 steals in one game! Cruz had a nice summer with ECI and he stood out as a defender. Since last season Cruz has put in a ton of time into his game. He stayed busy with ECI and Pirate team camps. His court awareness is great and he is a tremendous defender. Hernandes is always working on his jump shot. He has solid handles and he finishes well against the BIGS in the paint. Hernandez hates to lose and makes others around him better. Cruz is a quick athlete that will be one of the best guards in Region 1. Evan Richman (2022) |6-2 F| Maple River He is an explosive forward that has a good vertical. Richman is an athletic rebounder. He led the Raiders in scoring last season. Evan is a physical player for his size and he loves to play around the basket. [player_tooltip player_id="812220" first="Gus" last="Hurlburt"] (2022) |6-9 PF| Enderlin Get ready for a huge year from Gus. His shot is greatly improved and he will score from all 3 levels. He can bang down low, attack off the bounce, and hit the triple with consistency. He is a good cutter and his brother always finds him for an open look. Gus is a natural rebounder and a rim protector. Jacob Lick (2022) |6-0 G| Tri-State He will be a huge part of what the Tigers do. Jacob was the second-leading scorer for Tri-State last year. He spreads the floor on offense and he runs well in transition. Lick is a good shooter from the outside. The Tigers will rely on his versatility and strength on defense. [player_tooltip player_id="1123710" first="Jaiden" last="Peraza"] (2022) |6-5 F| Kindred He is powerful, strong, and tough in the paint. Peraza is a really good defender and rebounder. His overall offensive skills have improved in the last year. Jaiden can consistently knock down 15-foot jumpers. This Viking is a beast. [player_tooltip player_id="1123709" first="Jake" last="Deutsch"] (2022) |6-1 G| Central Cass He is very athletic and Jake will be an x-factor for CC. Deutsch has the potential to be a great defender. Jake can shoot it from beyond the arc and he can get into the lane to create or score. Jakobe Anderson (2022) |5-11 G| Tri-State He will be a leader for the Tigers this year. Anderson will be the floor general on offense. He is a very good defender that can make any player he guards uncomfortable. Jakobe is a tough, hard-nosed kid that will do what it takes to win. Anderson will be an all-around player for the Tigers. [player_tooltip player_id="787658" first="Joe" last="Hurlburt"] (2022) |6-11 PF| Enderlin He has committed to playing college hoops at Colorado in the PAC-12. Joe will be a Mr. Basketball finalist at the end of the season. It is highly likely that he will break the North Dakota record for career rebounds. He is a generational player with size, athleticism, and skill. The Eagles are in for a heck of a fun season. Kaden Kelley (2022) |5-9 G| Hankinson He burst onto the scene in Region-1 last season. Kaden averaged 15 ppg a year ago. His shot is smooth and he is a consistent shooter. Kelley will come into the year as an improved defender. He will take a leadership role this season alongside Hernandez. It just so happens that they are cousins. Kaden and Cruz have really hit the weights hard this offseason and they will come in as improved athletes. [player_tooltip player_id="1145107" first="Landon" last="Moser"] (2024) |6-0 G| Northern Cass This young Jaguar has a bright future at Northern Cass. Moser knows what it takes to be successful at the varsity level. In the past year, Landon has gained strength and confidence. He is a sly defender that will surprise some people. Keep track of this young Jag. [player_tooltip player_id="1159611" first="Leighton" last="Strommen"] (2022) |6-3 G| Northern Cass He is a long and smooth guard with a nice jump shot. Strommen is a big backcourt player and he can score at the rim with both hands. His jumper has improved in the past year. Teams will not want to leave him alone beyond the arc, Leighton can hit the 3-ball. I would expect Leighton to be an All-Region selection this season. [player_tooltip player_id="1145108" first="Luke" last="Martinson"] (2024) |6-4 F| Sargent County He stood out as a freshman last season because of his physical ability and how he never backed down from contact. Luke is a shot disruptor and an athletic defender. On offense, he can score both inside and out. On the block, he has quality post moves and he will get to the line often. Martinson will be a standout for the Bulldogs. [player_tooltip player_id="1123711" first="Max" last="McQuillan"] (2022) |6-5 SG| Kindred He is one of the most skilled guys on the Kindred roster. Max is the undisputed leader for the Vikings and the coach on the floor. Max has gotten stronger and more athletic. Max will be relied on to provide more scoring this season. His size as a guard makes him a tough matchup for virtually every team. [player_tooltip player_id="812227" first="Paul" last="Olson"] (2022) |6-3 SF| Kindred He had a great showing with ECI this summer and he often put on a show with dunks and alley-oops. Paul is an athletic wing player with outstanding jumping ability. He has really worked hard on his game in the off-season and should be one of the better players in Region 1. [player_tooltip player_id="1111886" first="Sam" last="Kobbervig"] (2023) |6-1 SG| Central Cass He is a shooter and a gamer. Sam will be an impact player for the Squirrels. He is skilled and his jump shot is flawless. Kobbervig will be asked to be a consistent scorer and a tough defender. Sam is a zone buster and he will draw a ton of attention. He can also slash and finish with a sweet floater or get to the rim. [player_tooltip player_id="1200806" first="Teddy" last="Flaa"] (2023) |6-0 G| Richland He will be the best and most athletic player on the Colt roster. Flaa is a spark plug that never stops moving. He is active on the glass and he refuses to get boxed out. When he gets in the open court Teddy is tough to handle. His shooting stroke looks good and his pull-up game will lead to many points. Look for Flaa to have a standout junior season. [player_tooltip player_id="1133069" first="Trevon" last="Rodriguez"] (2022) |5-11 PG| Oak Grove He will be one of the top point guards in the Region. Trevon has a nice stroke from the arc and his pull-up game is spot on. Rodriguez is an energetic defender that is always causing problems. Trevon can score but he always runs the show for OG. Look for Rodriguez to have the Grovers playing at their best when tournament time gets here.