ND Class B Region 5: Player Watchlist

Shiloh Christian has to be the favorite in Region 5. They are the reigning champs and they bring back their two BIGS. However, the Skyhawks will have plenty of teams ready to challenge them for the Region Crown. Garrison, Wilton-Wing, Flasher, and New-Salem will all have talented teams that will compete for the coveted State Tournament appearance. Read below for the Player Watchlist. <h3>Region 5 Teams</h3> Center-Stanton Wildcats, Central McLean Cougars, Garrison Troopers, Max Cossacks, Washburn Cardinals, Wilton-Wing Miners, Flasher Bulldogs, New Salem Holsteins, Shiloh Christian Skyhawks, Solen Sioux, Standing Rock Warriors. <img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/PlayerWatchlistNDSD-300x187.jpg" /> <h3>Region 5 Watchlist</h3> (alphabetically ordered) Alex Retterath (2024) |6-1 G| Washburn He will be the biggest scoring threat for the Cardinals. Alex has a knack for scoring and a nice feel for the game. Retterath can light the nets on fire and he can get hot in a hurry. If you like watching smooth shooters, check out Washburn this season. Ashton Yellowbird (2022) |6-0 G| Max Last season stats: 12.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2 apg. On offense, Ashton has great fundamentals and skills. He can also shoot from anywhere on the basketball court. Ashton has great concentration, he can consistently knock down shots when he has a hand in his face. Expect the ball in his hands late in games, Yellowbird is a clutch performer. [player_tooltip player_id="1184662" first="Brady" last="Norenberg"] (2023) |6-9 C| Garrison He is a mountain of a player. Brady has an intimidating presence in the paint. The Troopers are hoping he stays healthy this season. At 6’9", Norenberg has good feet and quality post moves. When Brady is getting clock, he will be a game-changer on both ends of the floor. Braxton Hatzenbuhler (2022) |6-4 PG| Flasher He will be the floor general and the lead guard for the Bulldogs. Braxton is a long, rangy, athlete. He is coming off a strong summer campaign. Hatzenbuhler’s length and quickness will cause trouble for opposing teams. On defense, his pressure will frustrate ball handlers. With his size, Braxton can play effectively inside and out. [player_tooltip player_id="1144980" first="Braxton" last="Iglehart"] (2024) |6-0 G| Garrison He has skilled handles and is a hotshot shooter. Braxton’s floater game is smooth and it frustrates opposing defenses. Kerzman will draw a ton of attention and Iglehart will play off that and flourish. Braxton might be the best passer for Garrison, he is also a bright kid. He is a crafty player that will be one of the best youngsters in Region 5. [player_tooltip player_id="1046366" first="Carter" last="Englund"] (2022) |6-6 PF| Shiloh Christian He is a very athletic player that can score in the paint and from the perimeter. Carter plays with a ton of emotion and energy. Englund plays with an intensity that few players have. He will be a dominant frontcourt player. Carter has nice footwork and a smooth jump shot. His size and athleticism make him a matchup problem. Englund and Wanzek will be Twin Towers for Shiloh. [player_tooltip player_id="1133052" first="Dylan" last="Rud"] (2022) |6-0 PG| New Salem-Almont He is the returning leading scorer from last year’s team (12.5 ppg). Rud has extended shooting range. He will be the best 3-point shooter for the Holsteins. Dylan also has a nice pull-up J. He gained a lot of strength this off-season from work in the weight room. Rud will come into hoops filled with confidence after being named a First-Team All-State football player. He will be aggressive at attacking the rim and physical on defense. Dylan will be a versatile and efficient player. He will be a top player in the Region. [player_tooltip player_id="1125690" first="Connor" last="Kerzmann"] (2023) |6-0 G| Garrison He will be one of the best guards in Region 5. Connor is extremely quick and he can get hot quickly, much like a microwave. Kerzmann is a ballhawk of the ball and he can get up the court quickly. Teams will be game-planning to stop him, so Connor will have to pick his spots and set up teammates. He will still put up plenty of points. Connor is well-rounded and he does not really have a weakness. The Troopers will be hoping that Kerzman can lead them to a deep playoff run. Erick Talbott (2023) |6-0 G| Max Last season stats: 9.2 ppg, 2 rpg, 2 apg. He has grown in height and he has added on some muscle since last season. Erick will be the best shooter for Max. He has grown as a defender and rebounder since last year. Talbott will be the Cossack point guard, leader, and captain of their offense. [player_tooltip player_id="1133050" first="Jace" last="Friesz"] (2022) |6-3 F| Flasher He was an All-State selection last season. Jace had a nice junior season, look for him to have a great senior year. Friesz will no doubt be one of the best rebounders in Class B. He is a strong player that finishes well around the basket. Friesz gives great effort and energy, many opposing players will struggle to match his intensity. Look for Jace and the Bulldogs to have a fun and successful season. Jarrett Troyna (2022) |6-3 F| Central McLean He is a very good athlete. Jarrett had a successful track season, so he knows how to compete and win. Troyna is a good leaper and he knows the game well. He could surprise some people this winter as an underrated player. [player_tooltip player_id="1144986" first="Javin" last="Friesz"] (2024) |6-1 SG| Flasher This young gun can really shoot the basketball. Javin will keep teams honest and he should take some double teams away from his older brother. Expect the young Friesz to be hitting 3-pointers early and often this season. His handles are developing and improving. As his attacking off the bounce improves, Javin will be a scary player. He is a very athletic and quick player. He will be one of the top sophomores in Class B. [player_tooltip player_id="1138746" first="Jay" last="Wanzek"] (2023) |6-6 PF| Shiloh Christian He and Englund are going to be a dynamic duo. Wanzek is a very big, wide, and strong forward. Jay is a skilled shooter and he lets it fly with confidence. Wanzek is also a consistent finisher around the rim. His size and strength make him a rim protector and a physical rebounder. Many opposing teams will have to pick their poison with the Skyhawk frontcourt. Jayden Hall (2022) |6-0 G| Center-Stanton Last season stats: 13 ppg and 3 apg. Jayden was an All-District player last season. Hall is a very good athlete and a hard worker. He will be an important team leader for Center-Stanton. Look out for Hall, he is going to be a very good Wildcat. Landyn Miller (2023) |6-3 F| Wilton-Wing He will be the best frontcourt player for the Miners. He is good on the block and in the paint. Landyn has great feet and balance, 2 very important attributes for any post player. Miller also has a sweet pump fake that he uses to keep defenders off-balance and it helps him draw fouls. Mabahi Baker (2022) |6-0 PG| Shiloh Christian He will run the who for the Skyhawks. Baker is a true point guard that will look to get everyone involved in the offense. Mabahi has nice handles and he can finish at the rim. Baker plays fast but he stays in control. Can the Skyhawks return to State? If they do, Baker will be a big reason why. Matthew Wahl (2022) |6-3 F| Central McLean He was an All-Region Player as a sophomore before the co-op. Matthew is a big, strong, and physical lefty post player. He can be effective in the screen-and-roll game. Wahl has the skill and physical ability to have a big senior season. Rylen Soupir (2022) |5-10 G| New Salem-Almont He is a skilled perimeter jump shooter. Ryan will get a ton of good looks the season. The Holsteins will see a high amount of zone and Rylen will get shots aplenty. Soupir has been working hard to become a better ball-handler and defender. He will get some time at PG this year as NSA runs through their different looks. [player_tooltip player_id="1240554" first="TJ" last="Syvertson"] (2023) |6-1 F| Garrison His motor never stops and he is always in top gear. He will be undersized as a post but he has worked hard this offseason to become a shooting threat. TJ will never be outworked, he is a grinder. Syvertson might be a post but he is a versatile defender that can match up with any position. [player_tooltip player_id="1138820" first="Trey" last="Koski"] (2023) |5-10 G| Wilton-Wing He is a very good athlete that covers a ton of ground. Trey is extremely quick and a great competitor. He is a talented rebounder for his size. Koski can take over a game with his athleticism. Trey will be one of the best slashers in the region and a top athlete. [player_tooltip player_id="1125691" first="Weston" last="Kuhn"] (2022) |6-5 C| New Salem-Almont He was All-Region as a sophomore (11 ppg and 10 rpg). He broke his foot last year, 8 games into the season. Weston is extremely physical and a great rebounder. He defends the paint well and he finishes through contact. Kuhn will be a double-double guy every night. Weston is extremely competitive. He was also selected as an All-State Football Player. Expect big things from Mr. Kuhn this season. [player_tooltip player_id="1185243" first="Wyatt" last="Kuhn"] (2025) |6-4 F| New Salem-Almont He started over half of the season last year. As an 8th grader, he averaged 8 ppg and 7 rpg. Kuhn is very smart for his young age. He has a high hoops IQ and he is a relentless competitor. Wyatt is very aggressive at attacking the rim. In the past year, Kuhn has been working hard on his outside game. Look for this young athlete to be a Swiss-Army knife this season for NSA.