Breakout Players: ND & SD

The season is officially underway. Class A in North Dakota started practice last Monday and games will get started this Friday and Saturday. North Dakota Class B and South Dakota started to practice this Monday. This is the perfect time to look at who some of the Breakout Players will be this year in both SD & ND. <h4>BREAKOUT PLAYERS FOR THE 2021-2022 SEASON</h4> (alphabetically ordered) <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/77-Alec-Squires-crop-2500x1642-1632941995.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1296788" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/77-Alec-Squires-crop-2500x1642-1632941995-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1266223" first="Alec" last="Squires"] (2024) |6-10 C| Sioux Valley He is primed for a monster season and the Cossacks will be one of the best in SD. Everyone around the Sioux Valley program is excited for this young big man. I knew Alec was big and long but I was surprised at how athletic he was when I saw him at the Expo. Look for Squires to be a great rim protector and rebounder. He will get many easy buckets after drive-and-dish plays from teammates. I like how he moves without the ball and his strong finishes. I expect Alec’s stock to continue to rise as more people see him stand out this year. [player_tooltip player_id="1228094" first="Blake" last="Schafer"] (2022) |6-1 G| Wahpeton He was the best quarterback in 11A this year. Look for Blake to come into the year full of confidence and to have the green light on the offensive end. He is a team player and a smart kid. Blake is a hard worker that will give his all in every game. I think he will come out as a surprise player in the EDC this season. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/brittonC-crop-1125x739-1628963555.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1264944" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/brittonC-crop-1125x739-1628963555-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1133066" first="Britton" last="Cranston"] (2022) |5-10 SG| Dickinson He has really come into his own and Cranston will be a surprise player in the WDA. Britton is a shooter and a slasher. He is a team player and a facilitator. Look for Cranston to be one of the best guard rebounders in Class A and for him to be an elite on-ball defender. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/cooperlong-crop-1125x739-1626644033.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1239519" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/cooperlong-crop-1125x739-1626644033-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="963810" first="Cooper" last="Long"] (2023) |6-2 G| Garretson He was one of the best wideouts in SD this year and Cooper was an All-State Player. Long scored plenty of points last season, but I think he is really going to blow up in his junior year. Cooper is a student of the game and a multi-skilled player. His 3-point shooting is top-notch and Long also has a deadly pull-up game. Get out and watch this smooth-shooting player. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/19-Connor-Kerzmann-crop-2500x1642-1633742499.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1304776" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/19-Connor-Kerzmann-crop-2500x1642-1633742499-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1125690" first="Connor" last="Kerzmann"] (2023) |6-1 SG| Garrison He should really stand out this year for the Troopers. Kerzmann is going to score big points all season long. He is skilled and a gifted scorer. Connor is a hard worker and he has made strides since summer as an athlete. His quickness and vertical have increased. Connor will go up and dunk on the regular. Get him on your watchlist if you want to see an impressive offensive player. [player_tooltip player_id="1161534" first="Drew" last="Hofstad"] (2024) |6-0 SG| Devils Lake He was an All-State Football Player this fall. Drew will be one of the best young guards in the EDC. Drew shot the ball with greatness this summer with ECI. Drew will make an immediate impact on the Firebirds this season. He is not just a shooter, Hofstad is a stud athlete and a playmaker. He will also hold his own on defense. <a style="background-color: #edeef0; font-size: 1rem;" href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/2-Easton-Neuendorf-crop-2500x1642-1633027778.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1297874" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/2-Easton-Neuendorf-crop-2500x1642-1633027778-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1297808" first="Easton" last="Neuendorf"] (2025) |5-8 PG| Hamlin He is a young player but he is wise beyond his years. Easton will have the ball in his hands a ton this year as the PG for Hamlin. He will shine in transition and at running the break. Neuendorf can also shoot it from beyond the arc and score from slashing. He also has the potential to be a tough perimeter defender. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/8-Elliot-Whitney-crop-2500x1642-1632856090.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1295215" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/8-Elliot-Whitney-crop-2500x1642-1632856090-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="963749" first="Elliot" last="Whitney"] (2023) |5-11 SG| Sioux Falls Lincoln Expect him to make a difference from beyond the arc. Whitney can really shoot it from deep. He is very good at catch-n-shoot situations and spacing the floor. Whitney can also make plays off the bounce and he is unselfish. I liked the looks of his step-back move this fall. With all the size that Lincoln has most teams should be worrying about the post play, especially [player_tooltip player_id="1265221" first="JT" last="Rock"]. Whitney will be able to spread the court and spot up for dagger 3-pointers all season long. [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| Bismarck Century His squad, the Patriots are ranked #1 in the Class A Preseason Poll. Schafer had an impressive summer playing up a year with ECI. He showed that he can score at a high clip. Isaiah is a skilled player and a heady guard. Schafer can get going as an unconscious shooter. He is great in transition and he is a quick athlete. Schafer is going to be a standout guard in North Dakota. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1339368" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/jacejoochim-crop-1125x739-1638473786-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="1146180" first="Jace" last="Jochim"] (2024) |6-0 SG| Linton-HMB I think he is going to burst onto the high school scene this winter. Linton lost the majority of its scoring to graduation. Jochim should step right into the leading scoring role for the Lions. Jace shot very well this summer with ECI and he has shown that he can light up the scoreboard. He is not just a shooter, he can create for others and make teammates better. If you like smart 3-point shooter then you better watch Jochim this winter. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/70-Jaxson-Wingert-crop-2500x1642-1632936598.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1296702" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/70-Jaxson-Wingert-crop-2500x1642-1632936598-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1270366" first="Jaxson" last="Wingert"] (2024) |6-7 PV| Dakota Valley He was also impressive at the Expo this fall. Wingert plays for the DV Panthers and they are going to be a top squad in SD. Wingert will get to play in many high-octane games this season. Jaxson is very physical with good footwork. He crashes the boards hard and he does not shy away from contact. Jaxson also sprints the floor very well. His patience is also impressive for a youngster. Wingert is going to surprise teams with his physicality and skill this season! <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/4-Markus-Talley-crop-2500x1642-1633025838.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1297850" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/4-Markus-Talley-crop-2500x1642-1633025838-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1297809" first="Markus" last="Talley"] (2025) |5-11 SG| Mitchell He will be one of the best shooters on the Kernel roster. Talley has a very high hoops IQ that is always in the right spot on the court. At the Expo this fall, Markus showed off his quickness and skill. I like the looks of this lefty shooter. Markus has a nice pull-up game and a smooth step-back. Look out for this young, skilled, quick, fluid shooter. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/57-Matthew-Anderson-crop-2500x1642-1632936672.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1296703" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/57-Matthew-Anderson-crop-2500x1642-1632936672-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1238618" first="Matthew" last="Anderson"] (2024) |6-6 G/F| Canton He showed off how his superior athleticism this fall in football as a WR. Anderson is a long, lanky, and tough defensive player. Matthew can dunk with authority or finish with a soft touch. With his size, you would think he only works in the paint. Anderson can also step outside and hit 3-pointers. I think Matt is really going to surprise people this season. Anderson is a "must-watch" player. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/nickCARLSON-crop-1124x739-1626745833.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1240525" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/nickCARLSON-crop-1124x739-1626745833-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1161460" first="Nick" last="Carlson"] (2022) |6-5 PF| West Fargo WF had a great season last year and they won it all. Nick did not see much time on varsity last season, but this year he will be the best big man for the Packers. I think Carlson will be one of the best shot blockers and rim protectors in Class A. He has great hustle, patience, and timing. Nick is also super active on the glass. He can finish in many ways and Carlson has a nice jumper. Nick is going to shine this season. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/43TristanNielsen.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1077286" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/43TristanNielsen-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="968158" first="Tristan" last="Nielsen"] (2022) |6-1 G| Castlewood He had a very good summer in AAU hoops. People already know Nielsen is good, but I think he is going to have a monster senior season. He can score in many ways. I like the looks of his jump shot and his feel for the game. Tristan is smart and he is a clutch performer. Look for this tough and gritty player to make plenty of noise with the Warriors this year. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/37-Zunekia-McGill-crop-2500x1642-1635989547.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1321794" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/37-Zunekia-McGill-crop-2500x1642-1635989547-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1135490" first="Zunekia" last="McGill"] (2022) |6-0 PG| Fargo South South lost some big scoring options and Zunekia should step up as the lead scoring option. McGill is a very fine athlete that plays with a ton of energy. He will stand out every night as a defender. McGill has a nice pull-up game and a soft floater. Look for him to always be in "attack-mode" and to be getting two feet in the lane constantly. McGill is going to show out this winter.