More Breakout Players: ND & SD

Games are underway for North Dakota Class A and some South Dakota teams will get their first games in tomorrow. Class B ND games will be getting underway on December 10th. In this article, we are going to look at players from both North Dakota and South Dakota that will likely have a breakout season. <h3>BREAKOUT PLAYERS</h3> (alphabetically ordered) <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1343475" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/carsonB-crop-1200x788-1638997096-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="1050248" first="Carson" last="Bartholomay"] (2023) |6-6 F| Enderlin The Eagles are ranked #1 in Class-B ball. Carson is surrounded by 6'10", 6'8", and a very good point guard. Expect him to get good looks and single coverage all season. Bartholomay will have a mismatch in almost every game. He is skilled and he can score inside and out. Carson has improved his strength, stamina, and overall athleticism since last season. He has also become a more consistent shooter. Bartholomay will have a critical role for the Eagles and you should expect him to thrive all season long. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/76-Damon-Wilkinson-crop-2500x1642-1635043644.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1314178" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/76-Damon-Wilkinson-crop-2500x1642-1635043644-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="963766" first="Damon" last="Wilkinson"] (2023) |6-9 C| De Smet He is the big man for the #1 Ranked De Smet Bulldogs in Class B SD. Damon will be surrounded by unbelievable talent and he will thrive. His stud guards will grab most of the attention and Wilkinson will have to move without the ball, seal, screen, dunk, board up, and rebound. Damon will be doing all of this with only one player on him, because of the star power around him. This strong, big, and athletic post will have a blow-up season. The Bulldogs have better be on your watchlist! <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1343479" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/foster-2-crop-909x597-1638997764-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="1050250" first="Erik" last="Foster"] (2023) |6-5 F| Rugby He played solid minutes on the State qualify Rugby team last season. I expect Foster to take the next step this season and to be a double-double player and an All-Region selection. Erik is smart, crafty, long, and a skilled shooter from mid-range. He embraces contact around the rim on both O & D. Get ready for Foster to be impressive this season. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1343494" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/80-Ian-Johnson-crop-2500x1642-1638998861-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="1162373" first="Ian" last="Johnson"] (2023) |6-4 G/F| Minot Ryan He might be the new-kid-on-the-block this year in Region-6. Ian's energy and enthusiasm are never-ending and it is contagious. I love his NRG and versatility. Johnson will hit a 3-pointer in one possession and bang on the block on the next. He also attacks rebounds and is not afraid of contact on defense. Look for Johnson to be a new big name in Region-6. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/74-Jacob-Vande-Weerd-crop-2500x1642-1632855382.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1295209" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/74-Jacob-Vande-Weerd-crop-2500x1642-1632855382-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1227942" first="Jacob" last="Vandeweerd"] (2023) |6-8 C| Canton He is a horse in the paint. Jacob can take over the game on offense and intimidate on defense. His size and physicality are impressive. Canton should have a very good team this year and Jacob will be a monster piece of any success that they have. This BIG can not only take care of business on the block, but he can also step out and hit the triple! Get ready to watch Jacob have a great year. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1343483" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/pierson-crop-3024x1986-1638998088-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="1185116" first="Jacolby" last="Pearson"] (2022) |6-4 SG| Fours Winds-Minnewaukan 4 Winds is no doubt an elite program in Class-B ND. This year one of their top players will be Pearson. I think he is coming into the season a bit under the radar but is about to explode. This lefty is long, athletic, and he has an extremely good feel for the game. I like his attacking ability and I love his clever/smooth finishing. His jumper is also deadly. Pearson will disrupt and create turnovers on defense. Get ready for a fantastic senior season for Pearson. [player_tooltip player_id="1144605" first="Jake" last="Shobe"] (2024) |6-0 G| Dickinson Trinity He played in the State Tournament last year, so he knows how to rise to the occasion. Skills-wise, he is on a different level compared to most guards his age. After plenty of talent left Trinity due to graduation, I see Jake as a budding star. This lefty is a cold-blooded scorer. He is a pure shooter and he also can score off the bounce by cutting, and spacing. I really like the way Shobe attacks and moves without the ball. Shobe is a scary up-and-comer. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/matteng-crop-3226x2118-1628132807.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1259299" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/matteng-crop-3226x2118-1628132807-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="963746" first="Matt" last="Eng"] (2023) |6-2 G| O’Gorman He is a gifted and skilled offensive player. Matt's shooting stroke is smooth, fluid, quick, and he does it all with confidence. Besides being a high-end shooter, Eng is skilled and smart. He knows how to space the floor correctly and when to attack off the dribble. Eng also has the chance to be a tough defender. Matt is all set up for a big junior season. [player_tooltip player_id="1336009" first="Matt" last="Gooselaw"] (2022) |6-5 F| West Fargo Sheyenne The Mustangs are off to a great 2-0 start. Matt has helped Sheynne takedown Mandan and Wahpeton so far. Gooselaw has been steadily improving as and player. Last night, Matt played 12 minutes and he scored 10 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. Expect him to keep producing and for the Mustangs to keep winning. [player_tooltip player_id="812203" first="Nathan" last="Koole"] (2022) |6-9 C| Sioux Falls Christian His length will be a difference-maker. Koole is not just effective around the cup, he shoots it well from the arc. Nathan will also keep small guards from the cup and he will take away passing lanes with size. Koole's length and skill make him scary. [player_tooltip player_id="1270336" first="Rhett" last="Kloth"] (2024) |6-9 PF| Garrettson He is young but you can expect him to dominate in the paint. Kloth shined at times last year, but expect him to dominate at moments this season. Rhett is a shot eraser and challenger. I would expect him to be one of the better rebounders in the 2024 class across South Dakota. Rhett is much more than a big body, he is a gifted passer, a smart player, and a hard worker. Look for this Blue Dragon to breakout in 2021-2022. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1343488" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/tate-crop-3226x2118-1638998381-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="1265477" first="Tate" last="VanOtterloo"] (2023) |6-5 SF| Beresford He had a great football season and Tate showed off that he is a multidimensional athlete. He is about as versatile as players come. Tate can venture all over the court and produce. He is a supreme athlete, heady, and skilled all at the same time. I imagine him as a mismatch problem for most teams. I can't wait to watch him and the Watchdog's later this month.