#3 Enderlin vs. #5 Central Cass: Standouts

Casselton, ND - We had a huge Region 1 matchup tonight with two Top 10 teams in North Dakota. This game had big seeding implications for the Region Tournament at the end of the season. Enderlin came into the game with an 8-3 record and Central Cass came in with a perfect 9-0 record. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1372759" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/sammyk-crop-3722x2444-1643086337-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1372761" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/cccc-crop-3635x2387-1643086411-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> You could tell this game meant a lot to both teams. Both squads played very hard and they fought tooth and nail until the buzzer sounded. There was a good crowd on hand, which made for a loud and fun atmosphere. Both teams took turns making mini-runs, trading baskets, giving up the lead, and then taking it back. Eventually, it felt like Enderlin’s size was just too much tonight for the Squirrels. The Eagles shot a ton of FT’s in the 4th quarter and they put the game on ice from the charity stripe. I think all of the fans in attendance tonight would like to see this matchup happen again in the Regional Tournament at NDSCS later this season. Expect the Eagles and the Squirrels to pick up many more wins as the season goes on. Scores 1Q - Enderlin 17 Central Cass 12 2Q - Enderlin 29 Central Cass 28 3Q - Enderlin 51 Central Cass 46 4Q (final) - Enderlin 62 Central Cass 53 <h4>Top Eagles</h4> [player_tooltip player_id="787658" first="Joe" last="Hurlburt"] (2022) |6-11 PF| 26 points, 11-14 ft’s, 1 triple. I was impressed with Joe’s court vision and passing. He dropped multiple dimes. Hurlburt would also attack off the dribble, draw a double team and kick to a shooter. He dominated on the glass, O & D. Joe had multiple impressive O-board tip-in baskets. His mid-range jumper is soft and accurate. Joe makes the game look easy. When finishing, I like how he absorbs the contact and still finishes. Hurlburt lived at the line tonight, especially in the 4th. He performed well in a hostile environment and never seemed to get rattled or sped up. Joe is a cool customer. [player_tooltip player_id="812220" first="Gus" last="Hurlburt"] (2022) |6-9 PF| 12 points, 5-10 fts. He had a powerful block to start the game. Gus had a nice baseline drive and basket early on in the game as well. Hurlburt had many tough and physical finishes around the basket. Many times, Gus had two people on him when his shot was going up. He also had an impressive 2-handed WHAM. On defense, Gus added a few blocked shots which helped slow down the CC offense. [player_tooltip player_id="1129974" first="Alijah" last="Dixson"] (2022) |5-11 PG| 16 points, 4 triples. He is a smooth and speedy PG. Dixson has nice handles and sharp passing skills. I like the accuracy of his 1-handed passes off the dribble. In the first half, Dixson tipped a pass which lead to a steal and a 1on1 breakaway. He completed the play with a tough finish against a 6’6 player in his face. Alijah had another nice fullcourt play where he caught a 3/4 court bomb over his shoulder like it was a fade ball in football, this should great concentration. Dixson really made an impact on the game with his 3-point shooting. His shot was on-point tonight. Alijah hit his treys from the right-wing, two from the left-wing, and 1 from the left corner. If Dixson can hit like that on most nights it is going to be tough to upset the mighty Eagles. [player_tooltip player_id="1050248" first="Carson" last="Bartholomay"] (2023) |6-6 SF| 5 points, 1 triple. He is long like a forward but mainly plays on the perimeter because of the abundance of size that the Eagles have. Carson does not try to do too much, he lets the game come to him. His versatility on defense is big for Enderlin. I liked his efficiency and cut on a BLOB that led to a bucket. Bartholomay hit a timely 3-pointer in the second half. On defense, he blocked a 3-point shot when the Squirrels were attempting a comeback. He is a very nice complimentary player to the Hurlburt’s and Dixson. <h4>Top Squirrels</h4> [player_tooltip player_id="1111886" first="Sam" last="Kobbervig"] (2023) |6-2 SG| 15 points, 3 triples. To get the scoring started, Sam had a perfect 15-foot baseline jumper. He shot the ball well tonight from beyond the arc. His shooting form is spot-on from deep. However, Kobbervig’s pull-up J is even better. I really liked how Sam drove and attacked the Enderlin defense. When an Eagles stepped up, he found the open man. I was impressed with his hesitation move and crossover. Kobbervig is a skilled all-around player. [player_tooltip player_id="1144577" first="Carter" last="Vrchota"] (2024) |6-1 SG| 12 points, 1-1 ft’s, 1 triple. This kid is tough! Carter did not back down from the bigger and older players. I loved the fact that he was diving on the floor for loose balls and scrapping it up for a jump. Early in the game, Vrchota made a great hustle play where he sprinted back in transition to block a shot. Shortly after he hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key. Carter showed nice hang time when he made a tough shot with a defender in his face. One of his best plays was an AND1 finish amongst the trees from Enderlin. He smoothly cashed in the FT. Carter uses great fakes and he is a crafty kid. [player_tooltip player_id="1144578" first="Cole" last="Holzer"] (2024) |6-6 PF| 10 points. I was impressed with his heart and how he never backed down the 6’11, 6’9, and 6’6 players. That is impressive for a sophomore. I liked that he did not abandon his inside game. In the first half, Cole had a beautiful step-through move that he finished with a right-handed finger-roll. Don’t forget, Holzer is left-handed. He also had a gritty AND1 finish vs. the Enderlin BIGs. His left-handed baby hook over an Eagle post player was very intriguing. The sky is the limit for Cole. [player_tooltip player_id="1176197" first="Mason" last="Bosse"] (2023) |5-11 G| 7 points, 1 triple. His jump shot and scoring were a nice boost for CC. Bosse made a sneaky play to get into the heart of the Enderlin defense and nail a 12-foot jumper. He also drilled a 3-pointer when the Squirrels were in need of some scoring. [player_tooltip player_id="1176203" first="Tyler" last="Cruchet"] (2024) |6-0 G/F| 2 points. He is a grinder, hustler, and anything else the team needs. Cruchet also took a charge.