The playoffs are finally here and that means its time to preview the first round of the Eastern Dakota Conference tournament. With a great crop of teams, and tons of talented players stepping onto the hardwood this March, I think…
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Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log inThe playoffs are finally here and that means its time to preview the first round of the Eastern Dakota Conference tournament. With a great crop of teams, and tons of talented players stepping onto the hardwood this March, I think we are in for a real treat.
#8 Grand Forks Central @ #1 Fargo Davies 7pm
Its never easy being the team that has to face the top seed in the first round, but thats exactly what the Knights will have to do. Central is challenged with an uphill battle of trying to upset the highest scoring group in the East. The Davies Eagles have in my opinion the best backcourt in the conference, along with size down low and a couple of reliable players off the bench. I must also mention that the Maroon and Gold are near the top of every defensive category meaning that they are the most all around dangerous team in this tournament. With guys like
Mason Klabo
Mason
Klabo
6'1" | PG
Fargo Davies | 2025
State
ND
,
Ian Motschenbacher
Ian
Motschenbacher
6'1" | PG
Fargo Davies | 2022
State
ND
,
Raymond Brown
Raymond
Brown
5'11" | PG
Fargo Davies | 2023
State
ND
,
Max Froslie
Max
Froslie
6'8" | PF
Fargo Davies | 2023
State
ND
, and more, this team is a must watch during the next few weeks. On Centrals side we will see talented players like Erick Paye,
Sam Strandell
Sam
Strandell
6'3" | SG
Grand Forks Central | 2022
State
ND
, Ross Wilber, and Jack Simmers try to execute the most important win of their season.
#5 Fargo Shanley @ #4 Grand Forks Red River 7pm
With the Deacons traveling to Grand Forks to play the RoughRiders, I believe that this will be the most competitive game of the first round. On Red Rivers side we have a squad that bests Shanley in scoring, free throw percentage, three point percentage and makes per game, rebound margin, and turnover margin. They’ve also got stud players like
Paine Parks
Paine
Parks
6'3" | SG
Grand Forks Red River | 2022
State
ND
,
Zach Kraft
Zach
Kraft
6'2" | PG
Grand Forks Red River | 2023
State
ND
, and
Reis Rowekamp
Reis
Rowekamp
6'4" | SG
Grand Forks Red River | 2023
State
ND
to help lead their way. The Deacons on the other hand top RR in points against per game, opponent field goal percentage, and opponent three point percentage. Their key guys consist of
Conner Kraft
Conner
Kraft
6'8" | PF
Shanley | 2023
State
ND
,
Tyler Kraft
Tyler
Kraft
6'3" | SG
Fargo Shanley | 2022
State
ND
, and Jack Pollert.
#7 Fargo South @ #2 West Fargo Sheyenne 7:30pm
In this inner city game the Fargo South Bruins will have to face the top defense in the Eastern Dakota Conference. Sheyenne has used their size and length to disrupt opponents all year long, and I have a feeling they will try to continue that this postseason. The Mustangs lead the East in scoring defense, opponents field goal percentage, and opponents three point percentage. They also have exciting talent in
Michael Nhial
Michael
Nhial
6'7" | SF
West Fargo Sheyenne | 2022
State
ND
,
Kaleb Larson
Kaleb
Larson
6'3" | SG
West Fargo Sheyenne | 2022
State
ND
,
Dominic Dosmann
Dominic
Dosmann
6'8" | PF
WF Sheyenne | 2022
State
ND
, and
Zander Newton
Zander
Newton
6'4" | SF
West Fargo Sheyenne | 2022
State
ND
. Fargo South on the other hand have the top three point percentage in the conference. Their players to watch include
James Hamilton
James
Hamilton
6'4" | SF
Fargo South | 2024
State
ND
,
Zunekia McGill
Zunekia
McGill
6'0" | PG
Fargo South | 2022
State
ND
,
Cole Kegbeh
Cole
Kegbeh
6'4" | SF
Fargo South | 2024
State
ND
, and Dean Grant.
#6 Fargo North @ #3 West Fargo High 7pm
Lastly we’ve got the defending State champion Packers facing off with the talented young crop from Fargo North. West Fargo has been an all around good team this season landing top five in scoring, points against per game, three throw percentage, field goal percentage, steals per game, etc. Some players who are crucial to their success are
Carson Hegerle
Carson
Hegerle
6'3" | SG
West Fargo | 2022
State
ND
,
Brett Limke
Brett
Limke
6'1" | PG
West Fargo | 2022
State
ND
,
Nick Carlson
Nick
Carlson
6'4" | SF
West Fargo | 2022
State
ND
,
Foday Sheriff
Foday
Sheriff
6'4" | SF
West Fargo | 2022
ND
, and
Parker Nelson
Parker
Nelson
5'11" | SG
West Fargo | 2022
State
ND
. These guys are a talented group, and will fight tooth and nail to repeat as champions. On the other end the Spartans are near the top in scoring offense, number one when shooting from the stripe, and they make the most three pointers per game. Players who I think will be key if they are to beat West Fargo include
Jeremiah Sem
Jeremiah
Sem
6'3" | SG
Fargo North | 2024
State
#212
Nation
ND
,
Carter Zeller
Carter
Zeller
6'6" | PF
Fargo North | 2024
State
ND
,
Luke Loberg
Luke
Loberg
6'4" | SF
Fargo North | 2022
State
ND
, and
Isaac Cody
Isaac
Cody
6'3" | SG
Fargo North | 2022
State
ND
.