14 Fabulous Freshmen from 2021-2022
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The high school season is done for the year and many players across the Dakotas are gearing up for AAU hoops. This is the perfect time to check out some of the impressive freshmen from this high school season. We…
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Continue ReadingThe high school season is done for the year and many players across the Dakotas are gearing up for AAU hoops. This is the perfect time to check out some of the impressive freshmen from this high school season. We will be highlighting 7 players from North Dakota and 7 players from South Dakota. Read below to see who made the list…
Fabulous Freshmen
(arranged alphabetically)
Aric Winczewski Aric Winczewski 6'2" | CG Minot | 2025 State ND |5-10 G| Minot
He played vital minutes for the State Champion Magicians. Aric is a very tough kid that plays the game the correct way. He works hard on both ends of the floor and he is a great communicator. Winczewski will make the gritty plays and do whatever it takes to help his team. He is skilled with the basketball in his hands. Aric can penetrate, create for others, and score at the rack. Winczewski also shot it well from 3-point land with 31.8%. Aric had a great freshmen season and his best is yet to come. This AAU season, Winczewski will be playing with ECI.
Ben Brooks Ben Brooks 6'9" | SF Madison | 2025 State SD |6-7 PF| Madison
He came off the bench for varsity and he played solid minutes. Whenever Brooks was in the game, everyone could see that this kid has the tools & traits to be a stud in the near future. Ben just oozes potential. His size and athleticism make him a super intriguing player. Brooks can play on the low block and also flex out to the wing. He passes very well for his size and young age. Ben is also a hard worker. In AAU ball, Brooks will be running with SD Attack.
Boston Katzer Boston Katzer 6'3" | SG Lennox | 2025 State SD |6-2 SF| McCook Central/Montrose
He started every game for the Cougars this season. Boston averaged 11.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg and he had 52 steals. Those are quality numbers for a 9th grader. Katzer has good size and he is a gifted athlete that makes plays on the wing and in the paint. Boston is a gym rat that is always working on his craft. For his youth, Katzer has a great feel for the game and is a smart passer. There are big things to come for Mr. Katzer. Boston will be playing AAU with SD Attack.
Bryon Laue Bryon Laue 6'9" | PF Castlewood | 2025 State SD |6-7 PF| Castlewood
This big man was a key player for the Warriors and their run to the State B Tournament. Laue averaged 8 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.1 bpg, and shot an impressive 62.6 FG% from the field. He will easily average well over a double-double next season. Bryon has long arms and he is agile on his feet. This makes him a rim protector and a productive rebounder. He also throws it down easily, Laue had many highlight-type dunks this year. Bryon will be playing up a year in AAU this spring/summer, he will be hooping with the Dakota Niners 16U team.
Cole Snyder Cole Snyder 6'0" | CG Sioux Falls Christian | 2025 State SD |5-10 SG| Sioux Falls Christian
He might be young but he is not afraid of taking a big shot. I watched him hit multiple 3-pointers earlier this year when SFC took down Sioux Valley. This young gun is a big-time three-point threat. I was impressed with Snyder’s poise and his smooth shooting motion. Keep your eyes on Cole as an up-and-coming shooter.
Easton Neuendorf Easton Neuendorf 5'11" | PG Hamlin | 2025 State SD |5-10 PG| Hamlin
He is one of the best young point guards in South Dakota. Easton was the floor general for the Chargers this season. It is rare to have a 9th grader as your starting PG. He did not just start, Neuendorf was a standout. Easton averaged 11.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg, and 5.6 apg and he led Hamlin to 15-7 record. Easton is a smart guard that plays poised and under control. Neuendorf will with playing AAU on Team Warwick.
Grayson Schaeffer Grayson Schaeffer 6'5" | SF Minot | 2025 State ND |6-5 F| Minot
He is long, strong, and an impressive overall athlete. Schaeffer was a contributor to the Minot team that won the Class A Championship a few weeks ago. He looked good on film but once you see this kid live, you will soon realize that this kid is a dude! I really like the way that Schaeffer finishes around the basket with both hands. His spin-move is deadly and his baby-hook is soft and true to the mark. Grayson also looks to be a tough defender. He is already a skilled shot-blocker. Schaeffer will be playing AAU with ECI.
Mason Klabo Mason Klabo 6'2" | PG Fargo Davies | 2025 State #240 Nation ND |6-1 G| Fargo Davies
He was a First Team All-State selection in Class A this season. Klabo helped the Eagles win the EDC tournament and Davies made it to the State Semifinals. Mason’s production was off the chart’s this season and it has to of been one of the best individual freshman performances in North Dakota history. I saw Klabo put up 45 points this year against a talented Fargo North team, it was an amazing performance. Mason is skilled like a college freshman, not a freshman in high school. Oh yeah, Klabo was offered by NDSU earlier this season! That is rare for a freshman from the Dakotas. Mason’s stats: 24.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 4.2 apg, 3.3 spg. Klabo will be playing with Howard Pulley for the AAU season.
Matthew Sem Matthew Sem 6'1" | SG Fargo North | 2025 State ND |6-1 SG| Fargo North
This bouncy athlete had some big scoring games for the Spartans. He looked really good when he was on the court alongside his All-State brother Jeremiah Sem Jeremiah Sem 6'3" | SG Fargo North | 2024 State #303 Nation ND . Matthew can score in a hurry. I have watched him get hot from beyond the arc and he can light the nets on fire. Sem is a dynamic player in transition and an above-the-rim finisher. Matthew will be playing up an age group in AAU and he will be rolling with ECI’s top 16U team.
Pearce Parks Pearce Parks 6'2" | SG Grand Forks Red River | 2025 State ND |6-2 SG| Grand Forks Red River
I watched him play last spring, summer, and this winter. Pearce improved every time that I watched him. Parks is a strong, physical, and mature athlete. Pearce is muscled up but he is a fluid athlete. Parks is a slasher, he can score from the block, and he can hit the 3-ball. This makes Pearce a 3-level scorer. Last weekend at ECI tryouts, Pearce showed off his extended shooting range by hitting college triples. This standout from Red River will be playing with the ECI program.
Ramsey Walz Ramsey Walz 6'7" | PF Bishop Ryan | 2025 State #313 Nation ND |6-4 PF| Minot Ryan
He was a key cog in the Lion’s run to the Class B State Tournament. When you watch Ramsey play, he does not look like a 9th grader. Walz has good length and he is well put together. I like his flexibility, Ramsey can hit triples from the perimeter, bang down low, and do work in the middle. His physicality, skill, and confidence are impressive. Walz will be hooping with ECI this AAU season once again.
Shawn Hammerbeck Shawn Hammerbeck 6'7" | PF Winner | 2025 State SD |6-6 PF| Winner
He helped the Warriors get to the coveted Class A State Tournament. Hammerbeck is a strong, physical, and burly post player. Shawn can be a beast on the block that scores with classic footwork and strength. He can also board up and protect the paint. Hammerbeck will also impress you with his hops and his powerful dunks. The big man will be playing AAU ball with SD Attack.
Tad Tjaden Tad Tjaden 6'6" | SF Dell Rapids | 2025 State SD |6-5 SG| Dell Rapids
He is a stud with length and impressive athleticism. Tjaden has the size and mobility that college coaches love. He is a tough matchup as he can play on the wing and around the rim. Tad has good eyes and passing ability that you rarely see with such a young player. He also does a nice job of protecting the rim and altering shots. Tjaden will be running with the Pentagon Schoolers for the AAU season.
Walker Braaten Walker Braaten 6'4" | CG Westhope/Newburg | 2025 State #278 Nation ND |6-1 G| Westhope/Newburg
He is an elite 3-point shooter that has extended range out to the NBA arc. Walker is a pure and natural scorer. His pull-up game is also deadly and smooth as butter. Braaten averaged a double-double this season with points and rebounds. He averaged 20+ points and scored in the 30’s many times. It is very rare for a 6’1 freshman to average double figures in rebounds. Look for Walker to have a great AAU campaign with ND Phenom,