New Names on Varsity

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This article is a spin-off from our "Fresh Faces" articles that we previously did. Today we are looking at players from both North Dakota and South Dakota. These guys made the list because they are new to the varsity game, are new to a school, are coming back from an injury, or we are expecting them to take on a major role in the new season. We have a nice mix of young and old players to check out! See below...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1126976,"width":178,"height":111,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/NorthDakota.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/NorthDakota.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1126976" width="178" height="111"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1399487,"width":181,"height":113,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/SD-1.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/SD-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1399487" width="181" height="113"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">New Names</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1407001' first='Aidyn' last='Janis'] (2025) |6'3 F| Hot Springs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Most of the Bison have played varsity minutes in the past. However, they do have one player without varsity experience that will play a significant role for Hot Springs. [player_tooltip player_id='1407001' first='Aidyn' last='Janis'] missed last season due to an injury. This summer, Janis spent a ton of time in the gym and the weight room. The Bison are expecting big things from him on varsity. Aidyn has great footwork, smooth handles, and is very physical for his age. Hot Springs is going to be a tough squad and Janis is going to be a very nice player!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brayden Sumption (2024) |6'0 G| Leola-Frederick</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He saw plenty of time as a sophomore and the Titans are expecting him to take the next step this coming season. Brayden is expected to have a solid junior season and to put up productive numbers. Look for Sumption to shine in the transition game. He will be a fun player to watch in fast break situations.. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1306390' first='Caleb' last='Duerr'] (2024) |6'4 G| West Fargo Sheyenne</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Caleb is the lone Mustang player returning with any type of significant varsity minutes. Caleb is long and athletic and can score from anywhere on the floor. He is a good defender and, with his length, is a very good rebounder. Caleb came off the bench for Sheyenne last year but will look to have a heightened leadership role this upcoming season. I will not be surprised if Duerr is one of the breakout players of the year in the EDC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1138816' first='Carson' last='Yale'] (2023) |6'9 F| Des Lacs-Burlington</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He missed all of last high school season due to an injury. This will be coach <em>Chris Brown's</em> first season of having Yale on the court, so in a sense, Yale will be a "fresh face" for the Lakers. Carson committed to Minot State this summer and he played very well in AAU hoops with ND Phenom. Carson will be one of the best players in Class B and DLB is going to be a tough team. Get ready for a magical year for Yale, he is going to be a handful for every team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1563333' first='Connor' last='Spitzer'] (2024) |6'2 F| Leola-Frederick</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He saw plying time sparingly as a sophomore and played well at times. Spitzer showed glimpses of greatness and could be a major factor this year. Connor had a good summer rebounding the rock and he can handle the ball well for a big guy in the open court. Expect a big season from Spitzer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1141521' first='Dylan' last='Beyl'] (2022) |6'1 G| West Fargo Sheyenne</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is an exceptional athlete who can score at the rim and can shoot it from 3-point land. Dylan can harass people on the defensive end with his long arms and athleticism. Beyl will be an inexperienced varsity player but the Mustangs will need a big season from him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='963810' first='Cooper' last='Long'] (2023) |6'3 SG| Lyman</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He makes this article because he is new to Lyman as a transfer. Cooper was an All-State football player and a very nice basketball player last season at Garretson. Long is also a top-notch golfer, it is fair to say that Copper is an impressive athlete. On the hardwood, Cooper is a combo-guard that can handle the ball and make plays on the wing. He is a tough matchup with his length and athleticism. Expect a monster senior season for Cooper. it is going to be a fun year for him and the Raiders. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1563151' first='Emmerson' last='Larson'] (2026) |6'2 G| Clark-Willow Lake</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This youngster has a ton of upside. Larson is extremely athletic with tremendous length. Emmerson is a very smooth left-hander that can score in multiple ways. He will be competing for varsity time as a freshman. I am looking forward to watching this Cyclone team and the young Mr. Larson.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hans Lapka (2023) |5'10 G| Leola-Frederick</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He started every game for the Titans last year. This season Leola-Frederick is expecting much more production from Lapka. Look for Hans to use his quickness to attack the hoop off the catch. Hans will be a lead guard for the Titans and you should expect a quality season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1563208' first='Ian' last='Buettner'] (2025) |6'1 G/F| Garretson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ian will will be stepping into a starting role this upcoming season while working and earning a varsity spot last season. Although Ian didn't see much varsity clock last season due to a talented upper classmen team, when he did get his chance, he didn't disappoint. Ian was the leading rebounder (8.1 rpg) and scorer (12.8 ppg) on the JV squad last year and has proven that he can shoot the ball from anywhere on the court. Ian has a “basketball IQ” and just knows the game of basketball. He does the small things like knowing where and when to be during the offensive and defensive halfcourt sets. Ian played quite a bit of basketball over the summer. The Blue Dragons are looking forward to Buettner taking the next step in becoming a young leader for their team, they lost a ton of leadership due to graduation and transfers. Get ready for a big year from Buettner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1179065' first='John' last='Angau'] (2024) |6'0 G| West Fargo Sheyenne</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is a lights-out shooter. John has put in a lot of time shooting the ball to become extremely good at it. However, there's more to John's game than just shooting. He has worked very hard the last couple of years to expand his game. People have no choice but to try and crowd him at the three-point line and he has become very good at getting to the rim. Angau will be a nice scoring option for Sheyenne this winter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1380721' first='Luke' last='Sheppard'] (2026) |6'4 G/F| &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1380720' first='Paul' last='Parsley'] (2025) |6'3 G/F| Flandreau</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They were the 5th and 6th men for Flandreau's successful 2021-22 campaign. They graduated 4 seniors and almost all of their offensive production. Paul and Luke are both very skilled for their size and have similar games. Both can handle the ball and create scoring opportunities for teammates. Both are good athletes and defenders. While they are both a little young to dominate at the varsity level it will be a good learning experience for them and their teammates as they build to make another run down the road.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1386801' first='Noah' last='Kippley'] (2025) |6'0 G| Leola-Frederick</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He had a very nice freshmen season, expect an even bigger role in his sophomore year. Noah was the Titans 2nd leading scorer and top three-point shooter as a 9th grader. Expect him to hit a ton of shots this season. The Titans will be needing Kippley to contribute in more ways than just shooting this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Noah Olson (2024) |6'1 G| West Fargo Sheyenne</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He has a ton of flexibility on both ends. Olson can matchup with multiple positions on D. He can shoot it and get to the rim on the offensive end. Noah will have the chance to be a jack-of-all-trades for Sheyenne and a valuable role player for the new look Mustangs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1217679' first='Race' last='Wilson'] (2024) |5'11 G| West Fargo Sheyenne</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is a strong athlete and a stud on the football field. The confidence from the football season should carry over to hoops. Race has a motor unlike any other. He is lightning quick and a very good defender. Race has the ability to get to the rim and finish through a ton of contact. Wilson will have the chance to prove himself as one of lead guards for the Mustangs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sam Vetter (2023) |6'0 F| Leola-Frederick</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is a strong well put together athlete who will take on an upgraded role this season. Vetter will be needed to compete on the glass and be a physical presence for the Titans. Expect Sam to get the job done on the boards and to be a physical defensive player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1563332' first='Sonny' last='Marqardt'] (2023) |6'5 C| Waubay-Summit</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> He is coming off of a back up roll from last season and will be the starting center this season. Sonny has nice size at 6'5 with excellent foot work. He will be a big part of the Mustang defense by protecting the rim and rebounding. It will be hard to double off the talented Mustang guards, so Marqardt will have many 1on1 opportunities in the post. The Mustangs will be a tough team again, but don't forget that they moved up to A this season. It will be fun to see how they carry over that State Tournamnet momentum into being moved up a class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1167609' first='Sullivan' last='Ihry'] (2025) |5'11 G| West Fargo Sheyenne</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is an extremely skilled guard, that comes from his work-ethic. Sullivan is an absolute gym rat and loves putting the time in. He is also very strong for his age. He can score from all three levels and is looking to take a big leap this year in his level of play.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->