WDA Breakout Players
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Last week we checked in on the EDC and looked at potential Breakout Players on the east side of North Dakota. This time we head west for the WDA. Before we look at 2022-2023 players, here are a few notable…
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Continue ReadingLast week we checked in on the EDC and looked at potential Breakout Players on the east side of North Dakota. This time we head west for the WDA.
Before we look at 2022-2023 players, here are a few notable breakout players from the 2021-2022 season:
Isiah St. Romain Isiah St. Romain 6'3" | SG Williston | 2024 ND , Jaxon Kellogg Jaxon Kellogg 6'3" | PG Bismarck Legacy | 2023 State ND , Tahrye Frank Tahrye Frank 6'0" | SG Mandan | 2023 State ND , Isaiah Schafer Isaiah Schafer 6'1" | CG Bismarck Century | 2024 State ND , Ryan Larson, Parker Wallette Parker Wallette 6'3" | SF Turtle Mountain | 2023 State ND , and Houston Davis Houston Davis 6'4" | SF Turtle Mountain | 2023 State ND .
**If a big name is not on the above list, we likely considered them to be a breakout player the season before.
2022-2023 WDA Breakout Players
He is an athlete that never slows down. Austin is always in “attack mode”. He is a strong and explosive athlete. Once he gets going down hill, Andre is tough to stop. He played up in AAU hoops and Andre still stuck out as an aggressive athlete. He can shoot it from deep but he is most effective slashing and make plays in the paint. I like his mid-range pull-up and he finishes well at the cup. Look for Austin to also be a nuisance on defense for opposing teams.
If you have watched him play, then you already know that he is a coach on the floor! Aric is a leader and a student of the game. He is tough, physical, and skilled. Minot lost Wentz from last years team, Winczewski could step in and help fill that void. Aric can run the 1 but also make plays as a combo-guard. Whatever the maroon and gold needs, Aric will do it!
He is a super heady and true PG! Davis has the ability to knock down shots and he gets crafty with finishes at the rim. Cager sees the floor incredibly well, and he had a big time summer. He handles it well, ia a great passer, and he will stroke the 3-ball. PHD is predicting Williston to have a good year and Davis will need to play a vital role for the Coyotes is they want to make it a memorable season.
I think Lamp is going to put up big numbers this season. Lamp should be a huge player for the Blue Jays and he will need to help make up for the loss of Kallenbach. Lamp can light it up with his jumper. I like his pull-up game and his stepback. Dalton’s range goes deep and he will help keep defenses honest. Dalton has the ability to be a good defender as well. If he can be a two-way player, look out for Lamp!
I watched him at the 250Expo in Sioux falls and he has really grown since last year. Damon is also bigger and stronger. Damon is a great outside shooter and he has the length on both sides of the court to make plays. He has put a lot of time in the weight room and it shows in his game. Glasser will sneak up on teams early in the year and give them fits. Damon will have the chance to be a dynamic player.
He was really really good this past spring/summer in AAU hoops with ND Phenom . I witnessed it firsthand on multiple occasions. Drew is a playmaker, no question about it! A few weeks ago, Drew was a stud in Sioux Falls at the 250Expo. He is really strong for his age, a great slasher, a ND Phenom enal passer. Century has a ton of talent back and once Drew gets a chance, he will step in and make plays right away. Kempel has too much talent to not be a breakout player this season!
This kid is tough, fundamental, and a hard working defender. Why? Because, plays for coach Winczewski! Minot won the State Championship last season, so Grayson knows what it takes to win games. Schaeffer is an impressive athlete that will make splashy plays but he will also do the little things to help his team.
He was may be considered a “breakout player” last season. However, we think he will be even better and make more noise this season. Gunner is a stat stuffer that averaged 10.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 3.5 apg, 2.8 spg, and shot a nice 43.3 FG%. Gunner is a very good rebounder for a guard. On defense he has good instincts that lead to TO’s. Get ready for a highly productive season from Mr. Zerr.
He has to be one of the best all-around athletes in North Dakota. Sheldon is a sp ECI al player in every sport that he plays. Hudsen currently has an injury, but once he comes back, he will be an impact player and a game changer. Hudsen is a dangerous slasher that can carve up defenses. He can also score with a smooth jump shot. Hudsen is athletic but he is also skilled. Get ready for Hudsen Sheldon Hudsen Sheldon 6’2″ | SG Mandan | 2025 State ND to be a playmaker in the WDA.
He came on strong at the end of last season, anchoring the post with his physicality, selfless nature, and high IQ. He showcased his great feet playing both ways for the Saints this fall on the offensive and defensive line. Goettle is a decent ball-handler and a great passer from the post. With his size at 6’4” and strength, Jacob is able to guard the biggest players in the state on the low block while also being quick enough to defend on the perimeter.
He was spectacular with ECI this spring/summer. The athletic lefty can takeover games with his athleticism and length. PHD is predicting that Kupfer is an All-WDA player and a STUD. Legacy is going to be a scary team and Kupfer is going to burst onto the scene in the WDA!
His ability to defend all positions with his length at 6’5” and skill set to play around the block and on the perimeter, make him a very versatile player for the Saints. Maddox hit some big shots from the outside last year at the WDA Tournament and he loves to use his wing span and tenacious attitude, defensively, to put pressure on his opponents. It is Doppler’s time to have a BIG senior season!
Some people would consider him to be a “breakout player” last year as he averaged 12.1 ppg and 4.9 rpg. However, the Coyotes did not win a ton of games, we think they will be better this year, and we think Sik will have a standout season. I watched Malaki a few weeks ago at the Top250 Expo and he is going to be a tough matchup with his size and athleticism. He will score over smaller guards and forwards will not be able to stay with Mr. Sik. Get ready for the Coyotes to make some noise!
The Blue Jays have many players that could potentially be in this article. PHD is high on Meissner and we think he will have a great season. Look for Noah to help fill the void left by Kallenbach. Mr. Meissner is a big-time athlete that will make you pay from every level. He knows the game well, is a versatile defender, plays hard, and he shoots a high percentage from beyond the arc. Look for Meissner to be a major player for Jamestown.
Highlights
He is another ND Phenom player that had a great AAU season. Falcon is a very long and skilled guard. He will impact the game with his long wingspan and shooting ability. Falcon is one of the best young shooters in North Dakota. His pull-up game is a thing of beauty and his 3-point shot is deadly. Can the young soph step up on the varsity scene? YES!
He might not be overly tall but this kid is extremely fast and quick. Hauck is very explosive and aggressive on both sides of the court. Sebastian can be very difficult to guard with his improved shooting since last year. Dickinson will have a skilled backcourt and Hauck will be another player that teams will have to worry about.
He might be the “newcomer” of the year in the WDA this season. Eaglestaff is new to Bismarck, Teysean was in South Dakota last year. I have watched Eaglestaff play a few times and he is super skilled. He handles it like a PG and he shoots it like a SG. Teysean is going to be a headache to matchup with. He will score over guards and and posts will struggle to stay with him on the perimeter. Look for Eaglestaff to put up big numbers. Get this kid very high on your watchlist!