19 Players To Watch #PrepHoopsLive
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We are doing another Player Watchlist for the upcoming event in Minneapolis. In the previous article, we looked at players from South Dakota. In this piece, we have players from North Dakota and Minnesota. Take a look at some serious…
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Continue ReadingWe are doing another Player Watchlist for the upcoming event in Minneapolis. In the previous article, we looked at players from South Dakota. In this piece, we have players from North Dakota and Minnesota. Take a look at some serious talent from the 17U & 16U divisions.
Good luck to everyone this weekend!
Player To Watch at Live
Cadyn Dahl Cadyn Dahl 6'1" | SG Ada-Borup-West | 2025 State MN (2025) |6’0 G| West Central United 16U/Ada-Borup
WHY? In 3 events this spring, Cadyn has shot nearly 50% from distance. He was equally deadly from range last spring and had a big varsity campaign in the interim. You expect him to continue to light the nets on fire. Dahl is as fundamental as they get and his ability to effortlessly and accurately shoot from anywhere makes him a deadly weapon for United. I am excited to see if he will get hot from deep this weekend!
Caiden Swenby Caiden Swenby 6'3" | SG Fertile-Beltrami | 2024 State MN (2024) |6’3 G| West Central United/Fertile-Beltrami
WHY? Swenby is United’s Swiss Army Knife. He does everything really well! He played solid in the first tournament but could never seem to find his rhythm on his shot. The good part is, he does not allow that to affect his attitude or energy level. Caiden is due for a big weekend. He plays harder than anyone on the floor. He creates opportunities for his teammates just from his energy level on the court. I expect him to have a big weekend scoring the basketball but also making plays on defense. The best part of Swenby’s game is the passion he plays with. He can do everything you ask of him on a basketball court but he also will be the hardest-working player on the floor. Caiden is the engine of the team, he brings an energy level to the game that is fun to watch.
Camden Anderson Camden Anderson 6'1" | PG West Central Area | 2024 State MN (2024) |6’1 G| West Central United 17U/West Central Area
WHY? Cam has been a consistent scorer and ball-handler for United this year. In the first tournament, he was the leading scorer for the weekend. Anderson shoots with confidence and defends well! Expect a big weekend from Cam because he has improved each game that he has played this spring. He seems to get more comfortable and confident after each game. Cam is determined to play hard and get wins. Anderson is a great scorer and he shoots the ball at a high percentage from the 3, but the best part of his game is his court vision. He seems to see the floor completely different from everyone else. If somebody is open, Anderson will get them the ball.
Cameron Klefstad Cameron Klefstad 6'4" | PF Grand Forks Red River | 2025 State ND (2025) |6’3 F| ECI 16U Selects/Red River
WHY? Klefstad was the best rebounder for this ECI squad in its last tournament. He was also tough protecting the paint with multiple blocked shots. Cam can help stretch the floor on the offensive end. He produced nicely from beyond the arc in St. Cloud. Klefstad has a great motor that never stops. He also provides a presence in the paint. Look for Cam to have a big weekend at Live.
Dominic Fairbanks Dominic Fairbanks 5'10" | PG Cass Lake-Bena | 2024 State MN (2024) |5’11 G| ECI 17U Prospects/Cass Lake-Bena
WHY? Fairbanks was a force on both ends of the floor at ECI’s first tournament in St. Cloud. He consistently made the right reads on offense and would get ECI a bucket when they needed one. Dominic was also a really good defender which made it tough for the offense to get an easy shot. I think Dominic will have a big weekend for ECI as he rises to the challenge of playing good teams with good players. Dominic is a very smart and unselfish player, he makes ECI better on both ends of the floor.
Drew Kempel Drew Kempel 6'4" | PG Bismarck Century | 2025 State ND (2025) |6’3 PG| ND Phenom/Bismarck Century
WHY? Kempel is a blend of an old-school system point guard with new-age athletic ability. He shot over 50% from 3 in Phenom’s first event and in the high school season, but that is not even the biggest strength of his game. Kempel thrives in ball screen decision-making, slashing to make plays for others, on the glass, and defensively. He is receiving NSIC interest.
Fischer Johnson Fischer Johnson 5'11" | CG Minot | 2025 State ND (2025) |5’9 G| ECI 16U Selects/Minot
WHY? He proved to be a scrappy defender at the first tournament in St. Cloud. Johnson is smart and he uses his speed to his advantage. Fischer is a key piece of the puzzle for the ECI defensive pressure. On offense, Fischer shoots in well from 3-point land. Many of his buckets came from forced turnovers and in transition. Johnson is a tough defensive-minded guard. Look for Fischer to apply pressure all weekend long at Live. He will get into ball handlers, force turnovers, and produce in transition.
Gannon Bolgrean (2025) |5’11 G| West Central United 16U/Barnesville
WHY? Gannon was virtually unknown coming into the spring. This is the Barnesville guard’s first year playing AAU and he has burst onto the scene as a leader for United. He has been dominant in the first couple of events this spring. Gannon is incredibly strong, skilled, and he plays with a chip on his shoulder. His excellent shooting stroke makes him a very tough cover. Paired with Henry Bethel Henry Bethel 5'11" | PG Fergus Falls | 2025 State MN in the backcourt, these two do a lot of damage together.
Henry Bethel Henry Bethel 5'11" | PG Fergus Falls | 2025 State MN (2025) |5’10 G| West Central United 16U/Fergus Falls
WHY? Henry has been on a tear through 12 games this spring. He has led his team in scoring and has been a consistent playmaker on both ends. Expect a big weekend from Henry because of his electric playmaking ability. Physically, Bethel looks like he’s matured 2 years in the last 3 months. He fuels United with his elite athleticism and devastating finishing ability at the rim.
Isiah St. Romain Isiah St. Romain 6'3" | SG Williston | 2024 ND (2024) |6’2 G| ECI 17U Prospects/Williston
WHY? St. Romain had some big games for ECI in the first tournament down in St. Cloud. He is a very explosive player on offense, being able to get to the rim when he wants. Isiah continues to get better at making the right read when attacking the rim, and when he does, he’s nearly un-guardable. With his athleticism and knack for getting a hand on the ball, he’s one of the best rebounders on the floor. I am expecting a big weekend out of Isiah as he has great potential to play at the next level and with his energy on the floor and bench, I think he’ll gain the attention of some coaches!
Jacob Brandt Jacob Brandt 6'10" | PF Hillsboro/Central Valley | 2024 State ND (2024) |6’9 PF| ECI 17U Prospects/Hillsboro-Central Valley
WHY? Brandt has really started to use his size to his advantage and he proved that in a few games in St. Cloud. He’s a force down low and can also stretch it to 3. Jacob has a very good touch around the rim and is a very tough match-up when he plays physically. I think Jacob will have a big weekend after coming off a few nice games in St. Cloud. He is starting to understand how he can play with anyone down low and this will only boost his confidence moving forward. With height being hard to find these days, I know college coaches are going to be intrigued!
Justin Courneya Justin Courneya 6'1" | PG Win-E-Mac | 2024 State MN (2024) |6’0 G| West Central United/Win-E-Mac
WHY? Courneya played well in his first tournament. He consistently shows up and makes plays. When Justin plays well his team plays well. I expect him to have a big weekend because he finished on a very high note last weekend and he shot the basketball very well. Courneya is the type of player that can score in bunches and I expect that he will continue to do so. The best part of his game is his confidence. He truly believes he can score at any time. He’s not afraid of the moment or taking the big shots. Justin does not get rattled in big games, it seems to fuel him instead.
Karson Ouse Karson Ouse 6'8" | SF Kindred | 2025 State #283 Nation ND (2025) |6’7 SF| ND Phenom/Kindred
WHY? Ouse has a nice 6’7” frame with long arms and the ability to score inside and out. He has a knack for taking bigger guys off the bounce and shooting over and posting smaller guys around the rim. He really stands out as a guy who can stretch the floor well beyond the high school 3. He is receiving NSIC interest.
Landon Bedell Landon Bedell 6'7" | C Minot | 2025 State ND (2025) |6’7 C| ECI 16U Prospects/Minot
WHY? Bedell is a true 5-man. You do not see many BIGs like him anymore. He is a lot like Carter Zeller Carter Zeller 6'6" | PF Fargo North | 2024 State ND but taller. Landon has broad shoulders, great hands, and solid footwork inside. He rebounds like a madman on both ends of the floor. Bedell gets himself a lot of cheap buckets off of offensive rebounds and finishes well a the FT line. I am excited to see how the BIG man does this weekend.
Matthew Sem Matthew Sem 6'1" | SG Fargo North | 2025 State ND (2025) |6’1 SG| ECI 16U Prospects/Fargo North
WHY? There is no question that Matthew is a dynamic guard. Sem makes the tough plays look easy. Few players can do this! He gets in passing lanes and creates transition offense for his teammates. Sem reads ball screens really well, he gets downhill with ease, and hits tough shots like there is nothing to it.
Samson Hagstrom (2025) |6’0 G| West Central United 16U/Alexandria
WHY? Samson has been a revelation for his United team this Spring. He has led the way defensively, but more recently he has unleashed an array of astonishing plays on the offensive end. He is a fantastic decision maker and although he has consistently made big and difficult plays for his teammates, he never seems to turn the ball over. He seems to be the straw that stirs the drink for United. You should get out and see the Cardinal this weekend!
Payton Schell Payton Schell 6'3" | SG Minot | 2025 State ND (2025) |6’0 G/F| ECI 16U Selects/Minot
WHY? He shot the lights out in St. Cloud. Schell also guarded multiple positions, blocked, and contested many shots. He might not be the biggest player on the court, but Schell has the ability to protect the paint. In St. Cloud, Payton had a ton of steals and he cleaned up the boards when needed. Payton plays bigger than his 6-foot height. He can score from 3 levels, and he can guard nearly every position. Look for him to have an impressive weekend with ECI Select.
Pearce Parks Pearce Parks 6'2" | SG Grand Forks Red River | 2025 State ND (2025) |6’3 SG| ECI 16U Prospects/Red River
WHY? Parks was great in the first tourney in St. Cloud. He can guard positions 1-5. Pearce rebounds like an animal on both ends of the court. He scores from all three levels. Parks is strong in the post, he hits from the outside, and has a smooth pull-up game. It will be fun to see how Perace stacks up against other top-notch athletes at Live.
Walker Braaten Walker Braaten 6'3" | CG Westhope/Newburg | 2025 State #278 Nation ND (2025) |6’4 G| ND Phenom/Westhope-Newburg
WHY? Braaten stands out with his natural scoring ability. He is a threat to score on each and every possession. He has a strong 6’4” frame with deep range. Additionally, he rebounds defensively at a high clip. Braaten is a player who has already passed the 1000-point mark and been named as All-State player. He is receiving NSIC and Summit League interest.