ECI 16U Selects

We are back for another Team Preview! We are checking out an ECI 16U team that is coached by Tanner Russell. The 16U Selects already have a tournament under their belts and they started the year off with a 4-1 start. ECI played last weekend at the Comets Shootout.

This coming weekend, ECI 16U Selects will be playing at Prep Hoops Live down in Minneapolis. PHD is excited to see this group play!

Best of Luck at Prep Hoops Live!

Comet Shootout Results

Game 1: LOSS 60-58 vs. Midwest Kings

Game 2: WIN 61-42 vs. ND Attack

Game 3: WIN 62-58 vs. WOTN Ziehr

Game 4: WIN 64-39 vs. Warroad

Game 5: WIN 62-60 vs. Minnesota Heat Tucker

See below for ECI’s schedule, player comments, and some Q&A with coach Russell.

SCHEDULE

Roster & Player Comments from coach Russell

Carter Baasch Carter Baasch 5'8" | SG Maple River | 2025 State ND (2025) 5’8 –  Guard – Maple River

“Carter has been playing Varsity basketball for a few years now. He has a tenacity for the game and plays hard on both ends of the floor. He can shoot well and makes great decisions to find open teammates.” 

Payton Schell Payton Schell 6'0" | SF Minot | 2025 State ND (2025) 6’0 – Guard/Forward – Minot

“Payton is a long and athletic Minot player. He plays hard-nosed defense on one end of the court, he will then come down and make great decisions. He can score from anywhere on the floor.” 

Victor Busanga Victor Busanga 5'11" | SG Fargo North | 2025 State ND (2025) 5’10 – Guard – Fargo North

“Victor is a solid guard that can use his quickness to get downhill. Along with being a great passer, he has the ability to score from anywhere on the floor. He works hard on the defensive end as well.” 

Horatio Willie Horatio Willie 5'11" | PG West Fargo | 2025 State ND (2025) 5’11 – Guard – West Fargo

“Horatio is a solid player all around. He will give you a little bit of everything on both sides of the floor. He can knock down shots and can also find the open man.“

Reece Carlson Reece Carlson 6'3" | SF Fargo North | 2025 State ND (2025) 6’3 – Guard/Forward – Fargo North

“Reese can play a little bit of an outside game and the inside game. While he has some height and length, if needed, he can handle the ball. He plays hard on both ends of the floor.” 

Wyatt Westin Wyatt Westin 6'2" | SG Shiloh Christian | 2025 State ND (2025) 6’2 – Guard – Shiloh Christian

“Wyatt can play the game at a high level. He can create for his teammates or get his own shot. With his length and athleticism, he is capable of guarding anyone on the floor.” 

Cameron Klefstad Cameron Klefstad 6'4" | PF Grand Forks Red River | 2025 State ND (2025) 6’3 – Forward – Red River

“Cam is an athletic and hard-nosed big man. He rebounds well and makes his presence known on the defensive end. He will help us to stretch the floor at times, and also give us a big man in the paint at times.“

Fischer Johnson Fischer Johnson 5'10" | CG Minot | 2025 State ND (2025) 5’9 – Guard – Minot

“Fischer is a workhorse on the defensive end. He matches up well against all types of guards. On the offensive end, he can get to the hoop and knock down open shots from the outside.“

Nolan Weidner Nolan Weidner 6'1" | SG Dickinson | 2025 State ND (2025) 6’1 – Guard – Dickinson

“Nolan is a solid defender. On the offensive side of the ball, he can create for teammates or get his own shot. He can shoot from anywhere on the floor.” 

Q&A with Tanner Russell

PHD: How do you feel about the way your team played in St. Cloud?

Coach Russell: “This team plays hard all of the time. We had a last-second injury and some missing pieces this past weekend and only ended up playing with 6 players all weekend. After a pool play loss on a buzzer-beater to a solid team, they responded with 4 straight wins. They are not afraid to make the hustle plays and play team basketball. I couldn’t be any more impressed with their ability to grind out games.” 

PHD: Who shot/scored well and how did they get their buckets?

Coach Russell: “Everyone scored well. Cameron Klefstad Cameron Klefstad 6'4" | PF Grand Forks Red River | 2025 State ND and Payton Schell Payton Schell 6'0" | SF Minot | 2025 State ND scored double-figures in every game. Most of their shots came from forcing turnovers and getting transition layups. There was also a lot of scoring from behind the arc in the half-court offense.”  

PHD: Who defended well?

Coach Russell: “Everyone played solid defense all weekend. Some that stand out would be Fischer Johnson Fischer Johnson 5'10" | CG Minot | 2025 State ND , Payton Schell Payton Schell 6'0" | SF Minot | 2025 State ND , and Victor Busanga Victor Busanga 5'11" | SG Fargo North | 2025 State ND . Fischer and Victor would guard the ball handler and force turnovers. Payton Schell Payton Schell 6'0" | SF Minot | 2025 State ND and Cameron Klefstad Cameron Klefstad 6'4" | PF Grand Forks Red River | 2025 State ND protected the paint with their ability to block shots.” 

PHD: Did anyone surprise you?

Coach Russell: “The overall grittiness that this group showed this past weekend was awesome. It is never easy to play a tournament with 6 guys and they not only played hard the whole tournament, they won their games. As a coach, having a team that plays hard all the time makes your job much easier.” 

PHD What are you hoping to improve on going forward?

Coach Russell: “At times we would get a little loose with the ball. We need to value the basketball and try to limit turnovers. We think we have found our identity as a run-and-gun team that relies heavily on full-court defensive pressure. A little bit of refinement on our defensive mindset and this team will be fun to watch in the upcoming tournaments!” 

PHD: Why are you excited about this team/roster?

Coach Russell: “To have a group of guys that take pride in their defensive abilities. They have a chip on their shoulder and will not be afraid to work hard the entire game.“

PHD: How often will your team practice/work out?

Coach Russell: “The team will work out twice a week with an occasional practice.” 

PHD: What will a couple of your strengths be as a team?

Coach Russell: “Outworking the teams that we play against. We may not have the size of some teams, but these guys will play hard at all times.” 

PHD: What style of basketball will you play on the offensive end?

Coach Russell: “Run and gun style of play. At times we will slide into a 4 out 1 in style of offense, but will mainly be a 5 out dribble drive.“

PHD: What brand of defense do you foresee your team playing?

Coach Russell: “It will be a man defense with the option to apply pressure in the full court.”