ND Attack 17U Blue
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PHD is back for another Team Preview! The ND Attack 17U Blue team just finished winning their bracket this past weekend at the Sanford Spring Jam in Sioux Falls with wins over NLBA and MN Comets Walters. This follows a…
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Continue ReadingPHD is back for another Team Preview!
The ND Attack 17U Blue team just finished winning their bracket this past weekend at the Sanford Spring Jam in Sioux Falls with wins over NLBA and MN Comets Walters. This follows a 2-2 start the weekend prior at the MN Comets Shootout in St. Cloud.
This team returns six players from last year’s successful team and adds 3 fresh faces who will be great additions to the team.
The 17U Blue team will not wow you with their basketball talent, but you cannot underestimate this team because it is made up of many multi-sport athletes. At the same time, they have some nice shooters and some impressive slashers. They exhibit toughness and high energy as the team is made up of players who will compete every minute while on the court.
The team will rely on an inside-out philosophy on the offensive end of the court. They move the ball well and understand the importance of player and ball movement.
Defensively, ND Attack will rely on pressure man-to-man defense and mix in a few different pressure schemes from time to time.
The focus will be to improve their individual skills within a team concept. Learning to use their unique talents to blend and make a successful
team will be key. This group of athletes is like-minded and they are building strong relationships both on and off the court.
This team is coached by Kelly Pierce and Jason Schmidt. Both have been long-time coaches at the high school level in the state of North Dakota and understand the skills needed to develop great all-around basketball players. We believe in a fundamental style of basketball and will develop those skills within a team-first concept.
SCHEDULE
ROSTER
PLAYER COMMENTS
#4 – Josh Groninger Josh Groninger 5'10" | CG South Prairie | 2024 State ND (2024) – 5’10” G – South Prairie
He is a returning player from last season. Josh is a point guard who has strong ball-handling skills and can shoot the ball from the perimeter. He has the athleticism to be a disruptive perimeter defender and he understands both on and off-ball defense. As a point guard, Groninger will be key in getting this team organized on the offensive end and at making sure the ball moves to set up his teammates for scoring opportunities.
#5 – Everett Fedje Everett Fedje 6'3" | SF Drayton/Valley-Edinburg | 2024 State ND 2024 – 6’3” G/F – Drayton/Valley/Edinburg
He is a newcomer to the team. Everett is a very athletic player that fits in with ND Attack team philosophy. He plays aggressive defense and with his athleticism, he can guard all positions on the court if needed. Fedje can drive, dish, and create at the basket. He can also hit the perimeter shot which makes him hard to defend. Everett can help bring the ball up the court when needed but is very strong on as a wing.
#10 – Cameron Sys Cameron Sys 6'4" | SF South Prairie | 2024 State ND (2024) – 6’4” F – South Prairie
He is another newcomer to the team this year. Cameron brings length and athleticism to the team. He is a strong offensive rebounder as he has a feel for being in the right place at the right time. On the defensive end, Sys can create issues with his length and athletic ability. He will provide great depth for this ND Attack team as he can play the post and wing positions.
#13 – Maddox Pierce Maddox Pierce 5'11" | SG Hettinger/Scranton | 2024 State ND (2024) – 5’11” G – Hettinger-Scranton
He is a returning player who is one of the above-mentioned multi-sport athletes. Pierce is an All-Region performer in basketball, football, and baseball for the Hettinger-Scranton Night Hawks. He is a strong combo guard who can get in the paint and hit the perimeter shot. He can handle the ball and get to his spots on the court. Defensively you will know you are in a game as he likes to play physical D and take away the strength of the opposing player. Maddox is versatile, he is quick enough to guard on the perimeter but also uses his strength and jumping ability to match up with players much taller than he is. Pierce is definitely an underrated player.
#15 – Brycen Hoffer Brycen Hoffer 6'2" | SG Horace | 2024 State ND (2024) – 6’2” G – Horace
He is another newcomer to this team but did play on another 16U ND Attack team last season. Brycen fits in perfectly with this team. He is another physical wing player that competes at an extremely high level. Offensively, he can stretch the defense with a strong perimeter shot but is at his best when putting pressure on the defense by getting downhill. He creates opportunities for himself and his teammates. Defensively, Hoffer is versatile and can guard both quick perimeter players and forwards. He does the little things that make teams successful. Hoffer is a top-notch role player that makes his teammates better.
#24 – Riley Robinson Riley Robinson 5'11" | SG Midway/Minto | 2024 State ND (2024) – 5’11” G – Midway-Minto
He is a returner from last season. Riley plays bigger than 5’11”. He is an athletic guard that can get to the paint as well as shoot the ball from the perimeter. He was an All-Region 2 player this high school season. Robinson really understands player and ball movement on the offensive end of the court which makes him a constant threat to score the basketball. He is a high-IQ player. Defensively, Robinson is a great on-ball defender that can disrupt other perimeter players. Riley is a strong rebounder and he really understands team defensive concepts.
#25 – Landon Olson Landon Olson 6'3" | PF Hillsboro/Central Valley | 2024 State ND (2024) – 6’3” F – HCV
He is a returner to the team. Olson was an All-Region 2 player this season. He is a standout basketball and football player for the Burros. Landon plays so much bigger than his 6’2” measurable height. He is a dynamic athlete who is a quick jumper and plays with a physical presence. Olson runs the floor very well and is an elite offensive and defensive rebounder. He uses his quickness and athleticism to defend the post and has a great understanding of pushing players off the block. ND Attack will look to play an inside-out game with Olson on offense. Landon plays a pivotal role in Attack’s success.
#22 – Trevor Schmidt Trevor Schmidt 6'5" | SF South Border | 2024 ND (2024) – 6’4” F – South Border
He is a returning player for this team and is a focal point of their team philosophy. Schmidt was an All-District player and he had a fantastic high school season. Trevor has incredible footwork on the offensive end of the floor and he uses this skillset to score the basketball at a high rate. Trevor is a heady player who not only scores from all three levels of the court but also is a great passer out of double teams. He also seems to find his teammates for scoring opportunities. Schmidt is a long 6’4”, which makes him a great rebounder on both ends of the court. Trevor is another multi-sport athlete that stands out on the football field and basketball court.
#42 – Deng Dut Deng Dut 6'1" | SF Horace | 2024 State ND (2024) – 6’1” F – Horace
He is a returning player who has really developed into a strong player over the past year. Dut is versatile as he can defend on the perimeter and match up with post players when needed. He plays well off the ball on offense. Deng can stretch the defense with a very good perimeter shot and he understands how to cut without the ball to make himself available for his teammates.