3-Division Basketball: Class B

North Dakota basketball is going to look a little different next season! There will be three classes in North Dakota, B, A, and AA.

In this article, we are looking at two players from each Class B District that we think will be Noteworthy performers in the 2023-2024 season.

See below for 16 Noteworthy Players and we will also list the teams that will be in each District.

Noteworthy Class B Players

District 1

Luke Martinson Luke Martinson 6'4" | PF Sargent County | 2024 State ND (2024) |6’4 F| Sargent County

He and the Bulldogs won 20 games. All-Region and averaged 13.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.6 apg. Martinson is a physical & aggressive player that does not back down. He scores from every layer/level. Luke’s 3-point shot continues to improve. Do not forget about Josh Wittich Josh Wittich 6'5" | PF Sargent County | 2024 State ND (All-Region), he will be a DUDE next year.

Trey Skoglund Trey Skoglund 6'0" | PG Oakes | 2024 ND (2024) |6’0 PG| Oakes

He was an All-District player that averaged 11 ppg, 7 rpg, 3 apg, 3 spg. Skoglund is a leader on the hardwood, a creator/facilitator, and he makes his teammates better. Trey is skilled with the ball in his hands and he makes smart decisions. He is sneaky/clever on D that leads to turnovers.

District 1 Teams: Wyndmere/Lidgerwood, Maple River, Enderlin, Hankinson, Richland, Oakes, Tri-State, Barnes County North, Sargent County.

District 2

Jacob Nitschke Jacob Nitschke 6'5" | PF Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier | 2024 State ND |6’5 PF| Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier

He was All-District and put up noteworthy numbers with 17 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 2 apg, 2.4 spg, 48 FG%. Nitschke is a 2-way player, is strong, and he works his tail off. Jacob is a beast on the offensive glass. He is a BIG but can score from all levels. Tough to handle as he is effective inside & out.

Max Musland Max Musland 6'4" | SG LaMoure-Litchville/Marion | 2024 State ND (2024) |6’4 SG| LaMoure-Litchville/Marion

All-District and was one of the hottest players in the State late in the year. Max averaged 18.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.5 apg, 42 FG%. Musland has a pure jumpshot and will be one of the elite shooters in B. Has deep range and scores off the catch and dribble. Musland is a major matchup problem.

District 2 Teams: Linton-HMB, Ellendale, KidderCounty, Napoleon-G-S, Strasburg/Zeeland, South Border, Medina-Pingree-Buchanan, LaMoure-Litchville/Marion, Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier

District 3

Dane Hagler Dane Hagler 6'4" | SG North Star | 2024 State ND (2024) |6’4 SG| North Star

All-Region this past year. Hagler is a complete player. He averaged 22.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 4.3 apg, 3.9 spg, 50.3 FG%, 75.4 FT%. Dane is dynamic & explosive. He was one of the best dunkers in B last season. He is also tough on D, a vacuum rebounder, and most importantly he makes others better.

Rayce Worley Rayce Worley 6'4" | SF Langdon Area/Edmore/Munich | 2024 State ND (2024) |6’4 SF| Langdon Area-Edmore-Munich

An All-Region selection and is currently vastly underrated. Worley averaged an impressive 19.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.1 apg, 43 FG%, 30 3FG%. Rayce has great shooting form, deadly off the catch, scores inside w/ muscle & athleticism. A stud/strong athlete that is getting serious looks for college football.

District 3 Teams: Drayton-Valley-Edinburg, Cavalier, North Prairie, North Border, St. John, North Star, Langdon Area-Edmore-Munich, Park River-Fordville-Lankin, Midway/Minto.

District 4

Elijah Feather Elijah Feather 6'0" | CG Warwick | 2025 State ND (2025) |6’0 G| Warwick

He helped the Warriors win Region 4 and get to the State Tournament. He was just short of averaging double-digit points. Feather can really shoot it from beyond the arc. Elijah can fill-it-up in a hurry 3-points at a time. I would expect him to be one of the top shooting juniors in B next year.

Marshall Judisch Marshall Judisch 6'0" | CG May-Port-C-G | 2024 State ND (2024) |6’0 G| May-Port-CG

He was an All-Region player and he helped the Patriots win 16 games. Late in the year, the Pats were a scary team! Marshall averaged 13 ppg, 3 apg, 3 rpg, shot over 40 3FG%, and 94 FT%. Judisch is a high-percentage shooter that does not need many shots to get points. He is also a high-IQ player.

District 4 Teams: New Rockford-Sheyenne, Benson County, Lakota, Warwick, Dakota Prairie, Larimore, Griggs/Midkota, May-Port-CG, Hatton/Northwood.

District 5

Bohden Duffield Bohden Duffield 6'1" | SG Bowman County | 2024 State ND (2024) |6’1 G| Bowman County

He was All-Region and All-State. The Duffields helped the Bulldogs get to the Region Championship. Bohden’s numbers looked like this: 24 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.5 apg, 3 spg, 52.3% FG, 65.3% 2FG%, 36.4% 3FG. Do not forget about his brother Bishop Duffield Bishop Duffield 6'1" | SG Bowman County | 2024 State ND (All-Region & All-State), he is a complete stud also. Dynamic Playmakers!

Javin Friesz Javin Friesz 6'2" | CG Flasher | 2024 State ND (2024) |6’2 G| Flasher

All-State and All-Region last season. Friesz put up some crazy numbers with 28.2 ppg, 8 rpg, 2 apg, 1 spg, 46% FG. He is a walking bucket that is a SNIPER from 3pt-land and is skilled like a surgeon at finding ways to score inside the arc. Uber-skilled, has a nose for the ball, great bball instincts.

District 5 Teams: Hettinger-Scranton, New England, Beach, Solen, Grant County/Mott-Regent, Richardton-Taylor, Glen Ullin-Hebron, Flasher, Bowman County.

District 6

Alex Retterath Alex Retterath 6'1" | SG Washburn | 2024 State ND (2024) |6’1 G| Washburn

All-Region 5 and high-quality numbers with 18.9 ppg, 9 rpg, 2.7 apg, 2.4 spg, 28 3FG%, 81 FT%. Has a plethora of moves to beat the D with. He is a smooth finisher and is a crafty scorer in the paint. Retterath can also hit from deep. Do not forget about Parker Jacobson Parker Jacobson 6'1" | CG Washburn | 2026 State ND who made 101 triples last season and shot 49.5 3FG%!

Braxton Iglehart Braxton Iglehart 6'1" | PG Garrison | 2024 State ND (2024) |6’1 PG| Garrison

He helped lead the Troopers to 20 wins and a trip to the Region Championship. Braxton put up some nice numbers with 14.7 ppg, 3.5 apg, 3 spg, 53 FG%, and 68 deflections. Takes care of the ball & creates for others. Has top-notch handles, precision passer, is very fast, and great defender.

District 6 Teams: Mandaree, New Salem-Almont, Garrison, Wilton/Wing, Center-Stanton, Washburn, Central McLean, Max, White Shield, South Prairie.

District 7

Jack Zimmer Jack Zimmer 6'1" | PG Kenmare/Bowbells | 2024 State ND (2024) |6’1 G| Kenmare Bowbells

He was All-District 16 and also District 16 All-Tournament Team. Zimmer put up some gaudy numbers with 19.9 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.8 spg, 40% FG, 34% 3FG, 82% FT. Zimmer has finely-tuned ball skills, is a fierce competitor, can do it all on the court, and is a diverse scoring option.

Kia Thomas Kia Thomas 6'5" | SF Williston Trinity | 2024 ND (2024) |6’5 SF| Williston Trinity

He was All-District 15 and also District 15 All-Tournament Team. His length causes problems on defense, which leads to TO’s and deflections. Kia is a major 3-point shooting threat. He is tall, has long arms, and shoots it feathery-soft. Thomas never rushes but has no trouble getting off shots.

District 7 Teams: Divide County, Parshall/NSP, Williston Trinity, Trenton, Alexander, Tioga, Ray, Kenmare/Bowbells, Powers Lake-Burke County.

District 8

Ramsey Walz Ramsey Walz 6'7" | PF Bishop Ryan | 2025 State ND (2025) |6’7 PF| Bishop Ryan

All-Region and helped his team win 21 games and averaged 14 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.2 spg, 1.3 bpg, 64 FG%, 37.5 3FG%. Long, athletic, skilled, and can shoot from deep. Ramsey is a standout rebounder & rim-protector. Walz is currently receiving interest from NSIC & Summit League schools.

Walker Braaten Walker Braaten 6'4" | CG Westhope/Newburg | 2025 State ND (2025) |6’4 G| Westhope/Newburg

All-State & All-Region last season with 27.4 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 3.1 apg, 4.2 spg, 1.2 bpg, 45 FG%, 34 3FG%, 71 FT%. Amazing shot maker from every level, has all the skills, brute on the boards, complete player maker. Braaten is currently receiving interest from NSIC & Summit League schools.

District 8 Teams: Glenburn, Drake-Anamoose, Velva, Our Redeemers, Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood, Lewis & Clark-Berthold, Westhope/Newburg, TGU, Harvey/Wells County, Bishop Ryan, Surrey.