ECI 16U Selects: Season Review

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are looking at <em>Tanner Russell's</em> squad in this Season Review article. [program_tooltip program_id='2078372' first='ECI' last=''] 16U Selects finished the grassroots season with a 19-14 record. They competed on the Prep Hoops Circuit and they represented North Dakota in a first-class manner. [program_tooltip program_id='2078372' first='ECI' last=''] 16U Selects saw success this spring/summer and they improved as basketball players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Best of luck in the school season and we look forward to seeing you back on the Prep Hoops Circuit as 17U players in the spring. Expect many of these ballers to make a name for themselves this winter!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>See below for player comments and a Q&amp;A session with coach <em>Russell</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1842251,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/SeaonReview-.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/SeaonReview-.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1842251" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Player Comments from Coach <em>Russell</em></span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size">All players are C/O '25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1525282' first='Victor' last='Busanga'] |5'11 G| Fargo North</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>A crafty guard that is explosive getting downhill. Improved significantly in making the right read once he got into the paint. Brought defense and created for his teammates.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1931467' first='Payton' last='Schell'] |6'0 SF| Minot </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Long-armed forward that can stretch the floor and pick up some important deflections/steals. Improved at getting downhill. Knockdown shooter.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165391' first='Nolan' last='Weidner'] |6'1 G| Dickinson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Solid outside shooter and ball handler. Improved in creating for his teammates. Ran the floor hard and allowed us to push the ball in transition.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1931466' first='Reece' last='Carlson'] |6'3 SF| Fargo North</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Solid ball handler for his size. Gives the ability to stretch the floor. Improved at playing more as a big man. Brought the ability to extend possessions with big-time offensive boards.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1497483' first='Cameron' last='Klefstad'] |6'4 F| Red River</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Great stretch 5 big man. Improved at rebounding and his ability to make post moves and finish around the rim. Brought size, athleticism, and shooting to the team. He was a consistent player all year.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1189430' first='Carter' last='Baasch'] |5'8 G| Maple River</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Solid point guard that shot well from outside and could guard the other team's point guard. Improved on his shooting this summer. Brought a selfless play style and created for his teammates.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1874946' first='Horatio' last='Willie'] |5'11 G| West Fargo</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Solid defensive point guard. Improved on playing unselfishly and finding open teammates. Brought energy and communication to the team. Also came up big in the clutch.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1931465' first='Fischer' last='Johnson'] |5'10 G| Minot</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Great defensive guard. Improved in getting downhill and finishing at the basket. Brought defensive presence and pushed the ball in transition. Finished well at the hoop and created opportunities for his teammates.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1481868' first='Wyatt' last='Westin'] |6'2 G| Shiloh Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Solid offensive forward. Improved on playing solid team basketball. Was a player that was able to score at all three levels consistently.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Q&amp;A with <em>Tanner Russell</em></span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: How would you sum up the season for your squad?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Our ultimate goal was to progressively get better this season. They consistently showed up on the defensive end. Combine that with their ability to play solid team basketball and they won some games against some very good teams.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What are some of the highlights from the season?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>This group of guys had great team chemistry. They played an</em> <em>unselfish style of basketball that allowed everyone to show off their talents. Cam Klefstad had a couple of big dunks and [player_tooltip player_id='1874946' first='Horatio' last='Willie'] had a few game winners.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: How did you and your team overcome adversity?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>This team responded well to adversity. They were willing to make game-time adjustments without needing a coach to call a timeout. At the end of the day, their brand of basketball was a tough-nosed kind. They always wanted to apply some pressure and outwork the other team.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who were a couple of your top shooters?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>[player_tooltip player_id='1931467' first='Payton' last='Schell'] - Our best shooter. He was incredibly accurate at any distance. [player_tooltip player_id='1165391' first='Nolan' last='Weidner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1189430' first='Carter' last='Baasch'] were our other good shooters. They could both shoot from outside at a reasonable clip!</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who was your most improved player?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Most improved would be [player_tooltip player_id='1874946' first='Horatio' last='Willie']. He played solid at the beginning of the year, but he ended up being one of the guards to end the game. Always played hard.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who were some of your hardest workers?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>[player_tooltip player_id='1931465' first='Fischer' last='Johnson'] - He played most of the minutes and would guard the best player in the other team. He always played hard.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who was your best defensive player and why?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>[player_tooltip player_id='1931465' first='Fischer' last='Johnson'] - He always guarded the other team's best player. He would pick up full court if needed.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Which tourney was the most fun?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Comets Shootout - First tournament together and the team won the championship against some solid competition.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1902939,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/10/PHCircuitLaunch-crop-475x312-1681138030.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/10/PHCircuitLaunch-crop-475x312-1681138030.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1902939" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->