ECI 16U Selects: Season Review
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We are looking at Tanner Russell’s squad in this Season Review article. ECI 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. ECI…
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Continue ReadingWe are looking at Tanner Russell’s squad in this Season Review article. ECI 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. ECI 16U Selects saw success this spring/summer and they improved as basketball players.
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!
See below for player comments and a Q&A session with coach Russell.
Player Comments from Coach Russell
All players are C/O ’25
Victor Busanga Victor Busanga 5'11" | CG Fargo North | 2025 State ND |5’11 G| Fargo North
“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.“
Payton Schell Payton Schell 6'3" | SG Minot | 2025 State ND |6’0 SF| Minot
“Long-armed forward that can stretch the floor and pick up some important deflections/steals. Improved at getting downhill. Knockdown shooter.“
Nolan Weidner Nolan Weidner 6'2" | SG Dickinson | 2025 State ND |6’1 G| Dickinson
“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.“
Reece Carlson Reece Carlson 6'3" | SF Fargo North | 2025 State ND |6’3 SF| Fargo North
“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.“
Cameron Klefstad Cameron Klefstad 6'4" | PF Grand Forks Red River | 2025 State ND |6’4 F| Red River
“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.“
Carter Baasch Carter Baasch 5'7" | SG Maple River | 2025 State ND |5’8 G| Maple River
“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.“
Horatio Willie Horatio Willie 5'11" | PG West Fargo | 2025 State ND |5’11 G| West Fargo
“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.“
Fischer Johnson Fischer Johnson 5'11" | CG Minot | 2025 State ND |5’10 G| Minot
“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.“
Wyatt Westin Wyatt Westin 6'2" | SG Shiloh Christian | 2025 State ND |6’2 G| Shiloh Christian
“Solid offensive forward. Improved on playing solid team basketball. Was a player that was able to score at all three levels consistently.“
Q&A with Tanner Russell
PHD: How would you sum up the season for your squad?
“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.“
PHD: What are some of the highlights from the season?
“This group of guys had great team chemistry. They played an unselfish style of basketball that allowed everyone to show off their talents. Cam Klefstad had a couple of big dunks and Horatio Willie Horatio Willie 5'11" | PG West Fargo | 2025 State ND had a few game winners.“
PHD: How did you and your team overcome adversity?
“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.“
PHD: Who were a couple of your top shooters?
“ Payton Schell Payton Schell 6'3" | SG Minot | 2025 State ND – Our best shooter. He was incredibly accurate at any distance. Nolan Weidner Nolan Weidner 6'2" | SG Dickinson | 2025 State ND and Carter Baasch Carter Baasch 5'7" | SG Maple River | 2025 State ND were our other good shooters. They could both shoot from outside at a reasonable clip!“
PHD: Who was your most improved player?
“Most improved would be Horatio Willie Horatio Willie 5'11" | PG West Fargo | 2025 State ND . 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.“
PHD: Who were some of your hardest workers?
“ Fischer Johnson Fischer Johnson 5'11" | CG Minot | 2025 State ND – He played most of the minutes and would guard the best player in the other team. He always played hard.“
PHD: Who was your best defensive player and why?
“ Fischer Johnson Fischer Johnson 5'11" | CG Minot | 2025 State ND – He always guarded the other team’s best player. He would pick up full court if needed.“
PHD: Which tourney was the most fun?
“Comets Shootout – First tournament together and the team won the championship against some solid competition.“