ND ’25 Ranks: Breakout Ballers

<!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px">Today, we are checking out SEVEN players from the recent ND 2025 <a href="https://prephoops.com/dakotas/rankings/north-dakota-rankings/2025-rankings/">Rankings Update</a>. PHD believes that these ballers will have a breakout season, read below and we will tell you why!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size">What is a breakout player? A breakout player in basketball usually refers to a baller who has significantly improved their skills &amp; game compared to previous seasons or expectations. Breakout players often emerge as stars or key contributors on their teams after previously flying under the radar. Their breakout can be a result of various factors, such as sharpened skills, increased playing time, improved training, upgraded athleticism, growth in height, development of new skills, better coaching, players graduating, or simply a natural progression in their abilities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size">Who made the list?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Breakout Ballers</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1310206"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eWHY?u003c/spanu003e He was a very good newcomer in the EDC last season and Ahneman is ready to take the next step and become one of the top BIGs in North Dakota. Tommy averaged 9.8 ppg, 7.5 rpg, and 1.1 apg last season. There is a ton of intrigue in this kids game. Ahneman is an advanced finisher that can do it with both hands. His shooting touch and scoring package with his left hand is awe-inspiring. Tommy can also rock the rim with thunderous dunks and spread the floor for triples. The young Mustang is a shot blocker, enforcer, and an overall intimidating figure in the paint. He played with Howard Pulley this offseason and that certainly helped his game improve. [player_tooltip player_id='1310206' first='Tommy' last='Ahneman'] is an A+ prospect and a baller that will definitely breakout this winter/spring!","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1169148"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cemu003eWHY?u003c/emu003eu003c/spanu003e He looked good as a sophomore in the WDA and averaged 11.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, and 1.7 apg. This season, PHD predicts that Falcon will breakout and be an All-WDA and All-State type of player. He is a serious college prospect with his length, smarts, and shoot ability. Falcon already has an offer to play in the NSIC from Minot State and his junior season has not started. Falcon is a dangerous offensive weapon but he is also disruptive defender. Legacy will be scary this winter and [player_tooltip player_id='1169148' first='Parker' last='Falcon'] is going to be a stud!","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1169135"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cemu003eWHY?u003c/emu003eu003c/spanu003e He is already having a breakout year in football and we are using that as an indication for the hoops season. In 2023-24, Parks helped the Roughriders finish 2nd Place at State and he averaged 15.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg, and 2.7 apg. Those are impressive but he was also the third option for Red River. This year, Pearce will be the alpha-dog and the go-to guy for RR. He showed that he could be a dominant player, a mismatch nightmare, and a top-notch defender this offseason with [program_tooltip program_id='2078372' first='ECI' last='']. Pearce is goes to be a dude this winter/spring, will put up splashy numbers, and will be one of the top ballers in the EDC u0026amp; State!","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1167611"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cemu003eWHY?u003c/emu003eu003c/spanu003e He has next-level athleticism, no question about that. Loria also good length, this makes him a matchup problem and an intriguing prospect. Last season, he averaged 4.7 pp, 5.9 rpg, and .5 apg. PHD believes those numbers will really jump up this year. Loria has went from being an interior player to a wing/perimeter baller. His outside jump shot looked smooth and it goes down on a consistent basis. On multiple occasions, I watched Loria shoot the ball at a high-level this summer and his dunking/jumping was beyond impressive. The question that I have is, will West Fargo allow Loria to play on the wing as a 3 or will he play more as a 4/interior player. Time will tell, but I know that he has a ton of talent u0026amp; ability. Get ready for [player_tooltip player_id='1167611' first='Bonfas' last='Loria'] to have a standout season for the Packers!","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1497479"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cemu003eWHY?u003c/emu003eu003c/spanu003e He is a BIG, strong, tough, and physical baller. Johnson is a throwback player that will dominate you around the basket. Brennan averaged an impressive 16.9 PPG, 10.8 RPG, and 2.3 APG last season. He also had a solid offseason with [program_tooltip program_id='2075741' first='ND' last='Phenom'] and playing against that elite type of talent only made him better. He was a double-double guy last winter and he deserves more attention. Johnson's numbers will only improve and he will be an All-State caliber player. Geographically, Tioga is in the NW corner of North Dakota, so we wanted to make sure Brennan is getting the proper attention. This Pirate is ready for a monster season and we recommend that [player_tooltip player_id='1497479' first='Brennan' last='Johnson'] is high on your watchlist this winter!","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1189404"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cemu003eWHY?u003c/emu003eu003c/spanu003e Westphal is a lefty deadeye shooter and I believe that he will shoot the rock hot this year in the EDC. Last season, Brady averaged 11.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg, and 1.8 apg. [player_tooltip player_id='1296796' first='Carvin' last='Fish'] is no longer at Horace, so Westphal will need to increase his scoring numbers and really get after the boards to make an impact. I could see Brady averaging 15+ ppg this season and around 6 or 7 rpg. [player_tooltip player_id='1327797' first='Carter' last='Evanson'] will be a key factor in Westphal becoming a breakout player. Evanson u0026amp; Wetphal will be a dynamic-shooting duo and they will help take pressure off of each other. They both do a good job of moving without the ball and finding each other on the perimeter for open looks. Get ready for the Hawks to have an improved season, for [player_tooltip player_id='1189404' first='Brady' last='Westphal'] to be a leader, and a Breakout Baller!","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["1716899"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cemu003eWHY?u003c/emu003eu003c/spanu003e He impressed me last year with his shooting from beyond the arc. Drake has the ability to be considered a sniper. PHD will be watching early in the year to see how Schlosser is shooting the rock. He also looked good this summer when I saw him ball. Drake is skilled and he stuck out to me as a tough kid. Another reason I think that Schlosser will be a Breakout Player is the arrival of [player_tooltip player_id='1355919' first='Bennett' last='Larson'] at Stanley. Larson is an unselfish passer out of the post and I see that leading to kick-out triples for Drake. Larson will also give the Blue Jays extra possessions with offensive rebounds and this will ultimately result in more scoring chances for Schlosser. Drake's assist numbers should also go up with the opportunity to drop dimes and feed the beast know as u003cstrongu003eBennettu003c/strongu003e u0022Big Countryu0022 u003cstrongu003eLarsonu003c/strongu003e. [player_tooltip player_id='1716899' first='Drake' last='Schlosser'] is primed for a dynamic junior season!","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-650b497cc5cd2"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":1651539,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/BreakoutPlayers.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/BreakoutPlayers.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1651539" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->