Grand Forks Central – Hoops Preview
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PHD has another Season Preview article for you to check out. We are looking at Grand Forks Central who is a AA team in the Eastern Dakota Conference (EDC). Dan Calrson is the head coach. GFC brings back all of…
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Continue ReadingPHD has another Season Preview article for you to check out. We are looking at Grand Forks Central who is a AA team in the Eastern Dakota Conference (EDC). Dan Calrson is the head coach. GFC brings back all of their main pieces and PHD is predicting that the Knights from Grand Forks Central make the State Tournament this year!
See below for stats/numbers, a Q&A session with coach Carlson, and the Knights schedule.
2022-2023 Stats & Numbers
Record: 13-12 Home Record: 8-7 Away Record: 5-5
PPG: 68.9 OPPG: 67.5 FG%: 43 3FG%: 34 RPG: 34.2 APG: 15.2 SPG: 7.1 BPG: 3.4
Player | Grade | FGM-A | 3FGM-A | FTM-A | OREB | REB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS | GP |
Jack Simmers Jack Simmers 6'0" | SG Grand Forks Central | 2024 State ND | 12 | 4-9.6 (41%) | 1-3.1 (30%) | 1.8-3 (57%) | 1.3 | 5.6 | 3.2 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 10.7 | 25 |
Tyler Whalen | 12 | 0-0.3 | NA | NA | 0.3 | 0.3 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 4 |
Brayden Delorme Brayden Delorme 5'11" | SG Grand Forks Central | 2026 State ND | 10 | 0-1.3 | 0-0.7 | NA | NA | 0.7 | 0.3 | NA | NA | NA | 3 |
Ross Wilber Ross Wilber 5'10" | CG Grand Forks Central | 2024 State ND | 12 | 5.4-12 (44%) | 4.1-9.4 (43%) | 1.4-2.1 (67%) | 0.7 | 4.3 | 2.6 | 1.7 | 0.1 | 16.2 | 25 |
Cole Wilber Cole Wilber 5'10" | CG Grand Forks Central | 2025 State ND | 11 | 3-9.2 (32%) | 1.4-4.7 (29%) | 1.7-2.7 (61%) | 0.9 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 1.2 | NA | 9.1 | 25 |
Leo Strandell Leo Strandell 6'4" | SF Grand Forks Central | 2024 State ND | 12 | 3.4-9.9 (33%) | 0.6-2.9 (20%) | 0.8-1.3 (63%) | 0.8 | 5.9 | 2.9 | 0.9 | 2 | 8.1 | 17 |
Erick Paye Erick Paye 6'5" | PF Grand Forks Central | 2024 ND | 12 | 8-13.5 (59%) | 0.1-0.4 (18%) | 2.7-5.3 (51%) | 4.7 | 10.6 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 18.8 | 25 |
Brooklan Bruce Brooklan Bruce 5'10" | CG Grand Forks Central | 2026 State ND | 10 | 1.2-2.6 (41%) | 0.8-1.4 (57%) | 0.8-0.8 (100%) | 0.4 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 0.6 | NA | 4 | 5 |
Trey Wyman | 11 | 0.6-1.5 (41%) | 0.1-0.3 (16%) | 0.2-0.3 (60%) | 0.4 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 1.5 | 19 |
Kendall Kjonaas Kendall Kjonaas 5'11" | SG Grand Forks Central | 2024 State ND | 12 | 1.4-4.8 (30%) | 1.2-3.4 (34%) | 0.6-0.9 (60%) | 0.4 | 1.7 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 4.6 | 25 |
Ethan Thomas Ethan Thomas 6'5" | PF Grand Forks Central | 2024 ND | 12 | 0.3-0.7 (50%) | NA | NA | 0.7 | NA | 0.7 | NA | NA | 0.7 | 3 |
Q&A with coach Carlson
PHD: Could you write a couple of sentences summing up last season? –
“We had a competitive season last year losing in the State qualifying game to Shanley. We had a number of close games throughout the season and were able to develop some competitive toughness.“
PHD: How did the offseason go for your team/program?
“We had a good off-season of team camps, individual skill work, and a good turnout in the weight room.“
PHD: Who are a few of your top players to look out for and why?
“We return our starting 2 All-EDC players in Erick Paye Erick Paye 6'5" | PF Grand Forks Central | 2024 ND & Ross Wilber Ross Wilber 5'10" | CG Grand Forks Central | 2024 State ND . We also have the rest of our starting five returning with Jack Simmers Jack Simmers 6'0" | SG Grand Forks Central | 2024 State ND , Leo Strandell Leo Strandell 6'4" | SF Grand Forks Central | 2024 State ND and Cole Wilber Cole Wilber 5'10" | CG Grand Forks Central | 2025 State ND . Kendall Kjonaas Kendall Kjonaas 5'11" | SG Grand Forks Central | 2024 State ND , our 1st guy off the bench, is also returning.“
PHD: Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for in the near future?
“Trey Wyman, Brooklan Bruce Brooklan Bruce 5'10" | CG Grand Forks Central | 2026 State ND and Brayden Delorme Brayden Delorme 5'11" | SG Grand Forks Central | 2026 State ND will all have a chance to compete for some playing time. They all showed some signs at the end of last season that they can contribute at this level.“
PHD: What style of basketball will your team play?
“We will run a lot of motion offense relying on player and ball movement. We will look to push the ball along with half-court sets.“
PHD: What are a couple of your team goals this year?
“We want to take that next step and qualify for the State Tournament. If we get to that point we feel we can compete with the top teams in the state.“
PHD: Who are some of the top teams in your Region?
“The league will be balanced as usual with North and Davies being at the top. I feel Sheyenne is a team that will fight for a top spot along with South and West Fargo being very competitive. Red River will be a different team than last year, but will have some tough matchups with their overall size.“
GFC Schedule
Nov 20 – First Practice
Dec 2 – home vs. Minot North
Dec 8 – at Dickinson
Dec 9 – at Bismarck St. Mary’s
Dec 12 – at Red River
Dec 15 – home vs. Fargo North
Dec 19 – at Fargo Davies
Jan 2 – at East Grand Forks
Jan 5 – home vs. West Fargo
Jan 11 – home vs. Horace
Jan 13 – home vs. Fargo South
Jan 19 – at West Fargo Sheyenne
Jan 23 – at Shanley
Jan 26 – home vs. Devils Lake
Jam 30 – home vs. Red River
Feb 2 – at Fargo North
Feb 6 – home vs Fargo Davies
Feb 9 – at West Fargo
Feb 13 – at Fargo South
Feb 16 – at Horace
Feb 20 – home vs. West Fargo Sheyenne
Feb 22 – home vs. Shanley
Feb 24/27/29 March 2 – EDC Tournament
March 7/8/9 – State Tournament
Best of luck to the Knights this season!