ND Preseason A Power Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the first season of 3-Classes in North Dakota High School Basketball. It will take a while to get used to it but we do not have much time. Practice starts on the 27th! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this article, we have our Preseason A Power Rankings. It will be an interesting year, to say the least.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Will the old A teams take care of business against the old B teams? Will the old B teams show out? Will new rivalries form? Will we like 3 Classes? Only time will tell... I do know that there is a ton of talent in Class A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With that said, let's take a look at the Power Rankings. We will give you three reasons WHY the team made the Rankings and ask a question about each squad. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"italic","fontWeight":"800"}}} --> <p style="font-style:italic;font-weight:800">Best of luck to all the teams and players as we prepare for the season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1676515,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/PowerRankings.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/PowerRankings.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1676515" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong>#1 Devils Lake Firebirds</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>WHY?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-They will overwhelm teams with length, athleticism, and explosive scoring </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1411320' first='Wylee' last='Delorme'], [player_tooltip player_id='1750475' first='Parker' last='Brodina'], [player_tooltip player_id='1746515' first='Oliver' last='Wirth'], [player_tooltip player_id='1769085' first='Joel' last='Nelson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1918762' first='Beau' last='Brodina'] make a scary 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Solid depth off the bench, the entire team will play hard, intense, and fast</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Are there enough shots to go around to keep everyone happy? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong>#2 Kindred Vikings</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>WHY?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-They have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to size &amp; athletes </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Will dominate on the glass, own the paint, and take away passing angles</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Length for days, plenty of depth, they have all the pieces to be elite </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Will everyone buy into &amp; accept their role and what kind of defense will they play? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong>#3 Four Winds-Minnewaukan Indians</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>WHY?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-They bring back [player_tooltip player_id='1144580' first='Deng' last='Deng'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1144581' first='Dalen' last='Leftbear'], excellent athletes </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Suffocating defense, create turnovers, dictate the tempo, fast &amp; furious</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Deep stable of quick young guards, strong program, excellent coaching staff </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Will they shoot it well enough from 3-point land to compete with the best teams?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong>#4 Grafton Spoilers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>WHY?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-They bring back a boatload of experience with a veteran backcourt</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1168246' first='Braylon' last='Baldwin'], [player_tooltip player_id='1481873' first='Juan' last='Villarreal'], [player_tooltip player_id='1632619' first='Reggie' last='Rice'], [player_tooltip player_id='1168256' first='Ryan' last='Hanson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1770389' first='Kyler' last='Droog'] make a salty lineup</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Skilled players, loads of talented 3-point shooters, share the ball, will have no trouble scoring </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Do they have enough depth and size to compete with the best teams?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong>#5 Shiloh Christian Skyhawks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>WHY?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-<em>Miller</em> is a veteran coach that has seen it all, [player_tooltip player_id='1372160' first='Atticus' last='Wilkinson'] will be load to handle inside </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1219808' first='Caden' last='Englund'] breakout season coming, [player_tooltip player_id='1718651' first='Isaac' last='Emmel'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1481868' first='Wyatt' last='Westin'] can stretch the floor for 3's</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-They will have plenty of depth in the backcourt</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How does this team mesh and blend in together? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong>#6 Central Cass Squirrels</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>WHY?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-They had a perfect season and won the State Championship last season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Coach is a student of the game, [player_tooltip player_id='1144578' first='Cole' last='Holzer'] is ready for another BIG season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1144577' first='Carter' last='Vrchota'] is a gamer, many other shooters, fullcourt press was deadly last year</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Who will step up and fill Kobbervig's shoes?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong>#7 Dickinson Trinity Titans</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>WHY?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1144605' first='Jake' last='Shobe'] and <em>Gregg</em> <em>Grinsteinner</em>, enough said!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-They have a solid group of players, disciplined &amp; tough, players buy-in</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Shobe brothers will be very productive, other quality athletes will complement them nicely </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Can they score enough points to compete with the big boys?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong>#8 Stanley Blue Jays</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>WHY?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1145117' first='Josh' last='Hetzel'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1716899' first='Drake' last='Schlosser'] make a dynamic backcourt, serious shooters</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1355919' first='Bennett' last='Larson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1145118' first='Jackson' last='Hynek'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2237729' first='Ben' last='Hynek'] will provide size &amp; toughness inside the arc</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Nice inside-out offense, good quickness on the perimeter &amp; game-changing length inside </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What kind of depth do the Blue Jays have? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong>#9 Beulah Miners</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>WHY?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-4 talented guards with [player_tooltip player_id='1144977' first='Trace' last='Beauchamp'], [player_tooltip player_id='1186854' first='Aidan' last='O'Brien'], [player_tooltip player_id='1355920' first='Braylen' last='Schirado'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1144979' first='Champ' last='Hettich']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-They will stretch &amp; spread the floor, many shooters that can hit the triple</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Will break teams down off the bounce, good athleticism and skill </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Do the Miners have the interior size and how does the new coach do?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><em>*<strong>Tie</strong></em><strong> #10 Wahpeton Huskies</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>WHY?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1184547' first='Jayden' last='King'], [player_tooltip player_id='1184569' first='Treyton' last='Mauch'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1798696' first='Brayden' last='Steffens'] will make a quality backcourt</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-The Huskies defense will give opposing teams problems, pressure, press, tough, persistent </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-<em>Jeff Ralph</em> is a very good coach and a great teacher of the game, his teams always play hard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Do they have enough firepower to score with the top teams?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><em>*Tie</em> #10 Turtle Mountain Braves</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>WHY?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-They always score plenty of points and give opposing defenses fits</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1168320' first='Gunner' last='Zerr'] should be one of the top guards in Class A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-The Braves will play fast, push the tempo, and make plays in transition </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How bought in on defense are they and do they have interior size?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1676515,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/PowerRankings.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/PowerRankings.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1676515" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->