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We made it! It is time for live action in North Dakota AA basketball. The “big” schools in North Dakota started practice a week earlier than A and B teams, so that means we only have AA action this weekend.…
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Continue ReadingWe made it! It is time for live action in North Dakota AA basketball. The “big” schools in North Dakota started practice a week earlier than A and B teams, so that means we only have AA action this weekend.
Friday, December 1st is opening night and it is sure to be a fun one! We have multiple intriguing matchups. In this article, we will talk about players to watch, and ask a few questions about each team.
Best of luck to all the teams that open up this weekend!
Friday Matchups
Mandan at #1 Fargo North
#3 Minot at West Fargo
Moorhead at #4 Century
#5 Bismarck at Sheyenne
Legacy at Shanley
Games To Watch
Friday Matchups
Mandan at #1 Fargo North
Mandan Braves
-Do the Braves have an interior presence?
-How do they defend Zeller & Haugo, can they contain the two monsters?
-Is Hudsen Sheldon Hudsen Sheldon 6'2" | SG Mandan | 2025 State ND the best player/athlete on the court? How many dunks does he throw down?
-Are the Bears Tail twins impact players are they in the starting lineup?
-How does TJ Brownotter TJ Brownotter 6'0" | SG Mandan | 2025 State ND look against the athletic and long Spartan wing players?
-How fast do the Braves play are they pushing the tempo all game long?
-Does Mandan play man or zone and do they press?
-How effective is Rustin Medenwald Rustin Medenwald 6'2" | SF Mandan | 2024 State ND on offense and who does he matchup with on defense?
Fargo North Spartans
-Do the Spartans look like the #1 team in the state?
-How does North look without Jeremiah Sem Jeremiah Sem 6'3" | SG Fargo North | 2024 State #303 Nation ND ?
-Does Carter Zeller Carter Zeller 6'6" | PF Fargo North | 2024 State ND own the paint and put up a double-double?
-What type of production does Matthew Sem Matthew Sem 6'1" | SG Fargo North | 2025 State ND have and how is his shot selection?
-How much does NDSU football commit Peder Haugo Peder Haugo 6'3" | PF Fargo North | 2024 ND look?
-After missing last season, how does Carson Hannestad Carson Hannestad 6'0" | SG Fargo North | 2024 ND play? Is he hitting from beyond the arc?
– Bode Hoeg Bode Hoeg 6'2" | PG Fargo North | 2024 ND is coming back from an injury, how is his mobility & does he look to score or just run the show?
-What type of defense do the Spartans play and can they slow down Sheldon?
-What role do Eric DeBoer Eric DeBoer 6'5" | SG Fargo North | 2025 State ND & David Shilling David Shilling 6'3" | SF Fargo North | 2024 State ND play?
#3 Minot at West Fargo
Minot Magicians
-Does Minot live up to the #3 ranking?
-Do the Magi play disciplined man-to-man defense?
-They have a deep junior class, how deep does MHS go into their bench?
-Is Logan Conklin Logan Conklin 6'5" | SF Minot | 2024 ND dominant and where does he do his damage on offense?
-How does Aric Winczewski Aric Winczewski 6'2" | CG Minot | 2025 State ND look, is he the best guard on the floor?
-How productive is Grayson Schaeffer Grayson Schaeffer 6'5" | SF Minot | 2025 State ND ?
-Does Kaiden Helm Kaiden Helm 6'3" | SG Minot | 2025 State ND start and what role does he play?
– Kaden Flavin Kaden Flavin 5'11" | SG Minot | 2025 State ND had a great off-season, how much does he play and is he effective?
West Fargo Packers
-Who runs the PG for the Packers?
-Is Tony Leal Tony Leal 6'5" | PF West Fargo | 2024 ND the dominant force as everyone expects?
-How much burn does Sam Glandt Sam Glandt 6'2" | SG West Fargo | 2026 State ND get and is he effective?
-Who is the best shooter for the Packers?
-Does WF play man-to-man defense or do they zone?
-Does Bonfas Loria Bonfas Loria 6'5" | SF West Fargo | 2025 State ND play primarily inside or on the wing? How does he shoot the rock?
-Is Keyton McGregor Keyton McGregor 6'1" | SG West Fargo | 2024 ND a lockdown defender and how does he score his points?
-Does AP play a deep bench, how many Packers get in the game?
Moorhead at #4 Century
Moorhead Spuds
-Spuds looked good in the scrimmage last Saturday at Horace, do they take care of business vs. the Pats?
-How does Moorhead shoot it from deep? Do they have an inside presence?
-Brian Zarazua Jr, DJ Smith, Carsten Hoff, Reign Battle, DeAngelo Jones, are they the top players for the Spuds?
-The last few years, Century has owned the Spuds. Is that different this season?
Bismarck Century Patriots
-Do the Pats live and die by the 3-point shot?
-Do they score via the post or is it all from outside and/or off the dribble?
-How does Drew Kempel Drew Kempel 6'4" | PG Bismarck Century | 2025 State ND look as the new PG for Century?
-What type of defense do the Pats play?
-How does Jenner Smude Jenner Smude 6'4" | SG Century | 2025 State ND fit in with his new squad?
-Is Isaiah Schafer Isaiah Schafer 6'1" | CG Bismarck Century | 2024 State ND lights out from 3-point land? Does he score at the rim?
-What role does Oliver Jensen Oliver Jensen 6'1" | SF Bismarck Century | 2024 State ND play?
-How much do Gibson Kinnebrew Gibson Kinnebrew 6'3" | SG Bismarck Century | 2027 State ND & Garrett Nissley Garrett Nissley 6'3" | CG Bismarck Century | 2026 State ND play and do they look ready for varsity action?
#5 Bismarck at Sheyenne
Bismarck Demons
-How many players do the Demons get in the game?
-Do they press and trap the entire night?
-Can they get stops in the halfcourt?
-Does Andre’ Austin Andre’ Austin 6'3" | CG Bismarck | 2025 State #388 Nation ND look like the best player on the floor? How is his mobility and shooting?
-How many minutes does Weston Scott Weston Scott 6'1" | SG Bismarck | 2027 State ND play and is he effective?
-Do the Demons get the ball inside or do they rely on 3’s and points from transition?
-Do Grant Bieber Grant Bieber 6'2" | SG Bismarck | 2026 State ND and Artie Carlow Artie Carlow 6'0" | SG Bismarck | 2026 State ND play meaningful minutes?
-What role does Teysean Eaglestaff Teysean Eaglestaff 6'7" | SF Bismarck | 2024 State ND play? Does he create for others and how does he get his points?
– Carter Henke Carter Henke 6'1" | SG Bismarck | 2024 ND , is he shooting sharp on opening night?
-How do they defend Ahneman?
Sheyenne Mustangs
-This is the 2nd year under coach Brandt, how clean do the Mustangs play in game 1?
-How effective is the backcourt w/ Sullivan Ihry Sullivan Ihry 5'11" | CG West Fargo Sheyenne | 2025 State ND & Barry Kpeenu Barry Kpeenu 5'10" | PG Sheyenne | 2024 State ND ? Can they defend & take care of the ball?
-Is Tommy Ahneman Tommy Ahneman 6'10" | PF West Fargo Sheyenne | 2025 State #315 Nation ND a dominant BIG and one of the best in ND?
– John Angau John Angau 6'4" | SG West Fargo Sheyenne | 2024 State ND had a great summer, is he ready for a breakout season?
– Caleb Duerr Caleb Duerr 6'4" | SG West Fargo Sheyenne | 2024 ND was All-EDC last season, does he look sharp in game 1 of the season? How does his J look?
-Do the Mustangs play inside-out basketball?
-What style and type of defense do the Mustangs play?
-How many players get in the game for Brandt’s squad?
Legacy at Shanley
Bismarck Legacy Sabers
-Who else scores for the Sabers outside of Lucas Kupfer Lucas Kupfer 6'5" | SF Bismarck Legacy | 2024 State ND and Parker Falcon Parker Falcon 6'6" | SG Bismarck Legacy | 2025 State ND ?
-Who runs the PG spot and what style of offense do they run?
-Does Parker Falcon Parker Falcon 6'6" | SG Bismarck Legacy | 2025 State ND look like one of the top shooters in the state? Does he score off the bounce?
– Lucas Kupfer Lucas Kupfer 6'5" | SF Bismarck Legacy | 2024 State ND should be one of the best athletes on the floor. Does he score outside of the paint?
-What role and how many minutes does Jonathan Roubideaux jr. play on opening night?
-Who steps up for the Sabers when they need a bucket?
Shanley Deacons
-Who is in the starting lineup?
-Does Justin Ajeo Justin Ajeo 5'11" | PG Shanley | 2025 State ND start, does he stand out with his athleticism and speed?
– Tommy Baumgartner Tommy Baumgartner 6'4" | SG Shanley | 2027 State ND is a player to watch, how does he shoot, is he physically ready for varsity?
– Isaac Beauchamp Isaac Beauchamp 6'1" | PG Shanley | 2025 State ND , I am interested to see what his role is for the Deacons.
– Kaden Christmann Kaden Christmann 6'1" | SG Fargo Shanley | 2024 ND , does he look like the best defender in the EDC? Does he look to score w/ his jump shot?
– Jake Kraft Jake Kraft 6'0" | SG Shanley | 2026 State ND , is he ready for the bright lights and how does he look on D?
-Is “Cool Hand” Luke Warner Luke Warner 6'11" | C Shanley | 2025 State ND a monster inside? How is his endurance and can he produce points & boards?