ND and SD Glue Guys

Every successful basketball team has a "Glue Guy" and that is the topic of this article.   So, what is a "Glue Guy"? A player who is always hustling, he does the little things and contributes to the team's success. This type of player serves as a unifying force and helps hold the team together like glue. A "Glue Guy" is reliable on defense, shares the ball on offense, works on the boards, and is a good leader. Glue players offer up versatility and this can fill a variety of roles. These types of players are known for their hustle, work ethic, and team-first mentality.   Enough chatter, let's take of look at the 19 "Glue Players" from ND & SD....   Glue Guys   [player_tooltip player_id='1657085' first='Boston' last='Willemssen'] ('24) |6'6 PF| Tea Area   He is a traditional do-it-all post-player. Boston is a tremendous rebounder & defender, both on the ball & off. He is smart about using his length to cause issues & he has the athleticism to guard anyone on the floor. Willemssen is not going to score 20, but is a key part of the Titan offense as a screener & passer.   [player_tooltip player_id='2255543' first='Braeden' last='Kinzler'] ('25) |6'0 G| EKM   He is a "Glue Guy" but he can also put up serious points. Kinzler poured in 29 points last night in the win over Barnes County North. He rebounds well for a guard and will usually guard the opposing team's best player 1-3 position-wise. Braeden gets on the floor for loose balls, handles the ball when EKM needs him to, and can run all day (All-State Cross Country Runner). Kinzler just brings a lot of energy to the team night in and night out and is a quiet leader who leads by example!   [player_tooltip player_id='2248648' first='Brayden' last='Schut'] ('24) |5'10 F| Chester   He is a multi-sport athlete, a great student, and a leader. Shut volunteered to enter the Flyer program as a 7th grader without the guarantee of a JV jersey. For six years he has been a dedicated member of the Flyer basketball program. Despite being undersized he is very tough, hard-nosed, and competitive. He played center this year in football having not spent hardly any time on the offensive line. Schut is a quick learner and easy to coach. As an undersized forward, he is typically given the task of guarding larger forwards and having to bang around in the paint and get tough rebounds, loose balls, and things you don't see on any stat sheets. Most importantly, he is a team leader and leads the Flyers in communication on and off the court. He leads Chester in communication on defense and organizes the offense when they need great possessions. In last night's come-from-behind victory, Schut had to spend most of the 2nd half in foul trouble and off the floor, despite that he was vocal during timeouts helping out his teammates and leading the best way he could when not being able to play. In closing, he is also a great kid, and Chester loves having him in the program. Brayden is the true essence of a "Glue Guy"!   [player_tooltip player_id='1273709' first='Carter' last='Maasjo'] ('24) |6'4 F| Central Cass   The Squirrels are the reigning Class B State Champions and they started the season off with a win last night over Valley City. Maasjo is a great example of a "Glue Guy". Carter is always positive and is constantly communicating with his teammates to help keep them in the right spots and focused on the team goals. He is also a big effort player and willing to do the little things to help Central Cass find success. Every team needs a player like Maasjo.   [player_tooltip player_id='1526946' first='Chuck' last='Callahan'] ('24) |6'2 F| Madison   The Bulldogs have started the year 2-0 and Callahan is one of the key role players from Madison. Chuck always does what is asked of him, he never whines, complains, or makes excuses. Callahan works very hard and wants to improve his game. Expect Chuck to continue his improvement over the course of the season. Madison just beat Tri-Valley on Tuesday night and Chuck had 8 rebounds I'm that matchup.   [player_tooltip player_id='2275227' first='Hayden' last='Groos'] ('24) |6'2 G/F| O'Gorman   He exemplifies the role of a Glue Guy. Groos is a dual-sport athlete who was All-State as a football player this fall. On the hardwood, Hayden will guard any position and he will fill any role that the Knights might need. Groos is known as the best defender for OG and he is a darn good rebounder. He is versatile, Hayden can play in or out and defend on the wing or in the post. He brings leadership, toughness, and a willingness to do whatever needs to be done.   [player_tooltip player_id='1632620' first='Hunter' last='Hagler'] ('26) |6'3 SF| North Star   He is currently recovering from a football injury but will be back soon. When the young Hagler gets back on the floor, expect him to be a top-notch"Glue Guy". Hunter will make the Bearcats go! He is long/athletic and his motor never stops. Once Hunter gets back, North Star can put a lineup on the court that is 6'3” and above, their pressure defense will get ramped up and the Bearcats will be able to throw a few different looks at teams on defense. PHD is excited to see Hagler on the court!   [player_tooltip player_id='2297222' first='John' last='Williams III'] ('25) |5'11 PG| Minot North   He is an excellent defender, a vocal leader, a productive slasher, and John makes a ton of hustle plays in every game. He had a very good offseason and is a player to watch this winter. Williams III is a star athlete, he is a State Champion in the triple jump (won it last year as a soph). He even holds the record for the triple jump at Minot High. On the court, John plays above the rim, handles the ball well, gets to the cup, is a good communicator, and defends hard. Get eyes on this Glue Guy for the Sentinels!   [player_tooltip player_id='1840960' first='Mark' last='Ditter'] ('24) |6'0 G| Baltic   Ditter plays a style of basketball that Baltic likes to call “winning basketball”. It is not about stats for him. He was Baltic's MVP as a sophomore.  He is consistent and steady. As a 3-year starter, Mark understands that the ultimate goal for the team is the stat that they put up in the win column. Ditter has taken on more and more as he has progressed through the Baltic program. Initially, he was a 3-point shooter. The next year he became more of a true scoring threat in different facets of the offense. He is now able to penetrate and facilitate the Bulldog offense as a point guard, even though his natural position is a two. As a junior, he became one of Baltic's best perimeter defenders. He is consistently taking on the opponent's best guards, Mark understands his assignments and how to use his ability to guard. He has an extremely high basketball IQ and gets the Bulldogs into their matchups the way that the Baltic coaching staff has planned. Coaches often talk about an extension of the coach on the floor, Mark fits that bill. He is a big reason why the Bulldogs are off to a hot start. Ditter is extremely competitive and wants to do the little things to help his team win. The most impressive thing about Mark is the fact that he is extremely coachable, and his teammates know when he speaks, it is with truth and value. He doesn't display a ton of emotion on the court, but when he does the Bulldogs feed off it and it gets them going. A kid like [player_tooltip player_id='1840960' first='Mark' last='Ditter'] doesn't come along very often. He is unselfish, a leader, and cares about his teammates. He is in it to win it and is willing to do whatever it takes to get his teammates across the line with him.   [player_tooltip player_id='1634581' first='Milo' last='Sumption'] ('26) |6'2 F| Leola-Frederick   The Titans are 2-0 on the young season and Mr. Suption has played a big part in that hot start. Milo is the 2nd leading rebounder for the Titans. He is a tireless worker on the glass. On defense, Sumption is able to guard multiple positions, his versatility is invaluable. His length and toughness aid him greatly on the defensive side of the ball. Milo is a great role player and a true "Glue Guy" for the Titans.   Oaklee Medenwaldt ('24) |5'11 G/F| Hankinson   The Pirates are off to a 2-0 start and you need a Glue Guy for that! Medenwaldt comes off the bench and plays just as much as some of the other starters. He hustles all the time. He forces a lot of jump balls and gives Hankinson great/solid minutes off the bench. He can hit a 3 when open. Oaklee is a great teammate and is always encouraging his younger teammates.    [player_tooltip player_id='1163488' first='Owen' last='Bittner'] ('24) 6'0 G Dickinson   He is a strong, fast, quick defender. Bittner is always in the right position defensively. Owen is undersized, yet he is able to gather in rebounds on both ends of the floor. He will collect every loose ball and is an unbelievable leader! Bittner is physically and mentally tough. On offense, Bittner can hit 3's and slash for points, but his all-around game is what makes Owen a difference-maker.   [player_tooltip player_id='1750475' first='Parker' last='Brodina'] ('25) |6'4 G/F| Devils Lake   Parker has never missed a workout, he makes sure everyone else is accountable at every workout. He communicates very clearly of what is expected, desired, and most importantly that he is there for the team. Brodina is not the most athletic but his desire for team success is second to none. Not only is he competitive but also supportive and compassionate to everyone. He leads kids in the right direction on and off the court. He will be the first to organize everyone to go fishing together, duck hunting together, go lift together, and go to open gym together. Parker fits the bill as one the best glue guys around the Dakotas.   [player_tooltip player_id='1334664' first='Peder' last='Haugo'] ('24) |6'3 F| Fargo North   The Spartans are the reigning State Champions, ranked #1 in AA, and are off to a 4-0 start. Haugo is a guy who is always guarding the opponent's best player, rebounds hard, is constantly outworking everyone on the floor, and is a tremendous leader on and off the court. Peder can also guard multiple positions which is a nice option for coach Hoeg. Haugo is big, strong, and really fleet of foot. He is constantly trying to improve his offensive capabilities as well. [player_tooltip player_id='1334664' first='Peder' last='Haugo'] is a great "Glue Guy" for the Spartans.   [player_tooltip player_id='1164103' first='Tate' last='Parson'] ('24) |5'10 G| Grand Forks Red River   Parson is the type of player who gets better every day. He knows his role on the team and fills it well. Tate is willing to take charges, pick his man up full, and take the ball to the rim when necessary.  Tate gets RR in their offense, helps control the tempo, and takes care of the ball. Also, Parson has the ability to know where to go in all the RR sets, positions 1 through 5. Tate is a great team player.    [player_tooltip player_id='1552592' first='Trace' last='Van Regenmorter'] ('24) |6'4 F| De Smet   The Bulldogs are 2-0 on the year and Trace is a big reason for that. Last night, the Bulldogs took down Clark-Willow Lake and Van Regenmorter put up 7 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals. Trave gives De Smet a ton of energy and is a hardworking rebounder. He never slows down, is willing to play any position on the floor, and will guard any player on the hardwood.   [player_tooltip player_id='1559131' first='Trimmier' last='Hanson'] ('26) |5'10 PG| Dell Rapids St. Mary   He is a two-year starter for the Cardinals. Hanson may not get his recognition for scoring on a nightly basis but he does a lot of things for his team team that do not show up in the stat books. He has been a steady point guard who is a VERY reliable ball handler, DRSM counts on Trimmier to get the offense rolling. He can guard multiple positions and rebounds well for his size. Hanson competes at a high level and will do whatever the team needs of him to win the game! The Cardinal coaching staff is grateful to have Trimmier's experience back this year and down the road!   [player_tooltip player_id='2297365' first='Westyn' last='Thorpe'] ('26) |5'10 G| Leola-Frederick   He comes off the bench for the Titans and has helped them start the year at 2-0. Westyn has done a solid job at finding openings on the offensive glass despite only being 5'10". He has wonderful vision when running the fast break and at flashing to openings for layup opportunities. Thorpe certainly does the little things to help the Titans.   [player_tooltip player_id='2249367' first='Zac' last='Olson'] ('26) |5'7 PG| Winner   He is a key backcourt player for the Warriors. Zac has the ball in his hands for the majority of the shot clock. Olson makes the correct play and the winning play! He will not put up splashy numbers on the stat sheet but is a major contributor for the tough Warriors. Zac is always hustling and helping his teammates.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/IMG_6660.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/IMG_6660.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2297134" /></a></figure>

Every successful basketball team has a "Glue Guy" and that is the topic of this article.