State Qualifiers: Watchlist
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Saturday, March 9th will be a historic day in North Dakota High School Basketball. As you know, ND has 3 Classes/Divisions this season. That means we have State Qualifiers/Challenge games this season! In the past, you had to win your…
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Continue ReadingSaturday, March 9th will be a historic day in North Dakota High School Basketball. As you know, ND has 3 Classes/Divisions this season. That means we have State Qualifiers/Challenge games this season!
In the past, you had to win your Region to make State in Class B. With the new system in place, you can punch your ticket to State by winning the Challenge Game in A & B!
Teams from Region 1 & 2 in Class A & B will play at NDSU’s SHAC in Fargo on 3/9/24. If you win, you make State, if you lose, your season is over.
The Runner-ups are facing the 3rd place finisher for the opposite Region.
There are also games going on out west at the New Town Event Center with Region 3 & 4 teams. However, in this article, we are looking at the games/players from Region 1 & 2.
Who is playing?
1:00 Class A – Grafton (19-4) vs. Wahpeton (16-8)
3:00 Class A – Thompson (13-11) vs. Valley City (11-11)
5:00 Class B – LaMoure-Litchville/Marion (15-10) vs. New Rockford-Sheyenne (13-12)
7:00 Class – Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier (21-4) vs. North Border (16-8)
See below for PHD’s Players to Watch in the Challenge Games/State Qualifiers.
Bennett Meier Bennett Meier 6'3" | SF New Rockford-Sheyenne | 2025 State ND (2025) |6’3 SG/SF| New Rockford-Sheyenne
WHY?
-Having a very nice junior season, has a versatile scoring package around the basket
-Shoots it well in the mid-range, makes plays as a slasher & cutter
Will he draw the Musland matchup and can he hit the 3-point shot?
Brayden Steffens Brayden Steffens 5'10" | SG Wahpeton | 2026 State ND (2026) |5’10 G| Wahpeton
WHY?
-Plays his best ball against the top teams, averaging around 15 ppg, 4 rpg, 4 apg, 2 spg
-A mobile athlete, 3-level scorer, crafty & quick, plays hard & fast
Can he slow down Baldwin? He will have to provide a scoring punch if the Huskies want the win
Braylon Baldwin Braylon Baldwin 5'11" | PG Grafton | 2024 State ND (2024) |5’11 PG| Grafton
WHY?
-Fast, quick, super skilled, dynamic playmaker, All-State talent
-A big shot maker who can fill it up from long-range, lethal off the dribble
Can the Huskies contain him? Expect Braylon to be the best guard on the court
Brogan Young Brogan Young 6'1" | SG Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier | 2027 State ND (2027) |6’0 G| EKM
WHY?
-He has started some this season as a frosh but mainly comes off the bench, I am excited to see him in person
-Nice athleticism for his age, does the little things on D, grabs loose balls, hustles & gets after the glass
Can the 9th grader hit some shots and be an X-factor?
Bryson Heck Bryson Heck 6'3" | SG Valley City | 2025 State ND (2025) |6’3 G| Valley City
WHY?
-Impressive every time I watch, averaging around 13.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.1 spg
-Talented & high percentage 3-shooter, crafty & skilled, intense competitor, best VC defender
Do the Tommies have anyone that can stay with him, will Heck lead the Hi-Liners to State?
Carson Eggert Carson Eggert 6'4" | PG Valley City | 2024 State ND (2024) |6’4 G| Valley City
WHY?
-Super long PG who initiates the VC O, averaging around 13.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 3.7 apg, 2.5 spg
-Quality athlete, impressive passer, creator, gets buckets from all levels & angles
Who will defend him from Thompson? Eggert is a tough matchup with his length & skill
Drew Overby Drew Overby 6'1" | CG Thompson | 2024 State ND (2024) |6’1 G| Thompson
WHY?
-Good-sized guard with a quick trigger and deep shooting range
-Spreads & spaces the floor, helps take pressure off Peterson, major 3pt threat
Will he shoot the Tommies to a victory? Both Thompson & Valley City will get up plenty of triples
Easton Simon Easton Simon 6'0" | PG New Rockford | 2026 State ND (2026) |6’0 PG| New Rockford-Sheyenne
WHY?
-Talented young PG who runs the show for the Rockets, excited to see him under the bright lights at the SHAC
-Strong athlete and smart player, precision passer with good vision
How are his handles and how does his perimeter jump shot look?
Gunner Thielges Gunner Thielges 6'1" | CG LaMoure-Litchville/Marion | 2026 State ND (2026) |6’1 G| LLM
WHY?
-Strong & gifted athlete, fast & explosive, tough-minded kid, plays with great energy
-Gets after it on the defensive side, gritty, physical, rebounds well, does the little things
Will he provide the scoring punch that pushes the Loboes to a victory?
Grant Cosley Grant Cosley 6'0" | SG North Border | 2025 State ND (2025) |6’0 G| North Border
WHY?
-I want to see him going against Joseph Kramlich Joseph Kramlich 6'1" | CG Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier | 2025 State ND , both are great athletes
-Speedy player, dangerous slasher, creative, standout defender, causes havoc
How are his ball skills and how does his jump shot look?
Jacob Nitschke Jacob Nitschke 6'5" | PF Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier | 2024 State ND (2024) |6’5 F| EKM
WHY?
-I have never watched him live, excited to see his athleticism & versatility
-A hard worker & stat stuffer, 2-way baller, excellent on the glass, headache of a matchup
-Is he the best player on the court? He will have a great chance to get the Rebels to the promised lands
Jayden King Jayden King 6'4" | PF Wahpeton | 2024 State ND (2024) |6’4 F| Wahpeton
WHY?
-Having a breakout season, highly productive, averaging around 15 ppg & 9 rpg
-Performs well against the best teams, efficient & high percentage shooter
Can he score on Kyler Droog Kyler Droog 6'7" | PF Grafton | 2025 State ND ? Will he control the boards against the Spoilers?
Kaden Moore Kaden Moore 5'9" | PG North Border | 2027 State ND (2027) |5’9 G| North Border
WHY?
-He has had a hot hand all season, impressive & efficient shooter, deadeye from 3-point land
-Quick & shifty guard, talented passer, smart kid, has stepped up all season long
Is he the best shooter at the SHAC in the late game? He will need to come up big if the Eagles want an upset
Karter Peterson Karter Peterson 6'6" | PF Thompson | 2025 State ND (2025) |6’6 PF| Thompson
WHY?
-BIG, does the dirty work, gritty, runs the floor amazingly well
-Strong post moves, physical finisher, 2-way player, gives full effort all the time
Does he take care of business against the Hi-Liner BIGs? It will be fun to see him go against Jack Dieterle Jack Dieterle 6'7" | C Valley City | 2026 State ND & Talon Larson Talon Larson 6'6" | C Valley City | 2024 State ND
Kyler Droog Kyler Droog 6'7" | PF Grafton | 2025 State ND (2025) |6’7 PF| Grafton
WHY?
-Large, strong, mobile, tough, having a great season
-Physical around the hoop, has a sweet baby hook & a soft touch
Who wins the battle between Droog and Jayden King Jayden King 6'4" | PF Wahpeton | 2024 State ND ? I will not be surprised if he produces a Double-Double
Max Musland Max Musland 6'4" | SG LaMoure-Litchville/Marion | 2024 State ND (2024) |6’4 SG| LLM
WHY?
-Having a monster season & putting up major points, extended shooting range
-Averaging around 26 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.4 apg, 3 spg, 52.4 eFG%, disruptive defender, easily All-State
How will the Rockets defend him, does he get chased? Will Max score hit 30+?