Friday Night Lights

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The lights will be bright in the Class A gyms across the state this evening, it is a big night of basketball with a full slate of games!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PHD looked at the games and came up with a Players Watchlist.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>See below for comments on 11 ballers and why they are player to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1511372,"width":"281px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/07/PlayerWatchlistNDSD.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/07/PlayerWatchlistNDSD.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1511372" style="width:281px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2237729' first='Ben' last='Hynek'] (2027) |6'7 F| Stanley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rugby @ Stanley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><em>WHY?</em></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>BIG Ben is very long and gifted athletically. Very few 6'7" sophs can move like he does. Hynek scores from every level, so he is difficult to matchup with. I like the fact that he is a willing passer. He is an above the rim finisher and a soft touch shooter. Ben is averaging 14.4 ppg, 8 rpg, while shooting 62.5 FG% and 42 3FG%.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2428677' first='Bensyn' last='Schirado'] (2028) |5'9 G| Beulah</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beulah @ Hazen</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><em>WHY?</em></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benny is tearing it up in the 2nd half of the season and has had multiple games scoring in the 20's. He is not the biggest player on the court and the young Schirado plays with heart and he never backs down, this kid is CRAFTY. Benny is a sniper who needs to be accounted for, he will also attack and score at the hoop. This impressive 9th grader is averaging 11 ppg, 4 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.4 spg, and shooting 45 2FG%, 32 3FG%, and 71 FT%.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1355920' first='Braylen' last='Schirado'] (2026) |6'1 G| Beulah</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beulah @ Hazen</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><em>WHY?</em></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Braylen is having an All-State season while putting up impressive numbers with 25.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4 apg, 2 spg, 51.6 2FG%, 41.1 3FG%, 79.3 FT%. Braylen is an absolute stud with super skills, quick feet, and a marvelous shot. He is crafty, smart, and an excellent shot creator. Braylen is a talented passer and a baller who makes everyone around him a better player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1169143' first='Josh' last='Bickett'] (2025) |6'2 G| Carrington</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carrington @ Grafton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><em>WHY?</em></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bickett is averaging 18.5 ppg, 7 rpg, 5.5 apg, and 1.8 spg. Josh is a talented three-point shooter, he lets it fly with great rhythm. He does not just hit from the arc, Bickett has extended range with a soft shot. Josh is a skilled and smart playmaker. It will be fun to see what he does tonight against the Spoilers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1925132' first='Kash' last='Lorenz'] (2027) |5'10 G| Central Cass</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kindred @ Central Cass</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><em>WHY?</em></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I knew he was a shooter but I did not expect Kash to score so well inside the arc. I am very impressed with his floater game, finished, and ability to get into the paint regularly. His shooting depth runs waaaay deep and I doubt that he has a conscious. Lorenz has to be one of the top 3 shooters in class A. I am excited to see if he can get hot tonight against the big bad Vikings. I am sure that Coach Woehl will have him guarded closely. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2132776' first='Keaton' last='Batke'] (2027) |6'2 G| Hazen</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beulah @ Hazen</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><em>WHY?</em></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is a big rivalry game with the Miners from Beulah. We expect Batke to get a ton of attention from coach Schirado's squad but he will still produce. Batke has been doubled and chased all season long and he is still putting up legit numbers, right now he is averaging 15 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 3 apg, and 2 spg.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1770389' first='Kyler' last='Droog'] (2025) |6'7 PF| Grafton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carrington @ Grafton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><em>WHY?</em></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is a Double-Double machine! Droog is averaging 19 ppg, 15 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.3 bpg, 1.5 spg. He is a great finisher and an outstanding rebounder. I like his post moves, strength, 15' J, and you will not find a better low-post passer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1632626' first='Mason' last='Palmer'] (2026) |6'1 G| Devils Lake</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Devils Lake @ Thompson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><em>WHY?</em></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16 ppg, 4 rpg, 5 apg, 2.5 spg, 40 3FGM. Mason is a floor general who shoots the ball at a high level, while also being able to get downhill and make plays. Palmer is extremely strong and under control. He is very good when he draws the extra defenders and finds open teammates. Defensively, he matches up with the opponent's top guard and can lock them down. Mason also rebounds at a high level with his athleticism.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2106993' first='Nelson' last='Decoteau'] (2027) |6'8 C| Dunseith</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dunseith @ Turtle Mountain</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><em>WHY?</em></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The BIG and young sophomore averages 18.5 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 2.2 bpg, and 1.5 spg. Nelson has game-changing size/length that makes him a productive rebounder, rim-protector, and finisher. He also has a knack for getting to the ball for rebounds. He is a gifted finisher while also being able to step out and his jump shots with a soft release. Nelson is only getting better &amp; bigger!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1177143' first='Parker' last='Brodina'] (2025) |6'4 G| Devils Lake</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Devils Lake @ Thompson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Parker has been dealing with a strain but has been playing through it. Offensively he is shooting the ball really well. 62% from 2pt and 46% from 3pt range. He has worked a lot on that to increase his shooting ability. Parker can still get downhill and finish at the rim. DL wants the ball in his hands the majority of the time and force the defense to react. If they double, he will find the open teammate. Defensively he is one of the best defenders in Class A. He always locks up with the opposing team's top dawg. 17 ppg, 5.5, 3 apg, 2 spg, 43 3FGM. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1169146' first='Presley' last='Peraza'] (2025) |6'6 F| Kindred</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kindred @ Central Cass</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>15.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.9 apg, 56.9 FG%. If you like highlight-reel play, you will love watching Peraza. You name it, he can dunk it! PHD considers Peraza the best dunker in North Dakota. Presley is a matchup headache and a 3-level scorer. Presley is an impactful player and a momentum swinger.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2713048,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/ClassABasketball.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/ClassABasketball.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2713048" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->