Freshman Wave: ’29 Hoopers Ready to Make Noise

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Every new season brings fresh faces and this winter PHD will have a spotlight on a talented group of freshmen from across North Dakota. The <strong>Class of 2029 has many young hoopers ready to step up</strong>, and several of them are no strangers to the varsity floor. After already turning heads with <strong>productive 8th grade seasons</strong>, these ballers are back with bigger roles and higher expectations. From skilled guards who can run the show to versatile scorers and relentless rebounders, this group is built to be <strong>immediate impact players</strong> while taking their games to the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">ND</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2442325' first='Ty' last='Barman'] of Ray. He was a stud as an 8th grader and was named All-District, All-Tourney Team at Districts, and All-Region. Barman averaged 20.8 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.4 apg, 54.1 FG%, those are wild numbers for an 8th grader. PHD is expecting Barman to be dominant this winter and we will not be surprised if he puts up All-State type of numbers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2631384' first='Philip' last='Weidner'] of Beulah. He got his feet wet on varsity last year and helped the Miners get to State. Weidner battled inside, brought toughness, and was a beast on the glass. He averaged 5.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.1 1pg, .7 spg, 63.3 FG%, 50 FT%. I think those numbers will take a nice jump this season, he could easily average a Double-Double. Weidner is ready to be a major impact player as a frosh. However, Philip will be battling his own teammate, [player_tooltip player_id='1355919' first='Bennett' last='Larson'], for rebounds this year. These two will be a scary two-headed monster in the paint. The Miners are PHD's #1-ranked Class A team heading into the season and Weinder will be an impact player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2636429' first='Cooper' last='Hayes'] of Ray. He was a stud last season at Tioga, Hayes was named an All-District player and averaged around 15.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg, and 5 apg while shooting 32 3FG% and 92 FT%.&nbsp;Cooper is now a Ray Jay, PHD expects him to be the 6th man, and a deadly baller off the bench.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2863718' first='Tygen' last='Michalenko'] of Kenmare-Bowbells. Tygen had some impressive flashes last season, he handled his varsity minutes as an 8th grader well. PHD expects him to start this year for the Honkers. We are super intrigued by his length. Even though he is a youngster, he never gets rattled. Michalenko does a bit of everything and he makes it look good. Look for Tygen to make noise this winter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2417948' first='Daceton' last='Demarce'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='2417963' first='Keethon' last='Demarce'] of White Shield. Everyone is sitting on the edge of their seat waiting to hear of the Demarce twins will play high school ball or not. If they do, the twins will be impact players and put up numbers. If not, we will have to settle for YouTube highlights in travel ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2417899' first='Chayce' last='Sage'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='2443106' first='Chayton' last='Sage']. The Sage brothers of Trenton played legit varsity minutes last season and were solid players for the Tigers as 8th graders. This season, [player_tooltip player_id='2806703' first='Jalon' last='Chapman'] should be the top player, but Chayce and Chayton will also be impact players for the Tigers. Their length, skill, mobility, and versatility make them intriguing ballers and PHD expects the Sage brothers to put up nice numbers and for the Tigers to be much improved. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2907729' first='Khale' last='Lambert'] of Dunseith. At 6'2", skilled, and athletic, Lambert is an intriguing ball player. He has a great feel for the game and he is a bucket getter. Lambert will be pushing for a starting spot with the Dragons. This kid has game and he is full of upside. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2411138' first='Beckett' last='Johnson'] of Oak Grove. Beckett is a lefty shooter, a gym rat, and a leader. He is undersized, but he held his own on varsity during the summer months. There is no guarantee that he will get major varsity mins, but if he gets an opportunity, I think it will go well. Keep an eye on Mr. Johnson; it will be interesting to see if he can carve out a niche with the Grovers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2724543' first='Dawson' last='Guss'] of Bottineau. As his 8th grade year went on, Guss played more and more varsity minutes. By late season, Dawson was the first man off the bench and the 6th man. PHD expects Mr. Guss to start this season. [player_tooltip player_id='2347912' first='Emerson' last='Marum'] and Guss will make a dynamic backcourt. Look for Dawson to show out as a frosh.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2961240' first='Mahki' last='Packineau'] of Parshall. He played heavy minutes as an 8th grader. I think it is safe to say that Packineau will start this season. I like his length and skill level. Makhi moves well on the court, it is easy to see that he is a baller. PHD is expecting big things from Mr. Packineau.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2708823' first='Jett' last='Jungers'] of Hazen. He was a starting varsity guard halfway through his 8th-grade season. This season, he will defend the opposing team's top player; Jungers is intense on D. He is known as more of a set shooter, but Jungers shoots it well from 3. Jett is an impact player on the defensive side of the ball and he will be a key baller for the Bison.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1606306,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/NorthDakota.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/NorthDakota.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1606306" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->