Breakout Potential: EDC

Every season, new names rise to the surface and established players take the next step, transforming from role players into headline-makers. The Eastern Dakota Conference (EDC) is loaded with talent year after year, and 2025-26 will be no different. At Prep Hoops Dakotas, we've identified one player from each program who has the tools, opportunity, and momentum to turn heads this winter. These are the athletes we believe are primed for a breakout—whether it's through scoring explosions, leadership roles, or all-around impact that changes games.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/EDC.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/EDC.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2803251" style="width:416px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Breakout Potential   Fargo Davies    Triepke is our pick as the Eagles' breakout baller. With the graduation of Mason Klabo, plenty of shots and opportunities are now up for grabs at Davies—and Triepke has the game to seize them. The sophomore lefty is a confident playmaker with true three-level scoring ability, equally comfortable attacking the rim, pulling up in the mid-range, or stretching defenses from way deep. His 6'1” frame, length, and quality athleticism give him the tools to make an immediate impact, while his style meshes perfectly with the Eagles' up-tempo, run-and-gun, three-point-heavy system. The only question? Davies is deep, and minutes will be competitive. If Triepke can carve out his role in the rotation, he has the skillset to make a splash on the varsity stage this season.    Fargo North    Rickard is our pick for Fargo North's breakout player, and he looks primed for a highly productive junior season with the “new-look” Spartans under first-year head coach Paul Zens. After a strong offseason, Rickard is ready to take on a bigger role—and possibly become the hot hand that fuels the Spartans' attack. Last year, we saw flashes of his shooting, but this winter, he has the chance to truly showcase his full offensive game. Rickard is deadly from deep with long-range touch, but he's far from one-dimensional. He's skilled with the ball, boasts crafty handles, and has the vision to put teammates in the right spots as a passer. That all-around O skillset makes him a tough matchup and gives him real All-EDC potential in 2025-26. The big question will be consistency: after a few splashy scoring nights, can he keep producing once opponents start sending their top defenders his way? Time will tell—but PHD believes [player_tooltip player_id='2132773' first='Crew' last='Rickard'] is ready to shine as a stud for the Spartans this season.    Fargo South    There's a new era beginning at Fargo South under head coach Teddy Critchley, and the Bruins will feature a revamped lineup filled with size, athleticism, and potential. One thing's for certain—Drew Kessell will be right at the center of it all. Kessell is a future Division I athlete with the measurables to match. At 6'7” with length, strength, and explosive athletic ability, he has the tools to dominate. Expect Drew to be a consistent Double-Double threat and a matchup nightmare in the paint. Alongside [player_tooltip player_id='1541562' first='Corbyn' last='Follingstad'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1632627' first='Abakar' last='Miganoudji'], South's frontcourt will be one of the biggest and most athletic in the state—and possibly among the best overall. Just how elite of an athlete is Kessell? His football offers from Michigan, Minnesota, and NDSU say plenty. The challenge for the Bruins will be finding chemistry, consistency, and defensive discipline under their new coach. But if they put it together, Kessell's breakout could help power a turnaround season—and give South fans plenty to cheer about. Will the Bruins make a trip to State?    Grand Forks Central    Kjonaas is our pick as Central's breakout baller for 2025-26. With [player_tooltip player_id='1798694' first='Brooklan' last='Bruce'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1800672' first='Brayden' last='Delorme'] headlining the Knights' offense, defenses will be focused on that dynamic duo. That's where Kaeden steps in—not just as a complementary scorer, but as a difference-maker on the other end of the floor. Kjonaas showed flashes last season of being a true defensive stopper, and this winter, he has the chance to fully embrace that role. Tough, physical, and relentless, he takes pride in doing the dirty work and making life miserable for opposing ballers. His energy and work ethic give Central an edge that doesn't always show up on the stat sheet but absolutely impacts winning. If he can bring steady contributions on offense while clamping down on defense, Kjonaas could be the piece that elevates the Knights from competitive to dangerous. Expect him to be the “dawg” on D that every good team needs.    Grand Forks Red River    The Roughriders graduated a huge chunk of their scoring from last season, meaning new faces will need to step up—and [player_tooltip player_id='1539676' first='Reese' last='Walters'] looks like a prime candidate to do just that. Walters, who's also the starting quarterback this fall, has been gaining valuable confidence and leadership experience on the gridiron. Though currently sidelined with an injury, the hope is that he'll return sooner rather than later. Walters brings plenty to the table for Red River. He's long and athletic on the wing, shoots it well, and competes with a toughness that is needed in the EDC. What makes him even more intriguing is that he's just scratching the surface of his potential. With playmaker [player_tooltip player_id='2237807' first='James' last='Schindler'] running the point, Walters should often find himself in rhythm, getting clean looks and finding his spots within the flow of the offense. The key for Red River will be how quickly this new-look group can gel. If Coach Krefting's squad buys in defensively and shows grit, Walters could emerge as a major factor—and help push GFRR into that top-tier EDC conversation.    Horace    Owen “Little Larry” Terras logged plenty of varsity minutes a season ago and showed flashes of his ability, but it felt like his role wasn't fully defined just yet. After an impressive offseason, Terras looks ready to take the next step and play with confidence in 2025-26. The Hawks have big expectations this winter, and Terras is a key reason why. He's versatile, skilled, and unselfish, with the length and high IQ to impact both ends of the floor. Defensively, his wingspan makes him an excellent help defender, while on offense, he's a reliable floor-spacer with knockdown shooting ability. Surrounded by talent, the only challenge for Horace might be balancing touches and keeping everyone locked in on winning first. If the Hawks buy in collectively, they have the pieces to be one of the elite Class AA teams and make a run at the program's first-ever State Tournament berth. Terras may not need to be the star every night, but his all-around game makes him an ideal breakout candidate who can elevate Horace to new heights.    Shanley    PHD believes 2025-26 could be the season [player_tooltip player_id='1481848' first='Jake' last='Kraft'] makes his mark. The Deacon guard brings a shooter's mentality, above-average athleticism, and deep range that can heat up in a hurry. Paired with fellow sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='1537905' first='Tommy' last='Baumgartner'], Kraft gives Shanley one of the more intriguing perimeter duos in the EDC. The question for the Deacons will be who else steps up around them. Depth and interior size are concerns, but their ability to stretch the floor with shooting could keep them competitive on any given night. If Kraft can stay consistent and embrace a larger role, he has the chance to be a difference-maker. This might just be the year we see him fully break out and lift Shanley to some statement wins.    West Fargo    PHD tabs Booth as the Packers' breakout candidate, and it's easy to see why. The young forward is long, athletic, and coming off an explosive offseason that showcased just how high his ceiling could be. Booth has the tools to impact the game right away—protecting the rim, cleaning the glass, and holding down the paint defensively. Offensively, he runs the floor like a deer and finishes with athletic pop around the rim. The question is whether he'll get an opportunity to prove himself. Head coach Adam Palczewski often leans on veterans to set the tone, which could mean Booth has to earn his minutes as the season unfolds. If he embraces the team concept, plays unselfishly, and does the little things that elevate the group, Booth's upside could become too valuable to keep off the floor. Dripping with potential and intrigue, [player_tooltip player_id='2417300' first='Stephon' last='Booth'] has the chance to grow into a difference-maker for West Fargo this season—and possibly much more down the road.    West Fargo Sheyenne    The Mustangs are flush with talent, length, and [player_tooltip player_id='2237722' first='Tanner' last='Kratcha'] looks ready to run with the best in the EDC. PHD's pick for Sheyenne's breakout performer, Kratcha, should play like a thoroughbred on a team with legitimate title aspirations. Alongside [player_tooltip player_id='2132777' first='Kyson' last='Keller'], he has the potential to take the EDC by storm and anchor one of the league's scariest squads. Already a sought-after recruit, Kratcha appears poised to elevate his game to another level in 2025-26. Expect him to post consistent numbers, dominate the paint, and establish himself as one of the top bigs in Class AA—an All-EDC caliber player by season's end. His summer performance in club ball backed that up, as he displayed his growing versatility, smooth skill set, and clutch playmaking when the lights were brightest. With Sheyenne chasing big goals this winter, Kratcha's development could be what takes the Mustangs from a top-tier EDC team to a serious State Tourney run.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/classAA.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/classAA.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2684889" /></a></figure>

Every season, new names rise to the surface and established players take the next step, transforming from role players into headline-makers. The Eastern Dakota Conference (EDC) is loaded with talent year after year, and 2025-26 will be no different. At Prep Hoops Dakotas, we've identified one player from each program who has the tools, opportunity, and momentum to turn heads this winter. These are the athletes we believe are primed for a breakout—whether it's through scoring explosions, leadership roles, or all-around impact that changes games.