Previews: Grand Forks Central and Grand Forks Red River

With the first official practice set for November 24th, basketball fever is building in Forks as two proud Class AA programs get ready to hit the court. Both the Grand Forks Central Knights and the Red River Roughriders enter the 2025–26 season with excitement, energy, and plenty of talent to make some noise in the EDC.   At Prep Hoops Dakotas, we're taking a closer look at these two squads as they prepare to tip off — each hungry to build momentum, compete at a high level, and chase postseason success. The season is almost here, and both programs are ready to roll!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/EDC.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/EDC.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2699820" style="width:262px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/TeamPreview.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/TeamPreview.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2632356" style="width:262px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Grand Forks Central Knights   Head Coach: Dan Carlson   2024-25 Record: 9-14   The Grand Forks Central Knights are coming off a season of growth and development, and head coach Dan Carlson believes the progress made last year will pay dividends this winter. “I thought we changed the style that we play and made some strides as the season went on,” Carlson said. “We were in the mix with the rest of the conference and competed each night out.”   With a strong returning core and a renewed focus on toughness, the Knights are eager to take another step forward in the ultra-competitive EDC.   Leading the way for Central will be returning All-EDC guards [player_tooltip player_id='1798694' first='Brooklan' last='Bruce'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1800672' first='Brayden' last='Delorme'], two skilled scorers who can fill it up from deep and defend at a high level. “They both shoot the ball well and are good scorers,” Carlson said. “They'll handle more ball-handling duties this year, but should be fine with that.” Expect both to play major roles on both ends of the floor.   Defensively, the Knights pride themselves on playing “tough, hard-nosed man-to-man with the ability to scramble.” Alongside Bruce and Delorme, [player_tooltip player_id='2627884' first='Kaeden' last='Kjonaas'] will also be key to the team's defensive intensity and energy.   A few rising players to watch include [player_tooltip player_id='2412913' first='Carter' last='Larson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2711405' first='Tyson' last='Vanyo'], who will have opportunities to carve out larger roles this season. Though the Knights don't boast great size, Carlson says rebounding will continue to be a team effort, emphasizing positioning and physicality on every possession.   The offseason was productive for Central — the team got stronger in the weight room and logged plenty of shots, sharpening their fundamentals and confidence heading into the new year.   As for goals, Carlson keeps it simple: “We'd like to build on last year and give ourselves a chance to qualify for the State Tournament.”   With their experienced backcourt, improved depth, and gritty defensive mindset, the Grand Forks Central Knights are a team that no one in the EDC can take lightly in 2025–26.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/GFC.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/GFC.jpg?w=684" alt="" class="wp-image-3041783" style="width:101px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   BEST OF LUCK TO THE KNIGHTS!!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/image_52455f.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/image_52455f.png" alt="" class="wp-image-3041833" style="width:257px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Grand Forks Red River   Head Coach: Kirby Krefting   2024-25 Record: 17-9   The Grand Forks Red River Roughriders are coming off one of their best seasons in over a decade — and while graduation claimed some key contributors, head coach Kirby Krefting and his squad aren't shying away from the challenge of reloading.   “Last season's 15 regular-season wins were the most in our program in 13 years,” Krefting said. “Finishing tied for second in the league and taking second in the EDC Tournament was a great accomplishment. Great leadership and effort helped us reach our team goals.”   That leadership and culture remain at the heart of Red River basketball, and this year's team is focused on growth, teamwork, and building on both ends of the floor. The Roughriders' offseason was spent developing relationships, defining roles, and sharpening fundamentals, with a focus on maintaining the high standards that last year's team set.   This season, Red River will lean heavily on its experienced trio of [player_tooltip player_id='2335324' first='Matthew' last='Dosch'], [player_tooltip player_id='2237807' first='James' last='Schindler'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1539676' first='Reese' last='Walters'] — all of whom played meaningful minutes a year ago. Krefting praised the group's leadership and versatility:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2335324' first='Matthew' last='Dosch'] is a tough leader who rebounds and finishes with authority.</li>   <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2237807' first='James' last='Schindler'] can command the floor as a lead guard or slide off the ball when needed.</li>   <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1539676' first='Reese' last='Walters'] is the ultimate utility player — capable of playing all five positions, scoring inside or out, and defending multiple spots.</li> </ul>   Expect big contributions as well from [player_tooltip player_id='2347908' first='Dean' last='Miller'], [player_tooltip player_id='1972899' first='Brody' last='Neil'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2547420' first='Jarrett' last='Jonasson'], three returners ready to step into larger roles. Miller will anchor the defense as a rim protector, Neil brings perimeter shooting, and Jonasson adds consistency and energy as a smart defender and shot-maker.   A talented group of newcomers is also set to make an impact. [player_tooltip player_id='2413724' first='Theo' last='Paye'], [player_tooltip player_id='2414142' first='Kieper' last='Krefting'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2237758' first='Max' last='Mannausau'] all impressed at the JV level last season and are expected to play key rotational roles early on.   Krefting says the focus early will be on gaining on-court experience and establishing chemistry: “Teamwork, attitude, and growth will be a must,” he said.   With a mix of battle-tested veterans, emerging contributors, and hungry young talent, the Roughriders have every reason to believe they can remain one of the top contenders in the EDC — and make another push toward the State Tournament in 2025–26.   BEST OF LUCK TO THE ROUGHRIDERS!!   <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>

With the first official practice set for November 24th, basketball fever is building in Forks as two proud Class AA programs get ready to hit the court. Both the Grand Forks Central Knights and the Red River Roughriders enter the 2025–26 season with excitement, energy, and plenty of talent to make some noise in the EDC.