Very Early Class AA ND Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is never too early to start paying attention, and when it comes to Class AA basketball in North Dakota, the talent is worth talking about sooner rather than later. With the spring club season wrapped up and players continuing to develop their games, we are taking an early look at how the Class AA landscape is shaping up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In addition to our rankings, we are projecting starting lineups for each program and offering up team comments on what to expect as the season approaches. Keep in mind these are early projections and a lot of basketball is still to be played this summer. Rosters will shift, players will develop, and these rankings will be updated as we learn more. But for now, here is a very early look at the Class AA programs in North Dakota and the players who have put themselves on the map.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3067070,"width":"204px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/classAA.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/classAA.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-3067070" style="width:204px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong>#1. Bismarck</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">25-26 Season</span>: 25-2 (2nd at State)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Projected Starters</span>: [player_tooltip player_id='1657449' first='Weston' last='Scott'], [player_tooltip player_id='1863062' first='Najeh' last='Boyd'], [player_tooltip player_id='1975416' first='Khaliq' last='Austin'], [player_tooltip player_id='1657453' first='Hayden' last='Bondley'], [player_tooltip player_id='2443673' first='Declan' last='Sims']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Team Comments</span>: You will not find a better backcourt in North Dakota (Scott, Boyd, Austin). Coach Wilhelm plays a fast and furious style of basketball and plays a deep bench. They do not have much size, but their defensive pressure will cause issues as always. The Demons might be able to outscore everyone this season. This group is going to force a boatload of steals, hit a ton of 3's, and score an abundance of points in transition. They have 3 legit All-State caliber players; are there enough shots to go around? Odds are yes and the Demons are PHD's favorite in AA. We are hoping to get a good look at the squad at the Metro camp coming up at Davies on the 19th.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong>#2. Horace</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">25-26 Season</span>: 21-5 (State Qualifier)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Projected Starters</span>: [player_tooltip player_id='1680906' first='Aiden' last='Green'], [player_tooltip player_id='1651920' first='Owen' last='Terras'], [player_tooltip player_id='1651918' first='Brett' last='Livingston'], [player_tooltip player_id='1651919' first='Ryder' last='Majkrzak'], [player_tooltip player_id='2884050' first='Nolan' last='Gladue']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Team Comments</span>: The Hawks will be athletic, long, and one of the best offensive teams in AA. The thing I worry about is their depth and whether the youngsters are ready. [player_tooltip player_id='1651920' first='Owen' last='Terras'] is an emerging star ready to be an All-State player. [player_tooltip player_id='1651918' first='Brett' last='Livingston'] will likely lead the state in dunks and [player_tooltip player_id='1680906' first='Aiden' last='Green'] will cause all kinds of problems with his athleticism. [player_tooltip player_id='1651919' first='Ryder' last='Majkrzak'] will step into a starting role and provide serious 3-point shooting. [player_tooltip player_id='2884050' first='Nolan' last='Gladue'] has talent &amp; size at the guard position; it will be interesting to see if he is ready for varsity action and the physicality. With Easy Money gone to UND, are the Hawks ready for a deep State Tourney run? Who will be the new alpha? Horace has looked tough and talented early in the summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong>#3. Bismarck Century</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">25-26 Season</span>: 23-4 (State Champion)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Projected Starters</span>: [player_tooltip player_id='1657448' first='Gibson' last='Kinnebrew'], [player_tooltip player_id='2116300' first='Ahmi' last='Spears'], [player_tooltip player_id='1542346' first='Zakai' last='Harildstad'], [player_tooltip player_id='1539679' first='Kaden' last='Welstad'], [player_tooltip player_id='3569228' first='Josiah' last='Johnson']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Team Comments</span>: The Pats have won the last two State Championships, will they 3-peat? [player_tooltip player_id='1657448' first='Gibson' last='Kinnebrew'] is a returning All-Stater who will put up gaudy numbers and be in the running for Mr. Basketball. [player_tooltip player_id='2116300' first='Ahmi' last='Spears'] is ready for a breakout season; his length is going to cause a ton of issues. [player_tooltip player_id='1542346' first='Zakai' last='Harildstad'] will be a hardworking playmaker and a great 3rd option. The Pats will be a new-look team, but they will certainly be one of the best in AA. What kind of depth will they have? Is Welstad ready to step into the bright lights and be a consistent contributor? Get ready for Kinnebrew to put on a show all winter long.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong>#4. Minot</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">25-26 Season</span>: 13-11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Projected Starters</span>: [player_tooltip player_id='2237726' first='Oakley' last='Trueblood'], [player_tooltip player_id='2132837' first='Drew' last='Jordan'], [player_tooltip player_id='2525625' first='Patrick' last='Shanahan'], [player_tooltip player_id='1657452' first='Jalen' last='Gunville'], [player_tooltip player_id='2417315' first='Brody' last='Johnson']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Team Comments</span>: This will be Coach Brandt's 2nd season at the helm and we are expecting the Magi to turn the corner. [player_tooltip player_id='2237726' first='Oakley' last='Trueblood'] could be the leading scorer in AA, [player_tooltip player_id='2132837' first='Drew' last='Jordan'] will be solid on both ends, and [player_tooltip player_id='2525625' first='Patrick' last='Shanahan'] will be a dangerous weapon who could go off for 20 on any given night. Will the Magi have enough depth to compete with the best? Trueblood will have a massive year, he could easily be a Mr. Basketball finalist. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong>#5. West Fargo Sheyenne</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">25-26 Season</span>: 15-12 (State Qualifier)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Projected Starters</span>: [player_tooltip player_id='2132777' first='Kyson' last='Keller'], [player_tooltip player_id='2237722' first='Tanner' last='Kratcha'], [player_tooltip player_id='2489407' first='Cole' last='Martin'], [player_tooltip player_id='1539677' first='CJ' last='Smith'], [player_tooltip player_id='2840998' first='AJ' last='McDonagh'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Team Comments</span>: [player_tooltip player_id='2132777' first='Kyson' last='Keller'] has the talent and athleticism to be an All-State baller and [player_tooltip player_id='2237722' first='Tanner' last='Kratcha'] will be one of the best BIGs in AA. [player_tooltip player_id='2489407' first='Cole' last='Martin'] is a rising talent and lethal offensive weapon who hoops with confidence. [player_tooltip player_id='2840998' first='AJ' last='McDonagh'] is going to surprise people early in the season and prove to be a tough player. Add in [player_tooltip player_id='1539677' first='CJ' last='Smith'] as a 3-point threat and the Mustangs have a starting 5 who will put up points and compete with the top teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3651305,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/northdakotapic.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/northdakotapic.jpeg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-3651305" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->