ND PH:Toughest Districts For 2026-27 Season

<!-- wp:image {"id":3771536,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/IMG_20260916_113218_1b1b07.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/IMG_20260916_113218_1b1b07.jpg?w=551" alt="" class="wp-image-3771536" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playing well during the regular season of District play is vital to securing one of the top seeds going into tournament play and playing in a tough District also helps prepare teams for the tournaments. In this article PH will take a look at as of now what figures to be the top 3 Districts in the state of ND along with some of the those teams top players. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DISTRICT 8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This district is probably going to be the most balanced from top to bottom of any in the state with 5 or 6 teams teams being able to win this district.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Undefeated and defending State Champions Central McLean lost alot talent with Mr Basketball Finalist Aiden Hanson, sharp shooter Bridger Rittenbach and others. They will be lead by veteran head coach and State Coach Of The Year Joi Anderson. Central McLean still brings back a talented core or players and athletes lead by do it all guard [player_tooltip player_id='3269988' first='Ethan' last='Hanson'], who will be asked to score more this season along with many other bigger responsibilities like ballhandling and rebounding. Ethan is a very good and extremely fast and quick player who always thinks pass and team first. Has 🔐 down defensive ability as well and is a sniper from 3 🔥. [player_tooltip player_id='2838603' first='Jase' last='Utley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2775184' first='Jonas' last='Christensen'] are very solid players that just do everything well. Rumor has it that Case Christensen had a great summer and is primed for a nice season also. Central McLean always plays tough defense and this year will be no different.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilton Wing lead by their very adaptive and creative Head Coach Scott Wolff. Wilton also lost some big time players and size but having played so many younger kids the past 2 seasons definitely will help them this season. Wilton will have some of the best group is snipers in the state with southpaws [player_tooltip player_id='2347919' first='Hudson' last='Wolff'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2484209' first='William' last='Krush'], plus smooth shooting right hander [player_tooltip player_id='2856767' first='Brady' last='Hansen'] and Big man [player_tooltip player_id='2347885' first='Kaleb' last='Benning'] on the inside gives this team a nice inside out game. They always play a fast pace and love to put alot of pressure on opposing defenses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Flasher lead by Head Coach Brian Nieuwsma is always a fun team to watch with the offensive fire power they bring to the court each and every year. This years team is lead by [player_tooltip player_id='2237724' first='Kelton' last='Friesz'] who does alot very well and consistently. [player_tooltip player_id='2915946' first='Ty' last='Meyer'] is primed to have a breakout season and has been awfully good this summer scoring/defending and rebounding. [player_tooltip player_id='2707920' first='Tiernan' last='Fleck'] big time scorer who does it in all phases of the game, excellent rebounder for his position is a three level scorer with range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Washburn Joshua Sharp will lead the cardinals into the 2026-27 season with a nice blend of size and guard play. Three seniors will lead the way for this squad in [player_tooltip player_id='1542352' first='Ethan' last='Retterath'], [player_tooltip player_id='2897488' first='Brady' last='Nelson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2492783' first='Dylon' last='Fischer'] plus 6'6 sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='3591420' first='Brayden' last='Sharp']. Ethan has nice size at 6'2 and also the ability to score inside and out. Brady plays the 4 and sometimes 5 spots but don't let the undersized lefty fool ya he has great footwork and uses his body extremely well in the post. Dylon has catch n shoot ability, passes the ball very well and plays hard! True big Brayden brings a real rebounding presence inside with the ability to score easy baskets on offense and control the defensive paint on the other end X Factor?!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prediction: Washburn Cardinals with the balance of their inside outside play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>District 6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MLS has a lot of talent and head coach Jon Nilsen uses this talent well but are they tough enough and gritty enough on defense to win the big games? Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2237681' first='Eli' last='Undlin'] is one of the top players in the state and also an incredible athletic specimen, [player_tooltip player_id='2413969' first='Cade' last='Undlin'] nice all around game and with the high basketball IQ to match. [player_tooltip player_id='3552457' first='Ryder' last='Undlin'] sharp shooter and one of the hardest workers on the court you will find and just does alot very well. [player_tooltip player_id='2850501' first='Liam' last='Becker'] another young nice looking player with alot of game, strong physical player but also has nice offensive tools. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oure Redeemers coach Brock Teets brings back two of the very best players in the state with [player_tooltip player_id='2237753' first='Wyatt' last='Weekley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2237731' first='Nolan' last='Schmidt']. Both players bring great size/speed/power and shooting ability but also toughness and experience. Our Redeemer's also has returning veterans [player_tooltip player_id='2386769' first='Jayden' last='Marshall'], [player_tooltip player_id='2405099' first='Jake' last='Altringer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2881650' first='Owen' last='Vibeto'], all high quality and experienced players to bring back one of the best starting lineups in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bishop Ryan and Head Coach coach Broderick Bosch will yet again have a talented team lead by [player_tooltip player_id='1657450' first='Izaac' last='Strandlien'] who is a three level scorer with great size and athleticism. Isaac can guard out on the perimeter or in the post one of the premier players in the state. [player_tooltip player_id='2573828' first='Justice' last='Lundeen'] a 6'3 SF with the ability to score/defend/rebound and run the floor in transition. [player_tooltip player_id='2132778' first='Peyton' last='Seay'] a nice shooting lefty with range who also brings a ton of NRG and and grit to the guard position for his team, love his on ball defense and toughness. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prediction: Our Redeemers, too much top level talent, to good defensively and rebounding on both ends of the floor and still upset about how last year ended. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>District 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Linton Lions lead by head coach Alex Jengula in my opinion will have the best trio of all-round guards in Class B this season with the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='2413967' first='Brody' last='Richter'], [player_tooltip player_id='2429661' first='Justin' last='Bosch'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2237766' first='Jayden' last='Jochim']. All three of guards are three level scorers with great handles. Snipers with range but also can beat you off the bounce and finish at the hoop. Richter has no problem finishing above the rim with style. Jochim has a nasty hesi move and is a smooth shooting lefty. Bosch is the floor general with a great looking shot with deep range and is in my opinion the best on ball defender in the region. They are all salty on ball defenders and true nightmares to guard, explosive offensively and highly skilled players. If Brax Vogel is able to stay healthy he could be another key contributer as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>EKM is lead by do it all senior [player_tooltip player_id='2114976' first='Brogan' last='Young'] who can shoot it with the best of them but his trademark is defense and rebounding just a complete all-round combo guard. Ekm has a nice nucleus behind him with [player_tooltip player_id='2542801' first='Jaden' last='Brandenburg'], [player_tooltip player_id='2400058' first='Briggs' last='Schlosser'], [player_tooltip player_id='2417346' first='Luke' last='Nitschke']. Briggs is looking to have a breakout season (as his minutes should definitely go up this year) coming off a nice spring and summer of basketball, great length at a full 6'3 active is an understatement with this kid as he lives on the offensive and defensive boards and has NRG to burn! Possibly see a couple dunks even this year?! [player_tooltip player_id='2417346' first='Luke' last='Nitschke'] had a nice season last year as an all region player, he does whats asked and then some and has the ability to be a solid contributor night in and night out. Jaden is like steady eddy each night you know you will get about 10-12ish points a few assists/steals and rebounds. Does a nice job finishing at the rim and can nock down some open threes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Medina will once again be lead by coach Jeremy Weinmeister and 6'4 junior [player_tooltip player_id='2253958' first='Drew' last='Hofmann']. Drew has great size/length and athleticism to be able to play any position on the court to go along with a great all-round offensive and defensive game. Drew has been playing "above the rim" this summer along with a great looking shot and court vision. He will be asked to do alot this season but he also looks to be up to the task. Much more will be asked of returning player [player_tooltip player_id='3441753' first='Kysen' last='Uehran'] who is a physical tough player that has shown the ability to score inside and step out from time to time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prediction: Linton Lions and their outstanding guard play will be too much.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->