17 Players Ascending Upwards

We are 5 weeks into the season, and it has not disappointed. We have loads of talented plays across the state. The season will kick into full gear now that we are into 2021. The playoffs will be here before we know it. Check out some of these players who have been looking good lately. Alphabetically, here are the players ascending upwards: [player_tooltip player_id="998903" first="Aiden" last="Rebel"] (2021) |6-5 G| New England – An underrated player that is a must-see. He is a special player on the offensive side of the floor. Aiden has been putting up monster numbers this year 26.3 ppg, 9 rpg, 3 apg, and 3.5 spg. Last week he had a game where he scored 33 points and grabbed 11 boards. That is spectacular for a PG and primary ball-handler to grab rebounds at that rate. The impressive part about his scoring is the fact that he goes against a double or triple team every game and he still produces. Aiden has one of the best pull-up jumpers that I have witnessed this season. He is amazing at getting to the rim and can finish any way that you can imagine. Aiden can score from downtown off the bounce or by catching and shooting with fine footwork. His length and athleticism make him a difficult matchup. I am impressed with the way he creates separation and how he gets the D off balance. He also has incredible handles that look like they came from a video game. Check this player out, Aiden is masterful. [player_tooltip player_id="1115651" first="Caelen" last="Lohnes"] (2021) |6-1 F| Four Winds/Minnewaukan - He is a long, lanky, silky smooth player. On top of that, he is quick and athletic. Caelen is averaging 9 ppg, 5 rpg, and shoots 90% from the charity stripe. In one game this season, he had 10 rebounds in just three-quarters of the game. I like how active he is on defense and the energy that he brings to the game. [player_tooltip player_id="750161" first="Caleb" last="Duffield"] (2021) |5-10 G| Bowman County – He is having a great start to the season and his Bulldogs have a 4-2 record. Caleb is averaging 24.5 ppg, 6 rpg, and 5 apg. He is an efficient shooter, and he creates for his teammates. Caleb is a hard worker, with great energy, and he has a great passion for the game of basketball. He is the leader of the Bulldogs. I see him as one of the elite shooters in the state of North Dakota. [player_tooltip player_id="731900" first="Carter" last="Birrenkott"] (2021) |6-5 F| West Fargo – One of the best post players in the EDC. He is averaging a double-double in points and rebounds. Carter leads the Packers who are undefeated and ranked #1 in our Power Rankings. He is a scorer who hurt teams in the paint. Carter can post up on the block, but he can also score off the bounce. For a post player, he has a great runner/floater. [player_tooltip player_id="1115532" first="Grant" last="Gerving"] (2021) |5-10 G| Glen Ullin/Hebron – Great shooter with a high release and fluid shot. He has perfect feet and does the work before the ball gets there. Grant is averaging 17.7 ppg. He is a very unselfish player that focuses on getting his team better. In my opinion, Grant should shoot much more often. He sees the floor very well and distributes the ball to the open guy. Grant is a nice defender that almost always matches up against the opposing team’s best player. He is an intelligent player that plays the game the right way. [player_tooltip player_id="1046333" first="Hunter" last="Fletschock"] (2021) |6-5 F| Drake/Anamoose – He is efficient from the field and is shooting above 50%. Hunter is averaging 18 ppg. Hunter has sniper shooting abilities from outside and Martin can find him. They are truly a dynamic duo. Hunter has a marvelous looking shot. The great part of his game is that he does not force shots. Fletschock and Martin make up a deadly duo for the Raiders. [player_tooltip player_id="1115652" first="Jonah" last="Jackson"] (2021) |6-1 F| Four Winds/Minnewaukan – He would be an absolute star on almost any other team, but he plays on the deepest most talented team in Class B. There are only so many shots and so many minutes to be played in each game. Jonah is the 6th man for 4 Winds. He is averaging 9.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg, and 3 apg. For a player off the bench, those are huge numbers. He plays his role well and has the potential to put up double digits points every game. He is an athletic player who can do it all. [player_tooltip player_id="1115603" first="Keldon" last="Keja"] (2021) |5-10 G| Four Winds/Minnewaukan – He is the point guard for the deepest team in Class B, so his numbers are not as gaudy as other players. Keja is a past first point-guard who makes everyone around him a better player. He is a pure point that does the little things correctly. Keja is a physically strong player. He is averaging 7 ppg, 7 apg, and 2.5 spg. Keja had a game earlier this season where he had 13 assists in 3 quarters of the game. [player_tooltip player_id="998910" first="Lucas" last="Undlin"] (2021) |6-2 G| Mohall/Lansford/Sherwood – A player who has been hot lately and has his team on a four-game win streak. In the last three games, Lucas has had 25 pts, 31 pts 7 rbs, and 24 pts 12 rbs. In last night’s game, he had ice in his veins. He went 4-4 from the free-throw line in OT. Lucas is an exceptional rebounder for his size. I like how he can score from all over the floor and is always putting pressure on the defense. He is a sneaky good athlete that changes speeds well. Lucas is a versatile talented player that has his squad playing well right now. [player_tooltip player_id="750164" first="Mason" last="Gravseth"] (2021) |6-4 F| Grand Forks Central – A walking double-double in points and rebounds. Mason is leading the EDC in rebounds per game. He is a rough and tumble player who is not afraid of contact. He can step out and shoot the 3. I like how hard he works for every rebound. [player_tooltip player_id="731893" first="Noah" last="Fredrickson"] (2021) |6-0 G| Powers Lake – He has the Ranchers on a roll with a perfect 6-0 record and ranked #7 in our Power Rankings. He had a big game last week against White Shield scoring 23 points. On the year Noah is averaging 17 ppg and 6 rpg. He is a lights out shooter from three-point range, who made 9 in a game earlier this season. If you like watching shooters, you better check him out. Look out in Region 8 as the Ranchers and Noah are on their quest for the State Tournament. [player_tooltip player_id="812222" first="Paine" last="Parks"] (2022) |6-3 G| Grand Forks Red River – He is averaging 11 points on the season. Paine had a monster game last night scoring 27 points against the #1 ranked team in North Dakota, West Fargo. Paine can get in the lane and make things happen around the rim. He can knock down 3-pointers. He is an athletic, strong playmaker. [player_tooltip player_id="1046342" first="Payton" last="Martin"] (2021) |6-2 G| Drake/Anamoose – He is efficient from the field and is shooting above 50%. Payton is averaging 13 ppg and 7rpg. He has had an amazing three triple-doubles so far this year. Payton is great at getting into the lane and finding the open man. Martin draws two defenders and kicks to Fletschock who spots up for the open 3. These two are difficult to stop. The best part is he understands his role and he makes others around him better because of it. Look out for the Raiders in District 11 and Region 6. [player_tooltip player_id="812224" first="Scott" last="Wagner"] (2022) |6-7 F| Ellendale – He is averaging 18.5 ppg, 12.5 rpg, and 2.8 bpg. This young big-man is one of the few players in the state averaging a double-double. Scott and the Cardinals are having a great season with a 6-1 record. He moves well and is a solid defender. Scott reads the double team and passes well to the open man. He is a high character player that cares about his teammates. Scott is a leader who helps the younger players improve. He is a rim protector and shot blocker. This frontcourt player is a large, strong, and physical player. [player_tooltip player_id="750177" first="Tristin" last="Davis"] (2021) |6-2 G| Turtle Mountain – He is putting up high-end numbers with 18 ppg, 9.5 rpg, and 5 apg. At 6’2” he is leading his team in every statistical category. Tristin is a great leader for his teammates on and off the floor. He shares the ball well and is a facilitator that looks to set his teammates up. Tristin can score from all over the court. He works his tail off on the defensive side of the ball. Tristin is a great do-it-all backcourt player. [player_tooltip player_id="750157" first="Wyatt" last="Enno"] (2021) |6-3 G| Turtle Mountain – An elite shooter from deep. He had a game earlier in the year against Dickinson that he went 7/7 from beyond the arc. Making seven 3-pointers in a game is impressive, making seven and shooting 100% is astonishing. Wyatt is averaging 15 ppg and 4 rpg. He is improving with every game and continues to work hard on his craft. I like how he can score at all levels, which makes him difficult to guard. Wyatt is a reliable on-ball defender and an anticipatory defender off that ball that gets deflections and steals. Enno and Davis are a great 1-2 punch. [player_tooltip player_id="1115649" first="Zachary" last="Kraft"] (2023) |5-10 G| Grand Forks Red River – A an elite 3-pointer shooter who is doing it consistently this year at 40%. He is averaging 14 points a game this year. I have been impressed with his passing and dribbling skills; he makes it look easy. Watch out for this young shooter.