ECI Stellar Standouts
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The State Tournament was finished in March. Now we are deep into the spring AAU season. Below we will look at the ECI players that have been standing out and looking good this far into the grassroots go-around. ECI will…
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Continue ReadingThe State Tournament was finished in March. Now we are deep into the spring AAU season. Below we will look at the ECI players that have been standing out and looking good this far into the grassroots go-around. ECI will be hosting their ECI Spring Preview Tournament May 21-22 at Concordia Moorhead and in Fargo.
Comments from Coach Lucas Moormann:
Ballers:
Nick Carlson Nick Carlson 6'4" | SF West Fargo | 2022 State ND (2022) |6-3 F| ECI Prospects/West Fargo – He has been the most consistent player for the Prospects thus far into the AAU season. It is a bit surprising because he did not have much impact on varsity this season. However, that is because he was playing behind two great seniors at WF. The good part about that is he went against great competition every day in practice this year. Nick has shown off an effective and visually pleasing spin-move this spring. Carlson is a very smart basketball player. He does the little things that every coach loves. Love for him to continue this excellent play and to make a name for himself. Remember the name, Nick Carlson Nick Carlson 6'4" | SF West Fargo | 2022 State ND . I am excited to watch him next weekend.
Paul Olson Paul Olson 6'3" | SF Kindred | 2022 State ND (2022) |6-4 G| ECI Prospects/Kindred -He has been playing above the rim and looking spectacular. Olson was recently on the Kindred team that won the State Class B Championship. Paul was named the Championship game MVP. After his successful school ball season, he has been in the gym working hard on his individual skills. It has been working because Paul has improved his game. In the AAU spring season, Paul has been shooting very well from 3-point land. Opposing Region-1 coaches will not like to hear that! He is a very bouncy player that is throwing the ball down constantly. He starts almost every game with a dunk on a back-screen set. It sounds like college coaches are starting to notice Olson’s talent and he is popped up on their watchlist. He is another player I am looking forward to watching at the ECI Spring Preview.
Raymond Brown Raymond Brown 5'11" | PG Fargo Davies | 2023 State ND (2023) |5-11 G| ECI Prospects/Fargo Davies – First of all, his energy and effort are next to none. He has been doing a great job handling the ball for ECI 16U Prospects. Raymond is a playmaker. He has been great at getting two feet in the lane and making plays. Brown has been hot this spring from the 3-point arc. If he can consistently hit from deep next year Davies coach Manson will be a happy man! The Eagles will be loaded next year at the guard position. Brown has been making eye-opening and hustle plays. On-ball pressure and containment are two areas Raymond excels at. I liked watching him play this winter and I cannot wait to see him again next weekend.
Adam Jenkins Adam Jenkins 6'9" | C Moorhead | 2023 State MN (2023) |6-7 F| ECI Prospects/Moorhead – He is a bouncy forward that has been looking great this spring. Adam can get to and play above the rim. The new Moorhead Spuds coach Matt Ellingson must love this tall and athletic forward! Jenkins has been swatting shots like they are flies. His ceiling is very high, and his best is yet to come. Adam is not just an athlete; he is skilled and crafty. It sounds like D2 and NSIC coaches have started to take interest in Jenkins. I watched him a few times this winter with the Spuds, I am interested to see him next weekend and see how he has improved.
Isaiah Schafer Isaiah Schafer 6'1" | CG Bismarck Century | 2024 State ND (2024) |6-1 G| ECI Prospects/Bismarck Century – He is playing up a grade as he is still only a freshman. Schafer is not only competing, but he is also excelling! Isaiah has so much potential, that the sky is the limit for this young patriot. As a young player, he needs to work on his strength, but he has been working hard in the weight room. Isaiah is a scorer from all 3-levels. Schafer is a gym rat with a high basketball IQ. His ball skills are excellent. Isaiah has a bright future ahead of him. He is at the top of my list of players to watch next weekend in Fargo/Moorhead.
Jeremiah Sem Jeremiah Sem 6'3" | SG Fargo North | 2024 State #303 Nation ND (2024) |6-1 G| ECI Prospects/Fargo North – He was awesome this year for Fargo North. Many times, during the high school season he was the best player on the court in EDC games. He led the Spartans to a Class A State Tournament appearance. Sem has been dominant this spring in AAU. Jeremiah has opened many eyes with his athleticism and skills. I imagine he is on the radar of many D2 and D1 programs now after a few tournaments. Sem has been shooting it well from deep with his excellent form. Jeremiah has been blocking shots violently in transition or when playing backside defense. It is a momentum changer when he hammers a blocked shot off the backboard. He is in “attack mode” 24/7 and always putting pressure on the defense. Sem has made many “oh my” plays this spring. His playmaking dunks have been so impressive. Look out for Jeremiah next weekend in the F/M, he will be putting on a show!
Carter Zeller Carter Zeller 6'6" | PF Fargo North | 2024 State ND (2024) |6-5 F| ECI Prospects/Fargo North – The first time I watched him play this winter I could not believe my eyes that he is only a freshman. I did a double-take on the program to confirm he is in 9th grade. His physicality and fearlessness when going against bigger, strong, upperclassmen are what impressed me. So far in the AAU season physically and strength wise he has been a man amongst boys. Carter is excellent at gathering off two feet, getting defenders in the air, drawing fouls, and finishing through contact. He has finished great in every tournament so far. No offensive player has been able to go through him this spring. He excels at “walling up” on post-D. I am interested to see the growth in his game since the high school season. See you next weekend Mr. Zeller.
Drew Kempel Drew Kempel 6'4" | PG Bismarck Century | 2025 State ND (2025) |6-0 G| ECI/Bismarck Century – Here is another talented Patriot. He is a strong and tough young player. Drew has been playing solid defense this spring. He is an athletic finisher. Mr. Kemple is an all-around athlete. He is gritty and he plays hard all game. I am excited to watch this up-and-coming hoopster next weekend.