Grand Forks Central – Knight Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach:</strong> <em>Dan Carlson</em> <strong>2021-2022 Record:</strong> 9-16 <strong>Finish:</strong> Lost in EDC Tourney (1 game from State)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Knights bring back a boatload of experience compared to most teams in the EDC. They also bring back [player_tooltip player_id='1401336' first='Erick' last='Paye'], an All-Conference player. PHD believes that Paye will be an All-State performer and that the Knights will be a tough out in the playoffs. If things go well, GFC will have a fighter's chance to get to State. The Knights have potential, they will be a fun team to watch this season. Be on the lookout for GFC!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Knights first game of the season is on Friday, December 2, at home vs. East Grand Forks. They open up EDC play on Tuesday, December 6, at home vs. Fargo Davies.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1678368,"width":126,"height":189,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/11/GFC.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/11/GFC-684x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1678368" width="126" height="189"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Q&amp;A with coach <em>Dan Carlson</em></span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">PHD: How would you&nbsp;sum up last season?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Coach Carlson</span>:</strong> "<em>We felt we made some progress last year as a program. We were able to secure a home play-in game and qualified for the EDC Tournament for the 2nd year in a row. We were able to knock off Red River in the EDC Tournament before losing to West Fargo to end our season.&nbsp;We would like to build off that this year and take another step forward.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">PHD: How did the offseason go for your team/program</span>? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Coach Carlson</span>:</strong> "<em>We felt we had a good offseason. Our group played together in a number of spring and summer tournaments. We also had good attendance in the weight room and had a good skills camp in June and July.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">PHD: Who are a few of your top players to look out for and why</span>?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Coach Carlson</span>:</strong> "<em>[player_tooltip player_id='1401336' first='Erick' last='Paye'] established himself last season as a top EDC player. He is looking to improve his all-around game this year and will&nbsp;be counted on consistently. I feel [player_tooltip player_id='1643835' first='Jack' last='Simmers'], [player_tooltip player_id='1643836' first='Leo' last='Strandell'], [player_tooltip player_id='1643834' first='Ross' last='Wilber'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1497485' first='Cole' last='Wilber'] all gained valuable varsity experience&nbsp;and should be confident coming into the season.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">PHD: <em>Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for in the near future</em></span><em>?</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Coach Carlson</span>:</strong> "<em>[player_tooltip player_id='1625028' first='Kendall' last='Kjonaas'], <strong>Noah Lund</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='1487955' first='Ethan' last='Thomas'] all have a chance to contribute at the varsity level. <strong>Trey Wyman</strong> will also have opportunities to get playing time.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>PHD: What style of basketball will your team play?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">"<em>We will have a nice mix of inside and outside play. We will try and get the ball up and down the court when the opportunities are there. I feel we&nbsp;have a chance to be an excellent&nbsp;defensive team if we put in the work.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">PHD: Who are your biggest rival schools and why</span>?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Coach Carlson</span>:</strong> "<em>Red River has always been our biggest rival due to them being across town. We have had some good games with them in the past few years to help renew the rivalry.</em>"&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>PHD: In your opinion, who are some of the top teams in Class A and why?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Coach Carlson</span>:</strong> "<em>Davies, North &amp; South are all going to be tough this year. WF &amp; Sheyenne will be different but will still be top teams along with Shanley and RR in the East. Minot, Century, Mandan, and Bismarck High will be tough out West.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Top Returners</span></strong></td><td><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Year</span></strong></td><td><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Point/Game</span></strong></td><td><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Rebounds/Game</span></strong></td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1401336' first='Erick' last='Paye']</td><td>Junior</td><td>15.5</td><td>9.6</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1643834' first='Ross' last='Wilber']</td><td>Junior</td><td>9.1</td><td>3.0</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1643835' first='Jack' last='Simmers']</td><td>Junior</td><td>8.9</td><td>3.4</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1497485' first='Cole' last='Wilber']</td><td>Sophomore</td><td>7.8</td><td>3.6</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1643836' first='Leo' last='Strandell']</td><td>Junior</td><td>5.2</td><td>3.2</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Knight Schedule</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dec 2 - home vs. <strong>EGF</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dec 6 - home vs. <strong>Davies</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dec 9 - @ <strong>South</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dec 13 - home vs. <strong>RR</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dec 15 - @ <strong>DL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dec 20 - home vs. <strong>Wahp</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jan 3 - @ <strong>WF</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jan 6 - @ <strong>North</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jan 9 - @<strong> Sheyenne</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jan 14 - @ <strong>Shanley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jan 17 - home <strong>VC</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jan 20 - home <strong>Horace</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jan 24 - home <strong>Grafton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jan 27 - @ <strong>Davies</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jan 31 - home <strong>South</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Feb 3 - @ <strong>RR</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Feb 7 - home <strong>DL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Feb 10 - @ <strong>Wahp</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Feb 14 -home <strong>WF</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Feb 18 - home <strong>North</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Feb 21 - home <strong>Sheyenne </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Feb 25-March 4 - <strong>EDC Tourney</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>March 9-March 11 -<strong> State Tourney </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"italic","fontWeight":"800","fontSize":"75px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:75px;font-style:italic;font-weight:800"><strong>Good Luck GFC!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1634111,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/10/TeamPreview.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/10/TeamPreview.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1634111"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->