Fresh Faces on Varsity

First of all, Prep Hoops can not wait for the high school season to start! Throughout the fall we will be previewing the upcoming season. In this article, we will look at players from ND & SD who are fresh to the varsity scene. These guys are either new to varsity minutes and/or we are expecting them to have an upgraded role on their team. You could also make this list if you are coming back from injury and will be ready to hoop again on varsity. Read below for info on 14 players from North Dakota and South Dakota who will be making a splash on varsity.   FRESH FACES on VARSITY   [player_tooltip player_id='1632627' first='Abakar' last='Miganoudji'] (2026) |6'5 F| Fargo South   He has unlimited potential and PHD thinks that Abakar will be a breakout player this season in the EDC. He even has the talent and athleticism to be an All-Conference player if things go as planned. The Bruins have their eyes on a trip to the State Tournament and Miganoudji will be a key player for South. Abakar is extra-athletic, can get to the hoop via the bounce, hit the 3, board up, and protect the rim. A big year is ahead for Abakar.   [player_tooltip player_id='2244976' first='Ashton' last='Fairbanks'] (2025) |6'2 G| Elk Point Jefferson   He will most likely be the Huskies 6th man and possibly start a few games. Ashton is a high-energy baller who can get out in the full court and run/extend the court. Fairbanks is extremely athletic and strong. The Huskies will look for him to push the pace and be a pesky defender who helps extend the floor and pressure other teams. Look for Fairbanks to be an impact player for the Huskies   [player_tooltip player_id='1510889' first='Boston' last='Cranston'] (2026) |6'0 G| Dickinson   The young lefty had a fantastic summer and he looked outstanding at the Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo. Boston is a quick and fast lead guard. He is an excellent passer and his jump shot is soft and smooth. He is a dangerous defender who will pick your pocket and intercept passes in-flight. Dvorak graduated, so the keys to the offense might be given to Boston this winter. PHD believes that Cranston will be a standout soph for the Midgets.   [player_tooltip player_id='1332141' first='Cameron' last='Miller'] (2026) |6'1 PG| Fargo Davies   He looked tough and talented this summer at team events, Miller also played well with [program_tooltip program_id='2078372' first='ECI' last=''] in grassroots ball. Expect him to carry that momentum and confidence into the hoops season. Cam is an extremely skilled point guard who understands the game. He is young, only a sophomore, but Cam is getting stronger and his play has improved a lot from his 9th grade to 10th grade. Look for Miller to push for varsity minutes and once he gets the chance, Cam should excel.   [player_tooltip player_id='1176211' first='Chase' last='Bachmeier'] (2024) |5'11 G| Central Cass   The Squirrels won it all (State B) last season and they were perfect on the year with an undefeated record. Chase played good minutes off the bench and was a valuable member of the team. This season, look for Bachmeier's role to increase and CC to be a tough team in the new Class A. Chase brings a great level of energy to the defensive side of the ball. He is a bright baller who uses his athleticism to finish at the cup. Keep an eye on Chase and CC, it will be fun to see how they compete in Class A.   Chase Cooper (2025) |6'2 PF| Wyndmere-Lidgerwood   Chase has not played for a few years but has a lot of natural talent. As a JH player, Cooper showed a lot of promise. Chase runs the floor well, has great hands & feet and he finishes very well with contact. Cooper also has a good mid-range jump shot and he loves to battle for rebounds. For a big guy, he also sees the floor and passes well. Look for Copper to be back on the hardwood this winter and for him to be making plays on the varsity squad.     [player_tooltip player_id='1784724' first='Dawson' last='Getz'] (2025) |6'3 SF| Pierre   PHD believes that Getz is going to make a big leap this year. He is coming off a monster JV season and he should be ready to prove it on varsity. Dawson can score the rock from every level. He has gotten stronger and is able to handle contact better than in the past. Getz is a lights-out shooter from 3 and mid-range. If he is left alone this winter, points will be put up. The Govs could be sneaky good this year. Keep your eyes on Pierre and Mr. Getz.   [player_tooltip player_id='1859912' first='Gunner' last='Thielges'] (2026) |6'0 G| LLM   I see Gunner being a playmaking point guard for the Loboes. Thielges is an incredible athlete and he is putting up record-setting numbers in football this fall. At 6'1”, Gunner is pretty long for the PG spot and he has a good feel for setting others up. He also puts up big rebounding numbers. Expect Thielges to stuff the stat sheet this winter. His length, speed & quickness make Gunner a weapon in the Loboe full-court defense.   [player_tooltip player_id='2244963' first='Grayson' last='Girad'] (2025) |6'0 G| Elk Point-Jefferson   He is a high-motor kid who sticks out as a good defender. Girad has a very good shot and the Huskies will look for him to push the pace this year and get out in transition to make plays. Grayson can rebound and is a very tough-nosed player. He is another player that the Huskies need to really step up and play extensive minutes. Expect Grayson to extend the floor and pressure opposing teams so the Huskies can play fast-paced.   [player_tooltip player_id='2237803' first='Jax' last='Hernandez'] (2027) |5'11 G| Hankinson   He got brought up to varsity last year for the postseason as an 8th grader. Hernandez will be a 4 quarter JV guy to start the year but he could work his way into the 7th-9th man as the season moves on. Jax is a very similar player to his older brother, Cruz (who was a stud). He is taller than Cruz was at that age. Jax does not dribble or shoot as well as Cruz, but he does a very good job of creating space while driving to the lane. Hernandez is also a good defender for his age and he is smart. He is a player that you do not have to tell things twice and Jax has a great work ethic. Keep track of the young Hernandez in his frosh season.   [player_tooltip player_id='2058166' first='Jerek' last='Dufner'] (2026) |6'1 G| Sturgis   He stands out on the court because of his athleticism. Dufner can also put up serious points from all three levels. The Scoopers will have a legit squad this season and Jerek will provide major versatility. Jerek can also make plays on defense. If you are looking to watch a young scorer, get Mr. Dufner on your watchlist.   [player_tooltip player_id='2244888' first='Josh' last='Deckert'] (2024) |6'4 PF| Devils Lake   He is a very tough and physical competitor. Deckert led DL's JV team in scoring and rebounding last year. He can shoot the three, will post you up, and can attack you off the dribble. Josh's interior defense and rebounding will definitely help DL this year. Expect Deckert to step up for the Firebirds this season. He will be a player who can guard the opponent's big man and knock down shots on the other end. Devils Lake is hands down #1 in A heading into the season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1548942' first='Marshall' last='Smythe'] (2025) |6'1 G| Tea   The Titans have been loaded with guard talent in recent years and it looks like this year will be Smythe's turn to make an impact. Marshall is a strong leader and a really tough on-ball defender. Look for Smythe to be a two-way player. He is a true point guard that facilitates for his teammates and he can score the rock when needed. Marshall has been injured since April with a torn labrum but he is now fully healthy and ready to go! Get Mr. Smythe on your watchlist for this winter.   [player_tooltip player_id='1441395' first='Nyun' last='Dut'] (2025) |6'3 SG| O'Gorman   Get ready for Dut to have a big role for the Knights. Nyun has the skill set and athleticism to be an All-Metro type of player. He will be cutting his teeth on varsity this season, so Nyun will need to prove himself early in the year. I suspect that will not be a problem! Dut is a next-level athlete with length but he is also a shooter. He proved that this summer and I was highly impressed with his game. Nyun will be a matchup problem for opposing teams and certainly a player to watch from OG.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/08/PHD.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/08/PHD.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1272514" /></a></figure>

First of all, Prep Hoops can not wait for the high school season to start! Throughout the fall we will be previewing the upcoming season. In this article, we will look at players from ND & SD who are fresh to the varsity scene. These guys are either new to varsity minutes and/or we are expecting them to have an upgraded role on their team. You could also make this list if you are coming back from injury and will be ready to hoop again on varsity. Read below for info on 14 players from North Dakota and South Dakota who will be making a splash on varsity.