Impactful ND 9th Graders: AA and A
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This fall, PHD debuted the 2027 Prospect Rankings for North Dakota. There is no question that this class is talented and deep. With the high school football season in the books, PHD is thinking about the upcoming basketball season even…
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Continue ReadingThis fall, PHD debuted the 2027 Prospect Rankings for North Dakota. There is no question that this class is talented and deep.
With the high school football season in the books, PHD is thinking about the upcoming basketball season even more. One of the questions that recently came to me was: Will there be any impact players from this 9th-grade class? Specifically in Class AA and A?
In Class B, we regularly see freshmen making an impact on varsity, it does not happen as often at the bigger schools, so we thought this might be a fun topic for an article.
Time to take a look at eleven freshmen ballers!
Impactful 9th Graders
AA
Aiden was one of the primary reserve guards for the Hawks a year ago, and if he shows the coaches he can take care of the basketball, he will be a contender for starting point guard this season. Green is no stranger to making splashy plays as he is speedy fast with a quick first step. He can cross-up defenders, create turnovers, hit mid-range J’s, and score at the rim in a variety of ways. Aiden is certainly a player to watch in the EDC. It will be interesting to see how he looks in coach Cummings system.
Highlights
Brooks has the physical tools and skills to compete for a starting position on a thin Saints Roster. If Armstrong can earn the trust of his coaches, expect Brooks to be near the top in AA freshman minutes. Armstrong could also lead AA freshmen in scoring this season. Armstrong showed this fall that he is a top talent in the Dakotas. He is a skilled and productive offensive player. Expect Brooks to have a noteworthy freshman season for the Saints.
Gibson is a gifted and advanced athlete, I saw it first-hand this past spring. He also put on a show at the PH Showcase this fall. This winter, Kinnebrew’s size and versatility should allow him to compete for a depth role with the Patriots. He will have no trouble fitting in with his size and athleticism. I would expect Drew Kempel Drew Kempel 6’4″ | PG Bismarck Century | 2025 State ND to create plenty of scoring opportunities for Gibby. If he gets some room, he might even give you a highlight reel dunk. This kid can fly!
A season ago, the Deacons made a decision to groom Tommy for the future. The future is now, as the Deacons will desperately need Tommy’s ability to stretch the floor this winter. I like the looks of this kid’s game. Baumgartner is long, mobile, and he can fill it up from beyond the arc. Maturity-wise, Tommy should have no trouble playing at the varsity level this winter. He already showed that he has what it takes between the ears by competing at the top of the EDC during the golf season last spring. Big things are coming for Mr. Baumgartner this hoops season.
Highlights
PHD expects Weston to be a part of a deep Demon varsity rotation from day one. As the season progresses, Weston will solidify himself as one of the main scoring threats on Bismarck’s roster. I watched Scott play this summer and he did not look like a 2027 kid on the court. You will be hard-pressed to find a more skilled player than Great Scott! PHD believes that Weston has a bright future as a scorer and as a playmaker. PHD plans on watching the Demons and Weston on December 1st at WF Sheyenne.
A
Ben has scary talent and potential. At 6’6″ his length is expansive and his game continues to improve. Look for the young Hynek to be the 6th/7th man for the Blue Jays this season. He has put in the time and his soft scoring touch is becoming evident. Ben will be learning the ropes on post defense and rebounding from Bennett Larson Bennett Larson 6’7″ | C Stanley | 2026 State ND aka “Big Country”. Once Ben gets up to speed and familiar with the physicality at the varsity level, he will be an effective player. One exciting aspects of Hynek’s game is his ability to pick-n-roll and pick-n-pop. You have to love a 6’6″ frosh with that kind of versatility. PHD is excited to get eyes on the young Blue Jay early in the season.
Brooks was one of the first players off the bench for the Vikings a year ago. That will not be the case this season. The young PG is a marvelous athlete who had a great summer, was excellent this fall in football, is a true playmaker, mature beyond his years, and I love his jump shot. Even though Bakko doesn’t have his driver’s license yet, the point guard will be handed the keys to coach Woehl’s offense! Kindred is talented and deep, they should be a top team in Class A. If they plan on going to the promised lands this spring, Bakko will be the man driving the bus.
This might have been the easiest name to pick out for this story! Hudson hit 39 triples and averaged 10 ppg as an 8th grader for the Jags! While Hudson’s role may be similar, his game improved over the offseason. Expect a bigger, stronger, and more confident version of Rietschel this winter. He will be vital in the Jags success as Landon Moser Landon Moser 6’1″ | PG Northern Cass | 2024 State ND will garner a ton of attention from opposing defenses. I watched Hudson multiple times this summer, and he is the real deal. Whenever I ask coach Laxdal about the young Mr. Rietschel, he is quick to sing his praises.
Highlights
First of all, this young Grover is a sensational athlete with game-changing speed. He may only be a freshman, but Kai has all the physical tools necessary to excel at the varsity level. Coach Card played Zabel at the point guard position all summer and PHD expects him to be in that role when the Grover’s open the season at Four Winds on December 9th! He will be thrown to the wolves in game 1 against a daunting defense but it will be a great way to break the ice at the varsity level!
I do not know a ton about Dunseith but I know they graduated Boston Davis and he was a dude who put up big numbers. What does that mean? The Dragons are going to need new production and DeCoteau has the length and skill to do it. I watched Nelson this summer and he looks to have a high ceiling. It will be fun to see how he handles the competition in Class A Region 3.