Players To Watch in Class B Districts

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">It is the best time of the year to be a basketball fan. Playoff basketball is about to start!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Friday, the District Tournaments tip off and we have recommendations on Players To Watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>See below for 12 Class B ballers to keep eyes on this Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1049854,"width":"427px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/09/Players-To-Watch-3.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/09/Players-To-Watch-3.jpg?w=864" alt="" class="wp-image-1049854" style="width:427px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2728364' first='Aiden' last='Lunske'] (2025) |6'1 SF| Midway-Minto</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The #6 Mustangs get things started with North Prairie. Lunske has to be one of the most underrated players in Class B basketball. He is a seasoned vet who scored his 1,000th career point in January. Lunske can score in a variety of ways. I like his post moves, versatile finishing, middy J, and 3-point shooting capabilities. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2417313' first='Blake' last='Bergstrom'] (2028) |5'8 G| Ray</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ray tips the postseason off with Divide County. The Jays are full of young talent and the future looks extremely bright. However, we are only worrying about this postseason and Bergstrom is a player to watch. Blake is averaging 18.2 ppg, 7.1 apg, 4.9 rpg, and 3 spg. Those are will numbers for a 9th grade PG. Bergy has advanced skills, can score from all levels, has amazing court vision, and is a gamer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1497479' first='Brennan' last='Johnson'] (2025) |6'8 PF| Tioga</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pirates start the postseason with Williston Trinity Christian. BJ has to be averaging close to 30 ppg and 20 rpg. If his squad can make a run to Regionals, Johnson should be an All-State player. He has imposing size, a soft scoring touch, and a nose for the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1189430' first='Carter' last='Baasch'] (2025) |5'7 G| Maple River</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Raiders open up with Wyndmere-Lidgerwood. These two played on February 11th and the Warbirds took down the Maple River by 2 points. Baasch and the Raiders will be ready for revenge. Carter is a veteran backcourt player who recently scored his 1,000th career point. Baasch is a relentless playmaker with skill and high energy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2775176' first='Grady' last='Crawford'] (2026) |6'1 G| Garrison</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Troopers tip off with Center-Stanton. [player_tooltip player_id='1350687' first='Little' last='Hail Perkins'] is the #1 option for Garrison but Grady is a nice complimentary player. Crawford is an underrated player that basketball fans need to take a look at. He is a hustler, hard worker, and a 2-way player. Crawford creates TO's and gets stops on D. He is a creative slasher with a quality finishing package and his jumper is smooth/accurate. I am interested to see if the Troopers can make a legit postseason run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2277114' first='Jace' last='Collison'] (2025) |6'0 G| Larimore</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Polar Bears open up the playoffs with Warwick. Larimore is playing well as of late, they have won 7 of their last 8 and 8 of their last 10. Jace is very close to scoring his 1,000th career point, which will happen very early in the playoffs. Collison can put up points from every level, he is an excellent shot-creator. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2635341' first='Jaxon' last='Nelson'] (2025) |6'1 G| TGU</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>TGU plays Bishop Ryan in the opening round of Districts. Nelson is an impressive athlete and a tough defender. Jaxon scores in multiple ways, he is strong and has a quick first step. He finishes well at the rim. Nelson has a quality midrange jump shot and has become an above-average three-point threat. &nbsp;He is also a leader on the floor for the Titans. Jaxon averages 19 ppg, 5 rpg, and 2 spg.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1935092' first='Joseph' last='Kramlich'] (2025) |6'1 G| Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rebels get the playoffs started with Strasburg-Zeeland. Kramlich is a future D1 football player, so you will want to watch out for his athleticism. Joe is shooting better as of late and his mobility/NRG has been impressive these last couple of weeks. He has the ability to take over games, force TO's/steals, and create easy looks from himself and his teammates. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2429661' first='Justin' last='Bosch'] (2027) |5'10 G| Linton-HMB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions get the playoffs going with Kidder County. Bosch is known as a smart, skilled, and smooth soph PG. Justin is not the biggest player but he handles himself well on the court and he is a noteworthy athlete. In mid-February, Bosch showed that he is an explosive scorer and a 3-point SNIPER. He poured in 38 points and drilled 10 three-pointers (New Linton record). Keep eyes on this Lion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2052771' first='Jyles' last='Meier'] (2027) |6'5 F| Oakes</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The #7 ranked Tornadoes open up the District Tourney with Richland. Meier is a player to watch with an incredible wing span, he is a big dude who weighs around 200-215 lbs. He certainly is a mismatch. Jyles is no stranger to a Double-Double, he should have his way with the Colts. Take a look at Meier's footwork and balance, ball junkies will like what they see. Jyles has stepped up this year with a few Tornadoe injuries, he will be a big part of any success that Oakes has in the postseason. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2309413' first='Kyle' last='Huseby'] (2025) |6'1 SF| Powers Lake-Burke Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Ranchers open up with Parshall-NSP. Huseby is an explosive/impressive athlete who can take over a game in the blink of an eye. He scores in bunches! I like his pull-up J, slashing, and his bouncy dunks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1632628' first='Parker' last='Jacobson'] (2026) |6'3 G| Washburn</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Washburn's first game of the playoffs is with White Shield. Jacobson is a lights-out three-point marksman but also an all-around scorer. His game continues to evolve, Jacobson will light up the scoreboard but also create for others and set teammates up for good looks. Parker is averaging 25 ppg and has 86 made triples at a smoking-hot 49 3FG%!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2672394,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/ClassBBasketball.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/ClassBBasketball.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2672394" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->