Jingle Bells and Jumpers

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">While the holidays filled homes with cheer, they filled gyms across the Dakotas with buckets. With Christmas officially in the books, the season rolls right on as a couple of games tip off today and an even busier slate awaits this Saturday. December delivered competitive matchups, statement wins, and players who refused to cool off as the temperatures dropped. The early-season picture is starting to take shape, and plenty of names stood out along the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"100"}},"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:100">Prep Hoops Dakotas takes a December deep dive to highlight the players who were rolling before the break. From proven scorers to breakout performers and leaders driving winning basketball, these athletes helped define the first stretch of the season and gave us plenty to watch heading into January.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2950876,"width":"292px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/08/NDSD.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/08/NDSD.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2950876" style="width:292px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3270835"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-694ed85b747de"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Only an 8th grader, but he is playing well on varsity</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Double-Double game earlier in the month with 10 points &amp; 8 rebounds</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Player to keep eyes on as the season progresses </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2856939"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-694ed85b74842"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Scoring well &amp; his rebounding has improved from last season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Currently averaging 25 ppg and 11 rpg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Draws a ton of attention from the defense but still produces </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2430303"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-694ed85b74893"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Averaging 22 ppg, 10.5 rpg, and shooting 43.2 FG%</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Playing great out of the post &amp; in transition, outstanding communicator, always talking on D, leader in the locker room</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Plays above his height, defending at a high rate against bigger opponents</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Impressive footwork &amp; patience, excellent turnaround J, awesome athlete, facilitates well, makes the correct play, smart passes when doubled</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Hawks offense goes through him every trip, brings NRG, hype man, his game will only improve as the season moves on</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1466940"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-694ed85b748e5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Recently scored his 1,000th career point</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-16 ppg, 14 rpg, 4 apg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Excels at controlling the game on both ends</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Outstanding on the glass, thrives at taking what the defense gives him</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2765444"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-694f076a50c9b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Putting up splashy #'s, 21 ppg, 11.5 rpg, Double-Double machine</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-5.5 spg, disruptor, creates O w/ his D, aggressive to the rack, good at drawing fouls</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Not afraid to take control, great leader, hard worker, plays composed, steady producer</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2707750"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-694f076a50d03"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Standing out early in the season, averaging 13 ppg, 6.5 rpg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Has a big impact on defense, averaging 5.5 spg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Creates O through D, TO's lead to easy buckets, attacks rim &amp; gets to FT-line</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Leads by example, stays composed, always working to get better</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2250346"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-694ed85b7493d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Having a quality start to the season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-15.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Playing aggressively &amp; assertively in his newly expanded role</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Kernels need him &amp; expect him to keep playing at a high level</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1632619"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-694ed85b74989"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-One of the key players from the Spoilers, Rice &amp; Lillemoen make Twin-Towers for Grafton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Averaging 17 ppg &amp; 6 rpg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Doing a nice job of finding the open man &amp; setting up teammates</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2312611"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-694f076a50d96"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Star player for one of the elite teams in B, current record is 4-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Recently joined the 1K Club, congrats on scoring 1,000+ points!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Averaging around 25 ppg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-One of the best passers in ND, his leadership is phenomenal </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2728541"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-694f076a50de5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Game-changer for the Miner with his length, has helped the squad go 4-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Improved over the summer &amp; it has really shown in the first four games</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Rebounding &amp; work ethic are off the charts this season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-His length causes a ton of issues for opposing BIGs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Blocks shots, jumps well, runs the floor great for a 6'6" post, hit mid-range J's consistently </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1272514,"width":"229px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/08/PHD.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/08/PHD.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1272514" style="width:229px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->