Class B: Next up in North Dakota (Part 1)
The Next Up Series moves on to the Class B level of basketball in North Dakota where some traditionally strong programs should still be good with some of the following players stepping into bigger roles.
Evan Braaten of Wyndmere/Lidgerwood. The 6-foot-1 wing is a player you may remember from the state tournament as well as his big performance in the regional final. Braaten is an all out effort guy who beats the other nine on the floor to fast break results, loose balls, boards, and he’s constantly forcing turnovers and bad possessions with his strong defense.
Beau Feltman of Grafton Area. At 6-foot-6 Beau is more remembered for his game winner to send the Spoilers into the regional final. Feltman has the size needed to make a difference and now he needs to make that difference in a big way trying to get his team to the state tournament. Feltman has shown he can score in double figures but expectations will be even higher as he and Dalton Albrecht give their team one of the best Twin Towers combos in the state.
Carson Henningsgard of HCV. I can hear you thinking “he was just title game MVP how is he next up?” The answer to that is the role he will have to play. Carson was outstanding but he also had a veteran line-up everywhere around him. Now as an underclassmen Carson has to take all that leadership role on his shoulders plus he has to carry more of the load game to game as others develop around him.
Jacob Johnson of Maple Valley. One of the sophomores in the state that we liked was this 6-foot-2 guard. Jacob played and learned from a strong senior class that went 17-6 a year ago and now Johnson is going to be a central figure in pushing the Raiders into the future.
Seth Nelson of Carrington. Seth, it’s your time now. Bickett and Vetter have graduated and now the 6-foot-3 wing has a chance to step in and have a standout career. Seth scored 12.5 points per game as a sohomore with nearly seven rebounds a game while blocking almost two shots a contest. Seth and senior-to-be Trey Rosenau will lead the team into the next era.
Tyrell Rodriquez of Oak Grove. Four of the top six players from the Grovers have graduated but low post producer Tyrell Rodriquez will returning along with Mason Bolme. Tyrell is getting ready for another year of low post production by playing with ECI in the SPTS this spring. At 6-foot-4 and strong it’s tough to move Tyrell off that low block where we expect him to feast next winter.
Hunter Thorpe of Ellendale. At 6-foot-3 Hunter established himself as a key piece this year and going forward Hunter has a chance to make himself one of the better juniors around. He opened his season with a big performance and had a solid sophomore year.