North Dakota Players of the Week
With the season starting to enter the final turn, teams are ideally rounding into form and separating within their region and district races. With opportunities for teams to earn season-defining and momentum-building wins on a nightly basis, opportunities arise for…
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Continue ReadingWith the season starting to enter the final turn, teams are ideally rounding into form and separating within their region and district races. With opportunities for teams to earn season-defining and momentum-building wins on a nightly basis, opportunities arise for individuals to make their marks on the season.
Here are the top players from last week:
Jaden Mitzel, Shiloh Christian
Mitzel’s had his share of eye-popping performances this season, as he’s been the driving force behind Shiloh’s terrific season to this point. The senior forward was terrific again last week; particularly in the Skyhawks’ 66-64 win over Rugby where he scored 31 points and hauled in 14 rebounds, outplaying the star duo of Trace Goven and Jaden Hamilton for the Panthers.
Alex Huber, Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier
Huber’s been terrific all year for EKM and has been the key in the team’s 12-2 start, putting them in position to earn the top seed in District 5 of Region 3. Huber was excellent in the Rebels’ 52-46 win over Linton/HMB, scoring 26 points. He followed that up with 18 in a win over South Border.
Grant Nelson, Devils Lake
Nelson’s been putting up video-game numbers all year and he’s the primary reason the Firebirds have an opportunity to finish in the top-four of the EDC. Going into last week needing every win they could get, Nelson was a force in all three of his team’s wins. He dropped 27 points, hauled in 16 rebounds and blocked three shots in the win over Fargo North. He went for 19 points, 26 rebounds, five assists and six blocks in the win over Fargo South. And in a revenge game against Fargo Shanley, he scored 19 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and blocked four shots. If the Firebirds finish fourth in the EDC, it’s hard to imagine Nelson not being the Player-of-the-Year.
Gunner Swanson, Bismarck
Swanson has been one of several breakout players for the Demons this season and he picked a good time to have a pair of standout performances. The 6-foot-5 junior swingman scored 27 points, knocked down seven 3-pointers, and grabbed eight rebounds in a 91-77 win over Minot. He backed that up with 18 points on 5 for 11 shooting while adding three assists in a 74-66 win over Dickinson. Swanson’s averaging 11.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists on the season.