It was a bitter sweet ending for Hjelmstad’s high school career. With the game tied, he attacked off the dribble and buried a go ahead shot. It looked like he would have his moment, but Mustang would tie it up. Forcing overtime and eventually causing Edmond Memorial’s season come to an end. After flashing as a role player for Edmond Memorial last season, Hjelmstad jump started his recruiting last spring and simmer with a very successful AAU season. This year he became a regular double-double threat with the Bulldogs. While also being an improved shooter, especially from beyond the arc.

Signed to Kansas State Division 2 program, the Edmond Memorial will be taking his hard hat north. Where the double doubles will surely continue.

Among the players on this list, Hjelmstad likely has the lightest high school resume when it comes to raw production. After excelling in his role for one of the top programs in Oklahoma, the versatile scoring forward looks poised to excel in more of a staring role. In November scrimmages, the Pittsburgh State signee looked much more comfortable as a shooter with a smooth stroke from beyond the arc. Mixing in shooting with his blue collar rebounding and drives will have the physical forward among Oklahoma’s best.

We’ve written about Edmond Memorial’s Carter Hjelmstad Carter Hjelmstad 6'5" | SF Edmond Memorial | 2023 State OK quite a bit in the last six months after he had a fantastic offseason while playing with ROGUE. While Hjelmstad doesn’t necessarily fit the “big man” cookie cutter, he is a bigger guard that has some serious skills around the basket as well. And one thing we’ve seen from Edmond Memorial over the course of the last decade plus is they know what they’re doing with players who might considered guards elsewhere but they have them playing near the basket as undersized big men. Hjelmstad just seems destined to have a breakout season and the Bulldogs will be looking for some serious production from him when you consider the talent that they lost to graduation. But as always, the Bulldogs are going to be in the mix again in 6A and Hjelmstad is a big reason why.

Another prospect who flashed upside in spots for a top high school team in the state, Hjelmstad fully broke-out as a small college prospect after a huge grass roots season. Now the versatile forward should be among the most productive players in Class 6A this winter.  He’s an inside-outside threat, with an outstanding work-rate, especially on the glass. Rebounding production alone would be enough to get the rugged forward ranked and have collegiate potential. But he’s more than a glass man and post threat. Proficient shooting in the midrange and from beyond the arc, along with some face up potential will see him be a major scoring threat this winter.  From pure college ceiling standpoint, he’s a little stuck between positions as not quite tall enough to be a traditional “4” and not quite agile enough to be a traditional “3”. But his combination of tenacity and growing skill level, that will see him shine this winter, will also extend his playing career to the collegiate level.