EDC Tournament Preview
***Photo Credit: Fargo Forum*** Playoffs?!? We talking about playoffs? We are in fact talking about the playoffs. The regular season is over at the Class A level in North Dakota. Now we turn our attention to the postseason where the…
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Continue Reading***Photo Credit: Fargo Forum***
Playoffs?!? We talking about playoffs? We are in fact talking about the playoffs. The regular season is over at the Class A level in North Dakota. Now we turn our attention to the postseason where the WDA and EDC conference tournaments will take place next week.
With four teams from each league getting spots in the state tournament, the competition will be fierce.
Here’s what you need to know about the EDC Tournament:
Favorite: Devils Lake
The Firebirds were the dominant team in the EDC by a wide margin this year, going undefeated and winning by more than 30 points per game. Few teams even came close to testing Devils Lake this winter and there’s little the Firebirds have left to prove against EDC competition – their next test is against some of the powerhouse clubs in the WDA.
Four girls average double figures in scoring. Jes Mertens leads the way averaging 12.6 points and five rebounds. Ramsey Brown averages 12.6 points per game as well. Mattea Vetsch provides some long-range shooting and Taylor Windjue averages 11.1 points and a team-high 3.4 assists per game.
The Firebirds share the ball extremely well. They defend and they are efficient on the offensive end. They are the class of the EDC.
Next Up: Fargo Shanley
The Deacons have been the second best team in the EDC all year and they’ve got an elite offense to thank for their success. Reile Payne leads the EDC in scoring, averaging 20.7 points per game. The junior guard also averages 9.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 4.9 steals. She’s been a catalyst for the Deacons all year and she’s good enough to carry them to great heights in the postseason.
Shanley’s shown a little vulnerability in recent weeks as they lost to Devils Lake and Fargo Davies while struggling to put away Sheyenne and Grand Forks Red River. But this is still a terrific team that should earn a state berth.
Fighting For a Spot: West Fargo Sheyenne, West Fargo, Grand Forks Red River, Fargo Davies
Maggie Manson and Yasmina Dokara give the Mustangs two excellent scoring options as the two combine for better than 30 points per game. The Mustangs might be the third best team in the EDC as they allow just 51 points per game.
West Fargo ended the year on a high, winning four straight to close the regular season. The Packers have an experienced group of players led by Mariah Schatz who leads the team in rebounding and assists. Junior guard McKenna Becher leads the team in scoring at 15.2 points per game.
Grand Forks Red River is right there with the West Fargo schools as the Roughriders went 13-7 on the year. Powered by one of the league’s best offenses, Red River gets production from a lot of people. Jadyn Sondrol leads the team in scoring at 13.5 points per game while also chipping in 3.5 assists. Shelby Frank averages 12.8 points and 7.5 rebounds. Kenady Steffan averages 10.8 points and 5.4 assists and Alex Page averages 10 points while knocking down 38 percent of her 3-point attempts.
Fargo Davies hasn’t been as good as some expected and the Eagles have been down by their own traditional standards but they are dangerous because they certainly don’t lack for talent. Alyssa Paper is one of the toughest matchups in the state as she’s terrific inside and out. The senior forward averages 16.4 points and nine rebounds while also knocking down 49 percent of her 3-point attempts.