North Dakota Class A Preseason Top 10
Basketball season is right around the corner. Teams are firing up practice this week and games will be starting in less than two weeks. With that in mind, it’s time to unveil my preseason top-10 rankings. Bismarck Century Bismarck Century…
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Continue ReadingBasketball season is right around the corner. Teams are firing up practice this week and games will be starting in less than two weeks. With that in mind, it’s time to unveil my preseason top-10 rankings.
Bismarck Century
Bismarck Century has been the dominant team in Class A North Dakota for years and that doesn’t appear to be ending this winter. Lauren Ware is the best two-way player in the state and can dominate a game in ways few others are capable. Julia Fitterer, Chloe Markovic and Anna Kinnebrew are all back after solid seasons last year as well. The Patriots are the heavy favorite to repeat as state champs again.
Devils Lake
The Firebirds were clearly the second best team in Class A last season, reaching the state title game and giving the Patriots a good run. Jes Mertens is back after averaging better than 12 points and five rebounds. She’s a potential Player-of-the-Year candidate as she’ll likely take on a bigger role offensively this winter. Ramsey Brown averaged 12.6 points per game last year and returns. The Firebirds also bring back a solid core of role players including Abby Johnson and Jailyn Martinson.
Bismarck Legacy
The Sabers have been one of the best teams in the state in recent years and they should be strong again in 2019-20. Defense was a calling card for Legacy a year ago and that should once again be a strength. Arianna Berryhill is back, giving the Sabers an all-league caliber guard. Alexis Dressler, MacKenzie Boone and Ashton Sagaser all back as well, giving the Sabers solid depth.
Fargo Shanley
The Deacons were one of the five or so best teams last year and with returning all-state guard Reile Payne back, they are firmly contenders at the top of the EDC. The young talent is ascending for the Deacons as well, as Lydia Mattern, Emily Sremja and Kate Busek are all solid returners.
West Fargo
The Packers won 15 games a year ago and return all-league caliber players in McKenna Becher and Chloe Pfau. Becher averaged 15 points and six boards as a junior while Pfau will be just a freshman, but has already shown immense potential and development. Brynn Giesen Ashlyn Diemert were rotation players last year and the depth of the team should be stronger this year than it was a year ago.
Bismarck
Depth was a strength for the Demons a year ago, as they played nine or 10 players regular minutes. With five key returners including Cadee Rychman, Jilee Golus, Mandi Picard and Olivia Dickerson all back, the Demons have the experience and talent to compete for a top-four spot in the WDA.
Jamestown
The Bluejays were in the fat middle class of the WDA last year and have the talent to move up the standings this winter. Kameron Selvig is one of the best returning forwards in the WDA, Grace Hegerle is an excellent guard who could join her on the all-conference lists and Ella Falk is a player to watch as a potential third double-figure scorer.
Williston
The Coyotes reached the state tournament last year and have the returning talent to do so again this winter. Brooklyn Douglas is an excellent wing who can fill it up from deep. Makia Remus and Corbyn Davis give the team a solid foundation inside and at the point guard spot. If Williston can improve even slightly offensively, the Coyotes are good for 15 or so wins.
Fargo Davies
The Eagles had an up-and-down 2018-19 season but with all the young talent in the program coming back, Fargo Davies should be in for a more consistent campaign. Losing Alyssa Paper is a huge blow as she was the unquestioned go-to player but Ryleigh Wacha and Taylor Fey are both back after averaging double-figures in scoring. Taylor Safranski and Ava Wild saw a lot of playing as freshmen and should take another step this winter as well.
Grand Forks Red River
The Roughriders were one of the best teams in the state last year and while they graduate their two best guards, they return all league caliber players in Alex Page and Shelby Frank. Jasmine Sondrol will likely take on a bigger role in the starting lineup as well.