Recruiting Report: Zach Westphal (2018)
Six-foot-1 guard Zach Westphal of West Fargo Sheyenne has his team at 11-2 on the season and is competing like an all state level player.
Convincing wins over Fargo Davies and Shanley, and pulling out victories on tougher nights like the overtime win over Fargo South and the three point win over Fargo North last night, that’s what made the Mustangs a contender.
“I have learned that offensively we are a very dynamic and explosive team,” Zach told PHD. “We can score inside, outside, and in transition depending on what the defense is giving us.”
With Christian Kuntz, Tyler Terhark, Blake Berg, and Kemal Hajric joining Westphal with consistent production it’s been an impressive season so far for Sheyenne High School. Kemal is averaging a double-double, Berg gives his team some of everything hitting some threes and moving the ball well, Tehark leads the team in assists and can shoot, and when he’s played Kuntz is a very strong scoring option next to Westphal.
“The challenge for us is to show others we belong and that we can compete with the state’s top program,” Zach said. “Our goal as a team is to continue to demonstrate the culture and accountability that our coaches have instilled in us.
“Hopefully if we continue to do so, we can make a return trip to the state tournament where we get the opportunity to compete for a championship.”
Zach himself is scoring 23 point a game shooting a ridiculous 54 percent from the floor as a guard making 41 percent of his threes and hitting 77 percent of his foul shots.
“Individually, I want to be the best leader I can and I need to lead by example,” Zach said. “We have a pretty young team with three sophomores playing major minutes. I need to demonstrate the best habits and model the best work ethic day in and day out. That is all part of our culture.”
Just over the weekend Zach made all 17 of his foul shots and scored 34 to beat Fargo South. It’s no wonder that the school that will get him soon is very excited about it.
“I committed to the University of Jamestown to play basketball before the high school season started,” Zach said.