The EDC: Next Up
Photo Credit: Josh Dahlen Hudl
Who are the key players stepping into big roles next year in the EDC? We give you the run down.
Carson Critchley of Fargo North. The junior-to-be guard will team with Keaton Hoeg and make one of the tougher backcourts in the league. Hoeg took the step last year as a more physical player in many ways and Critchley will likely do the same this year in addition to his high percentage shooting at the arc. Hoeg does a lot of the ball handling while Critchley has the torch of a touch.
Josh Dahlen of Devils Lake. The 6-foot-4 forward was his team’s second leading scorer, the main backcourt option for points, the leader in steals, third in assists, and he grabbed four rebounds a game. Not bad for a guy stepping into such a big role as a junior. Now as a senior Josh will be the leading man giving contributions in every area. If he can shoot a high percentage Josh could be all state caliber player.
Brady Dvorak of GFRR. Brady is a 5-foot-10 point guard that was thrust into a bigger playmaking role the second half of the season and handled it fairly well. Brady is a tough player that rebounds well from the guard spot, battles his way to space, has a 2 to 1 assist to turnover ratio and can be counted on at the line. As he gets better as a shooter his upperclassmen years at GFRR will be even better.
Talon Hoffer of Fargo Shanley. The Deacons relied on Saville and Kava for a lot last year but both players have graduated. Stepping into a bigger role as a 6-foot-2 junior wing next year will be Hoffer, the Shanley third leading scorer in 17-18. Talon was efficient as an underclassmen but now he will have more responsibility which means shooting a high percentage within the offensive framework.
Jaden Klabo of Fargo Davies. All of the main pieces on the Davies team are back but they do lose their size up front. Klabo will have to team with Cole Hage and inexperienced frontcourt players to handle more of the frontcourt fight in addition to the 13 points per game Klabo scored a year ago. Jaden is a small forward position wise with range on his touch. In addition to having to help on the glass and defend some size, Klabo also wants to shoot a high percentage.
Kiir Mabor of Fargo South. Mabor was the leading scorer on a 15-9 team last year that was right in the middle of Class A when it comes to quality of teams. If South is to take the jump they want to this winter Mabor will have to continue to make progress himself. The talent is there after a 15 point per game season, next up is being more consistent as a shooter away from the cup and limiting turnovers. If consistency is there Mabor could be an all state guy.
Dustin Mertz of West Fargo. The EDC runner-up last year lost five of their top six guys and need a backcourt player to step up and help the lone returning number producer Luke Lennon. That player could be 6-foot-1 Dustin Mertz. Dustin was in the 7th-8th man role last year shooting a good percent from the perimeter and limiting mistakes off the bench. Now he’s the most experienced Packers backcourt player.
Tyler Terhark of WF Sheyenne. The EDC champs and state runners up were a deep team in 17-18 and with every game they gelled even stronger building to an excellent late season run. Christian Kuntz is back and will be one of the state’s best players but to make a run for trophies this team needs more. Tyler is a 6-foot-2 guard that can be one of the main pieces next year. As a sophomore Terhark made more than half of his field goal attempts, rarely turned the ball over, and was a tough rebounder grabbing nearly five a game.