The Rotation: Fargo South
***Photo credit: WDAY***
Fargo South was one of the top teams in the EDC last season, winning 14 games in the regular season before losing hotly contested playoff games with Fargo Shanley and West Fargo. The Bruins will return two starters and three of their top eight players. Here’s what you need to know:
Must Be Replaced: Siadu Conteh, Sam O’Keefe, Charles Bennington, Isaiah Johnson, Kain Carlson
Conteh was the team’s top scorer last year and led the team in 3-point field goals by a wide margin. His speed and athleticism will be hard to replicate as well, as he was one of the team’s top shot-creators and his on-ball defense was top-notch across the EDC. O’Keefe emerged as a solid third scorer, averaging 11.4 points while converting on 53 percent of his shot attempts. And Bennington was one of the best rebounders in the EDC.
Returning Starters: Kiir Mabor, Dawson Weisenberger,
Mabor is one of the top returning players in the state after averaging 14.5 points and 4.6 rebounds. His ability to create his own shot and get to the rim are among the best in the EDC and he’ll assume an even bigger offensive role with Conteh and O’Keefe gone to graduation. Weisenberger was a starter last year, averaging 8.7 points and 6.5 rebounds. He’s the top returning frontcourt option and will need to take it another step this year.
Stepping Into New Roles: Danny Lahai, Josiah Brijall, Ali Mada, Robert Leslie, Semso Subasic
With five seniors gone to graduation, there will be a lot to figure out with regards to roles and minutes for the Bruins. Mabor and Weisenberger are set as the top two remaining starters. But the other three are mostly up for grabs. Danny Lahai saw rotation minutes last year but struggled with efficiency and ball-security. He’s a capable shooter and likely becomes the team’s third scoring option. Brijall, Mada, Leslie and Subasic played spot minutes a year ago so there isn’t much to go on for them. Brijall was productive in the small minutes he did play and while his size may not be ideal (5-foot-7), he’s capable of making an impact in the backcourt. Mada and Colton Thomasson will be tasked with providing frontcourt production next to Weisenberger.
Season Outlook
Fargo South was solid last year, coming within a game of getting to the state tournament. With three starters gone to graduation and several key rotation guys gone as well, the Bruins may have a hard time replicating last year’s 15 wins. But Mabor and Weisenberger do give them two all-league caliber players and if some of the younger, less experienced players can integrate quickly, the Bruins have enough talent to post another winning season.