EDC Preview
The Eastern Dakota Conference has consistently produced quality teams over the years and with talent seemingly increasing in the Fargo area, competition figures to be fierce for years to come.
Here are some things to watch in 2018-19:
Can Davies rebound after a surprising end to the 2017-18 season?
Fargo Davies looked like a legitimate state title contender through most of last winter but sputtered in a big way down the stretch, losing to Fargo Shanley and Grand Forks Red River in the playoffs to miss out on the state tournament entirely.
Just about all the key guys from that team are back though as Braeton Motschenbacher, Jaden Klabo, Mitch Larson and Cole Hage are all back after averaging double figures in scoring and more than three assists per game each. There’s a bevy of young talent flowing through the program as well. Bet on the Eagles contending for a state title this year.
West Fargo Schools leaning on star power
West Fargo and West Fargo Sheyenne combined to go 44-10 last year and finished second and third at the Class A state tournament. These two programs are rolling right now but both will have to overcome the loss of terrific sets of senior classes. The good news for both is that there is a whole lot of talent in the cupboard still.
Sheyenne will lean on star senior guard Christian Kuntz who averaged better than 18 points and four assists per game last winter while the Mustangs incorporate some of their younger players to the varsity level. And they’ve got plenty of guys worth watching for as Tyler Terhark and Blake Berg are two of the best juniors in the state.
West Fargo’s got one of the best big men in the state in senior forward Luke Lennon who averaged 14 points and 11 boards. He’s joined up front by junior forward Hunter Lyman who missed all of last year with an injury. The question for the Packers will be who can provide minutes on the perimeter as they graduated all their key guys in the backcourt.
State Tournament Teams Coming Back
Fargo Shanley was one of the top teams in Class A last year but benefitted from a stacked senior class. With all-league players like Jake Kava and Sam Saville gone to graduation, the Deacons will have an entirely new look. Talon Hoffer is back and should put up big numbers on the perimeter. Braden DeKeyser is a guy to watch as well.
Grand Forks Red River was a surprise state tournament qualifier after winning just seven regular season games. Will Obioha is one of the top sophomores in the state and could be a double-double guy this winter. Brady Dvorak and Bryce Enerson are key returners as well. The Roughriders played a lot of young guys last year which could prove beneficial this winter.
Other Things to Watch
Fargo South’s Kiir Mabor averaged better than 14 points and six rebounds per game as a junior and could be one of the top scorers in the league this winter. The Bruins won 15 games last year and while they graduated a number of good pieces, Mabor will have an opportunity to really shine.
Fargo North’s backcourt of Keaton Hoeg and Carson Critchley could be one of the best in the state this season.
2018-19 Conference Predictions
Fargo Davies
West Fargo Sheyenne
Fargo North
West Fargo
Grand Forks Red River
Fargo South
Fargo Shanley
Devils Lake
Wahpeton
Grand Forks Central
Valley City
EDC All Conference
First Team
Christian Kuntz, Sr., Sheyenne (POY)
Braeton Motschenbacher, Sr., Davies
Luke Lennon, Sr., West Fargo
Jaden Klabo, Sr., Davies
Kiir Mabor, Sr., Fargo South
Second Team
Cole Hage, Jr., Davies
Hunter Lyman, Jr., West Fargo
Tyler Terhark, Jr., Sheyenne
Mitch Larson, Sr., Davies
Will Obioha, Soph., Grand Forks Red River
Third Team
Talon Hoffer, Jr., Shanley
Carson Critchley, Jr., Fargo North
Josh Dahlen, Sr., Devils Lake
Chris Demuth, Sr., Grand Forks Central
Brady Dvorak, Sr., Grand Forks Red River