North Dakota Class A State Preview: WDA Players To Watch
The Class A North Dakota State Tournament tips off Thursday. Here are some of the top players to watch from the four teams in the Western Dakota Association – Jamestown, Madan, Bismarck Century and Bismarck Legacy Mason Walters, Sr., Jamestown…
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Continue ReadingThe Class A North Dakota State Tournament tips off Thursday.
Here are some of the top players to watch from the four teams in the Western Dakota Association – Jamestown, Madan, Bismarck Century and Bismarck Legacy
Mason Walters, Sr., Jamestown
Walters has turned in a monster season to this point and will likely rake in all sorts of accolades after the season is over. The 6-foot-7 senior big is averaging 21.5 points and 11 rebounds while converting on nearly 70 percent of his shot attempts. He gets to the free throw line. He hits the offensive glass. He defends. He’s been incredibly consistent all year. In a state tournament field where there is no shortage of good big men to keep an eye on, Walters might be the best one.
Boden Skunberg, Jr., Jamestown
Maybe the best player in North Dakota regardless of class, Skunberg led the WDA in scoring at 24 points per game while chipping in eight rebounds. The 6-foot-4 junior knocked down 43 percent of his 3-pointers and converted on nearly 50 percent of his shot attempts overall. He’s a matchup nightmare because of his combination of size and burst and combined with Walters, makes a devastating 1-2 punch.
Elijah Klein, Jr., Mandan
Another dominant junior, Klein is a matchup nightmare at the five spot for the Braves with his ability to score on the interior combined with his mobility and ball skills. He’s active on the glass and can control the paint as well as any player in the state. Averaging 20 points and a WDA-leading 12 rebounds per game.
Treyton Mattern, Sr., Century
One of the stars of last year’s state tournament, Mattern is now the engine for a Bismarck Century team that heads into the field an underdog rather than heavy favorite. Still, the senior guard has accomplished a lot and he’s been productive this year, averaging 22.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.
Trey Wiest, Sr., Mandan
Wiest went from bit guy for the Braves last season to a featured piece this winter and he’s been great especially over the second half of the season. The senior guard is explosive getting into gaps and breaking teams down and he’s got deep shooting range as well.
Jared Kallenbach, Sr., Jamestown
The senior point guard won’t generate near the kind of attention Skunberg and Walters have but he’s been a steady presence up top for the Bluejays. Averaging 10 points and 4.4 assists per game, Kallenbach is a solid defender and efficient on the offensive end.
Nick Kupfer, Soph., Legacy
Kupfer had one of his best games of the year in Legacy’s state-tournament clinching win over Minot last week when he scored 26 points. The sophomore guard has been solid all year though, averaging 11.2 points while shooting nearly 50 percent from the field.
Cade Feeney, Jr., Century
Feeney is one of the best two-way guards in the WDA and it’s no coincidence that the Patriots improvement midway through the season connected with Feeney’s return to the lineup
Jaxton Wiest, Jr., Mandan
The younger Wiest, Jaxton has been terrific in his first year as a starter for the Braves, averaging 10.3 points and a WDA best 4.6 assists. He’s a solid 3-point shooter but he’s also at his best when getting to the paint and drawing defenders. He’s a tough defender too.
Rhett Clements, Jr., Legacy
Clements has been one of the top big men in the WDA throughout the year and his ability to do a little bit of everything on the court is a big part of what’s made the Sabers as good as they’ve been. He leads the Sabers in scoring at 14.6 points per game and rebounding at 7.2.