Way-Too-Early Team Preview: Jamestown
The Jamestown Bluejays were the dominant team in Class A North Dakota last season from start to finish, running away with an undefeated season which culminated in a state championship. A sleeper team a year ago, the Bluejays will sneak…
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Continue ReadingThe Jamestown Bluejays were the dominant team in Class A North Dakota last season from start to finish, running away with an undefeated season which culminated in a state championship. A sleeper team a year ago, the Bluejays will sneak up on nobody this winter and will head into the winter as the No. 1 team in what looks like a wide open Class A.
GO-TO GUY: Boden Skunberg
The advantage Jamestown has over the rest of the state is Boden Skunberg, the best player in North Dakota. The NDSU recruit averaged better than 24 points and seven rebounds last season and those numbers could go up (even if the efficiency is bound to level off) as Skunberg is the clear go-to guy as the only returning starter this time around. The 6-foot-4 senior will likely face a lot of junk defenses and double teams, but he’s a very strong three-level scorer and he’ll have every opportunity to put up big numbers.
BREAKOUT CANDIDATE: Jacob Hilgemann
There’s three or four guys who look like legitimate breakout candidates for the Bluejays. Hilgemann was a bit guy last year and had some moments (a good game in the state tournament included) but for the most part, he was a sophomore stuck behind a bunch of seniors. Hilgemann looked great this summer playing with the 16U ECI Prospects, showing a smooth scoring ability from all three levels on the floor. At 6-foot-2, he’s got a strong frame, a good-looking 3-point shot and the basketball smarts to excel off the ball.
QUESTION: Size up front
Jamestown’s loaded up nicely with guards and wings. Skunberg is a combo guard. Hilgemann, Carson Lamp and Brooks Carroll are basically prototype wings. Shea Carroll is a point guard. But in a WDA where two of the teams expected to contend along with Jamestown have awesome frontcourts, how do the Bluejays hold up in the paint? Matt Anderson and Daniel Ulrich are big guys who played JV last year. Those two will have big shoes to fill as the team tries to make up for the graduation of Mason Walters.
OUTLOOK
Jamestown just capped off one of the best seasons in North Dakota history. It wasn’t just roses at the varsity level though as the JV team was also one of the best in the state. There’s a lot of talent in the program right now and while there may be some questions at least heading into the year about how so many of their young players adjust to the varsity level or what they do up front, they’ve got as many talented players as anybody.