Way-Too-Early Team Preview: Minot
The Magicians went into last season with high expectations but suffered bouts of inconsistency and found themselves in the fat middle of a tough WDA. Minot finished the year 15-9, missing the state tournament for the second straight season after…
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Continue ReadingThe Magicians went into last season with high expectations but suffered bouts of inconsistency and found themselves in the fat middle of a tough WDA. Minot finished the year 15-9, missing the state tournament for the second straight season after winning the title in 2017. With four starters and six of their top seven guys set to return, expectations should be high once again.
GO-TO GUY: Jaxon Gunville
One of the best shooters and overall scorers in the WDA, Gunville averaged better than 17 points per game as a junior. He knocked down better than 40 percent of his 3-pointers while making three per game. He might be the best shooter in the WDA and he’s a solid slasher who can score at the rim too.
BREAKOUT CANDIDATE: Caden Johnson
Johnson averaged about five points and five rebounds last year in a complementary role. He spent the summer playing AAU with North Dakota Attack and participating in camps to improve his game. At 6-foot-9, Johnson has a rare combination of size and explosiveness. He can be deadly as a screener and rim-runner if he plays that role and on the defensive end, he has the ability to anchor a team that graduates its best defender.
QUESTION: Can they take care of the ball?
Offense wasn’t an issue for the Magicians last year. Well, actually, shooting wasn’t an issue. Turnovers were. Minot had a negative assist to turnover ratio last year and for a team that may have the best backcourt in the state, it has to be better this winter.
OUTLOOK
Minot rarely lacks for talent and it’ll be that case again this year. Gunville and junior point guard Deonte Martinez (11.5 ppg and 3.6 apg) form arguably the best backcourt in the WDA. Easton Larson is a double figure scorer who looked excellent over the summer with ND Attack and could put up big numbers if he’s consistent. Johnson, Tucker Olson and Derry Lentz are returning role players who provide complementary production. With many of the teams in the WDA being so senior heavy a year ago, there might be an opportunity for this team with so much returning production to make a run contending for the WDA and potentially a state title.