North Dakota Season Preview: Class A Top backcourts
***Photo Credit: Bismarck Tribune*** It’s never too early for way-too-early season. With fall sports in full stride and coming up on the midway point, the winter season will be upon us before we know it. With that in mind, here’s…
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Continue Reading***Photo Credit: Bismarck Tribune***
It’s never too early for way-too-early season. With fall sports in full stride and coming up on the midway point, the winter season will be upon us before we know it.
With that in mind, here’s a look at some of the top backcourts in Class A:
Minot: Jaxon Gunville and Deonte Martinez
The Magicians may have the most talent in the state top-to-bottom and it starts with arguably the best backcourt in Class A. Shooting guard Jaxon Gunville is one of the best players in the 2020 class and could be among the scoring leaders in the WDA. He’s an elite shooter and can fill it up in a hurry. Deonte Martinez averaged better than 11 points and nearly four assists per game as a sophomore and played up a level this summer on the AAU circuit. He’s got the explosiveness and skill to dominate teh game and he could lead the WDA in assists with how easily he gets to the paint.
West Fargo Sheyenne: Blake Berg and Zion Dettman
The Mustangs will be among the contenders in the EDC this winter and much of their success will be predicated on how well their guards play. Blake Berg and Zion Dettman give them two very good ones. Berg averaged better than 12 points per game a year ago and if he can shoot the ball the way he shot it over the summer, that number could go up quite a bit. Dettman, who averaged better than nine per game as the sixth man last year, is one of the best shooters in the EDC and showed over the summer playing with Inspired Athletics that he can run a team and defend at a high level too.
Jamestown: Boden Skunberg and Carson Lamp
The Blue Jays won’t have the same kind of experience and interior talent they did a year ago with Mason Walters gone to graduation, but the perimeter core of this team should be among the best in the state. Boden Skunberg will spend a lot of time on the ball and he’s the frontrunner for Mr. Basketball. Carson Lamp was a bit guy as a sophomore last year and showed this summer that he’s more than capable of taking on a bigger role. Watch out for Brooks and Pierce Carroll as well.
Fargo North: Carson Critchley and Cayden Rickard
The Spartans should be improved this winter and their backcourt should be the reason. Cayden Rickard is one of the best players in the EDC and could be the Player-of-the-Year in the league. He’s an excellent overall scorer on all levels but his defense and playmaking took steps forward last summer. Critchley put up 11 points per game last year and is one of the best 3-point shooters in the EDC. He’ll take on a bigger role with the ball in his hands this year and has the ability to excel.
West Fargo: Matt Miller and Carson Hegerle
Miller is one of the best point guards in the WDA and could lead the league in assists in his senior year. Hegerle showed a ton of promise as a freshman and has the talent to legitimately lead the team in scoring on the wing despite being just a sophomore. Neither one took a lot of 3-pointers last year but both showed this summer that they can shoot it at a high level. The Packers could be the most talented team in the EDC and these two give them an advantage on a lot of people.