North Dakota Preview: New Rockford-Sheyenne
New Rockford-Sheyenne won 24 games last season, knocking out Four Winds/Minnewaukan to reach the Class B State Tournament and winning two games in the tourney to secure a fifth-place finish. With two double-figure scorers back, the Rockets will go into…
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Continue ReadingNew Rockford-Sheyenne won 24 games last season, knocking out Four Winds/Minnewaukan to reach the Class B State Tournament and winning two games in the tourney to secure a fifth-place finish. With two double-figure scorers back, the Rockets will go into the 2019-20 season with high expectations again.
KEY RETURNERS: Bo Belquist, Hunter Thompson, Nathan Holzwarth
Belquist led the team in scoring last season, averaging better than 16 points per game while providing terrific defense and a steady all around floor game. The 6-foot senior guard is a UND Football commit, but he’s also got a shot at being an all-state guy this year for the Rockets. His energy, explosiveness and athleticism make him an excellent two-way player and with more offensive responsibility this winter, he’ll have an opportunity to put up some huge numbers.
Thompson averaged 12 points and six rebounds as a junior, spending most of his time on the interior for an undersized but athletically superior Rockets group. The 6-foot-3 senior will likely slide into more of a faceup four-man role this winter with the way the roster looks and that could be an advantage for him as he’s a terrific athlete with solid ball-handling and shooting ability.
Holzwarth was a key guy for the Rockets last year, playing big minutes as the first guard off the bench. He’s a feisty defender who the Rockets can trust to make good decisions with the ball even if he isn’t a big scorer. He’ll have an opportunity to put up better numbers this year complementing Belquist and Thompson and his two-way game should allow the Rockets to be strong again on the defensive end of the floor.
STEPPING INTO NEW ROLES: Evan Ulrich, Hunter Jacobson,
Ulrich saw bit minutes last year as a sophomore but this could be his breakout season. The 6-foot-7 big man had a really nice summer playing AAU and it’s clear that he’s got the athleticism, the size and the skill to be a force inside. As is the case with most young bigs, he’ll have to bring consistent energy and stay out of foul trouble, but if he even plays a simple role where he’s setting screens, rim-running and rebounding, he could be a double-double guy. He brings an element of size and interior skill the team didn’t have last year.
Jacobson is one of many young guys who will be thrust into the rotation this winter with an opportunity to make an impact. Fortunately for the Rockets, they’re solid at three or four spots on the floor and have veterans who they can trust, so they won’t need to rely on inexperienced guys to consistently deliver significant tangible production. But those guys will have to grow into roles – and there are big minutes out there to be had for whoever steps up.
SEASON OUTLOOK
New Rockford-Sheyenne is coming off a 24-win basketball season and two years of excellence on the football field. Winning is ingrained in the kids cycling through that athletic program right now, so don’t expect the winter season to be anything besides a lot of winning. Can the Rockets get back to state? They’ve got the talent; though Region 4 is arguably the best in Class B. With Belquist and Thompson leading the way, they’ll be on the winning end of a lot of games.