North Dakota Preview: Rugby
The Rugby Panthers were one of the last teams to lose last season, starting the year with 10 straight wins. They ultimately fizzled down the stretch, losing before even reaching the Region 6 final game. With three double-figure scorers back…
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Continue ReadingThe Rugby Panthers were one of the last teams to lose last season, starting the year with 10 straight wins. They ultimately fizzled down the stretch, losing before even reaching the Region 6 final game. With three double-figure scorers back from last year’s team and multiple multi-year starters, the Panthers should be one of the best teams in Class B North Dakota.
KEY RETURNERS: Trace Goven, Jaden Hamilton, Devan Michels
Rugby has one of the best trios of returners in the state this year and it starts with star senior shooting guard Trace Goven. The 6-foot-1 senior averaged 17 points, four rebounds and four steals per game last year. He averaged better than 16 points per game as a sophomore. He’s one of the best slashers in North Dakota, using his combination of size, skill and athleticism to routinely live in the paint.
Hamilton was a breakout guy last year, averaging 18 points and seven rebounds while knocking down 2.5 3-pointers per game. At 6-foot-6, he’s a tough guy to defend because he’s one of the best shooters in the state but has the length to get inside and finish over smaller defenders. He had a productive summer playing AAU and showed that he can impact the game even against enhanced competition.
Michels is the straw that stirs the drink and sets the tone on both ends of the floor for the Panthers. The 6-foot-1 senior guard averaged 13 points, six rebounds, 3.3 assists and more than three steals per game as a junior. He’s a balanced scorer and a natural playmaker with the ball in his hands.
STEPPING INTO NEW ROLES: Isaiah Bundy-Smith, Cole Slaubaugh, Cole Wentz, Warren Walker, Cole Jundt
The Panthers have their clear go-to guys in Hamilton, Goven and Michels but there are a number of players that will be expected to fill complementary roles.
Bundy-Smith played a lot last year as a sophomore and could be a breakout guy this year as an upperclassman. He’s got the kind of size and athleticism and plays with a motor that should allow him to produce consistently without needing a lot of touches.
Slaubaugh is another long, lean athlete who played a lot last year at Rolette and should provide athleticism and skill on the wing. Jundt, Wentz and Walker saw sparing minutes a year ago and should be in line to take on more minutes this winter.
SEASON OUTLOOK
Rugby heads into the year with the look of a top-five team in Class B. Talen won’t be the question, as the Panthers have as much top-end talent as any team in the state. They’ve got the size, athleticism, shot-making and experience necessary to win 20-plus games, contend for a region championship and compete at the highest levels. There’s upside here for a really special season.