PHD Rankings: Top EDC Players to Watch
Player rankings are subjective and an inexact science with a greater likelihood of misses than hits. But who doesn’t love them anyway?
Rankings have been updated at PHD ahead of the high school season and there is a lot to unpack. Full rankings are found here: https://prephoops.com/dakotas/rankings/north-dakota-rankings/2020-rankings-2/
Here are some players from the EDC I’m intrigued by this upcoming season:
No. 4 Grayson Haman, Fargo Davies
Haman recently committed to North Dakota State, capping quite a rise from bench player at Davies a year ago, to Division I signee. Haman has the physical tools to play with anybody and he had more than his share of moments this summer with ECI. He’s got to do it consistently in his senior season. I don’t know if he’s one of the five best players in the state right now, but if he plays close to that number, the Eagles will be in a great position to play in another state title.
No. 8 Hunter Lyman, West Fargo
Lyman committed to Crookston late in the summer, so his college recruitment is all squared away. The 6-foot-7 big man averaged better than 11 points and eight rebounds last year for the Packers, playing second-fiddle to Luke Lennon inside. Now he’s the go-to guy in the paint and it’ll be intriguing to see how he does. He’s got the physical tools and the skills to be dominant. If he brings consistent energy, he’s a walking double-double and the Packers contend in the EDC.
No. 24 Carson Critchley, Fargo North
Critchley is one of the best shooters in the EDC and has earned interest from a number of schools in North Dakota thus far. He’ll have an opportunity to play an even bigger role this year for the Spartans after averaging better than 11 points per game last year and he’ll have guys that can, in theory, get him the ball in good spots to do a lot of damage.
No. 35 Cole Benson, Grand Forks Red River
Benson earns a pretty high rating in North Dakota because of his defensive ability, as he’s one of the better defenders in the state. At 6-foot-5, Benson can defend up or down a lineup, using his length and quickness to his advantage. If he progresses as a shooter, he gives the Roughriders four all-league caliber guys.
No. 71 Danny Lahai, Fargo South
Fargo South will be young heading into the 2019-20 season but a guy the Bruins will lean on is Lahai, one of the better point guards in the EDC a year ago. He’s a crafty kid who, while undersized, does well getting to the mid-range and the paint. If he improves his efficiency and shows he can make his teammates better, he could be an all-league guy.
No. 79 Jared Bartels, Wahpeton
Wahpeton went to state last year and while the Huskies lost a number of key guys from that team, they’ve got a decent core of guys back. Jared Bartels is one of the better two-way players in the league, possessing the size and strength to guard bigger guys along with the athleticism to stick in front of smaller players.