North Dakota Preview: Linton/HMB
Linton/HMB went 11-11 in 2018-19, showing the capability to compete with a lot of high-end Class B schools, but also struggling to consistently beat the teams considered above them in the rankings. The Lions have the look of a team…
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Continue ReadingLinton/HMB went 11-11 in 2018-19, showing the capability to compete with a lot of high-end Class B schools, but also struggling to consistently beat the teams considered above them in the rankings. The Lions have the look of a team that could be on the rise though, as they’ve got a talented returning core led by potential all-state guard Lucas Schumacher.
KEY RETURNERS: Lucas Schumacher, Paul McCrory, Carter Renz,
Schumacher is one of the best players in Class B North Dakota and can dominate a game like few others are capable at this point. The 6-foot-2 junior guard is a scoring machine who can fill it up from all three levels. He has a lot on his plate on both ends of the floor, but he’s going to put up huge numbers the next two years and the Lions will be dangerous because of it.
McCrory and Renz were starters in the backcourt last year for the Lions, providing solid defense and complementary ball-handling. Both guys showed last season that they can regularly score in double-figures and they’ll be in great positions to put up solid numbers this year playing with Schumacher.
STEPPING INTO NEW ROLES: Korrigan Look, Caleb Blaze, Boston Gefroh
The Lions graduate four seniors from last year including starting forward Parker Gerving. That’ll leave a big void inside. Look and Blaze are two guys who figure to get cracks at filling in a lot of the frontcourt minutes this winter for a Lions team that will be undersized on most nights.
Gefroh came off the bench last year and likely plays more minutes as either a key reserve to Schumacher, McCrory and Renz or as a starter in four-guard lineups.
QUESTION: Who steps up around Schumacher?
As is the case with several other teams with an all-state level talent, the floor for the Lions feels relatively secure. How likely the Lions are to reach their ceiling depends largely on how a lot of the complementary players fill in around Schumacher. Can McCrory and Renz consistently deliver solid production? Can Blaze or Look develop and provide an interior presence? Who else steps up?
SEASON OUTLOOK
Linton/HMB won 11 games last year and looked dangerous before injuries highlighted a difficult end of the season. The Lions have the talent to improve on that mark significantly and in what looks like a wide-open Region 3, this is a group that has the talent to challenge for a spot in the state tournament.