North Dakota Preview: Shiloh Christian
Shiloh Christian went into last season with the talent and experience to contend for a state title and that’s exactly what the Skyhawks ultimately did. Behind a dominant front court and experienced guard play, the Skyhawks reached the state championship…
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Continue ReadingShiloh Christian went into last season with the talent and experience to contend for a state title and that’s exactly what the Skyhawks ultimately did. Behind a dominant front court and experienced guard play, the Skyhawks reached the state championship game, losing in a nip-and-tuck affair to Thompson. Shiloh doesn’t have the same kind of returning talent this winter, but with two starters including one who should be an all-state guy back, the Skyhawks will still be talented.
KEY RETURNERS: Jaden Mitzel, Trey Brunelle
Mitzel is one of the best returning players in Class B North Dakota after averaging better than 19 points and eight rebounds per game as a junior. The 6-foot-2 forward is a matchup nightmare because of his ability to knock down shots from the perimeter, put the ball on the floor and get to the rim or do damage in the paint and on the glass. He’s going to be the unquestioned go-to guy for the Skyhawks this year.
Brunelle started for Shiloh last year and excelled in a role where he played off the ball and contributed as a floor-spacer, cutter, defender and transition player. He’ll be counted on more heavily this winter as a shot-creator, but you generally know what you are going to get from him on the wing.
STEPPING INTO NEW ROLES: Josh Lardy, Cole Walth, Josh Kolling
Walth was arguably the team’s best 3-point shooter last year and had several eye-opening performances off the bench in which he caught fire from deep. He’s a logical breakout candidate this year for the Skyhawks as he is moving into what figures to be a featured scoring role. He’s a solid athlete and with defenses likely loading up to slow down Mitzel, he’ll be in position to do a lot of damage.
Lardy is an athletic forward who should be able to step into a starting role and provide rebounding, defense and rim-running. He won’t be the double-double machine MaCauley Young was over the last few years, but he should be solid in a lot of areas.
Kolling will be in line for a big role on the perimeter as well. Heading into his junior year, he’s one of several Skyhawk players who didn’t see much time last season but will have opportunities to play featured minutes this winter.
QUESTION: Who can score besides Mitzel?
Shiloh lost a lot from last season. The Skyhawks lost their second leading scorer and two top assist guys in Young, Matthew Reep and Canaan Fagerland. Mitzel is the only true proven scorer coming back and it’s likely that every team the Skyhawks play will load up to slow him down. He’ll get his points, but will the Skyhawks have enough around him to threaten some of the tough teams on the schedule? Developing complementary scoring will be a big key for this team.
SEASON OUTLOOK
Shiloh is always good and the Skyhawks should be good again in 2019-20. They might not have the same kind of ceiling they did a year ago, but with three guys who saw regular varsity minutes last year, plus a group of young guys who have been around nothing but winning the last few years, there’s a foundation for a successful season. And Mitzel is an all-state guy who will carry them on his share of nights. The Skyhawks are good enough to win 12-18 games and will likely be the favorite in Region 5 again.