North Dakota Midseason Report: Class A Surprise Teams
***Photo Credit: Bismarck Tribune*** Somehow, we’re at about the midway point of the season already. Teams are all the way into the regional part of their schedules and standings are taking shape for the postseason. Here are some of the…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue Reading***Photo Credit: Bismarck Tribune***
Somehow, we’re at about the midway point of the season already. Teams are all the way into the regional part of their schedules and standings are taking shape for the postseason.
Here are some of the surprise teams from Class A at the midway point of the year:
Bismarck
The Demons went into this season as a complete unknown. Everybody who played meaningful minutes for them last year was a senior, so the roster was overhauling completely. So far, the transition has gone just about perfectly as Bismarck is a top-five team in Class A and looking like a contender at the top of the WDA. The foundation has been depth and a frenetic style of play predicated on forcing turnovers and generating quick offense and guys like Max Tschosik, Gunner Swanson and Treysen Eaglestaff have been all-league caliber.
West Fargo
The Packers went into the season with hopes of contending for an EDC title and at this point, that dream is probably out the door. The Packers are 5-5 on the year with a few lopsided losses to the top teams in the league. West Fargo doesn’t have one elite player like it did last year, but there’s certainly not a shortage of talent with Matt Miller at the point and Hunter Lyman and Carter Birrenkott up front. We’ll see if things can come together in the second half of the year like they did last year.
Grand Forks Central
Grand Forks Central won all over four games each of the last two seasons. The Knights are up to five already this year including wins over Fargo Davies, Turtle Mountain and Wahpeton. Mason Gravseth is one of the underrated big men in the league averaging 10 points and nine rebounds. Mason Love has been stable at the point guard spot, averaging 10 points and six assists. Ben Hoverson showed he’s capable of taking over a game with his shooting, dropping 38 points on Fargo Davies. And Alex Barbot has been good, averaging 11 points and four rebounds. This team has good depth, solid guard play and some big men who bring it.
Bismarck Legacy
The Sabers were supposed to be solid and to this point, they’ve been solid. The path they’ve taken to being solid however, is unexpected. The Sabers have dealt with a rash of injuries thus far this season. Nick Kupfer hasn’t played yet. Lyric Hoffman and Cooper Glenn were both pegged as starters and have been out all year too. Despite that, the Sabers are 6-5 and in the thick of things in the WDA. Rhett Clements has been a monster, averaging better than 23 points and nine rebounds and Keagen Woodbury has taken a big step forward as a lead guard.