North Dakota Catchup: Region 5
The season is approaching its end. With less than a month left in the regular season, teams all across the state are hoping to be rounding into form and playing their best ball. With two months worth of interesting development…
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Continue ReadingThe season is approaching its end. With less than a month left in the regular season, teams all across the state are hoping to be rounding into form and playing their best ball. With two months worth of interesting development to this point, now is a good time to take a quick look at the landscape of hoops in North Dakota ahead of the postseason.
Here’s where things stand in the Region 5:
Shiloh Christian The Favorite Again
One of the perennial powers in Class B, Shiloh Christian was supposed to be going through something of a transition season after getting to the state title game and losing three key starters. But the Skyhawks have been one of the best teams in the state, despite playing arguably the toughest schedule in the state. They currently sit at 13-4 on the year and in the driver’s seat for the top seed in District 9. Jaden Mitzel has turned in an all-state type season, averaging around 25 points per game while rebounding and defending at a high level. He’s been terrific and it’s allowed a lot of the less experienced players to find their way at the varsity level. The Skyhawks still have tough games against Hillsboro and Four Winds/Minnewaukan before the postseason, but there isn’t a team in the region that has been as tested as Shiloh.
Underwood, New Salem/Almont, Flasher Winning With Defense
If there is a team that is going to unseat Shiloh at the top of the region, the teams that appear equipped to do it are Underwood, New Salem/Almont and Flasher. All three teams execute well on the offensive end of the floor but win mostly on the back of elite defense. These teams all have upperclass-laden outfits with solid guards who can make shots.
Underwood has a real chance to hit the 20-win mark this year if it can win its final three games in the regular season and make an extended run in the postseason. The Comets have experienced pieces up and down the lineup with all-region caliber guys in Ty Snyder, Parker Christenson and Kayden Homberger.
New Salem/Almont is one of the best defensive teams in the state, allowing just 44 points per game. Tayden Soupir is one of the best guards in Class B and can create his own shot like few other guys can in the region. Weston Kuhn is a solid young big and guys like Jake Sanders and Logan Becker are rock-solid.
Flasher is 11-5 but its biggest loss was an 11-point defeat to Shiloh, so the Bulldogs have to feel good about where they sit going into the postseason. Jaron Reiss is a terrific lead guard who can score from all over the floor. His shooting ability makes him a threat from anywhere and puts great strain on defenses. The Bulldogs also allow just 45 points per game and do a great job controlling tempo.
Garrison Battle Tested
Garrison won just three games last year but there was some hope that the Troopers could take a big step forward this year. They’ve been even better than expected, as they are 8-8 and second in District 10. Six of their losses have been by single-digits and they’ve earned hard-fought wins over teams like Flasher and Wilton/Wing. It’s a good mix of juniors of seniors with the size, shooting ability and hard-nosed defenders – making this team an intriguing one to track the rest of the way.