Class A State Tournament: Day 1 Recap/Day 2 Preview
The Class A State Tournament kicked off Thursday with Fargo Davies, Bismarck, Jamestown and West Fargo Sheyenne earning wins to the semifinals. Here were some of the standouts Cole Hage, Fargo Davies The Eagles have so many quality players that…
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Continue ReadingThe Class A State Tournament kicked off Thursday with Fargo Davies, Bismarck, Jamestown and West Fargo Sheyenne earning wins to the semifinals.
Here were some of the standouts
Cole Hage, Fargo Davies
The Eagles have so many quality players that Hage can get lost at times offensively. But everytime you forget about him, he has a performance like the one Thursday to remind you that he’s capable of dominating a game. Hage was a force in the Eagles’ win over Mandan, scoring 27 points and grabbing seven rebounds. He shot 11-for-16 from the field and hit three 3-pointers. Hage was all over the offensive glass and part of a defensive group that made life miserable for the Mandan guards all game long.
Jacob Hilgemann, Jamestown
Hilgemann averaged just 6.4 points per game before the state tournament. He picked a good day to have his best scoring day of the season, as he scored 23 points on 10-for-16 shooting from the field. Hilgemann has always been a pass-first guy for this group but he was assertive attacking the basket and knocked down three 3-pointers. That’s a glimpse into what he’s capable of – bet on him scoring a lot more as a senior – and if he can be a scoring threat, the Bluejays have a chance to repeat this weekend.
Gunner Swanson, Bismarck
Swanson’s emerged as the Demons’ clear go-to guy. The 6-foot-5 junior swingman knocked down three 3-pointers, got the free throw line and made plays for his teammates in a 13-point, four-rebound, three-assist effort. His ability to put pressure on the ball defensively triggered a lot of early offense for the Demons as well.
Zion Dettman, West Fargo Sheyenne
Dettman’s been arguably the Mustangs’ best player over the second half of the year and he kept that going Thursday, scoring 21 points while grabbing four rebounds and dishing out four assists. He controlled the game well and played a big part in Sheyenne’s staunch defensive effort on the two Dickinson guards, Jaiden Wright and Kobe Krenz.
Things to Watch Friday
Fargo Davies vs. Bismarck
Bismarck dominated Fargo Shanley from the jump while Davies had to grind one out against a tough Mandan team, setting up what should be an exciting semifinal game. These are the two deepest teams in the state and perhaps the two most athletic.
Bismarck rolls bodies at people in waves that nobody is equipped to handle while the Eagles look more like a college team with their cumulative size and depth.
This one will come down to how well the Eagles take care of the ball. Bismarck’s defense is designed to speed people up and force opponents to play at a pace they can’t sustain. Teams that take care of the ball, can get good shots against the Demons. If this game turns into a halfcourt affair, the Eagles have a decided advantage.
On paper, conventional wisdom says the Eagles are equipped to handle that kind of defensive style. They have a bevvy of playmakers – no true point guards – and guys who can handle the ball, pass the ball and either make shots from the perimeter or finish at the rim.
If Bismarck can speed this game up though, the Demons have the ability to pile up points in bunches. They haven’t shot the ball well in recent games from the 3-point line, but they take a lot of them, and that creates potential from huge output.
Jamestown vs. West Fargo Sheyenne
This game has the potential to be a dandy. West Fargo Sheyenne steamrolled Dickinson in the second half Thursday to run away with a win while the Bluejays used a hot start to dispatch Devils Lake with little stress.
The perimeter talent both teams bring to the table is impressive in this one. Carson Lamp and Brooks Carroll have been terrific all season for Jamestown and have stepped their games up in recent weeks. Blake Berg and Tyler Terhark have been rocks for the Mustangs. Zion Dettman is playing his best ball over the last month and change and he’s giving them a legitimate three-headed monster of a scoring attack.
Jacob Hilgemann had one of his best games offensively in the quarterfinal round win over Devils Lake and he’s been solid all year as a facilitator and defender. If he can provide complementary scoring as well, the Bluejays become even more dangerous.
Shea Carroll started and has played well when given more minutes – though his game Thursday was somewhat nondescript. He’s capable of knocking down shots and making plays as a secondary ball-handler, but he’s also undersized and will be tested on the defensive end of the floor.
The Mustangs have the bigger, older and more physical team especially on the perimeter. But the Bluejays have an advantage when it comes to shooting. Their ability to space the floor will be a test the Mustangs haven’t seen much of in the EDC.
Players to Watch in Consolation Round
Grant Nelson, Devils Lake
Jayce Lowman, Mandan
Tallon Klatt, Dickinson
Braden DeKeyser, Fargo Shanley