Bismarck City Rankings: Top Guards
With the grassroots season on hold, there haven’t been any games to examine. That doesn’t mean there’s nothing to talk about though. Who are the best players in the Bismarck area? For the sake of this exercise, the Bismarck area…
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Continue ReadingWith the grassroots season on hold, there haven’t been any games to examine. That doesn’t mean there’s nothing to talk about though.
Who are the best players in the Bismarck area?
For the sake of this exercise, the Bismarck area includes the Bismarck schools, Mandan, Flasher, Underwood and New Salem/Almont.
Here’s a look at the top guards in the area:
1.Nick Kupfer, Bismarck Legacy
Kupfer was a stud for the Sabers as a sophomore, averaging 12 points per game while leading Legacy to the state tournament. He missed all but nine games during his junior year but showed he can make an impact immediately upon returning to the lineup and simultaneously giving Sabers fans a taste of what could be to come and what could’ve been had he stayed healthy. He’s a big, athletic guard who is at his best when he’s attacking the paint. He gets to the free throw line at a solid rate and can finish in traffic at a high level. Expect him to put up big numbers in his senior year for a Sabers team that has the talent to contend in the league.
2.Jayce Lowman, Mandan
Lowman was a breakout star for the Braves last season, averaging nearly 14 points per game while helping lead Mandan to the state tournament. He’s one of the best shooters in the area and knocked down just less than 40 percent of his 3-pointers last season. With the Braves graduating a couple of foundational players from their recent success, it’ll be up to Lowman to take on a big bulk of the offensive load.
3.Max Tschosik, Bismarck
Tschosik stepped into a starting job and was terrific on both ends of the floor for a Demons team that reached the state semifinals. He’s a solid 3-point shooter, a sound decision-maker at the point and feisty on and off the ball defensively. He’s the floor general for a Bismarck team that’ll head into next season as a state title contender.
4.Keagen Woodbury, Bismarck Legacy
Woodbury had a solid junior season, averaging 11.5 points and 4.0 assists while anchoring a perimter group that was missing two expected starters. He had moments where he looked like the best player on the floor, followed by times where he struggled to shoot and take care of the ball. The talent is there for Woodbury to be one of the top two or three point guards in the WDA. If he improves his outside shot, he’s right up there.
5.Ian Ely, Bismarck Century
Ely ascended into a starting role as a junior and while there were certainly ups and downs, he’s shown the capability to be one of the better point guards in the WDA. He averaged 11.5 points per game and 4.5 rebounds per game. He didn’t shoot well as a junior, but has the ability to shoot it at a solid percentage and he is a capable distributor. With the Patriots losing their best player from last year, Ely will be expected to step up and lead as a senior.
6.Evan Gross, Bismarck St. Mary’s
Gross had good moments as a sophomore for the Saints, averaging 12 points per game while shooting better than 35 percent from the 3-point line. He’s a big guard who has the quickness and athleticism to get to the paint and finish in traffic as well. Look for Gross to take his game to another level as an upperclassman and put up some big numbers.