Way-Too-Early Class B Rankings
Fall sports are right around the corner. Assuming there are no hiccups, that means the winter sports season isn’t as far off as it might feel. Here’s a way-too-early look at the top teams in Class B Four Winds/Minnewaukan The…
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Continue ReadingFall sports are right around the corner. Assuming there are no hiccups, that means the winter sports season isn’t as far off as it might feel.
Here’s a way-too-early look at the top teams in Class B
Four Winds/Minnewaukan
The Indians would’ve been the heavy favorite to win the state championship had there been a state tournament last spring, and despite graduating two starters including an all-stater, they are going to be as good as anybody again next winter. JaeShaun Shaw and Jayden Yankton form a terrific two-way perimeter pair, and Bronson Walter Bronson Walter 6'10" | C Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2021 State ND is a load inside. Keldon Keja, Kelson Keja and Caelen Lohnes round out a rock-solid rotation.
Beulah
The Miners won a third straight Region 7 championship last spring and had a great shot at winning multiple games in the state tournament. There’s plenty to be excited about going forward though, as they return four starters including all-state lead guard Trey Brandt Trey Brandt 6'1" | PG Beulah | 2022 State ND . Dawson Zuroff, Nathan Battest and Trapper Skalsky round out an excellent rotation. Replacing Jonah Larson Jonah Larson 6'8" | PF Garrison | 2020 State ND will be a challenge, but Beulah is as good as anybody.
Enderlin
On paper, there isn’t a team with as much talent as the Eagles. Joe Hurlburt Joe Hurlburt 6'10" | PF Enderlin | 2022 State #147 Nation MN is heading into his fourth year at the varsity level and is earning national attention. Gus Hurlburt Gus Hurlburt 6'9" | PF Enderlin | 2022 State ND is a difference-maker. They have a ton of size with those two plus Carson Bartholomay. Alijah Dixson and Dawson Lemna are also back on the perimeter. They are talented enough to win a state title.
Grafton
The Spoilers won 18 games last year, advancing to the Region 2 semifinals before losing to eventual reason champ Hillsboro/CV. With many of the top teams in the region turning over so much, the Spoilers will be the favorites. Stevan Garza Stevan Garza 6'2" | SG Grafton | 2021 State ND has all-state potential as one of the top guards in Class B, and Justin Garza, William Jsikra and Brandon Albrecht give them an elite perimeter rotation.
Our Redeemer’s
The Knights won 19 games last year and advanced to a second straight Region 6 championship. They should head into next winter as the favorite, as Zach Hendrickson, Levi Weekly and William Sanders all return. Hendrickson might be the top player in the region. They’ll have a new coach, but the talent is there for the Knights to be excellent.
Oakes
The Tornadoes won 16 games a year ago but should go into next winter as the favorite in Region 3. Garret Meehl Garret Meehl 5'11" | PG Oakes | 2021 State ND and Steele Hansen Steele Hansen 5'10" | SF Oakes | 2021 State ND form one of the best tandems in Class B, as they combined to average better than 36 points, 17 rebounds and nearly seven assists. They also bring back Ashton Biesterfeld, Dalton Schmidt and David Schmitz.
Dickinson Trinity
The Titans are coming off another season in which they advanced to the region championship. They graduate a number of good players, but return a very good backcourt tandem in Jake Daniel and Cole Fitterer plus a rock-solid big man in Tanner Soehren. The Titans consistently churn out quality teams – and I don’t think that trend stops now.
Rugby
The Panthers are graduating an awful lot, but there’s enough talent still in the program for them to contend in Region 6. Warren Walker figures to be one of the best point guards in the region and should thrive in a bigger role. And the frontcourt duo of Isaiah Bundy-Smith Isaiah Bundy-Smith 6'4" | PF Rugby | 2021 State ND and Cole Slaubaugh is going to be tough to handle.
Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier
EKM won the Region 3 championship last year thanks to an elite level defense and solid balance offensively – plus the emergence of Alex Huber Alex Huber 6'6" | SF Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier | 2021 State ND as a potential all-state caliber guy. Huber’s back, as are guys like Dalton Madcke, Adam Nitschke and Chayse Entzi. And watch out for Jorgen Paulson on the wing – he’s a breakout candidate as a senior.
Langdon/Edmore/Munich
LEM won 18 games a year ago and should be strong again in 2020-21. The Cardinals return two all-region caliber performers in Grant Romfo Grant Romfo 6'1" | SF Langdon/Edmore/Munich | 2021 State ND and Simon Romfo Simon Romfo 6'1" | SG Langfond-Edmore-Munich | 2021 State ND . Both guys are grizzled veterans at the varsity level. Jagger Worley is back as well, giving the Cardinals three solid returners.