Best Of The South: ECI Standouts
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Atlanta, GA – The ECI teams are currently in Atlanta playing in a big-time AAU event. All of the games are played at the Georgia World Congress Center. This is an amazing facility with over 40+ courts in the building.…
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Continue ReadingAtlanta, GA – The ECI teams are currently in Atlanta playing in a big-time AAU event. All of the games are played at the Georgia World Congress Center. This is an amazing facility with over 40+ courts in the building. The ECI teams are playing against great competition from around the country and they are in front of college coaches from all over the nation.
ECI brought down 4 teams, 17U Prospects, 17U Selects, 16U Prospects, and 15U Prospects. All of the teams have played four games, and they have one more day of competition remaining. These young men have really been playing well. Early on in the tournament, they may have been a bit star-struck. However, they quickly regained themselves and they have been quite impressive. The ECI ballers are playing smart, tough, and gritty. They are responding to their competition and winning many games. ECI might get down in a game, but they never give up and they always seem to claw their way back in the contest. ECI is competing at the top of its game. To say that they are representing North Dakota well is an understatement. They have already proven that we have talented basketball players in ND.
What a cool experience for a bunch of North Dakota kids and a handful of Minnesota kids to fly down to Atlanta and play in one of the best AAU venues in the world. Not to mention that there are major D-1 scouts and coaches there as well. These players get to hang out in Atlanta, GA during their downtime! Sounds like a blast, I hope they are creating amazing memories with their teammates.
Below we will look at the standout players from each team…
17U Prospects record going into Sunday 3-1
Paine Parks Paine Parks 6'3" | SG Grand Forks Red River | 2022 State ND (2022) |6-3 G/F| Grand Forks Red River – He is doing it all for the Prospects. Parks is playing like a physical beast. He has many AND 1’s and his rebounding has been stellar. Paine has shown that this stage is not too big for him. Parks has been nothing but spectacular so far.
Ian Motschenbacher Ian Motschenbacher 6'1" | PG Fargo Davies | 2022 State ND (2022) |6-1 G| Fargo Davies – He has done a great job of handling the rock for his team. Ian has been excellent at alleviating pressure for the Prospects. He has been getting into the lane. Once he is there, Ian has been distributing and scoring. He has had many crafty finishes. For a 6’1″ guard, he has been rebounding very well.
Eric Wentz Eric Wentz 6'2" | SG Minot | 2022 State ND (2022) |6-2 G| Minot – He has been on an absolute terror in the last three games. Wentz has been scoring his share of the points. His highlight play may have been going coast-to-coast against pressure and scoring a big bucket. Wentz gets two feet in the lane, gathers, and executes the finish. A great showing for Mr. Wentz.
17U Selects record going into Sunday 1-3
Kaleb Larson Kaleb Larson 6'3" | SG West Fargo Sheyenne | 2022 State ND (2022) |6-3 G| West Fargo Sheyenne – Like always Kaleb is shooting it well. His range is impressive. Larson plays very hard and he has been hitting the boards intently . Kaleb has also done a fine job of bringing the ball up the court. He is a lights-out 3-point shooter.
Jalen May Jalen May 6'3" | SF Fargo North | 2022 State ND (2022) |6-3 F| Fargo North – He has been aggressive going downhill to attack the basket and finishing at the rim. May has been drawing many fouls and has been living at the line. Coach Sorby loves his versatility on defense. Jalen can match up with guards or BIGS down low.
Connor Trahan Connor Trahan 6'5" | SG Bismarck Century | 2022 State ND (2022) |6-4 G| Bismarck Century – He has been shooting the ball well from three-point land. Trahan had a very impressive drive and finish today that included a dirty crossover move. Connor continues to improve. Expect him to stay hot from 3 on Sunday.
16U Prospects record going into Sunday 1-3
Raymond Brown Raymond Brown 5'11" | PG Fargo Davies | 2023 State ND (2023) |5-11 G| Fargo Davies – He has been the most consistent player for the Prospects in Atlanta. Brown has been the floor general. He has been getting into the paint on a consistent basis. Brown can break down the opposing team’s pressure. His defense on opposing guards has been impressive. ECI has played against amazing athletes and Brown can match their amazing quickness.
Isaiah Schafer Isaiah Schafer 6'1" | CG Bismarck Century | 2024 State ND (2023) |6-1 G| Bismarck Century – Schafer erupted early in the tournament and scored over 30 points in a game. He was incredible in the opening game of the tourney. Besides scoring big Isaiah has been busting it hard and doing the little things. His great early performance turned many heads from college coaches.
Zach Kraft Zach Kraft 6'2" | PG Grand Forks Red River | 2023 State ND (2023) |6-0 G| Grand Forks Red River – He has been solid all tournament. Kraft has not backed down from anyone and he has shown great aggressiveness. Zach has been consistently hitting triples with his smooth jumper.
15U Prospects record going into Sunday 3-1 (playing in the semifinal of the consolation bracket)
Carter Zeller Carter Zeller 6'6" | PF Fargo North | 2024 State ND (2024) |6-5 F| Fargo North – He has been awesome in Atlanta! Carter has been a man amongst boys. He is very physical, yet he finishes with a soft touch. Zeller has been sealing defenders like an animal. He gets them low and deep and keeps them sealed. This results in easy baskets once he gets the rock. He has been racking up AND 1’s all tourney. His patience has been beyond impressive. Carter will shot fake, let the defender leave the ground and he will score or draw a foul.
Jeremiah Sem Jeremiah Sem 6'3" | SG Fargo North | 2024 State #303 Nation ND (2024) |6-3 G| Fargo North – As always Jeremiah has been elite. He has been putting up points at all 3-levels. Sem gets his teammates going with a big dunk or a blocked shot. These plays are huge momentum boosts, and everyone plays better after. Jeremiah has also been scoring timely buckets when the Prospects need it. Look for Sem to have a big Sunday.
Dalton Lamp Dalton Lamp 6'1" | SG Jamestown | 2024 State ND (2024) |6-0 G| Jamestown – He is hitting consistently from beyond the arc. Lamp is also knocking down the mid-range J’s. His fakes have kept the D guessing and Dalton has been using that to his advantage. On defense, he has been locking up with the opposing team’s best player. Lamp has been diving on the floor, tipping passes and racking up steals. Overall a great performance.