11 Freshman To Follow: ND
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It is fun every year to see the young talent emerge at the high school level. North Dakota is full of freshmen ballers. In this article, we will look at 9th graders who should have an impact at the varsity…
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Continue ReadingIt is fun every year to see the young talent emerge at the high school level. North Dakota is full of freshmen ballers. In this article, we will look at 9th graders who should have an impact at the varsity level.
Freshman To Follow
Mason Klabo Mason Klabo 6'2" | PG Fargo Davies | 2025 State #240 Nation ND |6-0 G| Fargo Davies/Team Tyus
He stood out in the EDC last season as an 8th grader and you should expect more of the same this season. Klabo is a skilled and gifted athlete. He is a 5-tool player that can do it all. Davies has many scoring options so opposing teams should not be able to double-team him. Look for Klabo to put up impressive scoring numbers this season and to also handle the rock with care. He is also a precision passer. Make sure you get to Davies once the season starts and watch him play.
Walker Braaten Walker Braaten 6'4" | CG Westhope/Newburg | 2025 State #278 Nation ND |6-0 G| Westhope-Newburg/ECI
He put up monster numbers last year as an 8th grader. Walker should come into the season bigger/stronger. After a spring/summer of AAU hoops, he should have a few new tricks up his sleeve. Braaten is more than just a scoring machine, he has great ball skills and a good head on his shoulders. Walker is also a cunning and sneaky defender. He will most likely lead the freshmen class in scoring this year. Braaten needs to be on your “must-watch-list” this winter.
Pearce Parks Pearce Parks 6'2" | SG Grand Forks Red River | 2025 State ND |6-0 G| Grand Forks Red River/ECI
He is a great athlete that plays physically. Parks is the type of athlete that can compete with the upperclassmen in the EDC. He may not get varsity minutes early in the season. However, I will not be surprised if he breaks into the Rough Rider rotation in the second half of the season. It would be fun to watch Pearce get varsity minutes alongside his older brother Paine Parks Paine Parks 6'3" | SG Grand Forks Red River | 2022 State ND .
Jake Starcevic Jake Starcevic 6'2" | SF Kindred | 2025 State ND |6-1 G| Thompson/ECI
He is a star athlete that will be an impact player for the Tommies this year. Jake will be a stat stuffer and an all-around player. Starcevic will make many highlight-reel plays in the coming season.
Wyatt Kuhn Wyatt Kuhn 6'5" | SF New Salem/Almont | 2025 State ND |6-4 F| New Salem-Almont
He may have the best spin-move on this list. Kuhn is a force in the paint and a tough frontcourt kid. He is a long player that can score at the hoop or from the mid-range. Watch out for Wyatt and his big brother Weston Kuhn Weston Kuhn 6'5" | PF New Salem/Almont | 2022 State ND . They will have NSA ready to fight for a top spot in Region-5.
Noah Meissner Noah Meissner 6'1" | CG Jamestown | 2025 State ND |5-11 G| Jamestown/ECI
It does not happen very often that a freshman gets varsity minutes in the WDA. Meissner could be one of them! He is a nice athlete that fights for everything. He competes with an edge and rises to the occasion. Noah has an all-around scoring game. Keep your eyes open for this Blue Jay.
Grant Cosley Grant Cosley 6'0" | SG North Border | 2025 State ND |5-9 G| North Border/ND Attack
Look for this youngster to get a large number of varsity minutes for a great team in Region-2. The Eagles will be a Top-Ten team to start the season, not many freshmen get an opportunity like this. Grant will get a chance to play next with his older brother TJ Cosley TJ Cosley 6'0" | PG North Border | 2023 State ND . Grant is a skilled ballhandler and a smart player. If the older studs draw a double-team look for the young Cosley to provide a scoring punch for the Eagles.
Gentry Richter Gentry Richter 6'5" | SF Linton/HMB | 2025 State ND |6-1 G| Linton-HMB
He saw varsity minutes last season for the Lions. Linton lost a large amount of scoring to graduation. Look for Gentry to step up this season and to do a good amount of scoring. Jace Jochim Jace Jochim 6'2" | SG Linton/HMB | 2024 State ND and Richter will be a tough scoring backcourt for the Lions.
Karter Peterson Karter Peterson 6'6" | PF Thompson | 2025 State ND |6-3 G| Thompson/ND Attack
A supreme athlete that can throw-it-down in the blink of an eye. Karter has some “classic” post moves from the block. He can also step outside and hit the open jumper. Expect big things from this Tommie.
Carter Baasch Carter Baasch 5'7" | SG Maple River | 2025 State ND |5-6 G| Maple Valley/ECI
He played a good amount of varsity minutes last season and he did a nice job of handling the rock. Carter is an effective 3-point shooter that can score in a hurry. Baasch keeps defenders off balance by changing speeds and by using his quickness. Look for him to be one of the best freshmen in a difficult Region-1.
Drew Passa Drew Passa 5'7" | SG Drayton/Valley/Edinburg | 2025 State ND |5-3 G| Dayton-Valley-Edinburg/ND Attack
He has the potential to be a showtime shooter from beyond the arc. Teams will not want to give Passa much room this season or he will make them pay.