2025 ND Rankings Review: Varsity Impact Players
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It is not every day that we see freshmen impacting varsity games. In fact, some of these players had an impact as 8th graders. In this article we are going to look at the players that we think will impact…
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Continue ReadingIt is not every day that we see freshmen impacting varsity games. In fact, some of these players had an impact as 8th graders. In this article we are going to look at the players that we think will impact the game for their high school basket teams. Read below to see who the 9th-grade varsity impact players are…
2025 Impact Players on Varsity
Mason Klabo Mason Klabo 6'2" | PG Fargo Davies | 2025 State #240 Nation ND |6-0 G| Fargo Davies/Team Tyus
He was super impressive as an 8th grader in the EDC. Klabo stood out to me as a defender and how he did not back down from upperclassman. He is very skilled and an elite shooter. His coaches at Davies trusted Mason to be in the game during crunch time. Klabo is not just a scorer, he is a creator, distributor, and distinguished ball handler. After a year of getting bigger, stronger, faster, and a season of AAU with Team Tyus I can only expect that Mason will come into the season ready to do some damage. If his football season is any indication of how he will look on the hardwood then we should all be ready for something special.
Walker Braaten Walker Braaten 6'4" | CG Westhope/Newburg | 2025 State #278 Nation ND |6-0 G| Westhope-Newburg/ECI
As an 8th grader on varsity Walker averaged 22.1 ppg, 2 apg, 7.7 rpg, and 3.6 spg. Braaten made 99 three-pointers last season. His game high for 3-pointers made was 10! Walker’s game-high for points was a ridiculous 38! Those are ridiculous numbers for any age, let alone a junior high kid. With Braaten being a year older and summer of AAU under his belt he should come into the season ready to dominate. Walker is a great 3-point shooter and a gifted scorer. One number that stood out to me was his rebounding. He has a nose for the ball and he reads the ball off the rim correctly. I can not wait to see Braaten play this winter. I imagine that he will put up some gaudy numbers.
Jake Starcevic Jake Starcevic 6'2" | SF Kindred | 2025 State ND |6-1 SG| Thompson/ECI
Strength and power come to mind when I think of Starcevic. How often does that happen with a 9th grader? Jake was a difference-maker on varsity as an 8th grader. His crisp passing, speed, and finishing with both hands are what stood out to me. After a spring/summer with ECI, I expect Jake to come into the high school season as a big scoring threat. The Tommies will be an interesting team in Region 2, Starcevic will play a big role in any success that Thompson has.
Wyatt Kuhn Wyatt Kuhn 6'5" | SF New Salem/Almont | 2025 State ND |6-4 SF| New Salem-Almont
He is a long, strong, and physical forward that does not back down from anyone. Kuhn was a force as an 8th grader. Wyatt has the potential to be a monster in the paint this season for the Holstein’s. When you match Wyatt up with his older brother Weston you have a scary frontcourt duo. I would not be surprised if Wyatt averages a double-double this season for NSA.
Ramsey Walz Ramsey Walz 6'7" | PF Bishop Ryan | 2025 State #313 Nation ND |6-3 F| Bishop Ryan/ECI
He is a forward but he can get it done on the wing. The Lions should come into the season as a Top 10 ranked team in Class B. Bishop Ryan has a couple of stud older guards that will draw a ton of attention from opposing teams. Walz should get plenty of opportunities to spot up for open three-pointers or carve out space around the paint for easy buckets. I can see Feller and Thompson attacking, drawing 2, and Ramsey getting the easy drop-off for a bucket. The Lions have the potential and players to make the State Tourney.
Grant Cosley Grant Cosley 6'0" | SG North Border | 2025 State ND |5-9 G| North Border/ND Attack
The Eagles will be a Preseason Top 10 team in Class B. The young Cosley has a good chance to start for North Border. The Eagle football team is fresh off a championship and they will be looking to continue that success in basketball. Grant will not need to score much as the Eagles are loaded with guys that can put up points. However, he can certainly hit the open shot. Grant is skilled, fundamental, and mature. He should make the move to varsity in a smooth transition.
Karter Peterson Karter Peterson 6'6" | PF Thompson | 2025 State ND |6-3 SF| Thompson/ND Attack
The Tommies have plenty of talent and athletes but the young Peterson is too good to not see the court in varsity action. He actually played a good amount of minutes last season, so Karter will be ready to step up. He does most of his work inside with nifty and crafty post moves. Peterson is a strong kid that can finish through contact. Teams will also have to worry about Karter stepping outside as a 3-point threat. The young Peterson could be the x-factor for the Tommies this season.
Gentry Richter Gentry Richter 6'5" | SF Linton/HMB | 2025 State ND |6-1 G| |6-1 G| Linton-HMB
He had the chance to play varsity minutes last season. The Lions lost all of their big scoring options to graduation. Gentry will have the chance to establish himself as a young shooter for Linton. The Lions will be youthful but they have some young intriguing players that can really shoot. Richter is a smart player that takes what the defense gives him. Gentry and Jochim will be a great 3-point shooting tandem for the Lions.
Carter Baasch Carter Baasch 5'7" | SG Maple River | 2025 State ND |5-6 G| Maple River/ECI
He had the ball in his hands a ton last season. Carter might be small in stature but he plays and handles pressure like a mature upperclassman. As a 9th grader, he will come into the season as a savvy ballhandler with good court vision. I really like the way Baasch changes speeds to keep bigger and strong defenders off balance. Do not forget about Carter’s shooting, he can nail the open 3-pointer. Keep your eyes on Maple River, they could surprise some people.
Tee Sylling Tee Sylling 6'2" | SF Maple Valley | 2025 State ND |6-1 SG| Maple River/Inspired Athletics
He has a good chance to start for the Raiders this season. Maple River will be young but they have the potential to play with some of the top squads in Region 1. The Raider Dome is the toughest place to play in Region 1, they can upset anyone at home. Sylling is an athletic wing that can also get physical inside. Tee is a good slasher and an energetic rebounder. I am looking forward to seeing how the Raiders come together and what Tee does in his 9th-grade year.
Ben Gudajtes Ben Gudajtes 6'1" | SG Midway/Minto | 2025 State ND |5-11 G| Midway-Minto/ND Attack
He played minutes as an 8th grader so he should know what to expect this year on varsity. The Mustangs lost a huge amount of scoring to graduation, so Ben will have plenty of chances to prove that he can be a serious scoring option. This lefty can score from the perimeter and the paint. Gudajtes is a smart kid that will fit in well at the varsity level.