Radiant Role Players: ND & SD
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This is part 2 of our Role Player articles. These types of players are vital to any team’s success and they deserve more recognition. Let us take a look at more standout role players from both North Dakota and South…
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Continue ReadingThis is part 2 of our Role Player articles. These types of players are vital to any team’s success and they deserve more recognition. Let us take a look at more standout role players from both North Dakota and South Dakota.
Radiant Role Players
Aiden Myers (2023) |6-1 G| Mitchell
He is an extremely hard-working guard who is reaping the benefits from his work this off-season. Aiden isn’t going to be a guy who leads Mitchell in scoring, but he has made great strides offensively. Whenever Aiden is on the floor, the Kernels expect him to be the best perimeter defender on the floor and he adds an element of toughness to the Mitchell lineup.
Andrew Hankinson (2022) |5-6 G| Parshall
He is a true definition of a role player for the Braves. Andrew is a silent and steady leader that works hard in practice and is often called on to be the defensive pest. Hankinson will take any assignment and thrive in it for Parshall.
Antonio Serrano (2023) |6-3 F| Spearfish
He has been starting for two years for the Spartans. Serrano is an athlete that can play every position for Spearfish. On defense, Antonio can play all 5 positions in the Spartan man-to-man switching defense. He is one of the top rebounders for the Spartans and he is an outstanding leader on the practice floor. Serrano works hard in the weight rooms and he even gets in a workout on game nights! Antonio is averaging 9.7 ppg, 4 rpg, and 1 apg.
Bennet Burd (2022) |6-0 G| Fargo Shanley
He sticks out on the defensive end because of his hard-nosed attitude and effort. Burd is not a huge scorer but he makes hustle plays that make the Deacons better. He will do whatever his coach or teammates ask of him. Often times he is matched up with a top player from the other team. Bennet is a disruptor on defense. Burd does the small things that make Shanley a better team. He knows who to pass the ball to when they have a hot hand. Bennet is a very nice role player for the Deacons.
Brady McQuillian (2022) |6-0 G| Grand Forks Red River
He is a great senior leader that runs the Roughrider offense. Brady is the PG that makes the extra passes and runs the show on the court. He knows when to defer to shooters and when to create. McQuillan is the senior point guard who gets RR in their offense, makes the extra pass, is vocal on the court and the bench. Brady’s offensive rebounds make a difference and he will D up with the best of them. Brady is a player you can always count on for 100% effort all the time any time.
Braxton Hatzenbuhler (2022) |6-4 G/F| Flasher
His coach calls him the perfect glue guy. Braxton does not score a ton of points night in and night out but he does create for his teammates. In every game, Braxton gets the assignment of guarding the opposing team’s best player. Hatzenbuhler has great length that helps him pester opponents and it allows him to collect rebounds and steals. He is a pass-first run-the-show point guard, almost a throwback. The rest of the team feeds off of his energy and relentlessness. His confidence in his teammates helps them during practices and contests. Braxton doesn’t mind that other people get recognition for scoring points and he knows how valuable his contributions are to the team being successful.
Calvin Wright (2022) |6-2 F| Wagner
He is a senior post player for the Red Raiders. Calvin is an excellent student and a hard worker. Calvin does not get much playing time for Wagner, but he gives them great looks in practice. He has a great attitude and Wright respects his teammates and coaches. Calvin never misses a practice, meeting, walkthrough, or game even though his role is limited. He never complains, he is never negative with teammates, and he always works as hard as he can to improve himself and his team.
Cole Hockenbary (2022) |6-3 F| Belle Fourche
He plays his tail off for the Broncs every game. Cole plays much bigger than his frame and he moves up and down the court super fast. Hockenbary plays with grit and determination that is unmatched. Every coach/team needs a player like Cole.
Ethan Stotz Ethan Stotz 6'1" | SF Bismarck | 2022 State ND (2022) |6-5 SF| Bismarck
He is thriving in his role this season. Ethan is shooting above 70% on the year because he only takes great shots around the rim. He is averaging 10.6 ppg and 5.9 rpg. Eaglstaff does a great job of creating and finding Stotz, he almost always delivers. I like his effort and energy on defense. Ethan rotates well in the pressure defense and does his job on both ends of the court.
Joaquin Powell (2024) |6-4 F| Parshall
He has earned a starting position for the Braves by working hard in practice and doing all the little things in games for Parshall. Powell’s presence alone helps on both ends of the floor for the Braves. Joaquin has nice moves around the basket and he posts up with physicality.
Joey Bryan (2022) |6-6 C| Dakota Valley
He is in his 3rd year as a regular rotation guy for the Panthers. Joey has been the best ‘energy’ guy that coach Kleis has ever coached in practice and in games. Bryan is a great leader, selfless, great defender, and he has a high motor. Joey annoys other teams because of his energy/effort/toughness. Off the floor, Bryan is an A student and a great role model for young kids.
Kenyon LaFountaine (2022) |6-2 F| Turtle Mountain
He is a senior post player for the Braves. Kenyon does the dirty work inside and he battles tough on the boards. LaFountaine guards and fights with the BIGs from opposing teams and can shoot the ball well from the 3pt line.
Liam Streitz (2022) |6-3 G| Flandreau
Liam has made great strides on the defensive end for the Fliers. His length and strength make him a tough matchup for opposing guards to score against. Streitz is a very versatile defender who can guard any position 1-5. He dropped 8 points last night in the Fliers win and Liam is a huge part of the Flandreau 8 game win streak.
Matthew Gooselaw (2022) |6-5 SF| West Fargo Sheyenne
He is a hardworking player that provides depth and length to the Mustangs. Gooselaw has an unstoppable hook shot and he stretches the floor by hitting 3-pointers. Matt has had double-digit points in two games (Wahp & North). He has helped the Mustangs get to an 8-1 record and the #5 ranked team in the Class A polls.
Max Knutson (2023) |6-4 F| Harrisburg
He does a ton of the little things for the Tigers every day. Max rebounds well, has a great motor, and he competes on every possession. Ethan D and Jacoby M get a lot of scoring done for Harrisburg but Max can finish at the rim and step out to shoot the 3 very well. Knutson is terrific on the move without the ball, he consistently is looking to screen Ethan and Jacoby or Max will slip to the rim to fragment the defense. Knutson is a vital piece of the puzzle for the Tigers.
Raymond Brown Raymond Brown 5'11" | PG Fargo Davies | 2023 State ND (2023) |5-11 G| Fargo Davies
He is averaging 9.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.2 apg, 2.5 spg. Ray shot it well a couple of nights ago and hit three triples. He is an impact player on defense in the fullcourt and in the halfcourt. Brown is ubiquitous on the D-end of the floor. He is lightning quick and his hands are always mirroring the ball. He is no stranger to diving on the floor. Raymond also is a creator and he sees the floor well. I like how he draws two defenders and then kicks to open shooters.
Tyler Cruchet Tyler Cruchet 6'1" | SF Central Cass | 2024 ND (2024) |6-1 SF| Central Cass
He is the hustle guy for the Squirrels. His effort is always off the charts and he is very willing to sacrifice his body to make a play. Cruchet has double-digit deflections on the year as a block defender, 7 attempted charges, and is always on the floor for loose balls. The CC coaches love his willingness to sacrifice for the team and do whatever it takes to help them win.