EDC Tournament First Round Preview
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The playoffs are finally here and that means its time to preview the first round of the Eastern Dakota Conference tournament. With a great crop of teams, and tons of talented players stepping onto the hardwood this March, I think…
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Continue ReadingThe playoffs are finally here and that means its time to preview the first round of the Eastern Dakota Conference tournament. With a great crop of teams, and tons of talented players stepping onto the hardwood this March, I think we are in for a real treat.
#8 Grand Forks Central @ #1 Fargo Davies 7pm
Its never easy being the team that has to face the top seed in the first round, but thats exactly what the Knights will have to do. Central is challenged with an uphill battle of trying to upset the highest scoring group in the East. The Davies Eagles have in my opinion the best backcourt in the conference, along with size down low and a couple of reliable players off the bench. I must also mention that the Maroon and Gold are near the top of every defensive category meaning that they are the most all around dangerous team in this tournament. With guys like Mason Klabo Mason Klabo 6'2" | PG Fargo Davies | 2025 State #240 Nation ND , Ian Motschenbacher Ian Motschenbacher 6'1" | PG Fargo Davies | 2022 State ND , Raymond Brown Raymond Brown 5'11" | PG Fargo Davies | 2023 State ND , Max Froslie Max Froslie 6'8" | PF Fargo Davies | 2023 State ND , and more, this team is a must watch during the next few weeks. On Centrals side we will see talented players like Erick Paye, Sam Strandell Sam Strandell 6'3" | SG Grand Forks Central | 2022 State ND , Ross Wilber, and Jack Simmers try to execute the most important win of their season.
#5 Fargo Shanley @ #4 Grand Forks Red River 7pm
With the Deacons traveling to Grand Forks to play the RoughRiders, I believe that this will be the most competitive game of the first round. On Red Rivers side we have a squad that bests Shanley in scoring, free throw percentage, three point percentage and makes per game, rebound margin, and turnover margin. They’ve also got stud players like Paine Parks Paine Parks 6'3" | SG Grand Forks Red River | 2022 State ND , Zach Kraft Zach Kraft 6'2" | PG Grand Forks Red River | 2023 State ND , and Reis Rowekamp Reis Rowekamp 6'4" | SG Grand Forks Red River | 2023 State ND to help lead their way. The Deacons on the other hand top RR in points against per game, opponent field goal percentage, and opponent three point percentage. Their key guys consist of Conner Kraft Conner Kraft 6'5" | PF Shanley | 2023 State ND , Tyler Kraft Tyler Kraft 6'2" | SG Shanley | 2022 State ND , and Jack Pollert.
#7 Fargo South @ #2 West Fargo Sheyenne 7:30pm
In this inner city game the Fargo South Bruins will have to face the top defense in the Eastern Dakota Conference. Sheyenne has used their size and length to disrupt opponents all year long, and I have a feeling they will try to continue that this postseason. The Mustangs lead the East in scoring defense, opponents field goal percentage, and opponents three point percentage. They also have exciting talent in Michael Nhial Michael Nhial 6'7" | SF West Fargo Sheyenne | 2022 State ND , Kaleb Larson Kaleb Larson 6'3" | SG West Fargo Sheyenne | 2022 State ND , Dominic Dosmann Dominic Dosmann 6'8" | PF WF Sheyenne | 2022 State ND , and Zander Newton Zander Newton 6'4" | SF West Fargo Sheyenne | 2022 State ND . Fargo South on the other hand have the top three point percentage in the conference. Their players to watch include James Hamilton James Hamilton 6'4" | SF Fargo South | 2024 State ND , Zunekia McGill Zunekia McGill 6'0" | PG Fargo South | 2022 State ND , Cole Kegbeh Cole Kegbeh 6'4" | SF Fargo South | 2024 ND , and Dean Grant.
#6 Fargo North @ #3 West Fargo High 7pm
Lastly we’ve got the defending State champion Packers facing off with the talented young crop from Fargo North. West Fargo has been an all around good team this season landing top five in scoring, points against per game, three throw percentage, field goal percentage, steals per game, etc. Some players who are crucial to their success are Carson Hegerle Carson Hegerle 6'3" | SG West Fargo | 2022 State ND , Brett Limke Brett Limke 6'1" | PG West Fargo | 2022 State ND , Nick Carlson Nick Carlson 6'4" | SF West Fargo | 2022 State ND , Foday Sheriff Foday Sheriff 5'11" | SF Davies | 2022 ND , and Parker Nelson Parker Nelson 5'11" | SG West Fargo | 2022 State ND . These guys are a talented group, and will fight tooth and nail to repeat as champions. On the other end the Spartans are near the top in scoring offense, number one when shooting from the stripe, and they make the most three pointers per game. Players who I think will be key if they are to beat West Fargo include Jeremiah Sem Jeremiah Sem 6'3" | SG Fargo North | 2024 State #303 Nation ND , Carter Zeller Carter Zeller 6'6" | PF Fargo North | 2024 State ND , Luke Loberg Luke Loberg 6'4" | SF Fargo North | 2022 State ND , and Isaac Cody Isaac Cody 6'3" | SG Fargo North | 2022 State ND .