17 Basketball Players: Standouts in Track & Field
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It is a busy time of the year with the school year coming to an end. Athletes in ND & SD are busy with Track and Field, baseball, golf, and AAU basketball. Today we are going to look at basketball…
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Continue ReadingIt is a busy time of the year with the school year coming to an end. Athletes in ND & SD are busy with Track and Field, baseball, golf, and AAU basketball. Today we are going to look at basketball players that are having a successful Track and Field season. Look below to see who made the list…
Basketball Players – Standouts at T&F
Paul Olson Paul Olson 6'3" | SF Kindred | 2022 State ND (2022) |6’3 SF| Kindred
This is his first year in T&F and WOW, it has been quite the spring! Olson has been breaking records and qualifying for State in a ton of events. He has also committed to NDSU for T&F. Paul has qualified for State in the 100, 200, 400, 4×1, 4×4, long jump, and high jump. He is currently ranked #1 in the high jump with a jump of 6’7″, #4 in the 100, #4 in the 200, and #1 in the 400 in the State. Paul also broke indoor records in the 55, 60, 200, long jump, and high jump. Olson was an All-State basketball player and he led his team to the State Championship game. In his junior season of basketball, Paul helped Kindred win the State Championship and he was the Tournament MVP. Do not forget about him being one of the best dunkers in North Dakota the last couple of years. Paul Olson Paul Olson 6'3" | SF Kindred | 2022 State ND will go down as one of the best athletes in Kindred’s history.
Ethan Manock Ethan Manock 6'4" | PF Wahpeton | 2023 State ND (2023) |6’4 PF| Wahpeton
This powerful athlete for the Huskies is currently ranked #2 in the Discus with a throw of 165’ 8″. Manock is also sitting at #2 in the Javelin with a throw of 178’ 9″. Ethan is an impressive multi-sport athlete. In basketball, Manock is one of the best rebounders in ND. He is also a rim-rocking dunker!
Carson Hegerle Carson Hegerle 6'3" | SG West Fargo | 2022 State ND (2022) |6’3 SG| West Fargo
This Divison 1 athlete is a standout in every sport. Carson is headed to NDSU to play football after he graduates. In track, Hegerle has the best 100-meter dash time in North Dakota and the third-best 200-meter time. This Packer is no stranger to success, Carson has led his team to the State Championship in basketball the last two seasons. Hegerle and the Packers won the State Championship in 2021.
Race Wilson Race Wilson 5'11" | SG West Fargo Sheyenne | 2024 ND (2024) |5’11 G| West Fargo Sheyenne
This elite multisport athlete has had a nice spring. Wilson is a DUDE in football, basketball, and track. This speedster has qualified for State in the 4×400. Wilson is one of the top athletes in the FM region and we all need to take notice. He plays AAU ball with ECI and Wilson will be one of the top guards for Sheyenne next season.
Jaxson Miller Jaxson Miller 5'9" | SG West Fargo Sheyenne | 2024 State ND (2024) |5’8 G| West Fargo Sheyenne
He is a fast-twitch athlete that has qualified for State in the 4×100 relay. There is no question that Miller has speed. In basketball, Jaxson makes plays in the open court and he is a two-way player. He shoots it well from beyond the arc and Jaxson has a sweet pull-up game. He hoops with ECI in AAU ball. Miller is an up-an-comer for Sheyenne.
Dylan Beyl Dylan Beyl 6'2" | SG West Fargo Sheyenne | 2023 State ND (2023) |6’2 G| West Fargo Sheyenne
He has been standing out in the long jump and Beyl has qualified for State. Dylan is another impressive athlete for the Mustangs. Expect impressive results from Beyl in the coming weeks. In basketball, Dylan will have plenty of chances to prove himself with all of the seniors leaving the program. Beyl can do it all on the basketball court as a skilled and hard-working player.
Kemani Davis (2023) |6’2 G| Fargo Davies
It is his first year in track and field and Davis has gone off in the high jump with a 6’2″ leap. Not bad for his first time in the sport! Kemani played JV last year for the Eagles and he has a ton of upside. Davis is a very athletic player with plenty of potential in both T&F and basketball.
Michael Nhial Michael Nhial 6'7" | SF West Fargo Sheyenne | 2022 State ND (2022) |6’7 SF| West Dargo Sheyenne
He is new to the sport of Track and Field and Mr. Nhial is currently #1 in Class A in the high jump with a leap of 6’8″! The next closest jump is 6’5″. In basketball, Mike had a phenomenal senior season. Nhial was the EDC Senior Athlete of the Year, an All-State Player, and a Mr. Basketball candidate. Nhial has committed to Northern State for Basketball.
JB Walters JB Walters 6'4" | PF Grand Forks Red River | 2025 State ND (2025) |6’4 PF| Grand Forks Red River
He may be young but Walters is an up-and-comer. Walters is one of the top throwers in the 9th-grade class across the state of North Dakota. He excels at the shot, discus, and javelin. He is a powerful athlete that works hard at his mechanics and footwork. Walters is a strong interior basketball player. He is a workhorse that has the potential to be a beast in the EDC in the years to come.
Logan Arason Logan Arason 6'4" | PF Grand Forks Red River | 2023 State ND (2023) |6’4 PF| Grand Forks Red River
Many people consider him to be the best thrower in North Dakota. Logan is #1 in the Discus, #1 in the Javelin, and #12 in the Shot Put. Arason’s leading throw in the jav marks at 189’ 9″. In the Discus, Arason leads ND with a throw of 168’ 4″. He is also a stud football player and a highly sought after recruit. In hoops, Logan is a tough defender, a hardworking rebounder, and a physical finisher. RR will be a top team in ND hoops next season.
Jaiden Peraza Jaiden Peraza 6'5" | SF Kindred | 2022 State ND (2022) |6’5 PF| Kindred
He has had an outstanding spring in Track and Field. Peraza has qualified in the 100, 200, 400, 4×1, 4×2, 4×4, and the high jump! Jaiden is currently ranked #2 in the high jump, #8 in the 100, #3 in the 200, and #5 in the 400. Peraza will have an outstanding end of the year and he has plenty of room for growth. In basketball, Jaiden was a monster in the paint. He dunked almost as often as he scored a layup. Peraza was vital in all the success that the Vikings have had over the last two seasons. Calling Jaiden an impressive athlete is an understatement.
Riley Sunram Riley Sunram 6'5" | PF Kindred | 2024 ND (2024) |6’4 PF| Kindred
This young buck is a phenomenal thrower and Sunram is having an excellent spring season. Riley is currently ranked #3 in the State in the shot put, and #2 in the discus. Expect a strong finish from Sunram. This strong sophomore is looking like a potential D1 football player, a star in basketball, and a high-level track&field prospect. In hoops, Riley will be one of the best forwards in Region 1 next season. This kid can do it all.
Keaten Bonderson Keaten Bonderson 6'0" | PG Gehlen Catholic | 2023 State IA (2023) |6’1 G| Gehlen Catholic High School (IA)
He plays AAU basketball with SD Attack, so Bonderson qualifies for this article. This amazing athlete runs the 100, 200, 4×200, and the sprint medley. The track season has been going amazing for Bonderson. He is currently #1 in the State in the 200 and #4 in the State in the 100. Talk about elite speed! In basketball, Bonderson is a playmaker and an all-around stud. He excels in all aspects of the game and Keaten stuffs the stat sheet.
Taylen Ashley Taylen Ashley 5'11" | PG Sf Roosevelt | 2023 State SD (2023) |6’0 PG| Sioux Falls Jefferson
He is a spectacular athlete in football, basketball, and T&F. Taylen is a standout sprinter and he shines in the 4×100,4×400, and 200-meter dash. In football, Ashley is a next-level quarterback. In basketball, Taylen led his team to the State Tournament and he is one of the top PG’s in all of South Dakota. In AAU hoops, Ashley plays with the highly talented SD Attack 17U team.
Damon Wilkinson Damon Wilkinson 6'10" | C De Smet | 2023 State SD (2023) |6’9 C| De Smet
This monster has blown up in recent weeks. Wilkinson has recently had offers from SDSU and UND for football. In Track and Field, Damon ranks 7th in the State in Shot put and 24th in Disc. I can only imagine his numbers will continue to improve. This big man is a star in every sport that he plays. Damon was a State Champ in basketball and one of the best BIGs in SD this year. Check him out this weekend at SPTS #2 in St. Cloud. Damon plays AAU hoops with the Pentagon Schoolers 17U National team.
Nic Gaspar Nic Gaspar 6'2" | SG Dell Rapids St. Mary | 2024 State SD (2024) |6’2 G| Dell Rapids St. Mary
This rising star excels at everything that he does. In T&F Gasper stands out in the 300M hurdles, and the mile relay. He is also a 5’10″ high jumper. Nic was a stud this football season for the State Champion Cardinals. He also is an excellent basketball player. Gaspar is a great athlete on the hardwood and a player with loads of potential. Gaspar’s stats from his sophomore season looked like this: 11 ppg, 5.7 rpg, .9 apg, 2.2 spg, and 30.4 3FG%.
John Pica (2022) |6’4 F| Dell Rapids St. Mary
When it comes to Track and Field, Pica is a standout in the discus. He excels at everything, John is the Athlete of the Year at Dell Rapids St. Mary. Pica was a State Champ in football, an All-State Player, an All-Conference basketball player, and he is a State qualifier in T&F. In hoops this season, Pica averaged 10.9 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.2 spg, and .8 bpg. John Pica will certainly be missed at St. Mary!