ECI Spring Stars: 17U-13U
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In this article, we are taking a look at one player from each ECI team 17U down to 13U. All of these teams have many talented players, however, today we are just looking at one player from each team that…
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Continue ReadingIn this article, we are taking a look at one player from each ECI team 17U down to 13U. All of these teams have many talented players, however, today we are just looking at one player from each team that is having a great start to the AAU season. See below for the young and old STARS from ECI!
Spring Stars
Raymond Brown Raymond Brown 5'11" | PG Fargo Davies | 2023 State ND |5-11 G| 17U Prospects/Fargo Davies
He plays super hard on every possession. Brown is very coachable and he wants to do everything to win. Raymond is a great team player who is tough to stop when he gets going. He is also a great defender and a phenomenal rebounder for his size. Brown is a 3-level scorer that slashes to the cup for layups, hits mid-range J’s, and can drill the triple. He is a great asset to have. Brown is a 2-way player who rebounds and does the little things to help his ECI team.
Aiden Jacobson Aiden Jacobson 6'0" | SG Valley City | 2023 State ND |6-0 G| 17U Selects Sorby/Valley City
He is sometimes overlooked and undervalued. However, Jacobson is a great player to have on the 17U Selects squad. Aiden plays very hard every game and he gives it all on every single possession. Jacobson guards tough on the ball, rotates well away from the ball, and boxes out hard. Aiden also runs the floor hard and he is aggressive on offense in the right moments.
Jeremiah Sem Jeremiah Sem 6'3" | SG Fargo North | 2024 State #303 Nation ND |6’3 SG| 16U Prospects/Fargo North
His combination of skill and athleticism makes Sem an amazing player. He is the #1 ranked prospect in the Prep Hoops North Dakota 2024 Rankings and Jeremiah is also the most athletic player. Sem has nice handles, excellent court vision, and he can score from all levels. He is also a MONSTER in transition with spectacular highlight dunks. The best thing he did this spring was “simplify” his game. In the past, Sem would sometimes over-dribble and shoot tough shots after a step back. This spring, Jeremiah has been hitting high-quality shots off the catch, hitting J’s off 1 or 2 dribbles, and slashing to the rim in a straight line. Sem has also been impressive with finishing off two feet. A true STAR!
Oliver Jensen Oliver Jensen 6'1" | SF Bismarck Century | 2024 State ND |6’0 SF| 16U Selects Russell/Bismarck Century
He is an all-around great player. Jensen is the best defender on his team and he usually locks up with the opposing team’s best offensive threat. Oliver is fast enough, strong enough, and tough enough to guard anyone! Jensen has a tenacity on the defensive end that is unmatched. On offense, Ollie can get a shot whenever he chooses. Shots come from attacking the rim, pulling up from 15-feet, and from beyond the arc. Ollie is good from almost anywhere on the court. He also plays excellent team basketball. Jensen will buy into any role and he is super coachable. This kid is always focused on adjustments and he is always engaged. He is coming off some injuries and you can tell that Jensen is truly enjoying every possession that he gets to play.
Zach Oehlke Zach Oehlke 6'3" | SG Grand Forks Red River | 2024 ND |6’2 G/F| 16U Selects Lund/Grand Forks Red River
He has been great all spring for his ECI team. Oehlke gives 100% game in and game out. Zach makes hustle plays, he always boards up, and he scores on putbacks because of excellent effort. Oehlke is a timely player that makes winning plays in crucial moments of games. His length, ability to guard, and relentless rebounding, make Oehlke a super nice player.
Aric Winczewski Aric Winczewski 6'2" | CG Minot | 2025 State ND |6’0 G| 15U Prospects/Minot
He is a very tough kid who loves guarding the opposing team’s best player. Winczewski has the ability to blow by defenders with his quickness and ball-handling skills. Aric is a high percentage finisher around the basket. The Minot kid can also space the floor with his outside shooting. He is a smart player that always seems to make the right play at the right time. Winczewski is a coach on the floor for this ECI team.
Jake Schaefer Jake Schaefer 6'2" | SG Des Lacs Burlington | 2025 State ND |6’0 G/F| 15U Selects Voltz/Des Lacs Burlington
He is an absolute scorer from all three-levels. Schaefer is stronger and more athletic than most freshmen that he plays against. Jake gets after it on defense and he takes the toughest matchup assignment. Schaefer can knock down the three-ball, has a nice mid-range game, and his floater game is sweet. Jake also finishes well when he gets to the cup. He has a high hoops IQ. Jake has had multiple 30+ point games through 4 tournaments this spring.
Connor Duden |5’11 G| 14U East Miller/Red Lake County Central
He hoops on a very balanced team that plays well together on offense and they work hard defensively. Connor can do it all for his ECI team. Duden is fourth in scoring, second in assists, 3rd in rebounding, and he has the best +/- on ECI Miller. On defense, Duden is a versatile player that can guard multiple positions. On offense, Connor can score and facilitate for teammates.
Haakon Seymore |5’10 F| 14U East Dvorak/West Fargo
This 2026 player is a jack-of-all-trades. Seymore is a tough defender, and he rebounds well for his size. The Packer is a gritty player and a physically mature athlete. Haakon is a very good runner. His ball skills have been improving and Seymore has a bright future in hoops.
Chris Benning Chris Benning 5'10" | SG St. Mary's | 2026 State ND |5’5 G| 14U West Nissley/Bismarck St. Mary’s
This undersized lefty is the best shooter on his squad. Benning is a sniper from beyond the three-point arc. Opposing teams should not leave Chris alone! Besides being an effective shooter, Benning can slash & score and he is a crafty finisher. Chris has a knack for drawing contact and getting to the line. He can certainly score the ball but Benning also passes and sees the court well.
Jack Mevold |6’0 PF| 13U East Peterson/Oak Grove
This kid has basketball blood running through his veins. Jack is a powerful player with a plethora of offensive moves. Mevold continues to show improved footwork, scoring, and he often draws a double-team in the post. The Grover has a nose for the ball and he is not afraid to battle for rebounds. Jack is a back to the basket player that produces in the paint.
Ethan Retterath |5’10 F| 13U Haman/Washburn
This youngster is long, strong, and athletic. Retterath is one of the top defenders and rebounders on this ECI squad. Ethan has an effortless shooting stroke and a quick release. He has done an admirable job of extending his shooting range this spring. Retterrath has also done a nice job of helping his guards break the press and handle pressure. This PF is calm against the fullcourt pressure. This Cardinal is definitely an up-and-coming player.
Ace Sheeley |5’7 PG| 13U West Mattern/West Fargo
He is the lead guard for this ECI team and Ace does a quality job of handling pressure. Sheeley has good size for his age and he jumps/elevates well. These attributes make Ace a tough and productive rebounder for a backcourt player. Sheeley can hit the 3-ball but he really makes things happen with his deadly pull-up game from inside the arc. Sheeley shoots it with a high release and this allows him to get his shot off against bigger defenders.