Fresh Faces on Varsity
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First of all, Prep Hoops can not wait for the high school season to start! Throughout the fall we will be previewing the upcoming season. In this article, we will be looking at players from ND & SD that are…
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Continue ReadingFirst of all, Prep Hoops can not wait for the high school season to start! Throughout the fall we will be previewing the upcoming season. In this article, we will be looking at players from ND & SD that are fresh to the varsity scene. These guys are either new to varsity minutes and/or we are expecting them to have an upgraded role on their team. Read below for more info on the players from North Dakota and South Dakota who will be making a splash on varsity.
Fresh Faces
Alpha Camara Alpha Camara 6'5" | SF Fargo Davies | 2024 State ND (2024) |6’5 SF| Fargo Davies
The Eagles are talented and athletic. What they do not have is a ton of height. Camara is an intriguing player because he is super athletic and he is long/lanky. What do you get with that? Playing time on one of the best teams in Class A. Camara is a special athlete, we do not see many players with his kind of bounce and mobility in ND. I watched Alpha play a few times this summer and this kid can get up and WHAM. He can also make plays in transition, fly from out of nowhere for rebounds, slash to the bucket, and change the game with his playmaking.
Anthony Wendel (2024) |5’10 G| Enderlin
He played very well on JV for the past two seasons and the Eagle fans should expect Wendel to be a starter this season. Anthony is a gamer that is not afraid to step up to the occasion. Wendel plays hard, fast, and he leaves it all out on the court. Expect a quality season from Mr. Wendel.
Ayden Glarum (2024) |6’3 G| Enderlin
I am expecting him to step into a starting role right away for the black and orange. Glarum shoots it well, especially from deep. He will be a 3-point shooter to keep track of. Ayden spaces the floor well and he knows how to get open for clean looks.
Bowen Ryan Bowen Ryan 6'0" | SG Castlewood | 2024 State SD (2024) |5-11 G| Castlewood
He played varsity minutes last year but those should increase in a big way this season. Ryan is an all-out defender. He can also get hot from beyond the arc and put up points. He is a smooth shooter that will help spread the floor. Castlewood is going to have a very nice team and Bowen is a key piece of the puzzle.
Brennan Barthlolomay (2024) |6’0 G| Enderlin
Enderlin will have plenty of new minutes to go around this year with a star senior class graduating. Bartholomay is a steady leader that will bring stability to the Eagles. Brennan has the potential to step in and be a legit player for Enderlin. This Eagle does not get rattled and he should have a solid season for Enderlin.
Brennan Schramm Brennan Schramm 5'8" | PG Park River/Fordville-Lankin | 2026 State ND (2026) |5’8 PG| Park River/Fordville-Lankin
Over the summer months, Brennan showed himself to be a capable scorer, a tenacious defender, and a playmaker. Schramm showed the ability to distribute the ball very well at the varsity level this summer. I would expect him to get varsity minutes early in the season and Brennan has the potential to be a starter this year. The Aggies love his ballhandling. When he is in the game, other guards will be able to play off the ball. All-Region guard, Avery Rosinski Avery Rosinski 6'2" | PG Park River/Fordville-Lankin | 2023 State ND and Schramm will be able to share ball-handling duties this season. This will drastically help Schramm prepare for the future as he gets ready to take over the reins in the coming years. Brennan will definitely be a youngster to watch in Class B this season.
Colton Smith Colton Smith 6'5" | PF Mitchell | 2026 State SD (2026) |6’3 SF| Mitchell
He is an extremely hard-working player who gets a TON done when he is on the floor. Even though he is young, Colton is still a tough defender. He can match up with post & perimeter players. Smith was on Mitchell’s varsity roster as an 8th grader and he got the chance to go at Caden Hinker every day in practice. This helped him grow immensely as a player. Offensively, Colton excels in the post but also has the ability to play on the perimeter. Smith has a very high ceiling and he will be asked to compete for Mitchell at the varsity level this season.
Drew Kempel Drew Kempel 6'4" | PG Bismarck Century | 2025 State ND (2025) |6’3 CG| Bismarck Century
He is coming off a fantastic AAU season with ND Phenom. Kempel will be able to run the 1 or play as a wing for the Patriots. He is a skilled & willing passer. Drew can guard multiple positions on defense with his size and strength. For only a sophomore, he is very physical on both ends of the floor. If this spring/summer was any indication of how the winter season will go, expect Kempel to have a breakout year. Century is stacked, and Drew is a stud. It is going to be a wild year in Bismarck this season for the Century squad.
Ellis Russell (2025) |6’3 G/F| Aberdeen Christian
He will bring energy and extra effort to the Knights. ACS has a talented group of experienced players coming back. Ellis will provide depth and hard work off the bench. He will bring versatility as a defender, which will allow him to guard multiple positions.
Jackson Wadsworth Jackson Wadsworth 6'1" | SG Hamlin | 2026 State SD (2026) |5’11 G| Hamlin
He mainly played JV for Hamlin last season but will play a role on their varsity this year. Jackson is a player who can really shoot the basketball. Wadsworth is a tough and hard-nosed player. He works hard on both ends of the floor. The Chargers are excited about Jackson’s potential.
Jamison Keszler Jamison Keszler 6'1" | CG Castlewood | 2025 State SD (2025) |5’11 G| Castlewood
He had a limited role on varsity last season for the Warriors. Jamison did play some varsity minutes last season but that will increase this year. He will be called upon much more this upcoming season with Tristan Nielsen graduating. Keszler is a knockdown shooter and he will help keep defenses honest. Jamison is also good with the ball in his hands.
Konnar Furman Konnar Furman 6'6" | SF Aberdeen Christian | 2025 State SD (2025) |6’5 F| Aberdeen Christian
He will be a key piece to the Knights success this season as a depth and role player. Konnar is a team-first player that will do the little things to help the Knights. Furman is very coachable and a great teammate. He has a bright future at ACS.
Levi Ulven (2024) |6’4 SF| Richland
He has become bigger, faster, and much more physical over the past year. Ulven is a guy who the Colts will use all over the court. They will put him in the post and let him battle down low. Levi can also step out and hit the 3-ball. He is a versatile offensive player. Defensively, UIlven is a player with nice length who can grab rebounds on the backside and push the ball up the floor going the other way. The Colts are expecting big things from Levi in the near future.
Markus Talley Markus Talley 6'2" | PG Mitchell | 2025 State SD (2025) |5’11 SG| Mitchell
Markus is an excellent shooter and has a really good feel for the game. He has the ability to play multiple positions offensively and is an ultra-smooth player. When he is aggressive, he can score at will! Markus will be a big part of the Kernel offense this season. Markus is easily one of the best players in his class in South Dakota. Look for him to give Mitchell a huge boost this season. He already has 2 full years of high school basketball under his belt and is ready to take the next step.
Maverick Nelson Maverick Nelson 6'3" | SG Sioux Valley | 2025 State SD (2025) |6’3 SG| Sioux Valley
The Cossacks have high expectations this season and if they plan on meeting those, they will need Nelson to have a solid year. Sioux Valley lost a few key pieces to graduation and that leaves room for Maverick. As a young guard, Nelson has impressive length. He has intriguing skills and a nice foundation to build around. Nelson can put up points off the dribble and with his smooth jumper. Expect Nelson to get plenty of open looks this winter with Vincent and Squires drawing most of the attention. It is going to be a fun year of hoops for Mr. Nelson and Sioux Valley.
Nevin Daley Nevin Daley 6'5" | C Park River/Fordville-Lankin | 2025 State ND (2025) |6’3 C| Park River/Fordville-Lankin
He was the 7th or 8th man last year as a freshman. Daley has really improved his aggressiveness over the summer months. Expect this Aggie to play a larger role with the varsity this season. If things go well, Nevin could be a leading scorer this season and for years to come. He has impressive size, uses his body well, and his motor never stops. Daley has multiple effective post moves and he shoots it very well for a BIG man. Nevin scores, plays physical defense, and boards well. Keep eyes on this Aggie!
Quincy Thu Quincy Thu 6'1" | SG Castlewood | 2024 State SD (2024) |6’1 G| Castlewood
He saw varsity action last year with the State qualifying Warriors. I will not be surprised if Thu starts this season for Castlewood. Quincy is a standout defender that will likely draw a tough matchup every night. He will be a key to the Warriors success. Thu is a nice athlete and a productive slasher.
Zac VanMeeteren Zac VanMeeteren 6'6" | SF Hamlin | 2025 State SD (2025) |6’6 F| Hamlin
He is new to Hamlin this year and Zac looks like he will be a nice addition. He is an athletic player who can play both inside and out. Van Meeteren will help Hamlin defend BIGS from the opposing team. Zac is athletic and he can score the ball from inside and also behind the arc. Adding a 6’6 player to the roster is a big bonus for the Chargers.