balla45 wrote:Schmidty22 wrote:balla45 wrote:1. Dickinson -- Hanstad, Moody, Abrahamson, Kessel, Wanner, Steffan. I expect Hanstad to improve upon his numbers from last season and I believe Kessel will be a solid second option. Moody is still one of the more athletic players in the WDA and Abrahamson is as experienced as any.
2. Mandan -- Coyle, Collins, Westby, Janz, Zinke, Marcellais. Depth could be an issue but probably the most raw talent in the WDA. I would put them at number 1, but I want to see how Mandan's style of pressure defense will work without so much height in the middle altering shots.
3. Century -- Maund, Fraase, Melvie, Ledger, Rivinius, Rhone, Bray, Thunshelle. I like this starting 5. Depth could be an issue, but I think most teams will have this problem. On paper, this is a very good team. All but Ledger are unproven at the varsity level, but I do believe they can and will step up.
4. Bismarck -- Schirado, Fitterer, Liggins, Talmadge, Werner. This team lacks tremendous offensive fire power but I believe that will be made up on the defensive end. I see Liggins having a breakout season this year and ending up as an all stater. *If Kleinjan is back for the basketball season, I think Bismarck goes up to number 3, maybe even higher. The lack of a true point guard will hurt this team and Kleinjan brings that aspect to BHS.
5. Minot -- Murphy, Magnuson, Steinwand, Crosby, Adams, Moch, Gerding. This team is intriguing. They have potential to be a very, very good team. Steinwand will be solid. I think Crosby and Adams are the big question marks. If Crosby and Adams are consistent scorers, this team should have no trouble making the state tournament and doing damage.
I think any of these top 5 teams could all contend for a WDA title, it is that close.
There is a huge drop off between five and six. All of these teams will probably be rebuilidng for the next few seasons, but the future could be bright.
6. Saint Mary's
7. Belcourt
8. Jamestown
9. Williston
I was told the Kleinjan is out indefinately for this upcoming season....saying that Mandan has raw talent is true but that statement is true for every team in the WDA this season there will be a bunch of breakout stars this up coming basketball season. It will be quite a race at the top between these 5 teams this upcoming season.
Hopefully Kleinjan finds a way back, but if he doesn't, I have BHS right behind CHS. I think Dickinson and Mandan will distance themselves from the rest of the pack. I believe Mandan has the most talent 1-8, but Dickinson does have the state's best player, and he is a senior now. I have a feeling that he will take his game to another level.
Very good point Hanstad is the best player in the state I look for him to carry the Dickinson squad but I can't say I agree with putting them at the top. They just seem like they are missing one piece to that puzzle.