North Dakota First Look: Bismarck Legacy
Bismarck Legacy was one of the top teams in the WDA last season and behind an elite defense and solid balance, the Sabers went to state and took third with wins over West Fargo Sheyenne and Fargo Shanley. With three…
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Continue ReadingBismarck Legacy was one of the top teams in the WDA last season and behind an elite defense and solid balance, the Sabers went to state and took third with wins over West Fargo Sheyenne and Fargo Shanley. With three starters back in the fold, expectations should be high again.
GO-TO PLAYER: Arianna Berryhill
The Sabers didn’t have a true go-to player a year ago, rather they relied on their balance and depth to win games. That should be a strength again this winter but Arianna Berryhill represents the closest thing to a player who could take over a game on the roster. As a sophomore, Berryhill averaged 10.5 points per game and knocked down better than 37 percent of her 3-pointers.
BREAKOUT CANDIDATE: Hannah Stymeist
Stymeist saw minutes off the bench a year ago as a sophomore and showed the ability to rebound and score inside. She’s an aggressive forward who showed a knack for getting to the free throw line and converting in the paint. If she takes a step forward, the Sabers will have four players who could potentially average 10-plus points per game.
QUESTIONS: Can the defense continue to be a strength?
Defense was a big time strength for the Sabers last season, as they allowed just 51 points per game while opponents shot just 32 percent from the field. They lost three seniors who keyed that defense though and while there are four-plus returners back, the defense will have to continue to be a strength if the Sabers are going to remain in contention at the top of the league.
OUTLOOK
Bismarck Legacy was one of the five or so best teams throughout last season and showed it by beating two of the top teams in the EDC in the state tournament. With Berryhill, Alexis Dressler, MacKenzie Boone and Ashton Sagaser all back, this team is good enough to contend in the WDA, get to state and win a few games there.