North Dakota First Look: Fargo Shanley
Fargo Shanley was the second best team in the EDC practically from start to finish last year as the Deacons won 20 games and made the state tournament. Despite three straight losses to end the season, expectations should be sky-high…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingFargo Shanley was the second best team in the EDC practically from start to finish last year as the Deacons won 20 games and made the state tournament. Despite three straight losses to end the season, expectations should be sky-high for this group heading into the 2019-20 season.
GO-TO PLAYER: Reile Payne
Payne is one of the elite players in the 2020 class and will go into the year as the frontrunner for EDC Player-of-the-Year. She averaged nearly 21 points, 10 rebounds and five assists last year, leading the Deacons to state and her ability to impact the game in just about every fashion is rare. She can score from all three levels, rebound, defend and make plays.
BREAKOUT CANDIDATE: Kate Busek
Busek was the third fiddle last year to Payne and Hadley Huber and her status on the pecking order won’t change as a junior with both girls ahead of her back in the fold; but her efficiency and production should continue to go up and the recognition she gets will increase with it. After averaging nearly 10 points a season ago, she should give the Deacons a legitimate big-three.
QUESTIONS: Can Shanley fill in around Reile Payne?
Payne is arguably the best player in the EDC. Hadley Huber was an all-league player too. After those two, the Deacons didn’t get consistent production. With players like Busek, Lydia Mattern and Emily Sremja all gaining another year of experience, the hope is likely that the complementary players are even better this year. If they are, the ceiling of this team is that of a state title contender.
OUTLOOK
The Deacons finished second in the EDC last season and with practically every key player back, they’ve got the component pieces for a special season. Payne is one of the top two or three players in the state and she’s surrounded by players with at least a year of varsity experience. Shanley is equipped to win another 20 games and contend in the league and state.