Postseason Report: Class A All-State
First Team Reile Payne, Fargo Shanley Payne was perhaps the best player in Class A this year, leading Fargo Shanley to the state title game. The senior forward’s been a stat-stuffer throughout her career and turned in a monster final…
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Continue ReadingFirst Team
Reile Payne, Fargo Shanley
Payne was perhaps the best player in Class A this year, leading Fargo Shanley to the state title game. The senior forward’s been a stat-stuffer throughout her career and turned in a monster final campaign, averaging 20.4 points, 11 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. Her ability to control the game and produce efficiently puts her in rare air.
Jes Mertens, Devils Lake
The catalyst in the Firebirds attack, Mertens is one of the best two-way players in the state. She averaged 12.7 points and 4.0 assists plus 5.5 steals per game. Her ability to control the game on both ends of the floor, get to the paint and make her teammates better helped the Firebirds win the EDC regular season again and reach the state championship game for the second year in a row.
Lakyn Darras, Mandan
Perhaps the most valuable player in the WDA, Darras helped the Braves get back to the state tournament and win a game after graduating a massive senior class the year prior. The senior forward averaged 17.1 points and 9.6 rebounds plus 3.2 assists. She shot better than 42 percent from the field and led the team in steals as well.
Alexis Dressler, Bismarck Legacy
Dressler was one of the best and most consistent players in the WDA as a senior, averaging 12.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists. She was efficient from the field and the 3-point line and was excellent on the defensive end of the floor, helping the Sabers win the WDA regular season and a WDA Tournament Championship.
Ryleigh Wacha, Fargo Davies
Wacha was a stat-sheet stuffer for the Eagles, helping lead the team to the state semifinal round while averaging 14.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists. She picked up her play even more in the EDC Tournament, averaging 17 and 12 to lead the Eagles to the state tournament.
Second Team
Logan Nissley, Bismarck Century
Perhaps the best freshman in the state, Nissley helped the Patriots stay among the state’s elite despite losing Lauren Ware for the entire season. The freshmen forward averaged 12.6 points and 6.9 rebounds while leading the team in blocks. She shot 38 percent from the 3-point line and 47 percent from the field. She’s an elite prospect.
McKenna Becher, West Fargo
Becher was the leader for a West Fargo team that exceeded expectations this season, averaging 16 points and 3.8 assists while being one of the most efficient players in the EDC. A terrific multi-year starter for the Packers, Becher was a steadying presence for a team that played a lot of younger and inexperienced players.
Julia Fitterer, Bismarck Century
Fitterer was a breakout star in the WDA, averaging 13.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, while knocking down 42 percent of her 3-point attempts. She’s one of the best shooters in the league and should be among the top prospects in the state next year.
Taylor Fey, Fargo Davies
Fey led the Eagles in scoring, averaging 15.2 points per game while shooting 47 percent from the field. She also averaged 6.5 rebounds per game and had her share of dominant performances. She’s a terrific wing scorer who can put up huge games and formed one half of one of the best duos in the EDC.
Grace Hegerle, Jamestown
Jamestown underachieved relative to its talent last year but Hegerle was one of the best players in the league. The junior guard averaged 17.1 points and 4.9 rebounds while converting on 50 percent of her field goal attempts.
Third Team
Allie Nelson, Minot
Minot was one of the surprise teams in Class A and Nelson was the catalyst in the effort. The senior wing averaged 16.7 points and 6.5 rebounds while shooting 47 percent from the field. She’s one of the best scorers in the league and was remarkably consistent despite being at the top of every team’s priority list.
Jaidyn Feist, West Fargo Sheyenne
The Mustangs were one of the surprise teams in the EDC and Feist was the catalyst in that effort, averaging 13.8 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. One of the most efficient players in the state, Feist converted on more than 56 percent of her field goal attempts.
Sydney Gustavsson, Mandan
Gustavsson emerged as a rock-solid No. 2 option for the Braves, averaging 13.7 points and 5.2 rebounds. She shot 36 percent from the 3-point line and 42 percent from the field while serving as one of the team’s top playmakers and shot-creators.
Hadley Huber, Fargo Shanley
Huber is one of the best all-around players in the league and after missing a few games early in the year, she was terrific, averaging 10.7 points and a league-leading 5.8 assists. She shot 39 percent from the 3-point line and was one of the elite defenders on the ball.
Jailyn Martinson, Devils Lake
Martinson had a breakout year for the Firebirds, averaging 13.0 points and 5.3 rebounds. She was one of the most efficient players in the league and looks like a potential Player-of-the-Year competitor next season.