North Dakota Preview: Class A Top Frontcourts

Matt Bigelow

September 6, 2020 @ 10:24 PM

It’s never too early for too-early-season. With fall sports and school underway, it’s only a matter of time before the winter sports season is upon us. With that in mind, here’s a look at the top frontcourts in Class A: Fargo Davies: [player_tooltip player_id="98718" first="Taylor" last="Fey"] and [player_tooltip player_id="14172" first="Ava" last="Wild"] The Eagles are one of the most talented teams heading into the season and the duo up front of Fey and Wild are as good as it gets. Fey averaged 15 points and nine boards last year, and put up some massive numbers against quality teams late in the year while Wild averaged just less than 10 points and nine rebounds as a sophomore. It’s not hard to imagine both players averaging double-doubles next year for a Fargo Davies team that should be the favorite to win the EDC. Devils Lake: [player_tooltip player_id="98722" first="Jailyn" last="Martinson"], [player_tooltip player_id="98715" first="Ramsey" last="Brown"] and [player_tooltip player_id="14171" first="Rachel" last="Dahlen"] The Firebirds are losing some awfully good players that were instrumental in helping them reach two straight state title games. But the roster coming back is talented, specifically in the frontcourt, where Martinson and Brown give them a pair of all-league caliber athletes. Martinson emerged as the team’s leading scorer last year and is one of the most efficient players in the EDC. Brown has been a quality player on both ends of the floor each of the last two years. And Dahlen is a breakout candidate after averaging about six points and five rebounds off the bench last year. Bismarck Century: [player_tooltip player_id="100419" first="Logan" last="Nissley"] and [player_tooltip player_id="98658" first="Ashton" last="Kinnebrew"] The Patriots are going to be the favorite to win a state title heading into the season thanks in large part to the talent returning up front. Nissley emerged as a legitimate all-state talent in her freshman season, averaging better than 13 points and eight rebounds while knocking down better than 38 percent of her 3-pointers. She’s also a terrific defensive presence already. Don’t be surprised if she’s a Player-of-the-Year candidate in the WDA. Kinnebrew took her game to another level as a junior last season too, averaging better than 11 points per game while defending multiple positions at a high level. Fargo Shanley: [player_tooltip player_id="195719" first="Moriku" last="Hakim"] and [player_tooltip player_id="99822" first="Emily" last="Srejma"] The Deacons are losing an awful lot from the team that reached the state championship game. If they are going to remain competitive in the EDC next season, they’ll need to get a lot of production from their interior players. Hakim was a breakout star last season, averaging better than 13 points and nine rebounds while anchoring Shanley’s defense. She’ll be more heavily featured in the offense as a senior, but her motor and ability to manufacture points without a lot of designed touches allows her to be consistent. Srejma was a role player last year and should ascend into a much more prominent role this winter. Watford City: [player_tooltip player_id="98640" first="Ashley" last="Holen"], [player_tooltip player_id="99799" first="Madison" last="Spacher"] and Hayley Ogle Watford City should be one of the most improved teams in the state this winter and the frontcourt trio of Holen, Spacher and Ogle is a definite strength. Holen led the team in scoring last year and if she can improve her efficiency a little bit, she’s got a chance to be one of the best forwards in the league. Spacher was a productive sophomore, averaging nearly nine points per game in a complementary role. And Ogle is a quality scorer and rebounder. The Wolverines have the talent up front to beat a lot of teams up on the interior.