North Dakota Preview: Region 1 Top Forwards

<span style="font-weight: 400;">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. </span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">With that in mind, here’s a look at some of the top forwards in Region 1</span> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="14180" first="Terryn" last="Johnson"], Kindred</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Johnson earned all-state honors as a sophomore, averaging 16 points and 10 rebounds while helping Kindred reach the Region 1 final. The Vikings will be among the favorites to win a state title this winter in large part because of the inside-outside duo of Johnson and [player_tooltip player_id="14168" first="Abby" last="Duchscherer"]. Johnson’s a terrific interior defender who finishes at a high level around the rim, and she should only continue to get better as she plays more.</span> <strong>DeContee Smith, Central Cass</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Smith led the Squirrels in scoring despite coming off the bench last season and she’s a prime breakout candidate heading into her sophomore season. She’s long, athletic, skilled and has a motor that runs hot. Don’t be surprised if she delivers double-double type production for a team that should head into the season ranked in the top-10 and contend for another region title.</span> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="99809" first="Kailey" last="McKinnon"], Central Cass</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">McKinnon was an all-region player last year for the Squirrels, averaging better than nine points and four rebounds, helping lead the team to the state tournament. She’s an athletic, rangy wing who can shoot it from the perimeter, defend just about anybody in an opposing lineup. Central Cass had an insane amount of depth last year which suppressed some of the individual numbers for players - don’t be surprised if McKinnon takes a statistical jump. </span> <strong>Courtney Hovelson, Maple Valley</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Hovelson was an all-region player in her junior season, providing double-double type production on the interior for a team that struggled last season. She’s a strong finisher around the rim. She has a solid motor and can hit the offensive glass at a solid rate. Maple Valley should be improved in 2020-21 thanks in large part to Hovelson being one of the better bigs in the region.</span> <strong>Kya Mauch, Hankinson</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Mauch averaged a double-double as a sophomore, putting up 16 points and 11 rebounds per game on her way to earning all-region honors. She can shoot it, she’s a solid slasher and she can finish in traffic. Don’t be surprised if she approaches 20-10 type numbers as an upperclassman.</span> <strong>Genevieve Gruba, Enderlin</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Gruba averaged a double double as a freshman, putting up 11 points and 10 rebounds a game for an Eagles team that was competitive in the region. She’s a force on the offensive glass, averaging nearly five offensive rebounds per game and she’s an efficient finisher. </span>