North Dakota Preview: West Fargo
The West Fargo Packers won 14 games, competing well against the upper-echelon teams in the EDC before falling in the EDC Tournament. The Packers could be even better this winter, as they return four starters and a great deal of…
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Continue ReadingThe West Fargo Packers won 14 games, competing well against the upper-echelon teams in the EDC before falling in the EDC Tournament. The Packers could be even better this winter, as they return four starters and a great deal of young talent – setting up high expectations for the 2020-21 season.
Go-To Girl: Chloe Pfau
Only a sophomore, Pfau will be heading into her third year as a starter already, and she’s got the talent to be one of the best players in the EDC. The 5-foot-10 guard averaged about nine points, five rebounds and four assists per game as a freshman, illustrating her ability to impact the game without always putting up points. With McKenna Becher McKenna Becher 5’8 | CG West Fargo | 2020 State ND gone to graduation, Pfau figures to have a lot of opportunity to take a big step forward in scoring though too. She’s long, athletic, strong and skilled. The Packers might have three or four players averaging double-figures in scoring, and Pfau may not even lead them in scoring, but she’ll have her fingerprints all over any success this team has this season.
Breakout Candidate: Miriley Simon
Simon was excellent as a freshman, averaging 9.6 points and 6.4 rebounds. She emerged as a consistent double-figure scorer in the second half of the season and could be one of the best forwards in the EDC over the next three years. She’s long, mobile and skilled inside. If she can continue that ascension, and give the Packers a legitimate double-double threat, they’ll contend for an EDC title.
Question: Can the Packers Contend?
West Fargo was one of the youngest teams in the EDC last season, relying heavily on multiple underclassmen. The Packers are much more experienced heading into this year, as their starting lineup will consist of two multi-year starting guards and multi-year starting forwards. While two of their best players are sophomores, they have plenty of varsity experience to climb the EDC ladder. Fargo Davies figures to be at the top of the rankings and you can never count Devils Lake or Grand Forks Red River out. Can West Fargo join those ranks?
Outlook:
West Fargo was a distant fifth-best team in the EDC last season. With some of those top teams potentially coming back to the pack plus the Packers theoretically improving through internal development and returning experience, there’s an opportunity for them to contend. They’ve got excellent balance as Brynn Giesen Brynn Giesen 5'7" | PG West Fargo | 2021 State ND is a rock-solid guard, Ashlyn Diemert Ashlyn Diemert 5'9" | SF West Fargo | 2021 State ND was a productive forward and players like Jessica Walsvik Jessica Walsvik 6'0" | C West Fargo | 2022 State ND and Taylor Van Winkle should provide complementary play.