North Dakota Rankings Update: 2021 Class Stock-Risers

After reviewing more of the North Dakota 2021 class, you’ll see there is some shake-up in the top 10 prospects, with three new prospects going from outside the top 10 into making an appearance in the top 10. There’s a new #1 in [player_tooltip player_id="98659" first="Ryleigh" last="Wacha"], as she proves she’s an all-around prospect and has been highly consistent, leading one of the top teams in the state. [player_tooltip player_id="98640" first="Ashley" last="Holen"], [player_tooltip player_id="195292" first="Jaiden" last="Baker"], and [player_tooltip player_id="240853" first="Alex" last="Page"] are the ones making an appearance in the top 10. [player_tooltip player_id="195292" first="Jaiden" last="Baker"] may seem like a bold ranking coming in at #7, but I’ve seen enough to recognize that there aren’t many better playmakers and prospects in the state of North Dakota. The list is few. [player_tooltip player_id="98640" first="Ashley" last="Holen"] had a long stretch of putting up 20+ points, and is scoring as consistently around that mark as a scorer can. [player_tooltip player_id="240853" first="Alex" last="Page"] is scoring and being very efficient in doing so. Not just from a numbers aspect, but in how she plays and chooses her opportunities. [player_tooltip player_id="195227" first="Julia" last="Fitterer"] is at #2 and is having another great season to put in the books. She’s averaging 17.0 ppg. at the nine game mark. [player_tooltip player_id="98658" first="Ashton" last="Kinnebrew"] at #3 is most likely the best two-way prospect in the state — an elite defender and athlete. #4 rated [player_tooltip player_id="195719" first="Moriku" last="Hakim"] is averaging 18.5 ppg. and 9.6 rpg. coming off a 33 point performance. #5 [player_tooltip player_id="14167" first="Emma" last="Mogen"] is a 5’8 guard and is second in the WDA in rebounding at 8.8 per game. Let’s get to know the list of stock-risers more. #1 [player_tooltip player_id="98659" first="Ryleigh" last="Wacha"] - Fargo Davies - (5’10/CG/2021) - Ryleigh is making a move in the Top 5 to the #1 spot. Ryleigh is taking it to her opponents, putting up big numbers across the board. Her numbers include, 16.7 ppg., 9.8 rpg., 4.3 apg., and 3.9 stls. She’s the #1 prospect because of her all-around game and she’s a constant and consistent playmaker every game. Committed to University of Mary. #4 [player_tooltip player_id="98640" first="Ashley" last="Holen"] - Watford City - (5’10/SF/2021) - Ashley has been consistent scoring the ball nearly every game. You can count her for 20 points a night. It seems that she’s more aggressive and assertive this season. Her scoring average is 19.2 points per game. She makes a big jump from #15 to #4. She’s off to Division II Minot State next year. #7 [player_tooltip player_id="195292" first="Jaiden" last="Baker"] - Bismarck Legacy - (5’9/SG/2021) - Jaiden is the headliner of the 2021 stock-risers. The most underrated prospect and a major stock-riser as she hits the top 10. She’s headed off to Bismarck State College and they’re getting a steal. This may be a bold ranking by consensus but I believe it’s the right one. #9 [player_tooltip player_id="240853" first="Alex" last="Page"] - Grand Forks Red River - (6’0/SF/2021) - A 6’0 wing, Alex has put together a tremendous senior season. She has been an efficient and top-end scorer in the state, averaging 18.1 ppg. Recently she scored 31 points versus Fargo South and had a 29 point game versus West Fargo Sheyenne. She’s only not reached double-figures once this season. She’s a smart decision-maker with her shots and doesn’t force the action. #20 [player_tooltip player_id="196887" first="Jadyn" last="Feist" - West Fargo Sheyenne - (5’11/PF/2021) - Jadyn was simply too low in our last rankings update. She is a power player on the inside, averaging 13.5 ppg. and is a very consistent rebounder averaging 7.4 per contest. #21 [player_tooltip player_id="198134" first="Ashlyn" last="Diemert"] - West Fargo - (5’9/SF/2021) - Ashlyn was far too low in our last update as she’s one of the key pieces and X-factor for the 8-3 West Fargo Packers team. She makes all the plays, getting to the hoop, finishing in traffic, shooting the three, etc. She puts up steady numbers, averaging 12.3 ppg., 4.4 rpg., and chips in quite nicely in the other stat categories. She’s committed to Valley City State University for softball and basketball. #22 [player_tooltip player_id="98647" first="Elizabeth" last="Schanilec"] - Midway/Minto - (5’8/PG/2021) - A strong, quick, athletic, left-handed point guard, Elizabeth moves up to #22 in the class from #35. Elizabeth can pick up great speed with the ball in her hands, taking it at the defense consistently. Plays with great playing strength and overall toughness. #27 [player_tooltip player_id="203998" first="Jocelyn" last="Julson"] - Bismarck Century - (5’8/SG/2021) - Underrated and overlooked because of the stacked roster she plays on in undefeated Bismarck Century. She is a guard with good size and length that can handle the ball and shoot the three. Committed to University of North Dakota for volleyball. #30 [player_tooltip player_id="204008" first="Faith" last="Johnson"] - Divide County - (5’10/CG/2021) - Faith is a huge stock-riser in this update. She’s a talented guard that may be somewhat of an unknown to most. She just understands the game and gets the most out of her talent. And there’s enough of it. Good overall speed and movement. Passes and shoots it well. Runs the floor hard and with great speed. A quick and high energy, active guard. She can play the point and a wing spot. #31 [player_tooltip player_id="204021" first="Kendra" last="Prouty"] - Dunseith - (5’11/PG/2021) - Kendra is a long point guard that is underrated in the eyes of PGH. She’s very crafty and creative in how she scores. Plays a little high overall but uses her supreme length very well against smaller players. Not a fast athlete but can handle the ball and control the tempo of the Dunseith offense. She can pull a deep three and get in the lane. #40 [player_tooltip player_id="196870" first="Lydia" last="Mattern"] - Fargo Shanley - (5’8/SG/2021) - Lydia makes a sizable jump in our rankings, from #80 to #40. Not a long prospect but has a solid build. She is steady across the board with her numbers, with 8.5 ppg., 3.5 rpg., 4.0 apg., and 3.1 stls. #41 [player_tooltip player_id="204023" first="April" last="Schmitz"] - Midway/Minto - (5’8/SG/2021) - A long athlete for her height that runs the floor very well. She can get to the hoop regularly going to her right hand — finishes well too. Has long and quick strides going to the hoop. Flies all over the court defensively in the press, using her long arms to her advantage.