Class “A” State Championship Preview (EDC Teams)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's every Basketball fan and players favorite time of year, MARCH MADNESS! Last week the WDA and EDC finished up with their regional tournaments in Bismarck for the WDA and Fargo for the EDC. This coming weekend Fargo will host the NDHSAA Class "A" Championships in which will be some of the most anticipated and exciting matchups yet this season. Coming out of the West competing for a State Title are Bismarck High School, Bismarck Legacy, Century High School and the reigning Champions Minot High. Out of the East will have West Fargo Sheyenne, Fargo Davies, Grand Forks Red River and West Fargo High. Let's take a look at the upcoming matchups, top prospects and stats from each team before they tip-off. Lastly, good luck to all the teams and players this upcoming weekend, it's been a pleasure to follow your season and watch you all play!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#1East West Fargo Sheyenne: (16-8 Overall)</strong>- The Mustangs came into the EDC Tournament seeded #4 and came out as EDC Tournament Champions knocking out Shanley 61-48, Fargo Davies 56-45 and West Fargo 69-56. There is no question that Sheyenne has a TON of talent on their floor and a Coaching staff loaded with experience. On the court they are led by a swarm of experienced players that can flat out play any day of the week. On the font court is one of the best scorers in the EDC [player_tooltip player_id='240340' first='Brenna' last='Dick'] (19.9PPG) and [player_tooltip player_id='100424' first='Peyton' last='Breidenbach'] (7.3 PPG) who have both proven throughout the year they can be very effective and deadly on the floor. [player_tooltip player_id='240340' first='Brenna' last='Dick'] has shown her abilities this year as a bigtime playmaker, but doubles as an elite shooter from anywhere the floor and is deadly from behind the arch. Breidenbach equally is an impressive guard with her shooting abilities but is also one of the best assisters in the EDC as well. When you combine that with 6'2'' [player_tooltip player_id='100447' first='Maya' last='Metcalf'] (12.8PPG/9.3RPG), 6'0'' [player_tooltip player_id='100433' first='Karson' last='Sanders'] (7.6PPG), and a swarm of additional players like [player_tooltip player_id='487016' first='Cora' last='Metcalf'], [player_tooltip player_id='196477' first='Brooke' last='Johnson'], [player_tooltip player_id='462027' first='Hannah' last='Herford'] and Alayna Holder you have a great combination of size, speed, height and players who can do damage inside and out. They may not have the best record coming into the state tournament, but don't be fooled by any of that. I don't want to say they are a team that could "surprise" other teams this weekend, because with what they are capable of doing on the floor, and when they get going...they do damage. Without a question they can be a very hard team to beat and have proven that. With some big wins this last weekend, and their motor firing on all cylinders watchout.... their coming for one thing and one thing only! They kick off their first game at 1:00 vs Bismarck Legacy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":611945,"width":449,"height":202,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/03/fs-1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-611945" width="449" height="202" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#2 East West Fargo High School: (19-5 Overall)</strong>- The Packers have had a great year there is no question of that. They have proven to be one of the best teams in the State and have a roster loaded with some serious talent to say the least. When you look at them overall, you know they are going to be a tough team to beat on any given day and their record shows that. Over the season the only losses they have had was to Fargo Davies, Grand Forks Red River, Sheyenne and Minot in a game that we will remember for years to come when it comes to shooting the 3-pointers. West Fargo is coming into the tournament with 3 of the leading scorers in the EDC [player_tooltip player_id='215744' first='Miriley' last='Simon'] (22PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='211403' first='Chloe' last='Pfau'] (15.5PPG) and [player_tooltip player_id='196476' first='Solveig' last='Seymour'] (11.1PPG) and 2 of the top rebounders in the EDC as well with [player_tooltip player_id='215744' first='Miriley' last='Simon'] (9.9RPG) and [player_tooltip player_id='211403' first='Chloe' last='Pfau'] (6.6RPG). The level of experience and skill they bring to the table is nothing short of impressive to say the least. As a team they lead the EDC in Scoring averaging 80.71PPG and shoot the best as well with 42%FGA. With the numbers they can put up (individually and team) they are tough, hardnosed and hungry to bring home the Championship. West Fargo will be a tough team to knock out this weekend, they bring a lot to the court and are all around an athletic team that can do it all. If they pull off a first-round win against Bismarck High and Minot gets a win against a very tough Grand Forks Red River, we could be in for an exciting rematch vs Minot High we can all get excited about!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":611941,"width":429,"height":211,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/03/wf.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-611941" width="429" height="211" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#3 East Fargo Davies: (21-2 Overall)</strong>- One of the best all-around teams in the state comes in seeded #3 for the EDC and don't let the seeding disguise how good they really are. The Davies have been one of the most competitive, consistent teams in the EDC all season long and they don't plan on stopping that anytime soon. As a team they are nearly leading every category, if not leading in the EDC when it comes to scoring 74.9PPG, scoring margin 25.25, FG% 40.9%, 3Pt FG 35.2% and steals with 16.8SPG. They are a very well-rounded team that moves the ball incredibly well and are very tough defensively to handle. The pressure they can put on an offense and their ability to force turnovers is a big part of their success, along with their overall ability move the ball and knock down shots from anywhere you could say they can be destructive to other teams. When it comes to scoring, they have players that know how to do just that. [player_tooltip player_id='240173' first='Ashton' last='Safranski'] (20.8PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='218144' first='Karley' last='Franks'] (11.5PPG) and a freshman who came out swinging this year [player_tooltip player_id='461314' first='Fallon' last='Passanante'] (16.3PPG) have really been bigtime playmakers and scorers for the Davies this season. Take them and when you add [player_tooltip player_id='100444' first='Maci' last='Wheeldon'] (7.9PPG/7RPG), Ashley Wachta (8.3PPG) and [player_tooltip player_id='100427' first='Brooke' last='Everson'] (6.6PPG) to the mix, they are all bigtime contributors offensively and defensively who can shake things up a bit to say the least. As for this weekend I believe they will be in for some good games packed with high level scoring and all-around athleticism. The Davies have all the talent, skills and players to bring home the Championship and a Coach who has the experience and drive to bring it home. Their first game will be against Century High in a game that I think will be about as competitive as you can get, and one you won't want to miss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":611938,"width":403,"height":234,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/03/davies.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-611938" width="403" height="234" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#4 East Grand Forks Red River: (22-2 Overall)</strong>- With a roster filled with talent, and multiple scorers across the board the Roughriders have been a strong team all season long that have proven to be extremely tough to handle. During the season they only faced 2 losses once to the Davies and once in the EDC Tournament to Fargo Shanley 61-34. But you can believe they are coming in this weekend with only 1 goal on their mind....a Championship. Led by arguably one of the best guards and players in North Dakota is 5'7'' [player_tooltip player_id='240861' first='Jocelyn' last='Schiller'] who leads the EDC in scoring (26.6PPG) is nothing short of impressive as an all-around player. Schiller will be leading the charge for Grand Forks Red River along with another impressive roster loaded with talented players alike. When you look at their team one thing is evident, everyone can score, and they definitely fill a stat sheet up across the board. Along with Schiller is [player_tooltip player_id='240865' first='Hannah' last='Litzinger'] (6.5PPG/7RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='485153' first='Rylie' last='McQuillan'] (10.6PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='461315' first='Cassidy' last='O'Halloran'] (8.2PPG) and [player_tooltip player_id='379035' first='Ella' last='Speidel'] (5PPG) who not only bring scoring to the table but rebounding, assisting and they have perfected the art of forcing turnovers/stealing the ball, which has really been a big part of their success. The Roughriders may not have the biggest players on the floor, but what they do on the floor is nothing short of notable and their record shows that. They are a fast-moving team that gets up and down the floor especially well, and flat out knows how to get the job done. Their first matchup this weekend will be against the former State Champions Minot High in a rematch from earlier this season. I think this is another game you will want to tune in for that will be loaded with high level scoring inside and out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":611934,"width":416,"height":245,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/03/GFRR.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-611934" width="416" height="245" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->