Thompson Tommies: Hoops Profile

We are heading north to Class A Region 2 for this Hoops Profile. We are looking at one of the elite girl's basketball programs in North Dakota, the Thompson Tommies!   Last year, Thompson finished the year with a 24-1 record. Their only loss came in the semifinals of the State Tournamnet to South Prairie-Max by a score of 53-52.   Looking ahead to this season, the Tommies are again stacked with talent and athletes. Expect another year with 20+ wins and for Thompson to be back at the State Tournament! Can they bring home the Class A State Crown?   The Class A State Tournament is played at the Minot State Dome on March 6th-8th.   See below for more info on the talented Thompson Tommies.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/10/thompsongbb-crop-1170x769-1729696075.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1050887" style="width:308px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Kim Garman</figcaption></figure>   School: Thompson   Mascot: Tommie   Head Coach: Jason Brend   Class: A   Region: 2   Tommies Profile   NAMES TO KNOW   [player_tooltip player_id='1050945' first='Jordyn' last='Tozer'] - 5'8" - Senior - Forward   [player_tooltip player_id='956238' first='Jailin' last='Avdem'] - 5'9" - Senior - Forward   [player_tooltip player_id='1050946' first='Norah' last='Goulet'] - 5'5" - Junior - Guard   [player_tooltip player_id='342171' first='Addison' last='Sage'] - 5'5" - Junior - Guard   [player_tooltip player_id='1050947' first='Claire' last='Kolling'] - 5'8" - Junior - Guard   [player_tooltip player_id='550491' first='Kya' last='Hurst'] - 5'6" - Junior - Guard   [player_tooltip player_id='1050948' first='Marcella' last='Stevens'] - 5'4" - Junior - Guard   [player_tooltip player_id='1050950' first='Abigail' last='Olson'] - 5'9" - Junior - Forward   [player_tooltip player_id='1050952' first='Andie' last='Schwab'] - 5'6" - Sophomore - Guard   [player_tooltip player_id='1050953' first='Jena' last='Schwabe'] - 5'6" - Sophomore - Guard   [player_tooltip player_id='1050943' first='Jocelyn' last='Oster'] - 5'6" - Freshman - Forward   OFF-SEASON   Thompson had a solid off-season by participating in a summer league, attending team camps, and, most importantly, putting in the wrench work during their weekly skills camp. They used the off-season to continue improving their game while building depth and chemistry for the upcoming season. Perhaps the team's biggest improvements will come from a new partnership between Thompson School and Sanford Power. This partnership allows student-athletes to work on their strength and physical fitness with a professional trainer in their newly updated fitness center multiple days a week.   PLAYERS TO WATCH   [player_tooltip player_id='342171' first='Addison' last='Sage'], [player_tooltip player_id='550491' first='Kya' last='Hurst'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1050945' first='Jordyn' last='Tozer'] are the team's three returning starters. All three have been regulars for the Tommies for multiple years. Sage is a sharpshooter who has a high basketball IQ with the instincts and skills to exploit defenses in many ways. She has the ability to put the team on her back and take over even the biggest of games. Nobody works harder on both sides of the court than Hurst. She uses her quickness and athleticism to get to the rim and her strength allows her to consistently finish strong in traffic. She is also the team's best defender. Tozer is another strong and athletic player, she is one of the team's top playmakers. Tozer loves to use her quickness to attack the rim while creating shots for herself or her teammates. She is also a strong rebounder on both ends of the court.   [player_tooltip player_id='956238' first='Jailin' last='Avdem'], [player_tooltip player_id='1050947' first='Claire' last='Kolling'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1050952' first='Andie' last='Schwab'] also return from last year's rotation. Avdem is a physical post player who is a strong defender and lives off the offensive glass. Kolling is a good perimeter shooter with deceptive quickness. Schwab has all of the tools of a great player and as her minutes rise this season, expect her confidence to do the same.   UP-AND-COMERS   A few names to watch for this season or the near future on the Tommies roster include [player_tooltip player_id='1050948' first='Marcella' last='Stevens'], [player_tooltip player_id='1050946' first='Norah' last='Goulet'], [player_tooltip player_id='1050950' first='Abigail' last='Olson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1050953' first='Jena' last='Schwabe'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1050943' first='Jocelyn' last='Oster']. Stevens is a smart point guard with playmaking ability. Goulet is a gym rat who is a consistent perimeter shooter. Olson is a strong rebounder that can play with her back to the basket. Schwabe is an athletic guard who defends and rebounds well. Oster is an inside-outside threat that has a nose for offensive rebounds.    STYLE OF PLAY   Thompson likes to play a fast-paced style on both ends of the court. Although they don't full-court press often, they use their quickness to be aggressive on defense. This forces a large amount of turnovers which leads to transition baskets going the other way. Offensively, they like to use a lot of movement and play downhill, forcing teams to play help defense, and this creates open looks for the Tommies.      TOP DEFENDER   [player_tooltip player_id='550491' first='Kya' last='Hurst'] returns as the Tommies top defender. Although she isn't the tallest player on the floor, she has the strength, instincts, and physicality to play much bigger than she is. Her athleticism and quickness allow her to guard anyone on the court. She has a motor that doesn't stop and takes a lot of pride in defending her opponents top scoring threat.      GOALS   The Tommies goal this year is simple, take the step up from contender to CHAMPION!   TOP SHOOTERS   Thompson's top three perimeter shooters are [player_tooltip player_id='342171' first='Addison' last='Sage'], [player_tooltip player_id='550491' first='Kya' last='Hurst'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1050947' first='Claire' last='Kolling']. Although all three players have put a lot of time and energy into becoming such good shooters, there are differences in what makes each of them shooting threats. Kolling is primarily a set shooter who is deadly when she is squared up and receives a kick-out pass. Hurst has a quick release and great feet. She is really good at coming off screens at full speed, receiving a pass, and using those quick feet to square up for a shot. Although also a great set shooter, Sage has the ability to use the dribble to create her own shot, using the step back.     TOP TEAMS & PLAYERS IN THE REGION   Last year's State Champions, Devils Lake, returns a good portion of their team from last year and should be the favorites to repeat this year. Four Winds also returns some very good young players who have cut their teeth the past two seasons and should be ready to push the top teams in Region 2.   Top players from Region 2: Thompson - [player_tooltip player_id='342171' first='Addison' last='Sage'] & [player_tooltip player_id='550491' first='Kya' last='Hurst']. Devils Lake - [player_tooltip player_id='933650' first='Tylie' last='Brodina']. Four Winds - [player_tooltip player_id='1000498' first='Suri' last='Gourd']. Grafton - [player_tooltip player_id='1050973' first='Kate' last='LeClerc'].   FINAL COMMENTS   The Three-Class system has brought parity among the Divisions and every game has the potential to be a competitive matchup. Thompson has never shied away from playing the best competition that the state has to offer and will again play games against teams from all three divisions this season.   BEST OF LUCK TO THE TOMMIES THIS SEASON!!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/10/thompsonGBBB.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1050888" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Kim Garman</figcaption></figure>

We are heading north to Class A Region 2 for this Hoops Profile. We are looking at one of the elite girl's basketball programs in North Dakota, the Thompson Tommies!