Previews: Bismarck Century & Valley City

<!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"600"}},"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:600">Prep Girls Hoops Dakotas has two Team Previews for you in this piece. We have a team from AA and another from Class A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"200"}},"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:200">Today, we are looking at the Patriots and the Hi-Liners! The Patriots and Hi-Liners won 16 games last season, Century came up short in the WDA Tournament, and Valley made it to the State Tournament. Both squads are intriguing as they bring back talent and experienced players, it will be fun to see how each team comes together as the season progresses. <strong>Will they make State this season?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>See below for info on Bismarck Century and Valley City.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1056469,"width":"365px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/image_c1e24d.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1056469" style="width:365px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Schools:&nbsp;</strong>Bismarck Century</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Mascot:</strong>&nbsp;Patriot</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Head Coach:</strong>&nbsp;Nate Welstad</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Class:</strong>&nbsp;AA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Region:&nbsp;</strong>WDA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2023-24 Record:</strong>&nbsp;16-8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Team Stats 2023-24</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"14px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:14px"><strong>GP: </strong>24 <strong>PPG: </strong>60.4 <strong>OPPG:</strong> 47.2 <strong>FG%: </strong>36.9 <strong>OFG%:</strong> 34.2 <strong>RPG:</strong> 39 <strong>APG:</strong> 11.7 <strong>SPG: </strong>12.1 <strong>3FG%:</strong> 26.3 <strong>3FGM:</strong> 114 <strong>FT%:</strong> 61.2 <strong>FTM:</strong> 197</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Patriots have had a great run as of late and are in a bit of a rebuilding stage. Century returns several experienced players but ultimately need to keep improving if they want to compete with the top teams in AA. Century will work hard to sharpen their skills, gel as a team, and improve every day. By the end of the season, Coach Welstad and the Pats are hoping to challenge for a spot at the State Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Returning Statistical Leaders &amp; Letter Winners</span></strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/image_d4b30d.png"></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1056537,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/image_d0b178.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1056537" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Returning Starters</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='641207' first='Abby' last='Fosland'] Jr 5'9”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='398151' first='Zoie' last='Austin'] Sr 5'7”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1056546' first='Olivia' last='Klimpel'] Soph 5'10”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1056547' first='Ashlyn' last='Buchholz'] Sr 5'8”(Injury ended her season last year after 15 games)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Players to Watch</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>Comments from coach Welstad</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">[player_tooltip player_id='398151' first='Zoie' last='Austin'] - "<em>Had a nice season last year earning All-WDA Team for the regular season.&nbsp;She played a lot of basketball in the off-season and continues to get better.&nbsp;She has the ability to get the rim and finish even with being a smaller guard.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">[player_tooltip player_id='641207' first='Abby' last='Fosland'] - "<em>She improved more than anyone in our program this offseason.&nbsp;She worked on her outside shot making her a threat from all areas of the floor.&nbsp;A very good finisher that will need to score consistently in double figures for us.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">[player_tooltip player_id='1056546' first='Olivia' last='Klimpel'] - "<em>She had a good freshman year but will need to take her game to the next level.&nbsp;Her game is getting to the basket or short midrange shots.&nbsp;She is very crafty and has a bright future in our program and beyond.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Welstad's Comments on the Season</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">"<em>The team is very small but we have traditionally been one of the best defensive teams in the WDA.&nbsp;The girls will have to be very well-conditioned and hopefully, we can get [player_tooltip player_id='1056547' first='Ashlyn' last='Buchholz'] back to add more athleticism.&nbsp;We will also need to find a couple more younger players that can contribute at the varsity level.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px","fontStyle":"italic","fontWeight":"800"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px;font-style:italic;font-weight:800">BEST OF LUCK TO THE PATRIOTS!!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1056564,"width":"220px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/image_fe103f.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1056564" style="width:220px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1056567,"width":"216px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/image_518ebc.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1056567" style="width:216px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>School:&nbsp;</strong>Valley City</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Mascot:</strong>&nbsp;Hi-Liners</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Head Coach:</strong> Jimmy Howard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Class:</strong>&nbsp;A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Region:&nbsp;</strong>1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2023-24 Record:</strong>&nbsp;16-11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1056582,"width":"282px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/image_4888c4.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1056582" style="width:282px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">With Coach Jimmy Howard</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PGHD: How would you sum up last season?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We had a very successful season last year. Playing our first year in the new Class A we were able to finish second in the Region and earn a trip to the State Tournament. This ended a ten-year drought for us in the State Tournament.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PGHD: How did the offseason go for your team/program?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>This offseason we won our summer league and attended a few team camps. Spent a lot of time shooting at open gym. We needed to improve our 3pt shooting heading into this season.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PGHD: Who are a few of your top players to look out for?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1056624' first='Dacota' last='Potratz'] Jr. -</strong> 10 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.6 apg, 48.2 FG%</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Finished last season as an All-Region Player. She is a great two-way player for us.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='933463' first='Katie' last='Burchill'] So. -</strong> 12.3 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.2 apg, 50.2 FG%</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Finished last season as an All-Region Player and All-Tournament Player at the State Tournament. We are just scratching the surface of how good she can be.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PGHD: Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<strong>Maddy Anderson</strong><em><strong> - Jr.</strong></em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1056620' first='Kailee' last='Nielson'] – Jr.</em></strong>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<strong><em>Skye Nielson – Fr.</em></strong>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PGHD: What style of basketball will your team play?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We are going to try and play up-tempo this season.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PGHD: Who do you think will be your top defender?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>[player_tooltip player_id='1056618' first='Greta' last='Goven'] - She is a 6' wing player that can guard all 5 positions on the floor. She never gets tired and rebounds the ball well.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PGHD: What are your team goals this season?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We are looking to build on what we did last year. Finishing in the top 3 of the Region and having a chance to earn a spot to the State Tournament is our main goal this season.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PGHD: Who are the top teams in your Region?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Central Cass, Kindred, Northern Cass, Valley City, and Wahpeton.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px","fontStyle":"italic","fontWeight":"800"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px;font-style:italic;font-weight:800">BEST OF LUCK TO THE HI-LINERS!!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1056252,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/prepGIRLShoopsdakotas.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1056252" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->