16 Dynamic Playmakers

Prep Girls Hoops Dakotas has another article on Playmakers!   See below for player comments, these ballers from NoDak are dynamic.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/NorthDakota.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-889728" style="width:256px;height:auto" /></figure>   Dynamic Playmakers   [player_tooltip player_id='1050761' first='Ava' last='Gourd'] (2025) |5'4 G| Four Winds/Minnewaukan   She is 2nd on the team in assists with 4.9 per game. Ava is very unselfish and has been penetrating the defense this year, this leads to easy kickouts to shooters or drop-offs to a post for a layup. Gourd is a smart player with a good feel for the game. Ava is the type of player that will do anything needed for her team to win. She has excelled at running the team this season and setting up the Indian offense.   [player_tooltip player_id='1172422' first='Chev' last='Obering'] (2026) |5'5 G| Washburn   Chev is averaging over 10 points per game, while also giving out nearly 5 assists per game and over 3 steals per game. Obering makes plays and is the catalyst for the Cardinal offense. She is also a team captain and sets the tempo for leadership within the team. Chev is a returning All-Region player from last season. The Card are 14-2 on the season and Obering is a big reason for all of that success.   [player_tooltip player_id='1106230' first='Elizabeth' last='Pinke'] (2026) |6'0 F| Hatton/Northwood   She is a positive, experienced, and impactful leader for the Thunder. She is also a go-to player when the Thunder need a bucket. Pinke's rebounding and scoring ability make her tough to defend. She can get a defensive rebound and push the ball up the court while leading the fast break. Pinke has gone coast to coast multiple times this year and at 6'0" not many defenders are able to keep up with her. Elizabeth's overall strength is key for her as she goes through a lot of contact to make shots. Pinke is no doubt a dynamic playmaker.   [player_tooltip player_id='493728' first='Emma' last='Jones'] (2026) |5'11 F| Glenburn   Emma is definitely a playmaker for the Panthers. Emma is a very talented and athletic baller who has played a lot of basketball in her life already. So when it comes to in-the-game moments, she is able to use her floor experience to score, steal the ball, block shots, and rebound. Emma averages a Double-Double and always has 3-4 steals and blocks as well. She just knows where to be a lot of the time. She doesn't look like a bodybuilder by any means, but she is extremely basketball-strong.    [player_tooltip player_id='1104818' first='Kaitlyn' last='Maddock'] (2027) |5'5 G| Benson County   16-0 and ranked #1 in B. She is a playmaker for the Wildcats. Maddock is the point guard and one of the leaders. She has great court vision and gets things started offensively. Kaitlyn is only a sophomore but handles defensive pressure very well. Her primary responsibility is to bring the ball down the court and setup the offense but she also does a great job of finding the open girl in transition and is a great shooter, so if left open she will make you pay. Kaitlyn often attacks off the dribble and then kicks out to the open shooter or the post if the defense helps over too much. She loves to pass the ball and recorded 14 assists in one game last season as a freshman.   [player_tooltip player_id='316049' first='Keelie' last='Sunde'] (2025) |5'9 G| Horace   10-2 record, ranked #2 in AA, 7.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.8 apg, 1.3 spg, 40.4 FG%, 41.7 3FG%. Sunde does a very good job of making plays in which she creates shots for her teammates because she sees the floor so well, and is often looking for an open teammate. Keelie also sees when she has a scoring opportunity available for herself. She has a knack for making plays in big moments. Sunde is a gamer.   [player_tooltip player_id='1172415' first='Julie' last='Sarsland'] (2025) |5'6 G| Bowman County   12-3 record & ranked #5 in B. Sarsland is a huge playmaker for the Bulldogs because of her urgency on the floor. She has a nose for the ball and is the BEST defender on the court. Julie is excellent at reading where the ball is going to be. She is averaging 3 deflections and 2 steals per game. Bowman always talks about how important it is for the team to get those deflections in games because of the plays they make after. Julie is top-notch in that regard. Bowman is not the team they are without her making those types of plays.   [player_tooltip player_id='415426' first='Kennison' last='Azure'] (2025) |5'11 G| Hatton/Northwood   She has a good all-around offensive game. Azure can score from outside in bunches, just the other night she hit 5 3's, but can also post up defenders and score inside. Kennison can get to the basket off the bounce and has the strength to go through contact. Her passing is also noteworthy as she finds open players and makes big plays in the passing game. Azure brings positive leadership to the team, is a go-to baller, a clutch performer, and a dynamic playmaker.   [player_tooltip player_id='1172427' first='Kesia' last='Boeshans'] (2028) |6'2 F/C| Washburn   14-2 record & ranked #7 in B. She is a 9th grader who makes everyone on the team a better defender. Boeshans is averaging a Double-Double with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and is an 80% FT shooter. Kesia creates many mismatches and double teams on offense and shares the ball really well. She creates a lot of positivity with her personality and team-first mentality.     [player_tooltip player_id='555488' first='Lakyn' last='Donnelly'] (2028) |5'6 G| Horace   She has the ability to make plays at a high level. Lakyn sees the floor very well, she can anticipate things before they happen, and she has the ability to see a situation and control it in a way in which she can create a play. Donnelly is able to create a shot for herself, and she has the ability to create shots for her teammates. She does all of this with energy and enthusiasm. 10-1 record, ranked #2, 19.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.9 apg, 3.3 spg, 43.7 FG%, 41.9 3FG%.   [player_tooltip player_id='256963' first='Sophia' last='Headley'] (2025) |5'11 G| Bowman County   12-3 record & ranked #5 in B. Headley is also a great playmaker for the Bulldogs. She can put up plenty of points but she loves to assist her teammates. She knows exactly where to drive the ball to where her teammates are going to read the cutting lane for a basket. Throughout the season, Bowman has improved so much on this and Sophia LOVES to rack up those assists. Right now, she is averaging four assists per game, which is a huge part of the Bulldogs being a successful team.   [player_tooltip player_id='1000498' first='Suri' last='Gourd'] (2028) |5'8 G| Four Winds/Minnewaukan   She is leading the squad in assists with 5.1 per game, that is an impressive number! Suri is uber-talented and one of the most skilled players in North Dakota. Gourd has been attracting extra defenders this year, this opens up things for her teammates, and Suri knows how to get them the rock. She will pass up a good shot for herself so that her teammates can get a better shot for the team. She is selfless, masterful with the ball, and mature beyond her years on the hardwood. Gourd is a dynamic playmaker. 19.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 4.1 apg, 3.6 spg, 34 3FG%, 37 3FGM, 74 FT%.   [player_tooltip player_id='935268' first='Adlyn' last='Eng'] (2025) |5'9 SF| & [player_tooltip player_id='935277' first='Morgan' last='Snyder'] (2027) |5'7 G| Central McLean   16-1 record & ranked #4 in class B. Adlyn and Morgan both create on their own opportunities and look.  They don't need to have sets or screens, they can create offensive scoring chances with their explosiveness and skills. Eng and Snyder see the floor very well and know where to attack and also find the open players. They both bring great leadership, hard work ethics, and great attitudes to the team. Adlyn and Morgan provide the energy that makes the Cougars go, they are dynamic playmakers.   [player_tooltip player_id='1052988' first='Macee' last='Smith'] (2025) |5'9 F| & [player_tooltip player_id='1052973' first='Macey' last='Van Inwagen'] (2027) |5'7 G| Hazen   The girls leading the stat books for the Bison are twinning in several categories including their first names! The Macee/Macey combo is [player_tooltip player_id='1052988' first='Macee' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1052973' first='Macey' last='Van Inwagen']. We will have to look deep into the stats to find some differences. They both are averaging 10 points per game. They are both averaging 6 rebounds per game, and both shoot 63% from the free-throw line. You finally found some differences when you get to steals and assists. [player_tooltip player_id='1052973' first='Macey' last='Van Inwagen'] is averaging 3 assists and 3 steals per game and [player_tooltip player_id='1052988' first='Macee' last='Smith'] is averaging 2 assists and 2 steals per game. [player_tooltip player_id='1052973' first='Macey' last='Van Inwagen'] plays guard and handles the ball while [player_tooltip player_id='1052988' first='Macee' last='Smith'] plays the power forward/post position. Macey Smith is a senior who has been leading the team through some drought years when the team numbers were down. [player_tooltip player_id='1052973' first='Macey' last='Van Inwagen'] is only a sophomore, and Hazen is excited to have her back for 2 more years after this season. These girls both bring positive attitudes, never complain, and always work hard. Those attributes make them great teammates and role models for our younger players.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/01/Playmakers.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1172125" /></figure>

Prep Girls Hoops Dakotas has another article on Playmakers!