Way Too Early Predictions – Class AA

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1 - <em>Minot</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>If Minot can get rid of their injury bug, they are the clear favorites once again. With players like [player_tooltip player_id='379041' first='Leelee' last='Bell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='342164' first='Maggie' last='Fricke'] (returning from a season-ending injury) the talent level is incredible. Coach Schwartz runs a lot of excellent set plays that sets his team up for great scoring opportunities. They are solid defensively and are able to push the ball. They have really talented younger players like [player_tooltip player_id='760534' first='Kinley' last='Bartsch'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1053419' first='Everette' last='Deschamp'] that are big time prospects. [player_tooltip player_id='1053416' first='Eve' last='Knutson'] is coming off of an All-WDA season and is someone who is a great outside shooter and plays with tremendous effort.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2 - <em>Horace</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>A State Championship run can often lead a team the next season into rebuilding mode, but not this Horace team. They do lose Miss Basketball [player_tooltip player_id='331508' first='Jaiden' last='Haile'], stud point guard [player_tooltip player_id='316049' first='Keelie' last='Sunde'], and great role player [player_tooltip player_id='342165' first='Megan' last='Hjelmstad']. But they return 1st-Team All-State player Lakyn Donelly and Division 1 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='555487' first='Jordan' last='Christofferson']. These two girls can really play and I predict that Jordan will make an All-State team next season alongside Lakyn's return to that prestigious squad. Taylor Majkzak and [player_tooltip player_id='1055443' first='Ava' last='Larson'] had great seasons and can really stretch the floor with their outside shooting. They will have increased roles next season. Sprinkle in some talented young players and you have a team that is ready to compete for another EDC and State Title.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3 - <em>Davies</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Matt Veit had a terrific first season leading the Davies Eagles to the EDC title game and state tournament. [player_tooltip player_id='629942' first='Quinn' last='Skari'] and [player_tooltip player_id='461314' first='Fallon' last='Passanante'] are two of the best players in the 2026 class. Fallon was a member of the 1st-Team All-State team and I think Quinn was an All-State team snub this season. She is a great talent and one of the smartest players I have watched. [player_tooltip player_id='1050540' first='Sierra' last='Reinke'] is a high-ceiling 2028 who had a great first varsity season and will continue to improve. [player_tooltip player_id='1149207' first='Marie' last='Hanson'], a 6'2 freshman, has the size and frame to be an effective varsity player and is someone to keep an eye on next season. The Davies Eagles have had a great run the last decade. Expect that to continue at least for one more season in 25-26.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4 - <em>Bismarck Century</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Century had a great run and ended up winning the WDA Championship and placing 2nd at the State Tournament. They lose only two seniors from this squad, but one was All-WDA selection [player_tooltip player_id='398151' first='Zoie' last='Austin']. She is going to be tough to replace but Coach Welstad is one of the best in the state and will have his squad ready to go. They do return All-WDA player [player_tooltip player_id='641207' first='Abby' last='Fosland'], a great talent who will have the opportunity to play at the next level. I really like 2027's [player_tooltip player_id='1056546' first='Olivia' last='Klimpel'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1126159' first='Lakyn' last='Johnson'] and they are going to allow Century to compete again amongst the state's best.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5 - <em>Bismarck Legacy</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Legacy has maybe the 2nd-best prospect in the state in 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='892385' first='Marlee' last='Falcon']. She has all of the tools to go to a Power Division 1 Conference. She is a 6'2 guard who can shoot it lights out from behind the arc. The key for Legacy next season is to have their role players from this season step into bigger roles for next season. They played quite a few underclassmen who are going to need to become big-time contributors next season. Players like [player_tooltip player_id='1132728' first='Sadie' last='Hollar'], [player_tooltip player_id='1132755' first='Gracie' last='Watson'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1123928' first='Ava' last='Lucas'] are all going to be called upon to help Legacy compete next season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6 - <em>[program_tooltip program_id='712656' first='Mandan' last='']</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>I really like the squad that Shannon Copas will have returning for the 2025-2026 season. [player_tooltip player_id='625624' first='Sarah' last='Helderop'] was an All-WDA selection this season and will be back and ready to go her senior season. She is a steady point guard who makes great decisions with the ball. [player_tooltip player_id='625626' first='Kimimila' last='McAllister'] had a solid season and will see an increased role next year. Young prospects [player_tooltip player_id='969855' first='AnnaClaire' last='Bugbee'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1094023' first='Alli' last='Reiner'] will give the Braves a great post presence. They should be really tough defensively and on the boards. Both girls are very physical and will have increased opportunities to score the ball next season. [program_tooltip program_id='712656' first='Mandan' last=''] has been on the upswing and will continue to be a team to watch next season. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7 - <em>Red River</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Kent Ripplinger has created an unbelievable culture at Red River and his team's success is a great reflection of that culture. You know you are going to see a 2-2-1 zone press back to a 2-3 half-court zone, yet they are so tough to prepare for due to how tough and hard they play. They are consistently one of the best defensive field goal percentage teams in the state. They fly all over the floor and create difficult shots for their opponents. They are excellent on the defensive glass and then are able to push the ball in transition. They can win ugly and they can also win by scoring in bunches. They have all of their best players back in All-EDC selections [player_tooltip player_id='1212045' first='Reese' last='Remz']and Ella Spiedel. I expect the Rough Riders to find themselves once again back at the State Tournament in 2026.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8 - <em>Shanley</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Shanley has one of the most talented rosters in the state and I look forward to them showing everyone what they are capable of. [player_tooltip player_id='1004420' first='Rylee' last='Seavert'] has regional Divison 1 offers and found herself on the 2nd-Team All-State team this season as a freshman. The 6'1 forward has a lot of promise and is a great competitor. I am excited to see how 6'2 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='641200' first='Megan' last='Dietz'] plays next season. I have her as a potential Division 1 prospect due to her size and incredible athleticism. If she can piece things together, Shanley is going to be particularly tough defensively and on the glass. Young prospects like [player_tooltip player_id='1048389' first='Addyson' last='Gust'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1126138' first='Jaya' last='Taylor'] round out a lineup with 4 players who can all play at the next level. Taylor, only a 7th grader this season, was Shanley's second leading scorer. She is an incredible talent and will have colleges all over her recruiting journey in the near future.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->