Way Too Early Predictions – Class B

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1 - <em>Benson County</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Everyone should have Benson County at the top of their future Class B rankings. They lose only 1 senior off of a 2 loss team this season that won the State Title. They have 3 stars in 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='469472' first='Aubrey' last='Kenner'] (Tournament MVP), 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1104818' first='Kaitlyn' last='Maddock'], and 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1104817' first='Lacie' last='Fautsch']. [player_tooltip player_id='1104816' first='Ella' last='Fossen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1125135' first='Addisyn' last='Faul'] are two other key contributors. Benson County has enough to compete for titles the next two seasons.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2 - <em>LaMoure-Litchville/Marion</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>LLM also only graduates one senior off of a talented roster. They made the state tournament and were among the best teams in Class B this season. They have a set of sisters, [player_tooltip player_id='379592' first='Norah' last='DelaBarre'] and Julia DelaBarre, who are very talented and hard-nosed players. [player_tooltip player_id='1220886' first='Onika' last='Lesko'] is a very nice player out of the 2027 class. LaMoure is a team that I think will be extremely competitive next season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3 - <em>Lewis &amp; Clark-Berthold</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>I really liked this year's Lewis &amp; Clark team. They were able to make it to the State Tournament and finished in 3rd place with a win over Central McLean. The Berthold Bombers team is [player_tooltip player_id='1136998' first='Addison' last='Neshem']'s team. She was an All-State selection this season and one of the best 2027's in the state. She is very quick and athletic and can score from all three levels. Players like 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1149123' first='Ella' last='Brown'] add another level of length and athleticism. This team was a fast paced team and will be hard to slow down next season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4 - <em>Garrison</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Garrison had one of the toughest routes to try and make the State B this season and unfortunately fell short to Central McLean and Bowman County, two very talented teams. The Troopers return all of their key players, including star 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='359445' first='Cara' last='Schlehr']. Cara is one of the best players in the 26' class who can score from basically anywhere on the court. [player_tooltip player_id='1104745' first='McCall' last='Chase'] is a 2030(!) who started this year and averaged double figures. She is a name people will learn soon if they haven't done so already. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5 -Langdon Area-Munich</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Langdon found their way to the state tournament and ended up winning the consolation bracket despite star 2029 [player_tooltip player_id='1124636' first='Avery' last='Lorenz'] not being able to play due to an injury. Next season's ceiling will depend upon Lorenz finding her way back into the lineup. Fellow 2029 [player_tooltip player_id='1124637' first='Hilary' last='Haaven'] had a terrific season as well. The Cardinals only lose 2 seniors from this team and will be eager to compete again next season for a spot in the State Tournament. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6 - <em>Tioga</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Tioga just missed out on a State Tournament birth this season but has a squad next season that I think can make it over the hump. They return every player off of this season's roster. I really like the potential of this squad in 2025-2026. [player_tooltip player_id='1125290' first='Cheryl' last='Hayes'] is a very good 2026 and someone who brings a veteran presence to this team. [player_tooltip player_id='1126139' first='Keslee' last='Keever'] is a 2030(!) who had an unbelievable 7th grade season and will be a big time player in the state for the next five years. The Pirates have a nice team and I look forward to them competing next season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7 - <em>Central McLean</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Central McLean had a great season and was at the top of the weekly press rankings nearly the entire year. They finished with only four losses on the season. They lose a lot of production with [player_tooltip player_id='1095938' first='Reagan' last='Kjelstrup'] and [player_tooltip player_id='935268' first='Adlyn' last='Eng'] graduating, two of their best players. However, they return superstar 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='935277' first='Morgan' last='Snyder']. Morgan is a stud and will keep her team in games next season against opponents who may have more firepower.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8 - <em>Divide County</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Divide County is my sleeper pick for next season. They finished this year 10-12 and missed out on the State Tournament. You may be asking why I like this team going forward. It is because they played their season with just two sophomores and four freshman with the rest of their roster consisting of 7th and 8th graders. Talented sisters [player_tooltip player_id='928976' first='Skylar' last='Wehrman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1052506' first='Jurnee' last='Wehrman'] are two players with tremendous potential. If the Maroons can grow and mature, expect quick improvements next season. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9 - <em>Maple River</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The Raiders had a great season and have many key pieces that will make them competitive in 2025-2026. They are going to miss 6' center [player_tooltip player_id='245109' first='Adyson' last='Hannig'] to graduation as she was a key piece for them offensively and was a big time rebounder. They return high level prospect [player_tooltip player_id='935273' first='Violet' last='Richman'] who found herself on the All-State team this season as a freshman. [player_tooltip player_id='1126119' first='Abigail' last='Killoran'] is another talented 2028 who is a very tough player. Maple River is well-coached and I like their chances next season. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10 - <em>Sargent County</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>This squad does lose a handful of key players, including [player_tooltip player_id='935272' first='Emma' last='Bixby'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1096043' first='Ashlynn' last='Sundquist']. They however return one of my favorite prospects in 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='889645' first='Karleigh' last='Kadoun']. Karleigh is playing on Sanford-Fargo's top 17U team this season and will garner recruiting attention this spring and summer. She is a tall and athletic guard with an impressive frame that will translate well to the next level. The Bulldogs will be competitive next season with a player like Karleigh.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->