Summit League Preview: Dakotans to watch this winter

In an era of big-money moves, transfer-driven rosters and college basketball chaos, the Summit League is a bit of a throwback. In my view that is a big win! As the regional Division I schools tip off their seasons for real this week, fans in these parts still have the opportunity to root for home town talent who learned the game right here in their own backyard. This year's rosters include a strong contingent of players from the Dakotas, including some of the biggest stars in the league. Here's a quick primer on the names to know and what to watch.

THE BIG 3

Emilee Fox – South Dakota State, junior guard, Mount Vernon, SD

Fox has established herself as one of the best perimeter shooters in college basketball. The former Mount Vernon standout led the nation in three-point shooting accuracy last season, connecting on a remarkable 49.1 percent of her attempts from beyond the arc. She averaged 8.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists while starting all 27 games for the Jackrabbits. Fox, who was ranked 2nd in South Dakota's Class of 2024 by Prep Girls Hoops, earned All-Summit League Honorable Mention recognition last season and was named to the preseason All-Summit League Second Team this fall. With a crucial role in the SDSU offense, Fox is be poised for another breakout season.

Katie Vasecka – South Dakota State, junior guard, Tea, SD

The top-ranked prospect in South Dakota's Class of 2024, Vasecka arrived in Brookings with enormous expectations after earning Gatorade Player of the Year honors at Tea. Despite some injury issues, the 6'2 guard (pictured above) has lived up to her billing, earning Summit League All-Freshman recognition and establishing herself as an important part of the Jackrabbits' lineup. Vasecka's combination of size, shooting ability and court vision makes her a difficult matchup for opposing guards. She's capable of scoring from the perimeter, creating opportunities for teammates and using her length to her advantage at both ends of the floor. Like Fox, Vasecka was selected to the preseason All-Summit League Second Team and will be counted on to take another step forward this winter.

Jocelyn Schiller – North Dakota State, junior guard, Grand Forks, ND

Schiller has already made quite a name for herself in the Summit League, and she's done it at two different schools. The former North Dakota Miss Basketball winner began her college career at UND, where she earned Summit League Freshman of the Year honors in 2024–25. She transferred to NDSU last season and immediately became one of the program's most important players, averaging 11.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists while earning All-Summit League Second Team recognition. Schiller is an athletic, versatile guard who can score, distribute the basketball and make an impact defensively. Her ability to create opportunities for herself and others makes her one of the most complete guards in the conference.

ON THE RISE

Mahli Abdouch – South Dakota State, redshirt sophomore guard, Sioux Falls, SD

The 2024 South Dakota Miss Basketball winner made a successful transition to college basketball last year after redshirting her first year in Brookings. The former O'Gorman standout appeared in 33 games, averaging 6.0 points and 2.4 assists. At 5'7, Abdouch brings quickness, ball-handling ability and a competitive edge to the Jackrabbits' backcourt. She was one of the state's most accomplished high school players, and her first season on the floor provided a solid foundation for what could be a much bigger role this winter.

Hilary Behrens – South Dakota State, redshirt junior wing, Brandon, SD

Behrens has battled through adversity during her college career, including an early injury, but the former Brandon Valley standout has developed into a valuable contributor for the Jackrabbits. The 6-foot wing appeared in 33 games last season, making 12 starts and averaging an impressive 4.8 rebounds. A former South Dakota Class AA Player of the Year, Behrens has the size, athleticism and versatility to contribute in several ways. Her rebounding ability has been particularly valuable, and the next step will be becoming a more consistent offensive threat.

Brooklynn Felchle – South Dakota State, sophomore forward, Bismarck, ND

Felchle (pictured above) made a promising debut in Brookings last season, appearing in 31 games and shooting an impressive 58 percent from the floor. The 6'3 forward showed flashes of her offensive potential, including a 12-point performance against Omaha. A gifted multi-sport athlete who also won a North Dakota state championship in the shot put, Felchle has the size and physical tools to develop into an imposing presence around the basket. With a year of college experience behind her, she'll be looking to earn more playing time and become a bigger factor in the Jackrabbits' frontcourt.

Claire Sheppard – South Dakota State, redshirt sophomore wing, Flandreau, SD

One of the most prolific scorers in South Dakota high school basketball history, Sheppard is still working to establish herself at the college level. The 6'1 wing redshirted her first season at SDSU before appearing in 22 games last winter. She also gained valuable experience representing the Jackrabbits at the USA Basketball 3x3 Nationals. Sheppard's combination of size, shooting ability and versatility made her a standout at Flandreau, where she became the school's all-time leading scorer. The opportunity is there for her to take another step forward as she gains experience and confidence.

NEWCOMERS OF NOTE

Ashlan Carlow-Blount – South Dakota, freshman guard, Pine Ridge, SD

Carlow-Blount brings an impressive athletic background to Vermillion after an outstanding high school career at Maȟpíya Lúta. The 6-foot guard scored 1,705 career points and was a four-year team captain, establishing herself as one of the top players in western South Dakota. Basketball was hardly her only sport. She also won a state championship in the hurdles and earned multiple All-State honors in cross country. That athletic versatility should serve her well as she adjusts to the speed and physical demands of Division I basketball. I've watched her in practice over the past couple of months and she's impressive.

Maggie Fricke – North Dakota, freshman guard, Minot, ND

Pictured above, Fricke has been a household name in North Dakota basketball circles for years. The 5'7 guard was already making headlines as an 8th grader when she earned state tournament MVP honors. By her sophomore season, she had become Minot High's all-time leading scorer, and she finished her high school career with more than 1,900 points and three All-State selections. I watched her a ton in AAU and she can flat out score the basketball against high-level competition. The challenge now is translating that ability to the college game, where she'll face bigger, stronger and more experienced defenders.

Sydney Terveen – Omaha, freshman guard, Sioux Falls, SD

Winning became a habit for Terveen during her high school career at O'Gorman. The 5'11 guard helped lead the Knights to three consecutive South Dakota state championships, including back-to-back undefeated seasons. She averaged 17 points per game and established herself as one of the state's premier guards. Terveen is a versatile athlete who also helped O'Gorman reach the state championship game in soccer. She brings a winning pedigree, athleticism and scoring ability to the Mavericks, and it will be interesting to see how quickly she makes the adjustment to the college game.

Abby Duscherer – North Dakota, graduate forward, Kindred, ND

Perhaps the most fascinating newcomer in the Summit League, Duscherer is returning to basketball after spending four years playing softball at Alabama. The 6'1 forward was Prep Girls Hoops' top-ranked prospect in North Dakota's Class of 2022 and one of the state's most accomplished high school players, scoring 2,662 career points and earning Gatorade Player of the Year honors. She chose softball in college and over the past four years appeared in 187 games for the Crimson Tide before deciding to give basketball another shot. Who knows how Abby's quest will turn out but it will be fun to watch.

MORE NAMES TO KNOW

The Summit League rosters include several other players from the Dakotas who will be looking to make their mark this winter.

McKenna Johnson – North Dakota State, sophomore forward, Mandan , ND

The 6-foot forward enters her second season with the Bison and will be looking to continue her development at the college level.

Lauren Reardon – North Dakota, sophomore guard, Grand Forks Central, ND

The 5'8 guard from Grand Forks Central remains close to home as she continues her college career with the Fighting Hawks.

Miriley Simon – North Dakota State, fourth-year player, West Fargo, ND

The West Fargo product brings valuable college experience to the Bison roster as she enters her fourth year in the program.

Liza Trenbeath – North Dakota State, freshman guard, Kindred, ND

The 5'11 guard is another talented Kindred product making the jump to Division I basketball. She begins her college career with the Bison this season.

Jaidyn Dunn – South Dakota State, redshirt sophomore, Sioux Falls, SD

The 6'1 graduate of Sioux Falls Jefferson continues her college career with the Jackrabbits, looking to take another step forward in her development.

WHAT THE COACHES ARE SAYING

North Dakota State coach Jory Collins believes the Bison have the experience and versatility to get contributions from a variety of players this season. That could mean opportunities for several of the North Dakota natives on his roster.

"The thing I'm probably most excited about with our group is just versatility," Collins said at Summit League Media Day. "I think we got multiple players that could carry us on any given night. I think we have the ability to play bigger or play smaller. So I'm hoping that versatility pays off for us in different matchups when they're necessary."

At South Dakota State, coach Aaron Johnston received some welcome news last week when Brooklyn Meyer, one of the Summit League's premier players over the past two seasons, was granted a fifth year of eligibility. Even with Meyer returning, Johnston knows the Jackrabbits need more production from several of their younger players, particularly in the backcourt. And many of the players he's counting on are South Dakota natives.

"They're not newcomers, but we need Emilee and Katie to take on bigger roles," Johnston said. "We need them to score more and become more efficient in those times. We need Hadley (Thul) to take a really big step forward from where she was as a freshman now to a sophomore. Someone like Claire and Hilary need to take big steps forward."

For fans who followed Fox, Vasecka, Behrens and Sheppard during their high school careers, that's one of the more compelling storylines to watch as the new season gets underway.

OPENING WEEK GAMES TO WATCH

Monday, Nov. 2

Friday, Nov. 6

SLN: Summit League Network