Way Too Early Predictions – Class A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1 - <em>South Prairie-Max</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>I think the 2025-2026 season is the season that the Royals make it over the hump and win the state title. They clearly have one of the most talented rosters in the state with high level prospects [player_tooltip player_id='593657' first='Rylee' last='Routledge'] and [player_tooltip player_id='782585' first='Skotti' last='Beck']. Sprinkle in a steady point guard in [player_tooltip player_id='1125219' first='Maycie' last='Talbott'] and another All-Region player in [player_tooltip player_id='1054372' first='Bree' last='Rose'], you've got a squad that can compete with anyone. They have great athleticism to compete defensively and can score in bunches. Be on the lookout for South-Prairie next year.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2- <em>Valley City</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Valley City only graduates one starter from their 2025 Championship team. They have a very talented squad and are once again going to be very good defensively. On the offensive side they will be led by 1st-Team All-State member [player_tooltip player_id='933463' first='Katie' last='Burchill']. [player_tooltip player_id='1056624' first='Dacota' last='Potratz'] had a really good junior season and will be eager to follow that up next season. [player_tooltip player_id='1056706' first='Skye' last='Nielson'] is another force down low and plays the game with a steady calmness. [player_tooltip player_id='1056705' first='Maddy' last='Anderson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1126118' first='Kinslee' last='Glandt'] round out a lineup that is going to give opponents a lot of trouble.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3 - <em>Kindred</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>I really like Kindred and how Coach Sam Brandt coaches. She has a toughness to her that her team mirrors on the court. They will miss senior [player_tooltip player_id='411706' first='Kennedy' last='Bakko'] next year, but return a very talented squad. Kindred will rely on [player_tooltip player_id='1004419' first='Siera' last='Nipstad'] to carry a big load of the scoring alongside 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='933460' first='Liza' last='Trenbeath']. These are two of the most talented players in Class A. Look for 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1224885' first='Taylor' last='Sanders'] to make an impact on both sides of the floor as well.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4 - <em>Thompson</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Thompson found their way to the State Title game in 2025 and certainly have enough firepower to get back there next season. They have two of the top players in the 2026 class in [player_tooltip player_id='342171' first='Addison' last='Sage'] and [player_tooltip player_id='550491' first='Kya' last='Hurst']. Both of these girls can shoot it lights out and bring a competitive toughness to the court. [player_tooltip player_id='1050947' first='Claire' last='Kolling'] is another talented player on the roster who is reliable with the ball. The Tommies have a handful of reserves that can step into bigger roles next season such as [player_tooltip player_id='1050946' first='Norah' last='Goulet'], Nylah Goulet, Andie Schwabe, and [player_tooltip player_id='1050953' first='Jena' last='Schwabe']. The one area Thompson does lack is size down low. They will have to rebound by committee next season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5 - <em>Devils Lake</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>There are some teams that when you look at your schedule, you are not looking forward to playing. Devils Lake is one of those teams. They play a full-court press that has been ingrained into their identity. They fly all over the floor and try to create turnovers and increase the pace of play for their scoring opportunities. They have one of the best 2027's in [player_tooltip player_id='933650' first='Tylie' last='Brodina'] and another All-Region player in [player_tooltip player_id='469471' first='Presley' last='Brown']. The Firebirds are always tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6 - <em>Turtle Mountain</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Turtle Mountain made it back to the state tournament in 2025 and finished a great year as the consolation champions. They only graduate two players from this year's roster and return a ton of talent. [player_tooltip player_id='1161475' first='Aubree' last='Jeanotte'] was an All-State selection this season and she is accompanied by star forward [player_tooltip player_id='1217411' first='Emberlyn' last='Poitra']. Akealyes Azure and Irelei Zerr are key contributors. This squad has what it takes to get back to state in 2026.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7 - <em>Bottineau</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1056257' first='Josie' last='Wintermute'] and Minot State commit [player_tooltip player_id='380222' first='Kyra' last='Beckman'] will be sorely missed next season. However, the Bottineau Stars return some key pieces and talented players next season. [player_tooltip player_id='1056241' first='Hallie' last='Nero'] is a 2026 who eclipsed 1000 points this season. [player_tooltip player_id='1155605' first='Logyn' last='Simpson'] is a quality 2027. [player_tooltip player_id='1224881' first='Karsyn' last='Allard'] is a super athletic 2028 who is going to be a big time player. I like the potential of this Bottineau team. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8 - <em>Wahpeton</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The Huskies are filled with a talented group despite losing all-time great [player_tooltip player_id='385165' first='Scout' last='Woods']. Her little sister, [player_tooltip player_id='1060622' first='Claire' last='Woods'], is a talented 2028 who is ready to step into a bigger role. [player_tooltip player_id='929128' first='Sienna' last='Fobb'] is a high-level prospect, D2 and perhaps D1 depending on her progression this offseason. [player_tooltip player_id='1177557' first='Piper' last='Nelson'] was a 2030 who started this year and will be a sought after recruit. [player_tooltip player_id='1124625' first='Julia' last='Dohman'] is an athletic forward who can also come in next season and have an impact. The Huskies are hungry to come out of a tough Region 1.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9 - <em>Central Cass</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Central Cass graduates some good seniors with the departures of Avah Cotton and [player_tooltip player_id='1057803' first='Emery' last='Holland']. They do return star 2029 [player_tooltip player_id='1057798' first='Kenley' last='Haug'] who had a terrific season. She seems to keep getting better each time I watch her play. The Squirrels also have a sleeper prospect in [player_tooltip player_id='933462' first='Olivia' last='Siverson']. She is a 5'10 guard/forward who has high level D2 and Mid Major D1 athleticism. There are enough pieces in this team to make them competitive next season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10 - <em>Dickinson Trinity</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The Titans return one of the best players in the 2026 class in [player_tooltip player_id='412033' first='Annabel' last='Scheeler']. When you have a talented guard like her, you are going to be able to compete in a lot of games. I like how Dickinson Trinity controls the pace of the game which allows them to stay competitive with most teams. Region 4 was a rock fight this season and should be again next year. I think the Titans prevail next season and find their way back to state.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->