North Dakota Preview: Class B Top Backcourts

<span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s never too early for too-early-season. With fall sports and school underway, it’s only a matter of time before the winter sports season is upon us. </span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">With that in mind, here’s a look at the top backcourts in Class B:</span> <strong>Grafton: [player_tooltip player_id="98709" first="Carlee" last="Sieben"] and [player_tooltip player_id="197561" first="Cassie" last="Sieben"]</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">The Spoilers will be among the favorites to win the state title this season after reaching the state championship game last year. Returning multi-year starters in the backcourt is a good place to start, as Carlee and [player_tooltip player_id="197561" first="Cassie" last="Sieben"] have been foundational players for Grafton for the last three years. Carlee earned all-state honors last year, averaging 19 points and five assists while Cassie was an all-region player and averaged better than 11 points per game. Both are well-schooled on the defensive end of the floor and high-level decision-makers. </span> <strong>St. John: Kendra Prouty and Natalie DeCoteau</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s rare to have a backcourt in which both players average a double-double but that’s what the Woodchucks have. Prouty averaged 17.5 points, 11.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game as a junior while DeCoteau averaged 14 points, 12 rebounds and 3.7 assists as a freshman. Both do a great job making plays on both ends of the floor while limiting turnovers. </span> <strong>Linton/HMB: [player_tooltip player_id="99825" first="Jaycee" last="Richter"] and Teegan Scherr</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">The Lions got off to a hot start before fizzling a little bit down the stretch last year. But expectations should be high thanks in large part to Richter and Scheer both being back. Richter took a big step last year emerging as an all-region lead guard, stepping up after the Lions lost Erica Umber to a season-ending injury. Scherr’s been an all-district player each of the last two years and stepped up her offensive production last season as well. She’s a plus perimeter shooter who should only be better with more experience.</span> <strong>Midway/Minto: [player_tooltip player_id="98647" first="Elizabeth" last="Schanilec"] and April Schmitz</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Midway/Minto will be a popular darkhorse in Region 2 this upcoming season thanks to a pair of all-region guards in Schanilec and Schmitz. Both are elite level perimeter defenders who can trigger transition opportunities for the offense. Schanilec is a stat-sheet stuffer who can score, get into the paint, make plays and knock down shots from the perimeter. Schmitz provides excellent secondary playmaking who can create her own shot and score from all three levels on the floor. </span>