Class B Underrated Seniors You Need to Watch This Year! (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taking a look at hoops from around the U.S one wouldn't think North Dakota would be as competitive as they are. This year already there's 2 D1 commits and 3 D2 ones. The amount of talent that is available and can go either way with decisions that will be made before, in the middle and after the season will be mind boggling. In this article we'll take a look at some top premier talent and why you need to keep an eye out for them on the court this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='100438' first='Kennedy' last='Harter'] - Kidder County - (6'0/F/2023) - </strong>Kennedy is an all-around player. Versatile doesn't seem to fully describe this athlete. She can get up and down the floor like a guard. Shoots the trey ball and can hit middies with ease and footwork... Footwork is there! She's a monster to deal with in the post 1 on 1. She's a true D2 talent that could surprise even myself by landing D1 given her athletic abilities. If she goes lower than D2 she's a steal in my opinion. Kennedy can flat out score and defend at a high level and knows how to win a game. Kidder County will be a force yet again this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='100449' first='Hailey' last='Quam']</strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/hailey-quam/"></a><strong> - Shiloh Christian - (6'0/PF/2023) - </strong>Quam, an all-state player this past year and versatile freak athlete that has a large frame for dealing with post players is a going to have a massive year yet again for Shiloh. She's quick, runs like a deer up an down the floor and can defend! Offensively she's gifted like [player_tooltip player_id='100438' first='Kennedy' last='Harter'] and can flat out score at all 3 levels on the court. There's a reason Shiloh went to state this past year and has a likely chance to go again this year... That reason's name is [player_tooltip player_id='100449' first='Hailey' last='Quam']! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='211419' first='Ellie' last='Braaten']<a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/ellie-braaten/"></a></strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/ellie-braaten/"></a> <strong>– Westhope/Newburg – (5'3/PG/2023) –</strong> Ellie The bucket Braaten<a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/ellie-braaten/"></a> . By now she's gotta be a household name by now, but if you don't know who this walking bucket is you're in for a treat! Braaten is North Dakots version of WNBA star Maya Moore... just a bit shorter. Braaten can score anywhere and anytime she wants on the court. A high motor with an engine that's built to go fast with one of the deadliest first steps at creating space. A surprise bounce to her as well when finishing at the rim and can go either way on the court. A varsity starter since she was 8 and has averaged more than 15 points each season thus far. Ellie is a MUST WATCH!! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='379320' first='Keira' last='Cole']</strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/keira-cole/"> </a><strong>– 6'1 C 2023 – Grafton – </strong>Keira played behind D1 commit, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='100425' first='Walker' last='Demers']</strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/walker-demers/"></a> and D2 commit <strong>Cassie Erickson</strong>. An athletic big that has big shoes to fill, but is more than capable of doing so. Cole has shown great signs a growth and determination. It also helps that Grafton is hands down one of the top teams in the state for girls basketball and has had a long rich history of winning! Keira is long and built with a nice frame. Plays a solid back to the basket style and scores with ease using a sweet up and under move. Another must watch for this coming year as Grafton looks to make another state title run. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='100445' first='Deconte' last='Smith']</strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/deconte-smith/"></a> <strong>– Central Cass – (5'8/SF/2023) –</strong> The only word to truly describe Deconte is ATHLETE! I'm unsure if she'll play collegiate basketball or do track and field, however either way she'll have a solid collegiate career. Smith is probably the strongest athlete on this list and runs like true D1 athlete. She's versatile on the court being able to knock down shots, but get out of the way when she's attacking the rim or it's game over for the defense. She's often to quick for you to take a charge and more often then not defensives won't take one against such a bull build running at you even half speed. A great finisher around the rim and embraces contact as if the opponent wasn't there. It's going to be a treat watching Smith in her final season at Central Cass this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->