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Re: Best Class B Girls Player Ever?

PostPosted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 8:32 am
by The Schwab
east sider wrote:Nina Topp is probably the best I've ever seen. I don't know many of these other women, so I'm just saying...


She's a good one, on a side note I can't believe they awarded a "tri-miss basketball" that year.

Re: Best Class B Girls Player Ever?

PostPosted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 9:12 am
by ndlionsfan
My list would be Nadine Schmidt, Lynette Mund, Wanda Scwab, Whitney Meier, Nina Topp, Katie Richards, Angie Welle, Pat Smykowski. Tanya Fischer, and Katie Lorenz. When we're talking the best ever I think you have to limit it to a top 5 or top 10....the people that really stand out above the rest.

Re: Best Class B Girls Player Ever?

PostPosted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 10:41 am
by Baller
ndlionsfan wrote:My list would be Nadine Schmidt, Lynette Mund, Wanda Scwab, Whitney Meier, Nina Topp, Katie Richards, Angie Welle, Pat Smykowski. Tanya Fischer, and Katie Lorenz. When we're talking the best ever I think you have to limit it to a top 5 or top 10....the people that really stand out above the rest.


Great list except Welle was Class A

Re: Best Class B Girls Player Ever?

PostPosted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 10:47 am
by Tigger
The Schwab wrote:
east sider wrote:Nina Topp is probably the best I've ever seen. I don't know many of these other women, so I'm just saying...


She's a good one, on a side note I can't believe they awarded a "tri-miss basketball" that year.


Why not? All three girls that won it that year have been mentioned here.

Re: Best Class B Girls Player Ever?

PostPosted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 11:44 am
by ndlionsfan
Baller wrote:
ndlionsfan wrote:My list would be Nadine Schmidt, Lynette Mund, Wanda Scwab, Whitney Meier, Nina Topp, Katie Richards, Angie Welle, Pat Smykowski. Tanya Fischer, and Katie Lorenz. When we're talking the best ever I think you have to limit it to a top 5 or top 10....the people that really stand out above the rest.


Great list except Welle was Class A


Yeah, my fault.

Re: Best Class B Girls Player Ever?

PostPosted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 11:47 am
by The Schwab
Tigger wrote:
The Schwab wrote:
east sider wrote:Nina Topp is probably the best I've ever seen. I don't know many of these other women, so I'm just saying...


She's a good one, on a side note I can't believe they awarded a "tri-miss basketball" that year.


Why not? All three girls that won it that year have been mentioned here.


Because there have been many instances where there were multiple players deserving of the honor, and those years they picked just 1. I'm not saying that the 3 that year weren't all deserving, but they should have picked just one, just my opinion.

Re: Best Class B Girls Player Ever?

PostPosted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 10:28 pm
by The Schwab
scc wrote:
The Schwab wrote:
Tigger wrote:
The Schwab wrote:
east sider wrote:Nina Topp is probably the best I've ever seen. I don't know many of these other women, so I'm just saying...


She's a good one, on a side note I can't believe they awarded a "tri-miss basketball" that year.


Why not? All three girls that won it that year have been mentioned here.


Because there have been many instances where there were multiple players deserving of the honor, and those years they picked just 1. I'm not saying that the 3 that year weren't all deserving, but they should have picked just one, just my opinion.

You can't break a tie on a secret ballot vote. A three way tie isn't ideal, but the fact they were all Class B players led to the beginning of the NDHSAA Senior award.


So how did they break the tie between koenig and craig nelson? I heard there was a questionable decision during that vote.

Re: Best Class B Girls Player Ever?

PostPosted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 12:57 am
by east sider
I never saw Lisa Maus play, and Richards only at UND where she was pretty good, but I'd put Topp at the top that year(pun intended). I think she was a 5 year starter, definitely 4. Took her team to at least 3 State Appearances and TOPPed (I'm on a roll) it off with a Championship. And she went D1 but blew out her knee, so no one will ever know how good she could have been after HS.

Re: Best Class B Girls Player Ever?

PostPosted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 12:53 pm
by 9manfootballmom
Hinsa wrote:
The Schwab wrote:Girls aren't getting better? Really? Well I disagree with you, they are getting bigger, faster and stronger. If you put her 1 on 1 with any player you listed I feel she beats them, and she makes her teammates so much better, I respect your opinions but I feel you are way off

Schwabby, I'm going to disagree with you on this one. I feel the quality of play is down as well, at least in the Northeast. I firmly believe the good teams of the 80s would easily handle the good teams of today. Ballhandling skills are not as good, shooting percentages are not as good. And I dont' think the athletes are bigger either. There were lots of 6' and over post players in the 80s. The full court pressure I see played today is nothing compared to what the Hope Hustlers would do to you in the 80s.

So I respectfully disagree with you Schwab.


HInsa and Schwab: First of all this will totally date me :D ...I used to play against the Hope "Hustlerettes" in the early 80s and they were so imtimidating. How many Irhys were there? It seemed like it never ended. I believe Heidi Ihry was one of them that could plant and swish more consistently then many today. THere were more that followed but I graduated and can't remember the quick little ones for the mid 80s. MOM

Re: Best Class B Girls Player Ever?

PostPosted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 1:32 pm
by Hinsa
Beth Ihry's athleticism was phenomenal - very fast, very feisty. Went to UND and together with Whitney Meier, Durene Heisler, and ? Chase (6'4" from Devils Lake) helped Gene Roebuck get his career rolling at UND.

Re: Best Class B Girls Player Ever?

PostPosted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 3:35 pm
by scoobyx2
Hinsa wrote:Beth Ihry's athleticism was phenomenal - very fast, very feisty. Went to UND and together with Whitney Meier, Durene Heisler, and ? Chase (6'4" from Devils Lake) helped Gene Roebuck get his career rolling at UND.

I agree with you on Beth Ihry, and she also played with her sister Sarah who was a year older. I believe Beth went on to start her college career at Lake Region to play for Roebuck there, and then transferred with him to UND.

Re: Best Class B Girls Player Ever?

PostPosted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 4:51 pm
by sportslover77
Hinsa wrote:Beth Ihry's athleticism was phenomenal - very fast, very feisty. Went to UND and together with Whitney Meier, Durene Heisler, and ? Chase (6'4" from Devils Lake) helped Gene Roebuck get his career rolling at UND.


The girl from Devils Lake was Colleen Chaske.

Re: Best Class B Girls Player Ever?

PostPosted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 4:58 pm
by dolphinfan20
east sider wrote:I never saw Lisa Maus play, and Richards only at UND where she was pretty good, but I'd put Topp at the top that year(pun intended). I think she was a 5 year starter, definitely 4. Took her team to at least 3 State Appearances and TOPPed (I'm on a roll) it off with a Championship. And she went D1 but blew out her knee, so no one will ever know how good she could have been after HS.


Topp WAS a five year starter. Made the winning bucket at the buzzer in the semi-finals of the state tournament to put her team in the state championship game when she was an eighth grader. Also scored at the horn to get her team into the state tournament as a junior. She lead Midkota to 4 state tournament appearances in five years where they finished 2nd, 8th, 3rd, and finally got a state championship when she was a senior. Pretty impressive!

Re: Best Class B Girls Player Ever?

PostPosted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 8:26 pm
by scoobyx2
dolphinfan20 wrote:
east sider wrote:I never saw Lisa Maus play, and Richards only at UND where she was pretty good, but I'd put Topp at the top that year(pun intended). I think she was a 5 year starter, definitely 4. Took her team to at least 3 State Appearances and TOPPed (I'm on a roll) it off with a Championship. And she went D1 but blew out her knee, so no one will ever know how good she could have been after HS.


Topp WAS a five year starter. Made the winning bucket at the buzzer in the semi-finals of the state tournament to put her team in the state championship game when she was an eighth grader. Also scored at the horn to get her team into the state tournament as a junior. She lead Midkota to 4 state tournament appearances in five years where they finished 2nd, 8th, 3rd, and finally got a state championship when she was a senior. Pretty impressive!

I don't want to take anything away from Maus or Richards, but Topp's career was so strong and accomplished that it was strange that they felt it was a 3-way tie at all. I think the 2nd year of the Miss Basketball award they split it between a Class A and a Class B player which is somewhat more understandable.

Re: Best Class B Girls Player Ever?

PostPosted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 1:48 am
by east sider
scoobyx2 wrote:
dolphinfan20 wrote:
east sider wrote:I never saw Lisa Maus play, and Richards only at UND where she was pretty good, but I'd put Topp at the top that year(pun intended). I think she was a 5 year starter, definitely 4. Took her team to at least 3 State Appearances and TOPPed (I'm on a roll) it off with a Championship. And she went D1 but blew out her knee, so no one will ever know how good she could have been after HS.


Topp WAS a five year starter. Made the winning bucket at the buzzer in the semi-finals of the state tournament to put her team in the state championship game when she was an eighth grader. Also scored at the horn to get her team into the state tournament as a junior. She lead Midkota to 4 state tournament appearances in five years where they finished 2nd, 8th, 3rd, and finally got a state championship when she was a senior. Pretty impressive!

I don't want to take anything away from Maus or Richards, but Topp's career was so strong and accomplished that it was strange that they felt it was a 3-way tie at all. I think the 2nd year of the Miss Basketball award they split it between a Class A and a Class B player which is somewhat more understandable.


Agreed. I remember when they announced it and Maus and Richards were named, and my sister was about to storm the court in protest b/c nobody expected a third name, then they finally said Topp last. Does anybody know how many career points all these girls ended up with? I think all of them averaged around the mid 20s their senior years.

Re: Best Class B Girls Player Ever?

PostPosted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 9:01 am
by The Schwab
Well after watching Benz play for a 5th time this year last night, She is definatly in this discussion, I would put her top 10.

Re: Best Class B Girls Player Ever?

PostPosted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 11:00 am
by Sportsrube
The Schwab wrote:Well after watching Benz play for a 5th time this year last night, She is definatly in this discussion, I would put her top 10.


I would have to agree. I have seen her play a dozen times in the last 2 years and she is about as well rounded a player as I have seen. (She is not a great outside shooter but I bet she can become one if thats what her college coach wants.) Great work ethic, great temperment, good ball handler, very good rebounder/shot blocker (for the HS level) and good leadership qualities. She is fun to watch and I look forward to seeing her play in Minot next weekend1

Re: Best Class B Girls Player Ever?

PostPosted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 11:32 am
by The Schwab
I know that other people will disagree with me, but I just ask you to watch the girls state tournament next weekend (if you haven't been able to see her play) you will not be disappointed.

Re: Best Class B Girls Player Ever?

PostPosted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 11:24 pm
by rock83
I agree she is a very good player watched her play a bunch. But we get a little carried away sometimes about some kids these days. We forget how truely good and how many great kids north dakota has had. Top 10 player in the HISTORY of class b girls basketball are you sure you want to go that far. Is it without question she has been the best player in the state by far the last two years. If you cant say that its a little hard to say she is top ten ever!

The Schwab wrote:Well after watching Benz play for a 5th time this year last night, She is definatly in this discussion, I would put her top 10.

Re: Best Class B Girls Player Ever?

PostPosted: Sat Feb 27, 2010 12:36 am
by The Schwab
rock83 wrote:I agree she is a very good player watched her play a bunch. But we get a little carried away sometimes about some kids these days. We forget how truely good and how many great kids north dakota has had. Top 10 player in the HISTORY of class b girls basketball are you sure you want to go that far. Is it without question she has been the best player in the state by far the last two years. If you cant say that its a little hard to say she is top ten ever!

The Schwab wrote:Well after watching Benz play for a 5th time this year last night, She is definatly in this discussion, I would put her top 10.


Yes I would, no questions asked, she won a region championship this year by putting the entire county of Kidder on her back. Last night when the game was on the line and everyone in the gym was going crazy their was one poised face in that gym, it belonged to her, one of the better coaches in the history of ND girls bball probably spent the entire season thinking of a way he could contain her, and it simply wasn't possible. She is close to 6 foot, handles the ball like a PG and can shoot with either hand. I have no doubts when I say she is one of the best every in ND. I'm sure I will be disagreed with telling me how great these players from the 80's were, Eli Benz is better than almost every single one of them, no questions asked.

Re: Best Class B Girls Player Ever?

PostPosted: Sat Feb 27, 2010 11:51 am
by ndfan
My question is, is she even the best girls basketball player in the state this year?

Re: Best Class B Girls Player Ever?

PostPosted: Sat Feb 27, 2010 12:09 pm
by The Schwab
ndfan wrote:My question is, is she even the best girls basketball player in the state this year?


Yes, without question

Re: Best Class B Girls Player Ever?

PostPosted: Sat Feb 27, 2010 11:53 pm
by InTheKnow
The Schwab wrote:
rock83 wrote:I agree she is a very good player watched her play a bunch. But we get a little carried away sometimes about some kids these days. We forget how truely good and how many great kids north dakota has had. Top 10 player in the HISTORY of class b girls basketball are you sure you want to go that far. Is it without question she has been the best player in the state by far the last two years. If you cant say that its a little hard to say she is top ten ever!

The Schwab wrote:Well after watching Benz play for a 5th time this year last night, She is definatly in this discussion, I would put her top 10.


Yes I would, no questions asked, she won a region championship this year by putting the entire county of Kidder on her back. Last night when the game was on the line and everyone in the gym was going crazy their was one poised face in that gym, it belonged to her, one of the better coaches in the history of ND girls bball probably spent the entire season thinking of a way he could contain her, and it simply wasn't possible. She is close to 6 foot, handles the ball like a PG and can shoot with either hand. I have no doubts when I say she is one of the best every in ND. I'm sure I will be disagreed with telling me how great these players from the 80's were, Eli Benz is better than almost every single one of them, no questions asked.


^^^^I have a new nominee for Common Man's Preposterous Statement tournament for next year!

First, the level of play is WAY down in comparison to what it was in the past. Are there still some great players absolutely, but the depth of teams and the overall fundamental skill level is not even close. I have seen Benz play at least 5 times and she is not even close to that level of play. You are saying she is better then Kleinsasser who was at one time the NCCs all time leading scorer. Or Nadine Schmidt or Lynett Mund who were two of the best players in D2 history! She is a talented player, deserves all the recognition she has gotten and will get, but she is no where close to those players.

Re: Best Class B Girls Player Ever?

PostPosted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 12:05 am
by InTheKnow
One player who is being forgotten about is Kami Winger from Midway-Fordville-Lankin from the early 90's. Finished with over 1,800 points and is the state all time leader in rebounds with just short of 1,600. she has over 200 more rebounds then Fieckert who is second. Went on to be a 4 year starter at UND as their Power Forward and scored over 1,000 points in her career which included 3 national titles.

Re: Best Class B Girls Player Ever?

PostPosted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 12:25 am
by The Schwab
InTheKnow wrote:
The Schwab wrote:
rock83 wrote:I agree she is a very good player watched her play a bunch. But we get a little carried away sometimes about some kids these days. We forget how truely good and how many great kids north dakota has had. Top 10 player in the HISTORY of class b girls basketball are you sure you want to go that far. Is it without question she has been the best player in the state by far the last two years. If you cant say that its a little hard to say she is top ten ever!

The Schwab wrote:Well after watching Benz play for a 5th time this year last night, She is definatly in this discussion, I would put her top 10.


Yes I would, no questions asked, she won a region championship this year by putting the entire county of Kidder on her back. Last night when the game was on the line and everyone in the gym was going crazy their was one poised face in that gym, it belonged to her, one of the better coaches in the history of ND girls bball probably spent the entire season thinking of a way he could contain her, and it simply wasn't possible. She is close to 6 foot, handles the ball like a PG and can shoot with either hand. I have no doubts when I say she is one of the best every in ND. I'm sure I will be disagreed with telling me how great these players from the 80's were, Eli Benz is better than almost every single one of them, no questions asked.


^^^^I have a new nominee for Common Man's Preposterous Statement tournament for next year!

First, the level of play is WAY down in comparison to what it was in the past. Are there still some great players absolutely, but the depth of teams and the overall fundamental skill level is not even close. I have seen Benz play at least 5 times and she is not even close to that level of play. You are saying she is better then Kleinsasser who was at one time the NCCs all time leading scorer. Or Nadine Schmidt or Lynett Mund who were two of the best players in D2 history! She is a talented player, deserves all the recognition she has gotten and will get, but she is no where close to those players.


Ok so then she's four, so she is better then almost every single one of them.