Hoopster 2022-2023 Preseason Top 40

[19coach91]

1. Four Winds/Minnewaukan
2. Central Cass
3. Minot Bishop Ryan
4. Thompson
5. Bowman County
6. Kindred
7. Shiloh Christian
8. Grafton
9. LaMoure-LM
10. North Border
11. Stanley
12. Dickinson Trinity
13. North Star
14. Wilton Wing
15. Linton-HMB
16. Powers Lake-Burke County (Should be written as Burke Central)
17. Beulah
18. Rugby
19. Des Lacs-Burlington
20. Garrison
21. Medina-Pingree-Buchanan
22. Ellendale
23. Flasher
24. St. John
25. Sargent County
26. Westhope Newburg
27. Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier
28. Fargo Oak Grove
29. MayPort-CG
30. Harvey-Wells County
31. Trenton
32. Velva
33. Standing Rock
34. Kenmare-Bowbells
35. Hillsboro-Central Valley
36. New Salem-Almont
37. Carrington
38. Richland
39. Heart River
40. Parshall-North Shore Plaza

[BasketballMind]

Any surprises on this list to anyone?

[Flying Wallenda]

1. Four Winds/Minnewaukan
2. Central Cass
3. Minot Bishop Ryan
4. Thompson
5. Bowman County
6. Kindred
7. Shiloh Christian
8. Grafton
9. LaMoure-LM
10. North Border
11. Stanley
12. Dickinson Trinity
13. North Star
14. Wilton Wing
15. Linton-HMB
16. Powers Lake-Burke County (Should be written as Burke Central)
17. Beulah
18. Rugby
19. Des Lacs-Burlington
20. Garrison
21. Medina-Pingree-Buchanan
22. Ellendale
23. Flasher
24. St. John
25. Sargent County
26. Westhope Newburg
27. Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier
28. Fargo Oak Grove
29. MayPort-CG
30. Harvey-Wells County
31. Trenton
32. Velva
33. Standing Rock
34. Kenmare-Bowbells
35. Hillsboro-Central Valley
36. New Salem-Almont
37. Carrington
38. Richland
39. Heart River
40. Parshall-North Shore Plaza

I'd move down CC/Thompson/Kindred/Grafton/Beulah/Rugby/MPB/HWC
I'd move up BC/LLM/NS/Oak Grove/HCV

[Region 1 Fan]

My surprises are Hillsboro at 35. I'd move them to around 20.
Powers Lake (Burke Central) - I'd move up from 16 to 8.
Thompson at 4 I think is a bit high. I'd move them down to around 10 to 12.
Kindred at 6 - I'd move down to around 18. If Sunram plays I think they would be a top 10 team.
Wilton at 14 - Don't know much about this team but I think they will fall around 30 to 35. I hope they give Shilo a run for their money however.
Sargent County at 25 - I'd move them up to 15.

[Flying Wallenda]

Any surprises on this list to anyone?

What are your observation's Mind?

[maddog1971]

Does anyone know who is back for 4 Winds for them to be number 1?

[WalkingStick]

Does anyone know who is back for 4 Winds for them to be number 1?

Deng Deng is the top returner but FWM just reloads every year…their program is deep

[Region 1 Fan]

Does anyone know who is back for 4 Winds for them to be number 1?

They bring back 3 players that played big minutes for them last year: Deng, Deng, Dalen Leftbear and Kelson Keja. They seem to reload every year.

[BasketballMind]

Any surprises on this list to anyone?

What are your observation's Mind?

I think the biggest two were Kindred and Thompson being that high right off the bat. I can understand Kindred being there if they have Sunram playing. That makes me think the list was made under the thought he was playing. If that's the case I would have put them ahead of Thompson. The three in the top ten from R2 will be interesting. Will NB find the depth this year to get them over the hump? Are Thompsons young core ready to make the leap and get to a state tournament? Can Grafton do it again after losing a big piece of the puzzle in Jiskra? I've heard Max Dumas had a knee injury over the summer, if that lingers and keeps him out of the lineup, that will be a big blow for them. MPCG and HCV seem low to me. I know most of this is based off what you are bringing back vs what you lost the year prior and I would've expected both of those teams inside the top 25 at the least. 5 solid Region 2 teams with no clear cut favorite at the top should make for a good year of "competitive balance"

[Beulah54*]

Am surprised Hazen isn't on the top 40 list. With two excellent players, and some help, could go a long ways.

[WalkingStick]

Top 40 by Region
Region 1: 5
Region 2: 5
Region 3: 6
Region 4: 4
Region 5: 6
Region 6: 5
Region 7: 4
Region 8: 5

[Region 1 Fan]

Top 40 by Region
Region 1: 5
Region 2: 5
Region 3: 6
Region 4: 4
Region 5: 6
Region 6: 5
Region 7: 4
Region 8: 5

This is interesting to look at - Year after year, Region 8 gets very little love and they have just as many Top 40 teams as Region 1 and 2. Region 5 has 6 teams in Hoopster's Top 40. Seems to be a Region that Shilo comes out of every year. Nice to see some other teams in the mix this year. Don't know much about Wilton/Wing. They must be pretty good if they are Preseason #14. Anyone have any info on top players on that team?

[WalkingStick]

Top 40 by Region
Region 1: 5
Region 2: 5
Region 3: 6
Region 4: 4
Region 5: 6
Region 6: 5
Region 7: 4
Region 8: 5

This is interesting to look at - Year after year, Region 8 gets very little love and they have just as many Top 40 teams as Region 1 and 2. Region 5 has 6 teams in Hoopster's Top 40. Seems to be a Region that Shilo comes out of every year. Nice to see some other teams in the mix this year. Don't know much about Wilton/Wing. They must be pretty good if they are Preseason #14. Anyone have any info on top players on that team?

They did beat Shiloh last year during the season (was undefeated in Region 5 actually) but lost in the Region Championship game; Garrison, S. Rock & NS-A have had decent seasons lately and Flasher has consistently been good but this is likely Shiloh's region to lose again this year

[maddog1971]

Does anyone know who is back for 4 Winds for them to be number 1?

They bring back 3 players that played big minutes for them last year: Deng, Deng, Dalen Leftbear and Kelson Keja. They seem to reload every year.

I heard that Deng Deng was gone. Something on one of his social media accounts that my kids had showed me. Great that he is back and yes he will be able to lead that team with some big numbers.

[BasketballMind]

Does anyone know who is back for 4 Winds for them to be number 1?

They bring back 3 players that played big minutes for them last year: Deng, Deng, Dalen Leftbear and Kelson Keja. They seem to reload every year.

I heard that Deng Deng was gone. Something on one of his social media accounts that my kids had showed me. Great that he is back and yes he will be able to lead that team with some big numbers.

If he was that would change this top 40 a lot.

[d_fense]

Does anyone know who is back for 4 Winds for them to be number 1?

They bring back 3 players that played big minutes for them last year: Deng, Deng, Dalen Leftbear and Kelson Keja. They seem to reload every year.

I heard that Deng Deng was gone. Something on one of his social media accounts that my kids had showed me. Great that he is back and yes he will be able to lead that team with some big numbers.

If he was that would change this top 40 a lot.

How? I don’t think much would change at all. Maybe drop them from one to 3? Still would favor them in their region.

[Region 1 Fan]

Does anyone know who is back for 4 Winds for them to be number 1?

They bring back 3 players that played big minutes for them last year: Deng, Deng, Dalen Leftbear and Kelson Keja. They seem to reload every year.

I heard that Deng Deng was gone. Something on one of his social media accounts that my kids had showed me. Great that he is back and yes he will be able to lead that team with some big numbers.

If he was that would change this top 40 a lot.

How? I don’t think much would change at all. Maybe drop them from one to 3? Still would favor them in their region.

Unless someone else transferred in, 4 Winds would still be good, they certainly would not be State Champ contenders without Deng Deng. It would be a 4 team race with North Star, St. Johns and Harvey all having realistic shot at taking the Region. 4 Winds would have very little height and be dependent on Leftbear and Keja (two good players) to carry the load. Not sure if they would have enough depth and talent to be a top 10 team without Deng Deng. Just my opinion and I'm probably wrong

MD, do you remember the sites that indicated he was leaving? Someone posted some time ago that Deng Deng may not be eligible for his senior year because of age. He's a junior now but that would make things interesting for that Region should he have to forgo his senior year. Don't know if there is any truth to that rumor but I remember someone asking the question on this blog.

[senditin]

Does anyone know who is back for 4 Winds for them to be number 1?

They bring back 3 players that played big minutes for them last year: Deng, Deng, Dalen Leftbear and Kelson Keja. They seem to reload every year.

I heard that Deng Deng was gone. Something on one of his social media accounts that my kids had showed me. Great that he is back and yes he will be able to lead that team with some big numbers.

If he was that would change this top 40 a lot.

How? I don’t think much would change at all. Maybe drop them from one to 3? Still would favor them in their region.

Unless someone else transferred in, 4 Winds would still be good, they certainly would not be State Champ contenders without Deng Deng. It would be a 4 team race with North Star, St. Johns and Harvey all having realistic shot at taking the Region. 4 Winds would have very little height and be dependent on Leftbear and Keja (two good players) to carry the load. Not sure if they would have enough depth and talent to be a top 10 team without Deng Deng. Just my opinion and I'm probably wrong

MD, do you remember the sites that indicated he was leaving? Someone posted some time ago that Deng Deng may not be eligible for his senior year because of age. He's a junior now but that would make things interesting for that Region should he have to forgo his senior year. Don't know if there is any truth to that rumor but I remember someone asking the question on this blog.

Deng is at FW and will be under the age of 18 when he graduates in spring of 2024. Hope the people who are going around saying he's 21 feel good about slandering a minor. Btw, his little brother Marial isn't 18.

[Region 1 Fan]

Does anyone know who is back for 4 Winds for them to be number 1?

They bring back 3 players that played big minutes for them last year: Deng, Deng, Dalen Leftbear and Kelson Keja. They seem to reload every year.

I heard that Deng Deng was gone. Something on one of his social media accounts that my kids had showed me. Great that he is back and yes he will be able to lead that team with some big numbers.

If he was that would change this top 40 a lot.

How? I don’t think much would change at all. Maybe drop them from one to 3? Still would favor them in their region.

Unless someone else transferred in, 4 Winds would still be good, they certainly would not be State Champ contenders without Deng Deng. It would be a 4 team race with North Star, St. Johns and Harvey all having realistic shot at taking the Region. 4 Winds would have very little height and be dependent on Leftbear and Keja (two good players) to carry the load. Not sure if they would have enough depth and talent to be a top 10 team without Deng Deng. Just my opinion and I'm probably wrong

MD, do you remember the sites that indicated he was leaving? Someone posted some time ago that Deng Deng may not be eligible for his senior year because of age. He's a junior now but that would make things interesting for that Region should he have to forgo his senior year. Don't know if there is any truth to that rumor but I remember someone asking the question on this blog.

Deng is at FW and will be under the age of 18 when he graduates in spring of 2024. Hope the people who are going around saying he's 21 feel good about slandering a minor. Btw, his little brother Marial isn't 18.

I'm not sure how rumors like that get started but thank you for clarifying. He is a talented kid and for him to be only 17 at time of graduation, Wow! He should have many opportunities to play at the next level should he choose to do so. Will his little brother play a big role this year? I don't recall if he is a Freshman??

[packers21]

Does anyone know who is back for 4 Winds for them to be number 1?

They bring back 3 players that played big minutes for them last year: Deng, Deng, Dalen Leftbear and Kelson Keja. They seem to reload every year.

I heard that Deng Deng was gone. Something on one of his social media accounts that my kids had showed me. Great that he is back and yes he will be able to lead that team with some big numbers.

If he was that would change this top 40 a lot.

How? I don’t think much would change at all. Maybe drop them from one to 3? Still would favor them in their region.

Unless someone else transferred in, 4 Winds would still be good, they certainly would not be State Champ contenders without Deng Deng. It would be a 4 team race with North Star, St. Johns and Harvey all having realistic shot at taking the Region. 4 Winds would have very little height and be dependent on Leftbear and Keja (two good players) to carry the load. Not sure if they would have enough depth and talent to be a top 10 team without Deng Deng. Just my opinion and I'm probably wrong

MD, do you remember the sites that indicated he was leaving? Someone posted some time ago that Deng Deng may not be eligible for his senior year because of age. He's a junior now but that would make things interesting for that Region should he have to forgo his senior year. Don't know if there is any truth to that rumor but I remember someone asking the question on this blog.

Deng is at FW and will be under the age of 18 when he graduates in spring of 2024. Hope the people who are going around saying he's 21 feel good about slandering a minor. Btw, his little brother Marial isn't 18.

Always so testy!

[BasketballMind]

Top 40 by Region
Region 1: 5
Region 2: 5
Region 3: 6
Region 4: 4
Region 5: 6
Region 6: 5
Region 7: 4
Region 8: 5

This is interesting to look at - Year after year, Region 8 gets very little love and they have just as many Top 40 teams as Region 1 and 2. Region 5 has 6 teams in Hoopster's Top 40. Seems to be a Region that Shilo comes out of every year. Nice to see some other teams in the mix this year. Don't know much about Wilton/Wing. They must be pretty good if they are Preseason #14. Anyone have any info on top players on that team?

Last ten State Tournament finishes for Region 8.

22 - 8th
21 - 7th
2020 - N/A
19 - 7th
18 - 8th
17 - 7th
16 - 8th
15 - 6th
14 - 8th
13 - 3rd
12 - 8th

It's been 10 years since Region 8 has won on the first day of the state tournament. In the last 10 tournaments they've played in the last place game 8 times. That would be the biggest reason they get very little love IMO.

[Region 1 Fan]

Top 40 by Region
Region 1: 5
Region 2: 5
Region 3: 6
Region 4: 4
Region 5: 6
Region 6: 5
Region 7: 4
Region 8: 5

This is interesting to look at - Year after year, Region 8 gets very little love and they have just as many Top 40 teams as Region 1 and 2. Region 5 has 6 teams in Hoopster's Top 40. Seems to be a Region that Shilo comes out of every year. Nice to see some other teams in the mix this year. Don't know much about Wilton/Wing. They must be pretty good if they are Preseason #14. Anyone have any info on top players on that team?

Last ten State Tournament finishes for Region 8.

22 - 8th
21 - 7th
2020 - N/A
19 - 7th
18 - 8th
17 - 7th
16 - 8th
15 - 6th
14 - 8th
13 - 3rd
12 - 8th

It's been 10 years since Region 8 has won on the first day of the state tournament. In the last 10 tournaments they've played in the last place game 8 times. That would be the biggest reason they get very little love IMO.

Agreed! When I wrote that I was mostly thinking of their proximity in the State as well. Not a lot of coverage around the State about Region 8. I guess I was mostly surprised that they had so many teams in the top 40 of the Hoopster.