The Herald has selected 10 players from our coverage area to watch in North Dakota high school basketball this season.
Kelby Azure, Hatton-Northwood: The North Dakota state football engagement does so on hardwood as well. The 6-foot-4 post was picked as a pick for all of Region 2 last year after averaging 13.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
Dane Hagler, North Star: As a 6-foot-4 sophomore last year, Hagler averaged 16.7 points and 4.7 rebounds. He added 78 assists and 72 steals while making 33 long-range shots.
Zach Kraft, GF Rivière Rouge: The 6-footer point guard scored more than 3 points than anyone else in the East Dakota Conference with 3.62 marks per game. He averaged 15.1 points, 2.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game.
Mitchell Leas, Rolla: The 5-foot-11 goaltender has already surpassed 1,000 career points at the start of his junior season. A year ago, he was averaging 13.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 4.2 steals per game.
Gannon Limke, Hillsboro-Central Valley: The 6-foot-6 forward was a Region 2 selection last season after averaging 15.8 points, 12.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.9 steals per game. He shot 49.7 percent from the field.
Kyle Odenbach, Thompson: The 6-foot-3 senior was a Region 2 choice last year after averaging 14 points and 9 rebounds. Odenbach, who played in a 31-point game against Grand Forks Central Class A last year, shot 44 percent from the field.
Paine Parks, GF Rivière Rouge: The statewide soccer player and UND’s involvement in soccer is also one of the state’s top basketball players. A year ago, the 6-foot-2 goaltender was an East Dakota Conference pick after averaging 17.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.
Ayden Stainbrook, northern border: The short, 6-foot-3 forward led North Border to 18-3 last year. The overall pick of Region 2 averaged 15.9 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.
Cade Stein, Dakota Prairie: The entire Region 4 pick last season averaged 21.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.7 steals per game. He made 65 3 points and scored at least 34 points in three games, including two games with 8 threes.
Jayden Yankton, Four Winds-Minnewaukan: The overall pick of Region 4 averaged 15.7 points per game while shooting 50% from the field. He had 54 3-pointers with 36% shooting while adding 4.8 rebounds and 2.3 steals.
