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Midco Sports Net basketball analyst Brad Newitt and I decided to go old school and choose up teams on the playground. Any grade, any class, we had the freedom to pick our top five players in the state, but we had to alternate picks. We’ll show you the process on Varsity Sports Now tonight at 7pm so set your DVRs. Now that we’ve chosen up sides we need your input. We obviously considered dozens of other players who didn’t make our list. It’s your job to let us know what you think of our teams.

First the best in North Dakota

In the girls picks, Jason got first dibs and selected the standout from Minot, Holly Johnson. He followed the pick up with a premier post player Kira Larson from Fargo North then added another rebound/scoring threat in Naomi Rust. Mic Longtin will run the point with Hannah Breske rounding out the roster.

Holly Johnson – Minot 17.8 ppg 8.7 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.6 bpg, 2nd in FG%; 2nd in 3’s made
Kira Larson – Fargo North  15.9 ppg    12.3 rpg 24 blocks
Naomi Rust – Bismarck 15.9 ppg 10.0 rpg (leads WDA)
Mic Longtin – Mandan 3.6 apg (3rd in WDA) 3.9 spg (2nd in WDA)
Hannah Breske – Central Cass Scored 22 points in win over Carrington on Jan 13

Brad's team got started out with a solid start. Rachel Weir the high percentage shooter from Shanley will anchor his team. Dani Clark may not have enjoyed a lot of wins this year but her stats were off the charts. Emily Thompson will command the post while heady and strong Ellie Ripplinger and Hannah Larson both make the team as underclassmen.

Rachel Weir – Shanley  17.8 ppg  53.4FG%
Danielle Clark – Williston 19.4 ppg, 5.5 apg,  4.1 spg  all first in WDA
Emily Thompson – Carrington Led team to title as jr. 2nd Team All-State Great blocked shots,
Ellie Ripplinger – Red River  16.5 ppg  2.9 apg
Hannah Larson – Century 11.8 ppg, 9.0 rpg

Then we move to the top players in South Dakota

Jason got the first pick and solidified the top player in the state Heidi Hoff from Brandon Valley. Then he collected a group of star players like Kerri Young, Chloe Cornemann, Marie Malloy and Darby Hugunin.

(5-10 Sr. G) Heidi Hoff – Brandon Valley 21 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 5.4 apg 2.2 bpg, 39 3’s
(6-0 Jr. F) Kerri Young – Mitchell 19.1 ppg 6.9 rpg, 3.2 apg
(5-7 Sr. G) Chloe Cornemann – Yankton
(5-7 Jr. G) Darby Huginin – Lincoln
Marie Malloy - Parkston

Brad went after Caitlin Duffy the future Colorado State player with his first selection. Then added future college stars Tia Hemiller (USD), Chandler Nielsen (Augustana), Devon Brecke (Northern St.) and Margaret McCloud (USD) to form a potent quintet of power players.