basketball

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — The North Dakota Class B girls basketball all-state first team is loaded with youth, featuring Kindred Vikings freshman Abby Duchscherer.

Duchscherer is the lone unanimous selection on a first team that has no seniors.

Kidder County sophomore Madelyn Schmidt, Hettinger-Scranton sophomore Sam Oase, Trenton junior Kaity Hove and Langdon-Edmore-Munich junior Callie Ronningen rounded out the first team. The all-state team is voted on by the North Dakota Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.

Duchscherer capped her season by helping lead the Vikings to their second Class B state championship in the past three seasons.

“The kid is really, really athletic, but it’s her personality,” Kindred head coach Sam Brandt said of Duchscherer. “Everybody wants to be around her. Everybody wants to play with her.”

A 6-foot guard, Duchscherer averaged 21.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.0 steal per game. She made the all-state first team for a second consecutive season.

“Her ability to compete on the floor is what makes her that strong player,” Duchscherer said. “She connects so well with the girls on the team and she lifts them up.”

A 5-foot-5 point guard, Schmidt averaged 15.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 4.1 steals per game for Kidder County. She helped the Wolves, who finished 25-2, to the state tournament. Kidder County was undefeated entering the state tournament.

“She runs the show,” Kidder County head coach Dan Welder said. “It’s probably the most position on the court in my eyes. She’s still growing as a basketball player and a point guard.”

A 5-foot-7 point guard, Hove averaged 16.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 9.7 assists and 5.5 steals per game for Trenton, which went to the state tournament and finished with a 25-2 record.

“She’s as good of an athlete as I’ve ever coached,” said Trenton head coach Bob Turcotte, who has been a head coach for 21 seasons. “She’s quick and she sees the floor like very few girls. She does everything single thing for us.”

A 6-foot-1 center, Oase averaged 15.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 3.0 blocked shots per game for Hettinger-Scranton. The Night Hawks finished with a 24-3 record and made the state tournament.

“Sam was just an all-around impact player on the court,” Hettinger-Scranton head coach Kelly Pierce said. “On the offensive end, she was a force. Defensively, she’s a game-changer. She definitely can control the game.”

A 5-foot-10 guard, Ronningen averaged 18.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.2 steals per game for the Cardinals, who went 23-3 overall and made it to the state tournament. Cardinals head coach Rob Scherr said Ronningen played more of a guard role this season after playing in the post previously.

“Her game just elevated,” Scherr said. “When she is on the floor, everyone becomes better players. She was so flexible some games I’d have her bring the ball up as the point guard and I’d also put her in the post if there was a mismatch.”

All-state second team:

Emma Passa, 5-10, Jr., F, Velva

Carlee Sieben, 5-7, So., G, Grafton

Isabelle Boyer, 5-8, So., G, Grant County

Amanda Roller, 5-4, Sr., G, Fargo Oak Grove

Mackenzie Hughes, 5-5, So., G, Thompson

Alyssa Andress, 5-7, Jr., F, Hettinger-Scranton

Megan Roob, 5-7, Fr., G, Richland

Nicole Schmitz, 5-10, Jr., C, Oakes

Anni Stier, 5-5, Sr., G, Rugby

Leah Feland, 5-7, Jr., G, Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood

Ellie Holen, 5-4, Jr., G, LaMoure-Litchville-Marion

Abbey Kubas, 5-11, So., F, Dickinson Trinity.