Print this story |
E-mail story |
Add a comment |
iPod friendly | Bookmark this
What is this?
Weisbrod: From the Little Eight to the big college
Published 12:03 p.m., November 28, 2009
FARGO — Driving home from the office Friday night, I tuned into the North Dakota State men’s basketball game against UW-Green Bay.
After listening to the Bison trade baskets with the Phoenix for the better part of 10 minutes, a familiar name rolled off the tong of the crisp play-by-play announcer.
“Jordan Aaberg.”
The 6-foot-9 freshman from nearby Rothsay entered the game in the first half, and from what I could tell, simply took over on the blocks.
By the end of the first half, Aaberg had already energized the crowd with a pair of emphatic blocks while connected on 4 of 4 field goal attempts.
Though NDSU came up short 71-62, Aaberg dominated the stat-sheet, finishing with 12 points, eight rebounds and a career-high six blocks.
Not bad for a skinny center from the Little Eight Conference.
Well, former skinny center.
After an intensive offseason workout regimen that included weight-training and meal planning, Aaberg entered the season more than 20 pounds heavier than his high school playing days, tipping the scale at 215 pounds according to NDSU’s official athletics Website.
Needless to say, the extra muscle has helped.
Through five games, Aaberg is fourth on the team in scoring at 7.8 points per game, which is tops among the four freshman on the roster. He’s also leading the team in total blocks with ten while averaging almost four rebounds per game.
The most compelling part about Aaberg’s production is that he’s only playing 16 minutes per contest, meaning when he’s on the court, he’s making noise.
Aaberg and the Bison are in action again at home against Dickinson State on Wednesday, Dec. 9.
Samuelson nets perfect shooting performance
Aaberg isn’t the only local high school basketball product thriving with the Bison as Underwood’s Ashley Samuelson tallied a career-high 19 points in North Dakota State’s 65-57 victory over Ball State Friday evening in Fargo.
For Samuelson, it was a perfect night — literally.
The 5-foot-10 forward did not miss a shot from the field, finishing 9 for 9 in just 22 minutes on the floor.
In five games this season, Samuelson has started four, registering a team-high 53 points (10.6 per game). She’s also in the top three on the team in rebounds (21) and assists (8).
After a decorated high school career, which includes breaking the all-time record for steals in the state of Minnesota, Samuelson started her college career at Colorado State University before transferring to NDSU after one season in Fort Collins.
Samuelson has played one season with the Bison after sitting out two years due to NCAA transfer rules and injury. As a sophomore in 2008-09, she averaged 7.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.
Catch Samuelson in action today at 2 p.m.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post. To post a comment you will need to register. Or, if you're already registered but have not included your true, verifiable identity with your registration, you will need to update your account to include your identity. Effective Dec. 1, 2009, all posts appear with the commenter's true identity, which must be verified by site staff. Those who registered prior to Dec. 1, 2009, should be aware that once you update your information with your true identity, all prior posts under your user name will also indicate your true identity. If you do not wish to link yourself to prior comments, you should register again with a different user name.Post a comment (Terms of Use Policy)
(Requires free registration.)
You may also register to comment in our forums at www.fergusfeedback.com.