Three-time all-state Minot standout commits to UND women's basketball

 

Feb. 15—GRAND FORKS — Minot point guard Maggie Fricke's junior high school basketball season hasn't gone as planned.

An ACL injury before Christmas ended her season just three games into the year.

The UND women's basketball program, however, still believes in the three-time all-state star's game.

As a result, Fricke committed last week to play college basketball for the Fighting Hawks.

"I've been recruited by UND since after the 2022 state tournament," said Fricke, who led Minot to a state championship as an eighth-grade starter and was tournament MVP. "You just have that connection with your first offer. Even at a young age, they believed in me. That was a big part of it. They were able to show they love my game and believed I would improve. Even after my injury, and this is my second injury in the last two years, they still had every belief in me. I can see how I can contribute to that team."

Throughout the recruiting process, Fricke collected offers from UND, North Dakota State and Central Michigan.

"The connections I have with (UND) coaches and the culture popped out," Fricke said. "Every visit I fell in love more and more."

Fricke said last year she suffered a partial ACL tear on her knee that didn't require surgery. She faced surgery this time around.

"The bare minimum clearance is nine months," Fricke said. "It's awful to miss (the rest of the season) but I also look at it as a chance to train and get better."

The 5-foot-8 point guard's strength is in competitiveness, an area she uses in physical therapy now.

"Mentally, it's the hardest thing but if you don't do your PT and don't have the mindset to get it done, it's not going to get done," Fricke said. "I have that competitive mindset and look at it from a competitive level. It's hard, but I can get through it. Many others did."

After winning a state title as an eighth-grader, Fricke broke the school's all-time scoring record as a sophomore. She's since been overtaken by teammate LeeLee Bell.

"I'm so stoked that I was able to announce my commitment to UND," Fricke said. "I just feel like I love the coaching staff and the girls were very welcoming. With my injury, too, it's nice to have good things to look forward at."

Fricke continues UND's push back toward recruiting North Dakota. After not having an in-state native on the roster last season, the Fighting Hawks have three players in the rotation from North Dakota this year in starting guard Jocelyn Schiller of Grand Forks Red River, starting post Walker Demers of Grafton and reserve guard Mataeya Mathern of Edgeley.

 

MINOT, N.D. – One young man’s senior season might be over a lot sooner than expected.

Aug 31, 2021

Hunter Ruzicka, a running back from Minot High, posted to his Twitter Monday night that “overcoming a torn ACL is going to be a long fight.” He thanked people for their help and support.

In 2020, Ruzicka managed just over six yards per carry and almost 52 yards per game.