Recruiting Report: Gavin Schipper (2019)
Six-foot-three guard Gavin Schipper has seen a lot of success in his time at Sioux Falls Christian. With an undefeated season or two, a state title, and two third-place finishes Schipper looks to go out on top.
This past season the Chargers were the only boy’s team in any class to have an undefeated regular season going 22-0. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to cap off their undefeated regular season with a state title, getting knocked off by Tea Area in the semifinals in Rapid City at the state tournament. The Chargers would defeat Sioux Valley to place third for the second year in a row at state after winning it all in 2016. Schipper sees that one loss as motivation for the upcoming season.
“We had a great season at Sioux Falls Christian this year going 24-1,” Schipper said. “We didn’t get the finish we wanted but it’s only making my team and I want it that much more next year. It was nice to bring back a lot of talent last year and even though we lose some we bring back just as much next year.”
As a starter this past season Schipper averaged just under 12 points a game, 3 boards a game and about 3 assists a game. He was the most efficient shooter on the team shooting at a near 58 percent clip from the field and 81 percent from the charity stripe. Schipper credits being an all-around player for his success this past season.
“I’d like to say my game has grown quite a bit these past couple years,” Schipper said. “I have become more of a point guard and been able to take my man one on one and distribute the ball as well. I am continuing on keeping my stroke that has brought me a lot of success so far.”
Schipper really has worked on being a threat from all aspects on the offense side and the defensive side of the ball as well.
“I still want to improve on my defense as well as being more a threat on the court,” Schipper said. “Being a threat with the ball at all times really can change your game for the better.”
The Chargers do lose a very talented senior group who has also seen a lot of success in their four years. Lincoln Unruh, Will Garnaas, Koln Oppold will graduate this May leaving juniors Mitchell Goodbary and Schipper as the only starters returning. The Chargers will miss those seniors, but Schipper thinks his class can take them to a state title as well.
“We had some great senior leadership last year that we will miss for sure,” Schipper said. “But this only means it is time for my senior class to take over that role now and carry this team to a title. I am ready to accept the next challenge that faces us next year and can’t wait to step into that leadership role. I look forward to the hard work in front of us to get us where we want to be.”
Schipper has been playing with that senior class for a while but has been playing with his current class for even longer. He believes that the chemistry they have built will take them far next season.
“I have been playing with these same group of kids since the third grade,” Schipper said. “So we have some great chemistry between us and I think that will really help us achieve our goal next year.”
He will get more time to build chemistry with his teammate Goodbary as they both are on the 17u South Dakota Attack team this upcoming summer. The team has a stacked lineup that includes a lot of height and quickness. With the likes of Camden Bialas (Parker), Noah Fridel (Tea), Sawyer Schultz (Bridgewater-Emery), the 17u team will be very competitive this summer.
“I am playing with the SD Attack this coming summer,” Schipper said. “We have some really great talent on this team as well, I’m excited. Along with playing with Mitchell, I also will be playing with Friedel from Tea who I’ve played and known him for a long time as well. We have some great talent coming in on this team from Iowa as well. I am looking forward to a great season with this team.”
The Sioux Falls Christian junior has also been in contact with several colleges about playing for them when he graduates next year. He will get to choose between a mix of Iowa schools, South Dakota schools, and one Illinois school on where he will want to play college ball.
“I’ve spoken to a quite of few colleges now, but am still deciding on where I want to go,” Schipper said. “I’ve talked with the Northwestern Raiders from Iowa and the Dordt Defenders who are two great rivalry schools that have had a lot of success recently. I have also been talking to Graceland University in Des Moines, Dakota Wesleyan, Concordia University in Nebraska and Wheaton College in Illinois.
“I am looking to take a couple more college visits this year to see what my future holds. I am very excited to continue my future basketball career and to see what it holds for me.”