19-20 First Look: Rapid City Stevens
Rapid City Stevens has continued to build their program with success. A year ago the Raiders won 14 of 20 regular season games making the state tournament. What’s next at Stevens? Moving On: Stevens lost three end of the year…
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Continue ReadingRapid City Stevens has continued to build their program with success. A year ago the Raiders won 14 of 20 regular season games making the state tournament. What’s next at Stevens?
Moving On: Stevens lost three end of the year starters to graduation plus Dawson Paulsen was lost to a knee injury only eight games into the season. Paulsen is now a freshman at Black Hills State and when playing he was one of the best all around seniors in Class AA basketball. Dylan Pourier, also now playing basketball at BHSU, was the leading scorer handling his share and helping the team make up for the loss of Paulsen. Guard Tyson Elliott and 6-foot-3 Joe Bennett were role playing seniors in the starting line-up while Anthony Pruitt and Tad Scherbenske were reserves off the bench. All have graduated.
Returning Starters: Inside 6-foot-7 Mason Steele spent the end of his season producing a healthy 10/11 points, 8/9 boards and a couple blocks a game as the starting center. Steele is a big with a nice touch but also a body that can back down opponents for results. Mason had a nice 17u season playing with BBA Force. By the end of the year combo guard Daniel Vigoren was not only a starter but also the second best weapon Stevens had on the perimeter. Daniel was averaging double figures down the stretch and he will be relied on for that type of production once again.
Reserves Playing a Bigger Role: Also moving into bigger backcourt roles will be senior guard pair Colton Hartford and Blake Weaver. Weaver’s three-point touch provided some instant offense off the bench a year ago so Blake is likely to be relied for consistent scoring production. Hartford played more than Weaver down the stretch though as his playmaking off the bench was regularly needed. Stevens shot a good percentage last year helping them continue to win after Paulsen went down. If Vigoren, Hartford, and Weaver can continue to shoot the way they have Stevens should be a tough team to beat once again.
Potentials from the JV: A name to keep an eye on is 6-foot-6 big Ben Goldy. Ben played junior varsity last year as a freshman and if steps have been taken he should help the team in the paint this winter. Six-foot-2 junior Bransen Kuehl and 6-foot-1 junior Drew Scherbenske will provide wing depth.