Class A Title Contender Series: Dell Rapids

<p>Colin and [player_tooltip player_id="975534" first="Connor" last="Rentz"] return for their senior year to lead Dell Rapids. Both are returning starters and they will be joined by much of last year’s reserves to make a veteran line-up. Today PHD looks into Dell Rapids!</p> <p><strong>Moving On</strong>:  All league forward [player_tooltip player_id="732104" first="Drew" last="Van Regenmorter"] - a player that averaged 13.5 points, 7 boards, and 3.5 assists a game - has graduated from his wing spot as has guard [player_tooltip player_id="732128" first="Logan" last="Ellingson"], a perimeter shooter that scored just over a dozen points a game.  Also graduating from the starting five was 6’8 center [player_tooltip player_id="879088" first="Ramsey" last="Heinecke"] who gave the team 10 points and five boards a contest.  Reserve guard Carter Rentz also graduated.  Van Regenmorter is at DWU playing basketball and Heinecke is at Dakota State. </p> <p><strong>Returning Starters</strong>: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="732203" first="Colin" last="Rentz"]</strong> led Dell Rapids in scoring, assists, and steals a season ago and was a top rebounder as well.  All as a six foot guard playmaker.  Rentz has the ability to be the most dynamic pace pusher in the state of South Dakota, but also be a scoring threat without the ball.  He’s a top senior in the state and is ready to provide all around contributions once again.  Returning along size Colin, is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="975534" first="Connor" last="Rentz"]</strong>, a 5-foot-10 guard that is the second leading scorer for Dell Rapids.  Connor averaged eight points, a pair of assists, and a couple steals each contest. </p> <p><strong>Reserves Playing a Bigger Role: </strong>Six-foot-8, 205 pound senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="975501" first="Carter" last="Nelson"]</strong> will step into the big man role as he’s one of the top big man prospects in the senior class. Nelson’s prospect status is about potential which he continues to have.  Nelson needs to be more consistent to be the player that many hope he can be, but he should be able to step right into the post role.  Another big stepping into a bigger role will be 6-foot-3’ 220 pound power forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="975573" first="Coby" last="Maeschen"]</strong>, an aggressive tough rebounder.  As far as backcourt names to know, 5-foot-11 junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="968177" first="Landon" last="Ruesink"]</strong> leads the way.  Ruesink shot well off the bench a season ago and has the ability to move right into a role with the Rentz pair.  </p> <p><strong>Potentials from the JV: </strong>Our talented guards conversation continues with sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="963773" first="Brayden" last="Pankonen"]</strong>, a 5-foot-8 guard that was with the varsity/JV all of last season.  Pankonen figures into the guard rotation with a bigger role as may <strong>Avery Boechler</strong>, a 5-foot-10 senior guard.  Boechler is the 5th of the expected seniors-to-be.  More size?  Dell Rapids has it in the junior class.  Backing up Nelson and/or competing with Nelson for time will be 6-foot-7, 210 pound junior <strong>Shane Stone</strong>.  Sox-foot-5, 210 pound forward <strong>Austin Henry</strong> is a fluid big with some skill and agility.  He also figures into the frontcourt rotation. </p> <p><strong>Final Thoughts:</strong>  I like what Dell Rapids has to work with.  They have an elite guard in [player_tooltip player_id="732203" first="Colin" last="Rentz"] with a talented experienced guard [player_tooltip player_id="975534" first="Connor" last="Rentz"] next to him and talent ready to step in with Ruesink and Pankonen.  Size wise Nelson, Stone, and Henry give Dell Rapids more than most other teams will have and Maseschen leads from the toughness angle.  It’s a strong mix of talent that should once again contend at a high level.  </p>