Class A Title Contender Series: Vermillion

<p>Vermillion went 16-5 a season ago and four starters return (along with three players from the bench). That’s the very definition of a state contender.  </p> <p><strong>Moving On</strong>: Vermillion lost a pair of guards in [player_tooltip player_id="879132" first="Sam" last="Ward"] and [player_tooltip player_id="732115" first="Max" last="Mayer"].  Ward was the consistent playmaker at the point guard position while Mayer was a talented wing who only played part of the season because he was coming off of an ACL injury.  The Tanagers played with a deep backcourt a year ago and while talent is still in the fold, Mayer and Ward’s veteran contributions will be missed. Mayer was an all league player his junior year so while he will be missed, the team became used to playing without him. <strong> Tommy Nikkel</strong> transferred to Dakota Valley. </p> <p><strong>Returning Starters</strong>: The Tanagers have four starters back: 6-foot guard <strong>Jacob Dobney</strong>, 6-foot-4 wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="757844" first="Dillon" last="Gestring"]</strong>, 6-foot-4 low post player <strong>Noah Gilbertson</strong>, and 5-foot-11 guard <strong>Connor Saunders</strong>.   Gilbertson is the big but he can play a face-up game using a strong mid-range touch.  Gilbertson is an intelligent passer and winner of space who also is a charge taking master.  As far as Gesting goes, he may be the most versatile of the bunch.  Dillon can physically use that 195 pound frame to go at the rim and take contact to finish or he can use the skills he has shooting 55 percent from the floor and scoring 17 a game to play either wing spot.  </p> <p>Jacob Dobney is one of the best defenders in his class state wide.  He can change the game with his defense but he’s also a combo guard that scores 13-14 a game at an all league level.  Dobney has one of the quickest first steps and he’s a high percentage shooter.  Saunders is one of the better athletes in the bunch using quickness to defend and playmake.  </p> <p><strong>Reserves Playing a Bigger Role:  Charlie Ward</strong> has a chance to step right into the role that brother [player_tooltip player_id="879132" first="Sam" last="Ward"] played, and there wouldn’t be much drop off.  In true Charlie Ward form, the Tanager junior is the football QB and based on his 6th Man role from a season ago, he will then handle for Vermillion.   Ward was depended on offensively just as the starters were last winter. </p> <p>Juniors <strong>Nick Sorenson</strong> and <strong>Jake Jansen</strong> will play bigger roles.  Sorenson is a 6-foot-4, 205 pound frontcourt player that will provide experienced depth behind Gestring and Gilbertson while Jansen is another guard for the Tanager 3/4 backcourt attack.  Sorenson is an aggressive rebounder that may be the perfect worker for this team.  Jansen has shown in samples that he can be a reliable scorer potentially. </p> <p><strong>Potentials from the JV:  </strong>Jansen was often the main scoring option on the JV often scoring in double digits and regularly leading the team in scoring (Ward as well when he played JV).  Six-foot-3, 210 pound senior <strong>Cael Mockler</strong> has the size for the middle but the hands and feet to be another skilled frontcourt player.  Mockler has range on his shooting touch but he can battle on the block too.  Mockler, Sorenson, Gilberston, and at times Dobney make for a strong frontcourt. </p> <p>Other names to watch for deep potential are 6-foot-1 junior wing TJ Tracy, 6-foot-1 junior guard Carter Mart, and junior point guard Willis Robertson. Five-foot-11 sophomore Jeremy Crowe will also compete for a spot and most of these players (Tracy, Mart, Robertson, and Crowe) will be your key Vermillion JV players. </p> <p><strong>Final Thoughts:</strong>  Vermillion has as much coming back from a good team as any Class A squad which should make them a Class A contender and a top five team.  They have all league level stars, experienced frontcourt players, shooting, and depth in the backcourt.  Their bench should be strong and overall they should improve from last year’s 16-5 record. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>