Sacred Hoops Dwight 17U: Summer Dissection

We have another great 17U team from South Dakota! This group knows how to win and they picked up many W's. Sacred Hoops was full of talent with awesome guards and studly forwards. Many of these players will go on and play a college sport. If you did not get a chance to watch these guys this summer, make sure you check them out in the winter season. <h3>Team Comments from Coach Dwight Walker</h3> "The 17u Boys had a great final aau summer. Felt like it went by quickly. I started with this team when they were 8th graders and this was the first group I’ve had the privilege to graduate and see through to the finish line. It’s common knowledge that this was an extremely talented team but in addition, these young men competed and worked extremely hard to be a great team. We had the opportunity to compete against some of the best teams in the midwest compiling a 31-5 record. This group was special and it was amazing to see how tight each and every one of these boys had gotten over our time playing together. I truly believe these men will be life-long friends. What also made this group unique was the amazing parent group we also had - zero ego and it truly felt united as we were one big family. I’m excited to see what these young men will accomplish for their respective high school teams this year." <h3>ROSTER</h3> <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Jeffrey-Worth3.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1241153" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Jeffrey-Worth3-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="968157" first="Jeff" last="Worth"] |5-11 G| Tea Area HS Big shot taker and big shot maker. We always knew what kind of game we’d have based on Jeff’s early impact. When he was on, our team usually played some of our best basketball. Two way player with a very high basketball IQ. Battled through a broken wrist early in the summer but came back and helped lead us to a very productive summer. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Tommy-Peterson.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1241270" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Tommy-Peterson-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="968171" first="Tommy" last="Peterson"] |6-2 G| Washington HS - Sioux Falls TP is the epitome of a "do it all, whatever the team needs" style of player. Our group really relied on Tommy to assume every role you can possibly think of on a basketball team. There were games where it was his shooting, games where it was defending the best player or rebounding, weakside cutting etc... TP did it all and truly took pride in being the best teammate possible. [caption id="attachment_1010420" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/poDmK1v2-2.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1010420" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/poDmK1v2-2-300x242.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="242" /></a> Photo: SD Venom, Prep Hoops Dakota[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="812186" first="David" last="Alpers"] |6-5 PF| O’Gorman - Sioux Falls The cliches coaches have about "can’t teach effort or teach a kid how to have a motor" could NOT be any more evident when you watch David play. The plays he makes come from extreme amounts of will and determination. He takes pride in never letting anyone outwork him. The coolest part for me is that I’ve been around him since 7th grade and the amount of work he’s put in to not only become a high-level basketball player but also a D1 football player truly speaks to his desire to be great. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/72CalebHiatt.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1077294" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/72CalebHiatt-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="812198" first="Caleb" last="Hiatt"] |6-5 PF| Lincoln HS - Sioux Falls I thought Caleb had a really good summer - we saw him really continue to stretch his shooting range and gain a lot of confidence in his perimeter. Down low Caleb has a great combination of footwork, power, and quickness - comfortable with playing back to the basket or facing up. One of the most intelligent players I’ve ever coached and I believe the Patriots will surprise the AA class with his leadership. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/70ChadAmbroz.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1077291" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/70ChadAmbroz-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="812187" first="Chad" last="Ambroz"] |6-5 PF| O’Gorman - Sioux Falls The most vocal player I’ve ever coached. Has always been an anchor for us on defense with his smarts, anticipation, and tenacity. Chad is a WINNING player with how hard he competes, his leadership, and most importantly - his accountability. His main concern has always been the team and how he could help the group be better. Chad actually missed the second half of our season with a knee injury but he was still present supporting his guys. Every team needs a player like [player_tooltip player_id="812187" first="Chad" last="Ambroz"]. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Mikele-Kambalo.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1241229" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Mikele-Kambalo-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="812201" first="Mikele" last="Kambalo"] |5-8 PG| Washington HS - Sioux Falls MK is probably the quickest guard from baseline to baseline in this state. Usually very quiet and calculated, I thought this summer he provided more fire and leadership to the group. Offensively when he’s got the ball he’s almost a blur - he’s very good at getting to his spots and putting defenses in all kinds of trouble with his scoring and playmaking ability. Defensively MK picks up the full 94 feet and makes it tough on opposing teams to get their offense initiated. [player_tooltip player_id="968154" first="Joe" last="Uttecht"] |6-1 G| Washington HS - Sioux Falls Joe was another player that I thought had a breakout summer. Joe plays with a smooth pace and level of confidence. Highly skilled, very crafty, and not afraid of the moment. There were several games this summer that we probably wouldn’t have won without him taking over and making plays down the stretches of those games. I’m excited to also see what the Warrior boys do this year as well. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Tash-Lunday.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1241269" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Tash-Lunday-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="812206" first="Tash" last="Lunday"] |6-6 F| Flandreau HS - Flandreau Tash was our team leader - it had nothing to do with stats, shooting, or anything like that. It was more about the example he set with how he prepared, made others better, and his personal accountability. Just a phenomenal teammate that kept the guys encouraged and picked them up if they were ever down. On court provided so much for us as well - everyone knows he can score it but as a coach, I was very impressed with how he scored, his shot selection, and overall efficiency. He always knew exactly what the game needed at any particular time. I think his footwork, playmaking, and ability to get to the rim are areas of his game that are heavily underrated. The class of 2022 in South Dakota is loaded and I firmly believe Tash is right there among the class best. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1272291" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Angok-Akot-crop-1639x1076-1630031995-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="1265960" first="Angok" last="Akot"] |6-7 F| Washington HS - Sioux Falls One of the top prospects of his class. Angok grew as an overall player this summer. Extremely athletic, excels in pinch post faceups. I thought he was at his best when he played downhill and was very deliberate with his footwork and movement. This summer he also showed he could guard 1-5. His outside shot was another area Angok showed lots of improvement in. Shot the 3 ball very confidently. <h3>RECOGNITIONS</h3> Best Rebounder: [player_tooltip player_id="812186" first="David" last="Alpers"] 3-Point Sniper: [player_tooltip player_id="968157" first="Jeff" last="Worth"] Most Versatile: [player_tooltip player_id="812206" first="Tash" last="Lunday"] Defensive Stopper: [player_tooltip player_id="968171" first="Tommy" last="Peterson"] Most Improved: [player_tooltip player_id="968154" first="Joe" last="Uttecht"] Hardest Worker: [player_tooltip player_id="812198" first="Caleb" last="Hiatt"] Most Unselfish: [player_tooltip player_id="812206" first="Tash" last="Lunday"] Mr. Positive: [player_tooltip player_id="812187" first="Chad" last="Ambroz"] Mr. Grit: [player_tooltip player_id="812186" first="David" last="Alpers"] Best Rim Protecter: [player_tooltip player_id="1265960" first="Angok" last="Akot"] Mr. Creative: [player_tooltip player_id="812201" first="Mikele" last="Kambalo"] <h3>SCHEDULE</h3> April 9-11 LiveSZN Kickoff - Lincoln, NE April 23-25 Prep Hoops Live - Kansas City, MO May 7-9 OSA - Omaha, NE June 18-20 MAYB Summer Series - Sioux Falls, SD June 24-26 Great Plains Alliance - St. Cloud, MN July 9-11 Summer Slam - Sioux Falls, SD July 16-18 Midwest Collision (Prep Hoops) - Appleton, WI July 24-25 Gateway to the West Classic (Prep Hoops) - Omaha, ND July 31-August 1 Hard Work Region Finals (Prep Hoops) - Plymouth, MN