Howard Tigers: Season Preview

<p>The Tigers are a team you will want to watch early this year. They have talent, size, and athletes. Check out the players below. </p> <p>Read on for comments from the coach, team goals, strengths, player information, and the Tiger Schedule. </p> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Team comments from coach <em><strong>Nick Koepsell</strong></em></span>:</h4> <p>"<em>Our guys will be hungry to prove what they are capable of with the loss of two All-State players [player_tooltip player_id="975518" first="Sam" last="Aslesen"] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id="975531" first="Tisyn" last="Spader"] now graduated. We have the potential to make a deep postseason run if we can stay healthy and be playing our best basketball at the end of the season.</em>"</p> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Team Goals</strong></span> </h4> <p>Win our conference and finish top 2 in our region with the ultimate goal of making it to the state tournament.</p> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Team Strengths</strong></span></h4> <p>We will have a big team with a potential starting lineup of 6’7, 6’4, 6’2, 6’2, 5’8. We should be very good defensively and will be able to go 8 or 9 deep in the rotation.</p> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Top Tigers</strong></span></h4> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1279994" first="Jace" last="Sifore"] (2022) |6-4 F| </strong></p> <p>He is committed to playing D1 football at SDSU next year. Jace is a 4-year starter and he was an All-Conference player last season. Sifore averaged 7.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.8 bpg, 1.6 spg last season. Jace will be a tough guard for most teams and he will put up impressive numbers throughout the year.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1318828" first="Brayden" last="Hinker"] (2022) |6-2 G| </strong></p> <p>He hit 41 three-pointers last year. Hinker will be one of the most consistent shooters in SD. Do not sleep on this kid, he can put up points in a hurry. Brayden is getting back from an injury and the Tigers will be happy when he is ready to roll. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1318807" first="Kolt" last="Koepsell"] (2024) |6-7 F|</strong></p> <p>He is long and full of potential. Kolt can post up hard on the block or hit a mid-range jumper. Basketball is in his blood and Koepsell is going to be a stud.  </p> <p><strong>Luke Koepsell (2025) |6-2 G| </strong></p> <p>He got plenty of burn last year in 8th grade. Luke has the potential to be a dangerous kid. He knows how to win after playing with the Schoolers in AAU ball.</p> <p><strong>Ryder Erickson (2023) |5-8 G|</strong></p> <p>He has run the show at PG since 8th grade. This youngster is primed for a big season. Make sure you see Erickson play this season. </p> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Other Key Contributors</strong></span></h4> <p><strong>Taiden Hoyer (2024) |5-11 G|</strong></p> <p><strong>Colby Claussen (2024) |5-10 G|</strong></p> <p><strong>Cole Mentele (2022) |5-11 G|</strong></p> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Howard Tigers Schedule</strong></span></h4> <p>Dec 14 <strong>Chester</strong> - Home</p> <p>Dec 17 <strong>MCM</strong> - Away</p> <p>Dec 20 <strong>Freeman</strong> - Away</p> <p>Dec 28 Hoop City Classic vs <strong>FA-Marion</strong> @ Sioux Falls</p> <p>Jan 3 <strong>Colman-Egan</strong> - Home</p> <p>Jan 4 <strong>Menno</strong> - Home</p> <p>Jan 6 <strong>SCW</strong> - Away</p> <p>Jan 11 <strong>De Smet</strong> - Home</p> <p>Jan 18 <strong>Hanson</strong> - Away</p> <p>Jan 20 <strong>Bridgewater-Emery</strong> - Away</p> <p>Jan 28 <strong>Ethan</strong> - Home</p> <p>Jan 29 DSU Classic vs <strong>TBA</strong> @ Madison </p> <p>Jan 31 <strong>ORR</strong> - Away</p> <p>Feb 1 Irene-<strong>Wakonda</strong> - Home</p> <p>Feb 3 <strong>Mitchell Christian</strong> - Home</p> <p>Feb 10 <strong>Dells St Mary</strong> - Home</p> <p>Feb 12 DWU Culvers Classic vs <strong>TBA</strong> @ Mitchell </p> <p>Feb 15 <strong>Canistota</strong> - Away</p> <p>Feb 17 <strong>Viborg-Hurley</strong> - Home</p> <p>Feb 18 <strong>Arlington</strong> - Away</p>