Gregory Gorillas: Season Preview

<p><strong>Gregory, SD</strong> - The Gorillas are from south-central SD, west of the Missouri River and about 30 miles north of the Nebraska border. Gregory plays in Region 6B. In grades 9-12 Gregory has an enrollment of 109 students. This is an exciting squad with the potential to make some noise in the postseason. The Gorillas have senior leaders and some star young players. Read below for comments from coach Determan, information on the players, and the Gorilla players. </p> <h5><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Coach <em><strong>Jeff Determan</strong></em> comments on the excitement heading into the season</span>:<span class="xeop"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; color: black;"> </span></span></h5> <p>"<em>It is very easy to be excited about this team. We have a good mix of seniors and younger guys who are hungry for playing time. We play a tough schedule, so we should be battle-tested when the postseason arrives. We will have to improve on the defensive end in order to make a deep run in the postseason. It will be fun to see this team develop throughout the season.</em>"  </p> <h5><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Coach <em><strong>Determan</strong></em> talks about expectations heading into the year</span>:</h5> <p>"<em>We have high expectations in Gregory this year even though we will still be relatively young. We return everyone from last year’s team that finished 11-11.</em>"</p> <h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>TOP PLAYERS</strong></span></h3> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="812195" first="Coy" last="Determan"] (2022) |6-2 G| </strong></p> <p>He is an All-State caliber player that will miss the season due to an injury. Coy will still be around the team and his leadership will be valuable, even though he will not be playing. </p> <p><strong>Carson Klundt (2022) |6-0 G|</strong></p> <p>He is a hard worker. Carson puts in the time to improve his game. Klundt has upgraded his ability to get to the rack and score. Carson will be ready for a breakout season. </p> <p><strong>Jordan Songer (2022) |6-2 G|</strong></p> <p>He is a very athletic player that runs and jumps well. Jordan will give the Gorillas another serious scoring option. Songer is also a solid defender that can guard multiple positions. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1266237" first="Daniel" last="Mitchell"] (2024) |6-7 F|</strong></p> <p>Last season stats: 26.4 ppg and 11.6 rpg. He is super long and athletic. Mitchell plays above the rim like few can his age. He can hammer home slam dunks and finish with creativity when the time calls for it. Daniel is capable of scoring from anywhere on the floor. He can nail 3’s at a consistent clip and score inside the arc. Mitchell is a near-impossible matchup for just one player. He was a Third Team All-State selection as a freshman.</p> <p><strong>Gannon Thomas (2024) |6-0 G| </strong></p> <p>He has some varsity experience from last season as a freshman. Gannon is a tough player that has versatility in his game. On defense, Thomas can guard multiple positions.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #000000;">[player_tooltip player_id="1328222" first="Rane" last="Kenzy"] (2025) |6-2 F|</span></strong></p> <p>He started for the Gorillas late in the year in 2021. Rane is a strong player that does well in the paint. He has a well-rounded game to match his physical ability. Kenzy can also step outside and hit J’s to help stretch the floor. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1263160" first="Cruz" last="Klundt"] (2025) |5-11 G|</strong></p> <p>Last season stats: 10 ppg and 4.3 apg. He started as an 8th grader and Cruz was an All-Conference selection. Klundt has great eyes and court vision. He initiates the offense and distributes the ball to the correct player in a timely manner. Cruz understands the game and he is very good at manipulating the pace. </p> <p>Mitchell, Kenzy, and Klundt are 3 young players that you will want to see this season!</p> <h5><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Coach <em><strong>Determan</strong></em> comments on the Gorilla’s strengths</span>:</h5> <p>"<em>Most of our kids have an understanding of the game and how we want to play. We return everyone from last year, so the experience factor will be present with this team.</em>"</p> <h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>GORILLA SCHEDULE</strong></span></h3> <p>December 12th (home) vs. <strong>Mount Vernon/Plankinton</strong></p> <p>December 14th @ <strong>Chamberlain</strong></p> <p>December 16th @ <strong>Colome</strong></p> <p>December 21st, vs. <strong>North Central</strong> (NE) @ Springview (NE)</p> <p>December 28th <strong>HOOPS CITY CLASSIC</strong> vs. <strong>Canistota</strong> @ Corn Palace</p> <p>January 4th @ <strong>Andes Central/Dakota Christian</strong></p> <p>January 6th (home) vs. <strong>Lyman</strong></p> <p>January 11th (home) vs. <strong>Wagner </strong></p> <p>January 14th @ <strong>Burke</strong></p> <p>January 17th @ <strong>Platte-Geddes</strong></p> <p>January 20th (home) vs. <strong>Kimball/White Lake</strong></p> <p>January 22nd (home) vs. <strong>Gayville-Volin</strong></p> <p>January 27th (home) vs. <strong>Avon</strong></p> <p>January 28th @ <strong>Jones County</strong></p> <p>January 31st (home) <strong>Winner</strong></p> <p>February 4th @ <strong>Parkston</strong></p> <p>February 5th vs. <strong>TBD</strong> @ Highmore</p> <p>February 11th (home) vs. <strong>Scotland</strong></p> <p>February 12th vs. <strong>TBD</strong> @ McCook Central</p> <p>February 18th (home) vs. <strong>Bon Homme</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Gorilla.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1328045" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Gorilla-300x293.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="293" /></a></p>