West Central Trojans: Team Preview

<p><strong>Hartford, SD</strong> - The Trojans of West Central High School will be a deep team that will compete with everyone on their schedule. The Trojans are in Region 3A and they play in the DAK XII conference. Read below for an in-depth look at the West Central squad. </p> <p><strong>West Central Head Coach</strong>: Jacob Sitting <strong>Career Record</strong>: 68-85 (7 seasons)</p> <p><strong>Assistant Coaches</strong>: Adam Herther &amp; Ted Holstrom</p> <p><strong>2020-2021 Season</strong>: 14-8 (5-5 in Dak XII) Lost in 3A Semifinals to Dell Rapids 65-52. <strong>JV Record</strong>: 14-8 (8-2 in Dak XII)</p> <p><b>State Champions</b>: 2000 &amp; 2001</p> <h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Top Returning Players</strong></span></h3> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="968204" first="Jacob" last="Krempges"] (2022) |6-0 G| </strong></p> <p>Last season stats: 4.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2 apg, .8 spg. He started 10 games and played in 22. Jacob is an athletic guard that will get to the rim often this season. Krempges runs the floor hard in transition and he can get hot from 3-point land. He is a great defender on the perimeter. For a backcourt player, Jacob rebounds the ball very well. </p> <p><strong>Wilson Droge (2022) |6-3 F|</strong></p> <p>Last season stats: 5.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1 apg, 1 spg. He started 10 games last season and played in 22. Droge had a football injury in the 5th game of the season. They expect Wilson to be back after the Christmas break. Look to see a long athletic and versatile player. Wilson can shoot the 3-ball, slash to the cup, and post up on the block. Droge is a very good offensive rebounder. Everyone knows that Droge is good, most nights he will get the opposing team's best defender matched up on him. Wilson is a key piece for the Trojans.</p> <p><strong>Grafton Stroup (2022) |6-1 G|</strong></p> <p>Last season stats: 4.9 ppg, 1.1 rpg, .7 apg, .5 spg. Stroup played in 16 varsity games last season. He is a lights-out shooter from three-point land. As the season went on last year Grafton's minutes increased because of his lethal shooting. Outside of Stroup's shooting, he has improved his overall game. His athleticism has improved and Grafton has become a natural scorer. </p> <p><strong>Jack Linneman (2022) |5-10 G|</strong></p> <p>He played on and off minutes during his sophomore and junior seasons on the varsity squad. Jack is a capable and creative scorer. Linneman can really light it up from beyond the arc. </p> <p><strong>Carter Schmeichel (2023) |6-1 G|</strong></p> <p>He was getting good minutes on varsity last season before an injury. Schmeichel is a student of the game and a constant study. Carter can see plays happen ahead of time and he makes the correct read. He can score in bunches but Carter is an even better defender. </p> <h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Top Newcomers</strong></span></h3> <p><strong>Braden Dierrickx (2022) |5-9 G|</strong></p> <p>He is still new to the game as he started hoops in his junior year. Braden is back and ready to go for his senior season. He is a natural athlete. Braden can score in many ways because of how quick and explosive he is. Braden is also good on the defensive end. Braden had a tremendous summer and the coaching staff is excited for his senior year.</p> <p><strong>Dillon Jackson (2022) |5-10 G|</strong></p> <p>He was a top player on the JV team last year. Dillon is a scoring threat that can get the job done in a variety of ways. He is a strong defender. Jackson will be a floor general at the PG position as he has quickly molded into one of the leaders for the Trojans.</p> <p><strong>Mubarak Ibrahim (2022) |6-1 G| </strong></p> <p>He is a great athlete and a scoring threat from all over the court. Mubarak is excellent at finishing around the rim and hitting catch-and-shoot triples. You should also expect him to be a very good on-ball defender.</p> <p><strong>Braden Herr (2022) |6-4 F|</strong></p> <p>He played in 10 varsity games last season. He will be the glue guy for West Central. Braden is not afraid to do the dirty work. The Trojans will need his height against some of the bigger opponents. Herr is a talented passer and he can hit the open 3-point shot.</p> <p><strong>Owen Heath (2023) |6-3 F|</strong></p> <p>He is a strong player that will see the floor because of his length and height. Owen has the potential to be a nice player.</p> <p><strong>Dylan Stromer (2023) |6-1 F|</strong></p> <p>He led the team in rebounding this summer in the Pentagon Summer League with 8 boards per game. Dylan had a great overall summer. He will be in the running for varsity minutes this season. Stromer is the best rebounder on the West Central team. He really shines on the offensive boards while giving the Trojans extra possessions. </p> <h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Season Overview from Coach <em>Jacob Sitti</em></strong></span><em><strong>g</strong></em></h3> <p>"<em>We feel we have the best chance to compete with the top of our conference and in our class as we have had the last 10-15 years. We are very senior-led with eight seniors returning. We are very athletic and fast. We can score in a variety of ways but most of all, we have a lot of three-point shooters. We are extremely deep being able to put eleven players on the court. And out of those eleven players, we don't drop off much. We plan to play very up-tempo on both ends of the floor to use our depth to the best of our ability.</em>"</p> <h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>West Central Schedule</strong></span></h3> <p>December 10 (home) vs. <strong>Dell Rapids</strong></p> <p>December 11 @ <strong>Sioux Falls Christian</strong></p> <p>December 14 (home) <strong>Mount Vernon/Plankinton</strong></p> <p>December 17 @ <strong>Winner</strong></p> <p>December 20 @ <strong>Garretson</strong></p> <p>January 8 <strong>Sacred Hoops Tournament </strong>vs. <strong>TBD</strong> @ Corn Palace</p> <p>January 11 @ <strong>Dakota Valley</strong></p> <p>January 17 (home) vs <strong>Baltic</strong></p> <p>January 20 (home) vs <strong>Lennox</strong></p> <p>January 22 <strong>Hanson Classic </strong>vs. <strong>TBD </strong>@ Corn Palace</p> <p>January 25 (home) <strong>Vermillion</strong></p> <p>January 29 <strong>Conference Clash</strong> vs <strong>TBD </strong>@ Madison</p> <p>February 1 @ <strong>Tri-Valley</strong></p> <p>February 3 @ <strong>Tea Area</strong></p> <p>Febraury 5 <strong>Pentagon Tournament </strong>vs <strong>TBD</strong> @ Sandford Pentagon</p> <p>February 11 (home) vs <strong>Madison</strong></p> <p>February 15 @ <strong>Canton</strong></p> <p>February 18 @ <strong>Chamberlain</strong></p> <p>February 19 (home) vs <strong>McCook Central/Montrose</strong></p> <p>February 21 @<strong> Elk Point-Jefferson</strong></p>