Winner Warriors: Team Deep Dive
In this article:
Winner, SD – The Warriors play in Region-6A and they will be a scary team to deal with. Can Winner make a run in the postseason? Yes, they can! The Warriors have plenty of experience and very skilled players that…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWinner, SD – The Warriors play in Region-6A and they will be a scary team to deal with. Can Winner make a run in the postseason? Yes, they can! The Warriors have plenty of experience and very skilled players that can put up points.
Coach Brett Gardner on the expectations heading into the season:
“We will have to find a way to replace major offensive contributions. With that being said we are excited for our next group to step up and try to fill some of those roles. We feel we have a chance to be a nice defensive team and let our offense come as the year goes on. We want to continue to improve and be playing our best basketball come tournament time.”
Coach Gardner on the Warrior Strengths:
“Even though we are a little bit younger this year, we have a lot of game experience. We return 5 players who started at least 8 games last year, with one starting 15 and two more starting all 25. games. We feel we can use our athletism to help us on the defensive end.”
Top Warriors
Blake Volmer Blake Volmer 6'0" | CG Winner | 2023 State SD (2023) |6-2 PG|
He is one of the smartest kids that has gone through the Warrior program, Blake has a high IQ. Volmer is a capable scorer that led Winner in rebounding as the PG last season. Expect impressive numbers from Blake this season.
Slade Cournoyer Slade Cournoyer 6'1" | PG Winner | 2023 SD (2022) |6-1 G/F|
He is a crafty do-it-all player. Slade is a playmaker that gets the job done by scoring, rebounding, and distributing the ball.
Elijah Peterson Elijah Peterson 5'11" | PG Winner | 2022 State SD (2022) |6-0 G/F|
He is an athletic and versatile player. Peterson thrives on the wing and he will lock up with the opposing team’s best player on a nightly basis.
Ethan Bartels Ethan Bartels 6'2" | PF Winner | 2023 State SD (2023) |6-2 F|
He will return as a starter. Ethan can guard multiple positions because of his length and athleticism. On offense, Bartels can score on the inside and the perimeter.
Jackson Vesely (2022) |6-2 F|
He is a strong and fit player. Jackson can impact the game as a three-point shooter.
Aiden Barfuss (2024) |5-11 G|
He won the Joe Robbie Award at State Football. Aiden is an extremely quick playmaker that will be a game-changer for the Warriors.
Shawn Hammerbeck Shawn Hammerbeck 6'7" | PF Winner | 2025 State SD (2025) |6-6 F|
He is a strong frontcourt player with a high ceiling. Hammerbeck has been working hard on developing moves on the block. Look for Shawn to be an impact player for the Warriors.
Coach Brett Gardner talks on excitement heading into the season:
“We will have our “normal” schedule back this year after having to replace a couple of teams last year due to the impact of Covid. So it wil be exciting to play a few of our rivalry games again.“
Warrior Schedule
December 10 (home) vs Wagner
December 14 (home) vs Stanley County
December 17 (home) vs West Central
December 18 @ Sully Buttes
December 28 (home) vs Bon Homme
December 30 @ Parkston
January 4 @ Chamberlain
January 8 Sacred Hoops Classic vs TBD @ Corn Palace
January 11 (home) vs Pierre
January 20 (home) vs Tri-Valley
January 25 @ Todd County
January 28 @ Mount Vernon/Plankinton
January 31 @ Gregory
February 1 (home) vs Miller
February 5 (home) vs Cheyenne-Eagle Butte
February 8 @ St. Francis Indian School
February 11 (home) vs McLaughlin
February 15 @ Platte-Geddes
February 18 @ Mobridge-Pollock
February 21 (home) vs Crow Creek