#1 Dakota Valley vs. Sioux Falls Christian: Standouts

<p><strong>Sioux Falls, SD - </strong>It was a battle last night in Sioux Falls! The Panthers from Dakota Valley are the #1 team in Class A and they now have a perfect 12-0 record. With the loss last night, Sioux Falls Christian now has a 7-6 record. However, the Chargers are much better than their record shows. They play a difficult schedule and the Chargers have lost to some tough teams. </p> <p> Last night was a physical and emotional game for both squads. It looked to be a great crowd and atmosphere. These two teams are excellent defensively in their halfcourt man-to-man D. Sioux Falls Christian won the first quarter and Dakota Valley won the rest. It was a very tight 4th quarter with the Chargers almost making a comeback, but the Panthers held them off and finished with some clutch playmaking and shooting. Good luck to both teams as the season moves on. Read below to see which player stood out.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Scores</strong></span></p> <p><strong>1Q</strong> - Dakota Valley  10 SF Christian 14</p> <p><strong>2Q</strong> - Dakota Valley 31 SF Christian 27</p> <p><strong>3Q</strong> - Dakota Valley 45 SF Christian 43</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>4Q (final)</strong> - Dakota Valley 60 SF Christian 54</span></p> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Top Panthers</strong></span></h4> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="963742" first="Isaac" last="Bruns"] (2023) |6-4 SG|</strong></p> <p>He was better than advertised! He started the game with a perfectly smooth pull-up jumper after coming off a ball-screen. A bit later, Bruns dropped a dime to a rolling Faldmo. As the game went on Isaac made many pull-up jumpers. I understand why they call him the "Iceman"! I was impressed with his crafty 12-foot fadeaway jumper. He has such a soft shooting touch. I like the way Bruns uses screens. He made a nice curl cut off a screen and drilled a jumper right after he came off the cut. He also scored at the basket. Isaac scored on an AND1 reverse layup. He put up points off a backdoor cut. He also scored on a lob pass and finish from a BLOB play. Bruns has a killer jump shot and he is a playmaker. Before the end of the first half, Bruns made a play that needs to be added to his highlight-reel. As time was expiring Bruns dribbled across half court and fired up a last-second shot and he banked home the 3-point shot. Talk about a gamer! On defense, his length and high hoops IQ make him a solid defender on and off the ball. He also looked good rebounding. His best play of the game may have been when the Panthers used him as a decoy late in the game for a crucial basket. Talk about being a team player! Isaac finished with 26 points. </p> <p><strong>Sam Faldmo (2023) |6-3 G/F|</strong></p> <p>Early in the game, Sam had an athletic baseline drive and finish. Faldmo looked great in the screen-n-roll action. In the first half, Sam screened for Bruns, he rolled to the hoop and Bruns hit him for an easy bucket. Sam made a beautiful backdoor pass to a cutting Rosenquist. His biggest play of the game was a corner 3-ball in the 4th quarter. He finished with 9 points. Faldmo does a nice job on the defensive end as well.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="963787" first="Randy" last="Rosenquist"] (2023) |6-0 G|</strong></p> <p>This lefty PG was impressive last night, to say the least. Randy ended with 11 points. I have not heard how many assists and rebounds he had, but Randy had many of both. This kid is quick with a great basketball sense. Rosenquist is an amazing rebounder for a guard. He is excellent at pushing the tempo in transition. He showed his strength with an AND1 finish and he cashed the FT after. Rosenquist made one remarkable circus finish at the rim. Without seeing the film, I do not even know how to describe it. It was an athletic play. On defense, Randy uses his quick feet and hands to get steals. He is a stout on-ball defender and he also does a nice job off the ball. I love the way Randy drives to draw defenders and then he hits open shooters. He dropped many dimes to Bruns. He made the easy pass, backdoor passes, and a beautiful lob pass to Bruns. Randy and Isaac play perfectly off each other. To start the 4th quarter the Panthers ran a sweet set that resulted in Rosenquist getting a backdoor basket. Late in the game, Rosenquist had a monster drive and finish when the Panthers cleared out to give him space. This kid is the real deal!</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1270366" first="Jaxson" last="Wingert"] (2024) |6-6 PF|</strong></p> <p>This youngster is a big strong player that plays hard. I like how Wingert sprints the floor. He shined on the offensive and defensive boards. With his strength, Jaxson is able to move players out of his way to create space for him to make plays. When Wingert grabbed a D-board he fired the outlet very quickly to get the break started. He excels at finishing around the basket. Wingert can also hit jumpers from the perimeter. He has good anticipation skills that lead to deflections and steals on defense. Wingert is a physical defender. </p> <p><strong>Brayden Major (2022) |6-1 G/F|</strong></p> <p>He played a big role last night and Brayden knocked down a huge 3-pointer from the left wing late in the 4th quarter.  Major also had an impressive AND1 finish in transition. He cashed in the FT for an old-school 3-point play. Brayden is a clutch performer and he finished the game with 12 points.</p> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Top Chargers</strong></span></h4> <p><strong>Tayton Snyder (2023) |6-0 G|</strong></p> <p>He looked to be a very effective player in transition. Snyder scored in transition and he made some great passes. Tayton is also a slasher that can get to the rim and finish. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="968155" first="Brooks" last="Nelson"] (2022) |6-2 F|</strong></p> <p>I like this player’s toughness. Brooks is a nice athlete and a big strong forward. Nelson made multiple physical finishes with defenders all over him. He also looks to be a solid FT-shooter.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="812213" first="Logan" last="Schipper"] (2022) |6-1 G|</strong></p> <p>This kid a 3-point assassin! Shipper can get his shot off in a hurry. Logan sets his feet quick and he has a hair-trigger. Shipper has an extended shooting range. He drilled a 3-ball from beyond college range. Logan hit multiple catch-and-shoot three-pointers last night. He can also score off the bounce, Schipper made a tough fadeaway 1-handed shot in traffic. He looks to be a good defender and he created TO’s. He also works hard on the glass, Logan had a big rebound late in the game. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="812203" first="Nathan" last="Koole"] (2022) |6-9 C|</strong></p> <p>The Northwestern (IA) commit had a very nice game last night. Koole blocked multiple shots and he contested many more. I love the way he challenges shots with his long arms, he even had a nice block on Bruns. Nathan does a great job of passing out of the post. Everybody loves a post player that shares the ball. Koole was outstanding on the offensive boards. He gave the Chargers many extra possessions and he also had putbacks for buckets. I liked his strength and physicality. On one possession the Panthers were fronting Koole and he made them pay by sealing them on the top side. The Charger guard made a nice touch pass and Nathan finished it perfectly. It was easy to see last night why Koole is a college basketball commit.</p> <p><strong>Ethan Bruns (2022) |6-6 F|</strong></p> <p>He had a nice smooth bucket in transition. Bruns had an overall solid game last night. He works hard on both ends of the floor. Ethan is a playmaker and a hustler.</p>