#4 Aberdeen Christian: Midseason Update
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Aberdeen, SD – The Knights from Aberdeen Christian had a great season last year with a runner-up finish at the State Tournament. They are off to another great season and the Knights are currently ranked #4 in the State B Polls.…
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Continue ReadingAberdeen, SD – The Knights from Aberdeen Christian had a great season last year with a runner-up finish at the State Tournament. They are off to another great season and the Knights are currently ranked #4 in the State B Polls. The Knights have a very nice group of players and they have been hot as of late. Read below for stats, coach Rohrbach’s comments, and the Knight schedule.
Team Stats
61.3 ppg, 34.3 rpg, 16.3 apg, 6.8 spg, 2.4 bpg
Player Stats
Malek Wieker Malek Wieker 6'0" | CG Aberdeen Christian | 2023 State SD (2023) |6-0 PG| – 18.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 4.6 apg, 46 3FG%
Ethan Russell Ethan Russell 6'6" | SF Aberdeen Christian | 2023 State SD (2023) |6-6 F| – 16.3 ppg, 9 rpg, 1.2 apg, 37 3FG%
Jackson Isakson Jackson Isakson 6'3" | SG Aberdeen Christian | 2023 State SD (2023) |6-3 G| – 9.8 ppg, 7 rpg, 3 apg, 27 3FG%
Kaden Clark (2023) |6-3 F| – 4.6 ppg, 6 rpg, 4.3 apg
Abe Holscher (2023) |6-1 G| – 4.5 ppg, 1.8 rpg, .3 apg, 32 3FG%
Andrew Brennan Andrew Brennan 5'11" | PG Aberdeen Christian | 2023 State SD (2023) |5-9 G| – 3.8 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 2.5 apg
Blake Rich Blake Rich 6'5" | SF Ipswich | 2024 State SD (2024) |6-4 F| – 2.4 ppg, 1.3 rpg, .2 apg
Q & A with Coach David Rohrbach
What has been the highlight of the season so far?
“The highlight of our season so far would have to be the 4 game stretch of Saturday to Saturday in which we played 4 schools (Potter County, Faulkton, Waubay Summit, Platte Geddes) all of which at one point this season had received votes in the media poll. Going 4-0 that week, capping it off with a win at the Hanson Classic against #5 Platte Geddes was really big for us as far as momentum in the heart of the season and getting crucial seed points against quality opponents.”
What are your goals for the rest of the season?
“Our goals are to keep improving and hopefully be playing our best basketball at the end of the year. We hope to peak at the right time and make a deep playoff run.”
Which players are most improved and why?
“ Andrew Brennan Andrew Brennan 5'11" | PG Aberdeen Christian | 2023 State SD and Kaden Clark have done so much for us this year filling new starting roles. They have fit their roles really nicely by being great assist guys, excellent defenders, and doing whatever it takes to win, whether that’s getting a timely bucket or a timely rebound. Abe Holscher has really improved as a shooter and gives good minutes off the bench, as well as Blake Rich Blake Rich 6'5" | SF Ipswich | 2024 State SD , and Joey Johnson who give us really good big man minutes off the bench.”
Who have been your top players defensively?
“ Jackson Isakson Jackson Isakson 6'3" | SG Aberdeen Christian | 2023 State SD has been a staple for us defensively for a couple of years now and loves guarding the other team’s best player. A couple of new and great additions to our defense have been Andrew Brennan Andrew Brennan 5'11" | PG Aberdeen Christian | 2023 State SD picking up ball handlers full court and pestering them. He is relentless with his energy and ball pressure. Kaden Clark, also new to the starting line-up has done an excellent job taking on the opposing team’s best post players. His post defense has really come on strong. Clark also leads our team in assists at 4.5 a game.”
What has been your team’s identity so far or what do you hang your hat on?
“Our team’s identity has always been defense. Defense travels and carries you when shots aren’t falling. Offensively we have a lot of shooters, however, we are at our best when we play inside out, get post touches, and our three-pointers come off of inside-out action. When we share the ball we have a lot of scorers.”
Player Highlights
Malek Wieker Malek Wieker 6'0" | CG Aberdeen Christian | 2023 State SD , Ethan Russell Ethan Russell 6'6" | SF Aberdeen Christian | 2023 State SD , and Jackson Isakson Jackson Isakson 6'3" | SG Aberdeen Christian | 2023 State SD – our 3 returning starters lead us in scoring, which they have a lot of big-game experience. However, I really like that they also are our 3 leading rebounders as well, which is great to see a commitment out of them to not just score but to contribute in other areas.
Knight Schedule (11-2)
James Valley Christian – W 57-42
Warner – W 64-40
Leola-Frederick Area – W 71-37
Britton-Hecla – W 66-38
White River – L 48-58
FACS, TN – L 40-56
Oakes, ND – W 78-50
Potter County – W 61-56
Faulkton Area – W 58-54
Waubay-Summit – W 57-50
Platte-Geddes – W 60-49
Herreid-Selby Area – W 76-43
Wilmot – W 61-34
February 1 @ North Central
February 3 (home) vs. Northwestern
February 8 @ Ipswich
February 12 @ McCook Central vs. Howard
February 15 @ Langford Area
February 17 (home) vs Aberdeen Roncalli
February 25 (home) vs. Groton Area