Dakota Niners 16U Johnson: AAU Overview

This 16U Niners team is mainly made up of current sophomores, however, they will have two talented freshmen playing up with them. Offensively, look for the Niners to push the ball up the floor with a good pace and to take the first high-quality available shot. On defense, I would expect the Niners to play solid man-to-man defense. They will have a team full of athletes that has the potential to be very physical on the defensive side of the ball. As the AAU campaign moves on, expect them to add wrinkles to their offense and different ball screen coverages as they become more comfortable playing together. Read below for the Niners roster/player comments, Q & A with coach Ryder Johnson, and the Dakota Niners schedule. <h4>Dakota Niners 16U Johnson Roster</h4> [player_tooltip player_id="1421603" first="Quincy" last="Thu"] (2024) |6-0 G| Castlewood This Warrior is a lockdown defender with impressive strength. Thu has a quick first step that allows him to get to the rack early and often. Quincy has shown improvements on his outside shooting. His strengths are scoring around the basket and providing tough defense. Thu played a big part in the Warrior's postseason run to Aberdeen. [player_tooltip player_id="1653802" first="Jaxon" last="Wildung"] (2024) |6-2 G| Milbank This kid can always find a way to put the ball through the hoop. Jaxon is a lights-out shooter that can be a microwave on the court. He heats up quickly. Look out once Wildung gets going! As a sophomore, Jaxon was the leading scorer on his high school team. [player_tooltip player_id="1327459" first="Bryon" last="Laue"] (2025) |6-8 PF| Castlewood His potential seems unlimited at his young age. As a freshman, Laue has proved that he can be a beast down low and a playmaker. He was an integral part of Castlewood's run to the State Tournament. Expect Byron to have a big AAU season, even though he is playing up an age group. He should be full of confidence after an excellent high school season. [player_tooltip player_id="1421599" first="Jackson" last="Wohlleber"] (2024) |5-9 G| Waubay-Summit He had a quality high school season while starting for the State qualifying Waubay-Summit Mustangs. Look for Wohlleber to be one of the best and most productive players on this squad. Jackson can score at all three levels. He is also an excellent facilitator with a high hoops IQ. Jackson Schofield (2024) |6-2 G/F| Castlewood By adding Schofield, the Warriors will improve offensively and defensively. He will be a very nice new piece of the puzzle for the Niners and he will help take them to the next level. Jackson can really score the ball. Schofield is a versatile player, he can play 1-5. His flexibility will be huge for this team. In the high school season, Schofield started for the successful Warriors. [player_tooltip player_id="1421604" first="Paul" last="Everson"] (2025) |5-11 G| Castlewood He will be a new addition to the Niners squad and he should fit in nicely. Everson will bring solid defense, athleticism, rebounding, and all-around effort. Paul does the little things that do not always show up on the stat sheet. Expect this youngster to be on the ground diving for loose balls, saving the ball from going out of bounds, and to be battling for rebounds. The young Warrior will be playing up an age group. Landen Johnson (2024) |6-3 G| Deubrook Area As a sophomore, he has already proven that he can be an effective scorer. Landen's next step will be to show that he can consistently put up solid scoring numbers. In AAU ball last year, Johnson showed some big scoring ability. The Niners will look for Landen to provide a nice scoring punch all summer long. Jake Jorenby (2024) |6-1 G| Deubrook Area He had a nice high school season for the Dolphins. Jake was a proven 3-point shooter this winter for Deubrook. Expect him to do the same for Johson's 16U squad this summer. Jorenby will help keep defenses honest with his outside shooting. Bowen Ryan (2024) |5-11 G| Castlewood He logged valuable minutes for the State qualifying Warriors this season. Ryan is a smooth shooter that will spread the floor and knock down three-pointers for this team. He may be young but Bowen is a consistent shooter from the perimeter. When the Niners need a clutch 3-ball, expect Ryan to have the ball in his hands. Kolton Duis (2024) |6-1 G| Canby (MN) He will add even more athleticism to an already athletic group. Duis has a knack for getting to the rim through tough contact. Kolton has the ability to rise above the rim and dunk. This leaping ability will also help him bring down many rebounds as a 6'1 guard. <h4>Hoop Talk with coach Ryder Johnson</h4> PHD: Who are a few of your top shooters? Coach Johnson: "Some of our top shooters this year would be [player_tooltip player_id="1653802" first="Jaxon" last="Wildung"] a 6'2" Guard out of Milbank, he can get hot in a hurry and loves to take some heat checks. Bowen Ryan is a 5'11 Guard from Castlewood, anyone from Castlewood loves to shoot and Bowen is no different, he will probably be the most consistent shooter on this year's team. Lastly, [player_tooltip player_id="1421599" first="Jackson" last="Wohlleber"] is a 5'9" Guard from Waubay/Summit, he started for their State Qualifying team. Wohlleber can score at all levels, but is really good at finding his shot behind the arc." PHD: Who will be some of your best interior players and why? Coach Johnson: "Our best interior player will be freshman [player_tooltip player_id="1327459" first="Bryon" last="Laue"] by far. The 6'8" forward from Castlewood had a big school season helping them to a 6th place finish at the State B's. Laue averaged about 8 boards and 1.5 blocks for the Warriors. He is playing up an age group, but I am confident he will still be a force down low." PHD: Who will be some of your top defenders and why? Coach Johnson: "I think we have three really good defenders. One of them being [player_tooltip player_id="1421603" first="Quincy" last="Thu"] out of Castlewood. He is 5'11" but plays taller due to his ability to rebound well as a guard and just how physically strong he is, Thu has a motor. Another guy I think can make a difference on the defensive end is [player_tooltip player_id="1421604" first="Paul" last="Everson"]. He stands about 5'11" as well, but what I really like about him is his all-out effort and that he is a dude who is always on the floor looking to dive on some loose balls. Everson is also playing up an age level this summer. Lastly, as I mentioned earlier, [player_tooltip player_id="1327459" first="Bryon" last="Laue"]. He will be really tough to score on inside." <h4 style="text-align: center;">Niners Tournament Schedule</h4> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">Dates</td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">Location</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">May 7-8 </td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">Watertown, SD</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">May 20-22</td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">Omaha, NE</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">June 4-5</td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">Sioux Falls, SD</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">June 24-26</td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">Sioux Falls, SD</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">July 8-10</td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">Sioux Falls, SD</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">Potentially adding four more tournaments</td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">TBD</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>