Dell Rapids St. Mary: Season Recap
The Cardinals from St. Mary are a team that fans will need to keep an eye on next season. The Cardinals had a quality 2021-2022 season where they picked up 15 wins. The Cards lost in the quarterfinals of Region…
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Continue ReadingThe Cardinals from St. Mary are a team that fans will need to keep an eye on next season. The Cardinals had a quality 2021-2022 season where they picked up 15 wins. The Cards lost in the quarterfinals of Region 4. St. Mary had four All-Conference Players and they will bring back some heavy talent next season. I am expecting them to have an excellent offseason and to come into next year ready to compete at a very high level. Read below for a deep dive into the St. Mary Cardinals.
Team Stats
PPG: 56.4 RPG: 37.7 APG: 10.2 SPG: 9.8 DPG: 6.2 BPG: 53
FG%: 39.7 2FG%: 45.9 3FG%: 26.6 FT%: 60.3 3FGM: 93
Player Stats
John Pica (2022) |6’4 F| – 10.9 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.2 spg, .8 bpg
Nic Gaspar Nic Gaspar 6'2" | SG Dell Rapids St. Mary | 2024 State SD (2024) |6’2 G| – 11 ppg, 5.7 rpg, .9 apg, 2.2 spg, 30.4 3FG%
Dylan Mathis Dylan Mathis 6'3" | CG Dell Rapids St. Mary | 2023 SD (2023) |6’1 G| – 13.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.5 spg
CJ Smith (2023) |5’11 G| – 8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.5 spg, 33.3 FG%
Ty Brown (2022) |6’1 G| – 8.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.3 spg
Gabriel Lindeman (2023) |6’3 F| – 2.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg
DVC All-Conference Players
Second Team – Dylan Mathis Dylan Mathis 6'3" | CG Dell Rapids St. Mary | 2023 SD , John Pica
Third Team – Nic Gaspar Nic Gaspar 6'2" | SG Dell Rapids St. Mary | 2024 State SD
Honorable Mention – Ty Brown
Team Awards
Offense MVP – Dylan Mathis Dylan Mathis 6'3" | CG Dell Rapids St. Mary | 2023 SD
Defense MVP – Nic Gaspar Nic Gaspar 6'2" | SG Dell Rapids St. Mary | 2024 State SD
Most Improved Player – CJ Smith
6th Man – Gabe Lindeman
Cardinal Award – John Pica
Up-&-Coming – Trimmier Hanson
Cardinals Chat with Coach Colby Fitzgerald
PHD: What were some of the highlights of the season?
Coach Fitzgerald: “Varsity finished 15-6, JV finished 10-8“
“We had 23 boys out for basketball in 2021-22 with 8 seniors. We finished 2nd (15-5 record) in Region 3B standings and 2nd (7-2 record) in the DVC conference. The DVC conference is year in & year out a very competitive league as it sent 2 teams (De Smet & Castlewood) to the State Bs this year.“
PHD: Which players improved the most for you this season?
Coach Fitzgerald: We only had 1 returning starter for the 2021-22 season. Nic Gaspar Nic Gaspar 6'2" | SG Dell Rapids St. Mary | 2024 State SD (So); CJ Smith (Jr) were two new players that were inserted into the starting lineup for the Cardinals this year. Each played varsity a season ago with minimal roles. This year Nic averaged 11 ppg and CJ averaged 8ppg respectively and were key contributors to the cardinal’s success. Nic earned 3rd team all DVC conference this season.
PHD: Who were your biggest “impact players” this season?
Coach Fitzgerald: “ Dylan Mathis Dylan Mathis 6'3" | CG Dell Rapids St. Mary | 2023 SD (jr) was our leading scorer with 13.4 ppg & 2.5 apg.“
“John Pica (sr) averaged 10.9 ppg & 8.3 rpg (6 double-doubles)“
PHD: Who was your best shooter?
Coach Fitzgerald: “ Dylan Mathis Dylan Mathis 6'3" | CG Dell Rapids St. Mary | 2023 SD (jr) shot 48% FG 59% 2FG 25% 3FG”
PHD: Who was your best practice player and why?
Coach Fitzgerald: “John Pica (Sr) was always a player we could count on to bring energy and leadership. He is someone that the group could look up to and he would always lead by example.“
PHD: Who were some of your key bench players?
Coach Fitzgerald: “We played 6-7 players in our rotation this season. Gabriel Lindeman (Jr) was our key reserve this season averaging 2.7 ppg & 3 rpg.“
PHD: Can you make a few comments about the seniors that you are losing?
Coach Fitzgerald: “We will be graduating 2 senior starters and 8 total. This senior group was always willing to show up and put in the work. They were looked up to by the younger members of the team and showed them what it takes to be successful. Each year it is always hard to say goodbye to the senior class but we wish them good luck in the next chapter of their lives.“
PHD: Who are some of your top players that will be back next season?
Coach Fitzgerald: “As we look forward to the 2022-23 season, we will return 3 starters: Dylan Mathis Dylan Mathis 6'3" | CG Dell Rapids St. Mary | 2023 SD , CJ Smith & Nic Gaspar Nic Gaspar 6'2" | SG Dell Rapids St. Mary | 2024 State SD . All players we hope for them to take the next steps and grow into bigger roles for the cardinals. We have players like Gabriel Lindeman who will be asked to compete for the remaining starting positions available. The offseason growth will be key for us this year as we continue to improve as a team and individually going into next season.“
St. Mary Cardinals Scores/Schedule (15-6)
Mitchell Christian W 41-34
Colman-Egan W 64-28
De Smet L 42-60
Chester Area W 53-46
Deuel L 56-68
Garretson W 33-25
Estelline-Hendrick W 53-47
Elkton-Lake Benton L 39-45
Oldham-Ramona-Rutland W 75-48
Castlewood W 56-50
Mt. Vernon-Plankinton L 52-63
Deubrook Area W 81-62
Alcester-Hudson W 63-30
Viborg-Hurley W 67-58
Lake Preston W 62-31
Arlington W 70-56
Howard W 54-38
Centerville W 63-51
Baltic W 65-32
Bridgewater-Emery L 48-54
Bridgewater-Emery L 47-61