Deuel Cardinals: Summer Update
Prep Hoops Dakotas had a chance to catch up with Deuel’s head coach Jon Peterreins to chat some hoops and to hear how the offseason has been going for the Cardinals. Read below for a deep dive into the Deuel…
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Continue ReadingPrep Hoops Dakotas had a chance to catch up with Deuel’s head coach Jon Peterreins to chat some hoops and to hear how the offseason has been going for the Cardinals. Read below for a deep dive into the Deuel Cardinals!
Q & A with head coach Jon Peterreins
PHD: What events have you attended this summer?
Coach Peterreins: “The Deuel Boys Basketball Program finished up a productive month of June. We first competed at the Drake Bigler Memorial Team Camp in Marshall, MN, earning wins over Redwood Valley, Dawson Boyd, and found a hot shooting Russel Tyler Ruthton going 2-1 while taking second in the top division.”
“We then headed to the Northeast Team Camp hosted by Todd Neuendorf of Hamlin. This was a great opportunity to face Class AA teams of O’Gorman and Mitchell. We competed well against both teams and adjusted to their length and physicality of each team. We came up short in both games, but gained some good experience playing up in competition. We finished with a win over Faulkton in this team camp.“
“Our last team camp of the summer was at Dakota State University and we played solid team defense against Chester, Winner, and Faith earning three wins. Coach Greg Kahler & Cardinal Alum Kellan Benck led our teams in this team camp and it was nice to observe the team progress from the stands.”
“The Deuel Varsity and JV teams also play in the Prairie Lakes League in Watertown and the Pentagon League in Sioux Falls, which we will finish up competition in July.”
PHD: Do you guys get together as a team during the week for open gyms or skill work?
Coach Peterreins: “We have designed a summer schedule to work for the players and find a balance to their week. We meet on Monday and Thursday mornings to work out as a team to help us get ready for our next competition. The players also commit to strength training 3-5 five times a week.”
PHD: I know it is early July but who have been a couple of players that have been improving this summer so far?
Coach Peterreins: “I feel the majority of the players have been investing a lot of time and energy to improve their overall game. My returning Varsity players Trey Maaland Trey Maaland 6'1" | SG Deuel | 2024 State SD , Gavin Benck Gavin Benck 6'2" | PF Deuel | 2023 State SD , and Braydon Simon have taken their game to the next level while providing leadership to the underclassmen showing them how to work hard.“
“ Trey Maaland Trey Maaland 6'1" | SG Deuel | 2024 State SD (2024) |6-1 G| – Trey is a very good athlete who can guard multiple positions. He can score in a variety of ways and continues to get better on both sides of the court. He has become a very consistent player who continues to take his game to the next level.“
“ Gavin Benck Gavin Benck 6'2" | PF Deuel | 2023 State SD (2023) |6-2 F| – Gavin has the skill set to make plays for teammates and for himself as a great passer. He has very good footwork and is able to finish with soft touch in the paint and has the ability to stretch the defense with his perimeter shooting. He plays physical defense and uses his quickness to defend all positions.“
“Braydon Simon (2023) |5-11 G| – Braydon plays the game with great speed and has the ability to attack downhill offensively creating opportunities for himself and his teammates to score. He plays great on-ball defense putting pressure on his opponents.”
PHD: Who are some other seniors to look out for next season?
Coach Peterreins: “Ronnie Begalka (2023) |6-4 C| – “Ronnie is a great rebounder who never gives up on a play. His motor is one of the best in the program and is looking to make his impact on both ends of the court next season to give this team an edge inside.”
“Dravyn Carlson (2023) |6-1 G| – Dravyn is a very good shooter and is looking to become a complete player. He loves getting reps in the gym and is looking to make an impact next season. He continues to improve defensively and rebounds well.”
“Owen Quail (2023) |5-11 F| – Owen is a glue guy and makes the team go with his communication and his ability to defend. Owen is a multi-sport athlete and that brings toughness to the team. Owen plans on playing football at a college level and wants nothing more than to have a healthy senior year and he deserves it after battling injuries last year.”
“Carter Leddy |2023) |6-4 C| – Carter has a lot of potential to impact the team on both sides of the court. He can finish the basketball inside at a high percentage and has good footwork to go with his post moves. Defensively he can alter shots with his length and timing.”
“Ricky Berndt (2023) |6-0 G| – Ricky has the ability to impact the game in different ways. Offensively he has the ability to stretch the defense with his shooting and never gets tired defensively. He is a talented cross country and track athlete who will have the opportunity to run at a college level.”
“Josh Mussi (2023) |6-4 C| – Josh just started playing basketball in our program last year and continues to improve each practice. He brings a presence in the paint defensively and continues to develop offensively. Josh has a desire to play college football and has a lot of potential.”
“Jaydon Schmalz (2023) |5-11 G| – Jaydon joined our basketball program last year and continues to adjust to the speed of the game. He has become a great teammate and brings good energy in practice to help us get to the next level.”
“Devon Moore (2023) |5-10 G| – Devon is a good athlete who has a lot of potential as a player with offensive ability and does a great job defending. He is a world-class bronc rider who will ride at the college level and eventually professionally.”
PHD: Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for in the near future?
Coach Peterreins: “Gabe Sather (2025) |6-1 G| – Gabe’s game continues to get better on both ends of the court. He has a nice shot with the ability to attack with a quick first step. Defensively he can guard 1-4. Playing consistently at a high level is improving and will be an impact player for the years to come.“
“Jaxon Peterreins (2025) |5-9 G| – Jaxon continues to improve with a good work ethic and plays relentless defense getting a lot of deflections/steals. He has great court vision and is a very accurate passer. He has the ability to score from the perimeter and does a nice job running the point.”
“Robbie Begalka (2024) |6-0 F| – Robbie provides pure strength on the court and continues to learn how to use his body to help make the offense run through him. He works hard on the defensive end and continues to improve on the offensive end.”
“Dexter Unzen (2024) |6-0 F| – Dexter continues to make improvements on the defensive end as he challenges himself to bring the energy and effort on every possession. He has proven to shoot the ball from the perimeter and is learning how to score with attacking.”
PHD: In the summer, do you care more about winning, development, or is it a combination of both? Could you expand on that?
Coach Peterreins: “We feel that our summer basketball opportunities allow us to develop as a program and identify the areas of the game we can improve on. Our team has put the focus on team defense and we have seen some good improvement. This team wants to play against the best level of competition this summer and find ways to win. Our biggest challenge has been defending teams that have post players who can shoot from the perimeter. Having good pressure on the perimeter is our focus to finishing out the summer. We go into every game expecting to come out on top and if we don’t, we want to learn from those games.“
Best of luck to the Cards with the rest of your summer!