AAU Recap: James Valley Thunder 13U

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have another James Valley Thunder (JVT) team to check out. I mentioned this in other articles, but JVT is a new program this year on the AAU scene in the Dakotas. The 13U team is made up with all South Dakota players. They had a successful season and the future looks bright for this squad. Get to know some of these up-and-coming youngsters!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Team comments from JVT Director, <em>Justin Hanson</em></span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>This group came out of the gates firing on all cylinders at tournament number one at the Sanford Pentagon. Led by Coach Brian Schuring these boys looked like they'd been playing together their whole lives. Their up-tempo play and ability to score it both inside and out made them a very tough team to match up with defensively, coupled with a strong full-court press is the reason they ended their season 12-4 through four tournaments. We have some of the best South Dakota has to offer on this roster and if this group sticks together, you will see this group of young men have a lot of fun and success in those purple and white pinstripes!</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Q &amp; A with <em>Justin Hanson</em></span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PHD: Who were a few of your hardest workers?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Hanson</span>: "<em>There are 4 names that instantly come to mind when you ask about hard work, and not a single one of them can be left out. First off, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1551743' first='Titus' last='Kippley']</strong> was a hard-nosed post that played undersized almost all season, ripping down boards and finishing through contact at the rim. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1551738' first='Ryker' last='Weideman'] </strong>was a fast, strong, and athletic slasher who can get to the rim at will and will lock down on defense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1551741' first='Talen' last='Huber']</strong> is quick as lightning and was a flat-out nuisance all summer. Last, but not least, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1551742' first='Jakob' last='Steen']</strong> was straight-up muscle. Undersized in the forward position he played, but you'd never guess it, as he plays with no fear.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PHD: Who improved the most over the season?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Hanson</span>: "<em>There were a ton of improvements across this team this summer, but it was a lot of fun to watch <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1551736' first='Wyatt' last='Henderson']</strong> come into his role within the team and develop as a player. Wyatt did a great job of coming off the bench all summer and giving quality minutes, and while he wasn't always the highest point getter, he knew his role and executed it wonderfully.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PHD: When you needed a big bucket, who was your "go-to" player?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Hanson</span>: "<em>This team is fortunate to have two BIG PLAY guys. First, let's talk about 5'10" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1551740' first='Sam' last='Rick']</strong>. Sam played any position on the floor when needed. His vision is as good as any kid his age and if he wasn't getting to the rack finishing an "and 1" he was hitting a step back three to put them ahead. Next, we cannot go without talking about 5'7" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1551737' first='Easton' last='Eisemann']</strong>. Easton ran the point for Coach Schuring's team most the summer. His awesome ball handling skills and quick footwork make him very tough for any defender to stay in front of. Maybe Easton wasn't always hitting the game-winner, but he was the guy creating space for his teammates and dropping dimes to those open for the winning shot.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PHD: Who were your top 3pt shooters?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Hanson</span>: "<em>1. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1551735' first='Kamden' last='Keszler']</strong> was an absolute sniper from 3. Leave him open and he's able to get set, the 3 ball is green as money.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>2. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1551734' first='Kale' last='Knudson']</strong> is sneaky good. I think many underestimate the talent this young man possesses. I witnessed Kale stepping up when someone was in foul trouble or if someone was injured to hit multiple three's in a game, and all of it came so naturally. A true class act and a sleeper is this kid! Mobridge-Polluck will be a force in coming years with Knudson, Eiseman, and Henderson coming through the pipe.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>3. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1551739' first='Mitchell' last='Hofer']</strong> was a tough guard for his man. Playing most of the time at the stretch 4 position the kid can flat-out shoot the rock. He had multiple games with 4-6 threes per game. This future Eagle here is going to be a lot of fun to watch as he continues to mature and grow into his body.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">ROSTER</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1551413,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/08/jvt13U.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/08/jvt13U-724x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1551413"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->