Tea Area Titans – Team Preview
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It is time to talk Titan Hoops! But first, we have to give a shout-out to the Tea football team! The Titans are 10-1 on the gridiron this season and they have a date with destiny on Saturday. #2 Tea…
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Continue ReadingIt is time to talk Titan Hoops! But first, we have to give a shout-out to the Tea football team! The Titans are 10-1 on the gridiron this season and they have a date with destiny on Saturday. #2 Tea vs. #1 Pierre for the 11AA State Championship at the DakotaDome. GOOD LUCK!
Time to get back to hoops…
The Titans lost some heavy talent to graduation last year but they bring back experienced and athletic players. Tea has a high-quality program with many up-and-coming players. Tea plays a very tough schedule and they will be challenged often this season. Tea plays in Region 4 which is likely the top Region in class A. The Titans are coached by Drew Weber who has a great basketball mind and he does a great job of teaching the game. Looks out for this team, they are serious contenders to get to State! See below for all things Titans!
Practice starts on November 28th, the season will be here before we know it!
2021-2022 Season
- Finished 16-7, 2nd place in Dak12
- Lost to SFC in SoDak16
- Lost 9 letter winners, including two All-Staters (Cael Lundin, Jeff Worth)
Returning Letter Winners
Reis Kirschenman Reis Kirschenman 6'5" | C Tea Area | 2023 State SD (2023) |6’4 C|
o 3-year letter winner & a bulldog on the hardwood
o Physical & athletic post player
o One of the best rebounders in school history
o Last year’s Defensive MVP
o SDSU Football Recruit
Jonah Kocer Jonah Kocer 6'1" | PG Tea Area | 2023 State SD (2023) |6’1 G|
o Starting PG last year after playing off ball as sophomore
o Steady player, skilled, unselfish
o Best perimeter defender
o Does a little bit of everything
Blake Thompson Blake Thompson 5'11" | PG Tea Area | 2023 State SD (2023) |5’11 G|
o DNP last season due to Lisfranc surgery
o Letter winner as a sophomore
o One of the quickest guards in SD
o Has the ability to score 25+ on any given night
Jackson Smythe (2023) |5’10 G|
o DNP last season due to a leg injury
o Steady, physical guard
o Can stretch the floor and create for others
o Great team defender
Sam Almas Sam Almas 6'2" | SG Tea Area | 2024 State SD (2024) |6’3 G|
o Electric player that had some big games last season off the bench
o Has the ability to score at all 3 levels offensively
o Will have high expectations for growth this season
o Coming back from off-season foot surgery
Top Newcomers
Jessen Wiebenga Jessen Wiebenga 6'3" | SF Tea Area | 2024 State SD (2024) |6’2 F|
o Physical & tough player
o One of the better perimeter shooters on the team
o Good rebounder
o Will be asked to do a little of everything
Garrett Wiebenga Garrett Wiebenga 6'3" | SF Tea Area | 2024 State SD (2024) |6’2 F|
o ‘Jack-of-all-trades’ type player
o Can score at all three levels
o Will be asked to do a little of everything
Boston Willemssen Boston Willemssen 6'6" | C Tea Area | 2024 State SD (2024) |6’6 C|
o Long, defensive-first post player
o Will be asked to take a big step up from last season
Keeton Newborg (2024) |6’0 G|
o Steady guard that can play on or off ball
o Will be asked to take a big step up from last season
o State Champion Golfer
Emerson Otten Emerson Otten 6'3" | SF Tea Area | 2025 State SD (2025) |6’3 F|
o Has the tools to earn varsity minutes
o Needs to get stronger & more comfortable playing at a varsity level
Titan Strengths
- Athleticism
- Team-first mentality
- Competitive and knows what it takes to win
- Ability to play multiple styles
- Will be battle-tested
Titan Weaknesses
- Experience
- Length
- Depth
Keys to Success
- Injury recovery & luck
- Inexperienced players finding comfort in their roles
- Rebounding
- Managing difficult schedule
Coach Weber’s Top Teams in Class A
- Dakota Valley
- Sioux Valley
- Dell Rapids
- Lennox
- SF Christian