Tea Area Titans – Team Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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 vs. #1 Pierre for the 11AA State Championship at the DakotaDome. GOOD LUCK! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Time to get back to hoops...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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 <em>Drew Weber</em> 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!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Practice starts on November 28th, the season will be here before we know it!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1656969,"width":178,"height":178,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/11/teaTitans-.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/11/teaTitans-.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1656969" style="width:178px;height:178px" width="178" height="178"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2021-2022 Season</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Finished 16-7, 2nd place in Dak12</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Lost to SFC in SoDak16</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Lost 9 letter winners, including two All-Staters (<strong>Cael Lundin</strong>, <strong>Jeff Worth</strong>)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Returning Letter Winners</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1227966' first='Reis' last='Kirschenman'] (2023) |6'4 C|</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>o 3-year letter winner &amp; a bulldog on the hardwood<br>o Physical &amp; athletic post player<br>o One of the best rebounders in school history<br>o Last year's Defensive MVP<br>o SDSU Football Recruit</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1265485' first='Jonah' last='Kocer'] (2023) |6'1 G|</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>o Starting PG last year after playing off ball as sophomore<br>o Steady player, skilled, unselfish<br>o Best perimeter defender<br>o Does a little bit of everything</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='963779' first='Blake' last='Thompson'] (2023) |5'11 G|</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>o DNP last season due to Lisfranc surgery<br>o Letter winner as a sophomore<br>o One of the quickest guards in SD<br>o Has the ability to score 25+ on any given night</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jackson Smythe (2023) |5'10 G|</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>o DNP last season due to a leg injury<br>o Steady, physical guard<br>o Can stretch the floor and create for others<br>o Great team defender</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1278718' first='Sam' last='Almas'] (2024) |6'3 G|</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>o Electric player that had some big games last season off the bench<br>o Has the ability to score at all 3 levels offensively<br>o Will have high expectations for growth this season<br>o Coming back from off-season foot surgery</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Top Newcomers</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1270654' first='Jessen' last='Wiebenga'] (2024) |6'2 F|</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>o Physical &amp; tough player<br>o One of the better perimeter shooters on the team<br>o Good rebounder<br>o Will be asked to do a little of everything</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1270653' first='Garrett' last='Wiebenga'] (2024) |6'2 F|</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>o ‘Jack-of-all-trades' type player<br>o Can score at all three levels<br>o Will be asked to do a little of everything</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1657085' first='Boston' last='Willemssen'] (2024) |6'6 C|</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>o Long, defensive-first post player<br>o Will be asked to take a big step up from last season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Keeton Newborg (2024) |6'0 G|</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>o Steady guard that can play on or off ball<br>o Will be asked to take a big step up from last season<br>o State Champion Golfer</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1657078' first='Emerson' last='Otten'] (2025) |6'3 F|</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>o Has the tools to earn varsity minutes<br>o Needs to get stronger &amp; more comfortable playing at a varsity level</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Titan Strengths</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Athleticism</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Team-first mentality</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Competitive and knows what it takes to win</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Ability to play multiple styles</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Will be battle-tested</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Titan Weaknesses</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Experience</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Length</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Depth</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Keys to Success</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Injury recovery &amp; luck</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Inexperienced players finding comfort in their roles</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Rebounding</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Managing difficult schedule</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Coach Weber's Top Teams in Class A</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Dakota Valley</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Sioux Valley</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Dell Rapids</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Lennox</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>SF Christian</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1634111,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/10/TeamPreview.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/10/TeamPreview.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1634111"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->