Rockstar Role Players in South Dakota

These guys need your attention! Role Players are vital to every successful team in basketball. An important role player might be the hardest worker, a great defensive player, a 3-point shooter, a hard-nosed rebounder, a sure-handed PG, a precision passer, a guy that does the little things, a selfless teammate, a top-notch practice player, and many other things depending on the team. Role Players might not get a ton of playing time, but when they are in the game, they make the most of it! With that said, let’s check out the ballers….

Rockstar Role Players

Blake Hookie (2024) |6’1 G| Baltic

He has accepted his role for the Bulldogs. With that said, his role has changed given the different situations that the team has gone through this season. Hookie played the 1 for the Bulldogs when their starting point guard was out with an injury. He has played the 4-spot when the Bulldog BIGs get in foul trouble. Blake thrives at every position on the floor. He provides energy on and off the bench and is willing to do anything to help the team win. Hookie has been a leader on the JV team, he has started at the varsity level, and has played a wide variety of minutes on any given night. Blake has shown leadership by getting kids into the gym on off days, and encouraging young kids to show up and put the work in. There is no doubt that Hooking is an excellent team player and a Rockstar Role Player!

Brecken Weir Brecken Weir 5'10" | CG Garretson | 2026 State SD (2026) |5’9 G| Garretson

He has been a sparkplug for the Blue Dragons. He plays with sheer hustle and he is willing to lay it all on the line, no matter what the scoreboard shows. He is a young man that was not “gifted” with a great deal of speed, but his basketball IQ and knowledge of the game put him in the right spot a majority of the time. Weir is a point guard who knows how to get to the rim off the dribble and passes the ball to get his teammates open. Brecken is not a vocal leader, yet, but he leads by example with hard work and he has the dedication to get better every day. I am confident that Weir will be a “go-to” guy in the next couple of years at Garretson.

Clay Hansen (2023) |5’10 G| Chester Area

He is the epitome of a great role player for the Flyers. Hansen has only played in 11 games due to an ankle injury, which broke up his rhythm for the year. When he is on the floor, Clay is making a difference for Chester on both ends. In his 11 games, Hansen has made 18/45 3FG’s and is averaging 7 ppg for the Flyers. In addition, he is grabbing 6 rebounds per game with 22 offensive rebounds, with 18 coming in the last 5 games. Clay is a valued offensive role player because he scores when needed from the perimeter. He hits kick-out threes but can also scores tough points in the paint. In addition, Hansen does little things on offense by getting offensive rebounds and creating 2nd chance scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. Defensively Clay is Chesters best help defender and is asked to guard the opposing team’s second post, despite being undersized. In 11 games he has 30 defensive rebounds and has taken 4 charges for the Flyers. During the stretch of time, Clay was unable to play because of injury, Chester missed his presence on both ends of the floor. Clay is a valued member and key role player within the Chester system.   

Ethan Petrich Ethan Petrich 6'2" | C Leola-Frederick | 2026 State SD (2026) |6’3 PF| Leola-Frederick Area

The Titans are 9-5 on the year and the young Petrich is playing well. Ethan is a tall and strong athlete that battles down low and he gets after the glass. Petrich secures 2.4 rebounds per game and at 6’3″, he is a shot-blocking threat. He has also shown flashes of being a menace on the o-boards, you have to love a young player that scores off putbacks!

Gannon Gruenhagen Gannon Gruenhagen 6'0" | SG De Smet | 2023 State SD (2023) |6’0 PG| De Smet

He runs the show for the Bulldogs. Gannon is a sparkplug, he knows how to get games going and keep everyone fired up. He does not score a lot and has adapted to his role of a distributor on offense and gets out and guards hard on D. He is currently leading De Smet in assists. De Smet talks a lot about shooting open shots and not caring about who is taking them. Gannon has only put up 45 shot attempts this season and has passed up many open looks because a teammate has a better one or the in-game situation. The Bulldogs play a deep bench and Gannon has been great at being vocal from the bench and also in practice.  He does not focus on stat leaders or any of the recognition, he just pours his effort into a Bulldog W every night. He has had several hustle plays diving for saves and tying up balls. One of the biggest was vs. Lower Brule, he saved a ball from going out of the corner and back to Tom Aughenbaugh Tom Aughenbaugh 5'11" | SG De Smet | 2024 State SD who dished to Kadyn Fast Kadyn Fast 6'1" | PG De Smet | 2024 SD for an open 3-pointer late in the first half to keep the Bulldogs close. He dove on 2 more loose balls in that game as well. Gruenhagen loves the game and he loves his team. He has become an emotional leader as a senior PG. It is tough to be the coach’s kid and deal with all of the outside noise. Gannon has handled that well. Often, it is hard to be with your coach 24/7 day and night! His mental toughness is next to none! Gruenhagen is a Rockstar and the Bulldogs are doing great things this season! Expect them in Aberdeen once again.

Gavin Ligtenberg Gavin Ligtenberg 5'10" | PG Sturgis Brown | 2023 State SD (2023) |5’10 G| Sturgis Brown

He is always willing to do what is necessary for the betterment of the team. Gavin is one of the Scoopers defensive stoppers, he does not ask for shots, ever! He works hard at doing what is asked of him. The Scooper coaching staff always knows what they are going to get from Gavin each and every game. Lightenberg is a very good defender, Gavin and Tyan Buus Tyan Buus 5'10" Sturgis | 2024 SD are usually assigned to the opponent’s best perimeter players. Gavin can make open shots and he does a great job leading as a captain. He knows his job very well. Gavin backs up Tyan Buus Tyan Buus 5'10" Sturgis | 2024 SD at the point guard position when Tyan is out for a break or has foul trouble. Gavin is very reliable on the hardwood. He is very well-liked by his teammates. Sturgis has a very close-knit group. Gavin is the leader and kids look up to him. This group at Sturgis is very special in how they conduct themselves every day. Gavin is a big part of making sure the younger guys are upholding the “Standards of Excellence” that they created through a team retreat at the beginning of each year.

Haydon Shurson (2024) |5’10 G| Iroquois-Lake Preston

He does the little things and the dirty work for the Sharks. Shurson is willing to take charges and he takes control on the defensive side. Haydon knows when to be aggressive and when to get his teammates involved. Shurson is an excellent rebounder that comes off the bench as the 6th man. He plays his role perfectly. Shurson is an NRG guy that every coach would want on his team!

Jackson Wadsworth Jackson Wadsworth 6'1" | CG Hamlin | 2026 State SD (2026) |6’1 G| Hamlin

The Chargers are off to a great start, 10-3 on the year. Jackson started at the beginning of the season due to some Charger injuries. He now comes off the bench for Hamlin. Wadsworth can play positions 1-3 and he is a heady basketball player for his age. He can handle the PG position, he gets the team into their sets and is also a serious shooter from behind the arc. Jackson’s strongest asset is his ability to guard multiple positions. He gives the starters a break and the Chargers do not miss a beat. Wadsworth has been a crucial part of the success that the Chargers have had this season.

Jake Goblirsch (2023) |6’2 F| Beresford

He is not only a high academic player but a high-character kid. Jake is one of the most underrated basketball players in the Big East/Region 4 conference. Jake is one of the main reasons for the Watchdog success this season. Do not let his height deceive you, he is well put together at 190 lbs. He might be 6’2 but with his freak athleticism and vertical, he has the presence in the paint as if he was 6’7″-6’8″. Goglirsch contests shots very well, without getting into foul trouble. He has posted multiple games this season with 15+ rebounds. Jake does it all for the Bulldogs defensively. Golblirsch can guard the 1-5 positions. Beresford is 10-3 on the season and you should expect that win total to keep going up!

Jared Purdy (2024) |6’1 F| Waubay-Summit

The Mustangs are 11-1 this season. Jared works on his game daily, he wants to improve for his team. Purdy understands his role of defending, rebounding, and screening. He is a great locker room kid as he’s energetic and always in a good mood! Jared is always ready to take on a new challenge and is coachable. He fits the phrase “Rockstar Role Player” perfectly.

Joe Decker (2023) |5”9 G| Castlewood
11-3 record so far. He starts for the Warriors and is a consistent shooter. Decker averages 7.7 ppg and he shoots a blazing 47% from 3pt-land. Earlier this season against Lower Brule, Decker drained 8 triples!

Jonah Kocer Jonah Kocer 6'1" | PG Tea Area | 2023 State SD (2023) |6’1 G| Tea Area

The Titans are 7-3 on the season. Kocer is a 2-year and a team captain. He has a tremendously high basketball IQ. Jonah is a jack-of-all-trades, depending on the matchups. At some point in the season, Jonah has led the Titans in scoring, rebounding, and/or steals. He is the best defender on the team and he makes his teammates better. Kocer never takes a day off from practice and he raises everyone’s energy level. Jonah is is an underrated player and one heck of a teammate.

Josiah Cottier Josiah Cottier 5'11" | SG Marty | 2023 SD (2023) |6’0 G| Red Cloud

A key player for the 9-4 Crusaders. Cottier is the ultimate role player and competitor. He can score, but he guards the best guy on the other team on a nightly basis for the Crusaders. Josiah is the first one on the floor and he is never afraid to take a charge. He is a positive leader for Red Cloud and he always brings energy. Cottier goes 100 miles per hour every time he steps onto the court!

Malachi James Malachi James 6'2" | SG Beresford | 2026 State SD (2026) |6’2 F| Beresford

Chi has excelled in his role this season. He has been averaging 20+ minutes for Beresford off the bench. He plays at a high level for his age, he is often asked to guard the other team’s best player when he enters the game. When the team experienced illness and injury the game plan did not change with James in the lineup. Chi is a freak athlete, he guards a wide variety of positions defensively. His offensive game is expanding as his outside shot is becoming more consistent, not just a player who only finishes at the rim.

Milo Sumption Milo Sumption 6'0" | PF Leola-Frederick | 2026 State SD (2026) |5’11 G| Leola-Frederick Area

Another young Titan, Sumption has helped his squad win 9 games so far this season. Milo provides the Titans with options on defense. He might be young, but his length and toughness allow him to compete against older players around the basket. He also does a nice job of guarding on the perimeter. Sumption hauls in 2.8 rebounds per game.

Quincy Thu Quincy Thu 6'1" | SG Castlewood | 2024 State SD (2024) |6’0 SG| Castlewood

A major asset to the Warriors who are 11-3 this season. Thu comes off the bench and he provides high amounts of energy. Quincy has grabbed double-digit rebounds multiple times. He is a great rebounder for a 6′ guard. Thu is also a tough defender that can matchup with any position.

Sam Vetter (2023) |6’0 F| Leola-Frederick Area

The Titans have 9 wins this season and Vetter is a vital piece of the puzzle. 4.4 pp, 4.4 rpg (3rd on team). Sam typically defends a top offensive player. He always seems to be in the right place at the right time. This happens with transition breakaways or stepping up on the defensive rotation in help side. Vetter had a great game against Northwestern earlier this season. He scored 11 points and he put in the game-winner in overtime!

Winston Clark Winston Clark 6'2" | PF Leola-Frederick Area | 2026 State SD (2026) |6’0 F| Leola-Frederick Area

The Titans are having a nice season and the young Mr. Clark is doing his part. Winston scores 2.5 ppg, when he gets into the game, he is a threat to score off the bounce and from beyond the 3-point line. Winston is shooting 38 3FG% and 70% from the FT-line. He is great at giving the older guards a breather and the Titans do not lose much in terms of ballhandling, rebounding, and defense when the freshman is in the game.