Patriots – Season Check-in
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Mayville, ND – In this article, we are checking in on the Patriots from May-Port-C-G. The school is made up with the towns of Mayville, Portland, Clifford, and Galesburg. The Patriots are coached by Taylor Kunkel who is one of…
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Continue ReadingMayville, ND – In this article, we are checking in on the Patriots from May-Port-C-G. The school is made up with the towns of Mayville, Portland, Clifford, and Galesburg. The Patriots are coached by Taylor Kunkel who is one of the top up-and-coming young coaches in North Dakota. May-Port-C-G competes in Region 2. That Region has a handful of tough teams that will be competing for the right to go to State. North Border, Thompson, Grafton, and Hillsboro-Central Valley all have talented teams. I believe that the Patriots are a darkhorse and that they could make a run come tourney time! May-Port-C-G has shown that they can compete with top talent as they have beaten Kindred and Thompson this season. The Patriots just need to be a bit more consistent, play solid D, execute on offense and put it all together. Be on the lookout for the Patriots once postseason play begins! Aside from having a solid overall team, the Patriots have two studs that have been putting up big numbers this season. Xyler Carlson Xyler Carlson 6'0" | SG May-Port-C-G | 2023 State ND and Landon Koenig Landon Koenig 6'7" | PF May-Port-C-G | 2023 State ND , these guys have been fantastic and they are surefire All-Region players.
See below for stats leaders, Q&A with coach Kunkel, and the Patriots score/schedule.
Stat Leaders
Xyler Carlson Xyler Carlson 6'0" | SG May-Port-C-G | 2023 State ND (2023) |6’0 G| – 18.5 ppg, 4 apg, 4 rpg, 4 spg, defends the other team’s best player every night
Marshall Judisch Marshall Judisch 6'0" | CG May-Port-C-G | 2024 State ND (2024) |6’0 G| – 13 ppg, 3 apg, 3 rpg, over 40 3FG%, 94 FT%
Landon Koenig Landon Koenig 6'7" | PF May-Port-C-G | 2023 State ND (2023) |6’6 PF| – 19 ppg, 11 rpg, 2 apg, 2 spg, 2 bpg
Q&A with coach Taylor Kunkel
PHD: Before the season started, what were some of your team goals?
Coach Kunkel: “Make it to Bismarck“
PHD: Could you talk about a time that you overcame adversity this season?
Coach Kunkel: “Injuries have hurt us a lot this year. Drew Ostmo (starter) has been out for the last 3 and a half weeks, Bryce Juliuson (current starter) missed the first 4 weeks with an injury. Jake Hutter has not been able to play due to a torn ACL in football. Having only 11, grades 9-12, healthy players has also been adversarial. Overall, the team has learned to handle adversity and continue to work together for the good of the TEAM.“
PHD: How do you think your team is playing defensively?
Coach Kunkel: “We have had really good defensive games, other times we have not played well on that end. We need to be more consistent.“
PHD: You guys have 2 big wins over Kindred and Thompson, how are you feeling after those 2 games?
Coach Kunkel: “Felt good after those two wins. I knew the guys could compete with anyone and it was up to them to get do so. They are working together as a team and understand their roles and what we need to do as a team.“
PHD: Which players have surprised you this season?
Coach Kunkel: “ Noah Djibonon Noah Djibonon 6'5" | PF May-Port-C-G | 2027 State ND (8th Grader) has stepped up and played well. Does a great job rebounding and can shoot the ball well.“
“Drew Ostmo and Bryce Juliuson have done great jobs in stepping into varsity after having limited time there.“
PHD: Who are some of your young guys that are playing well?
Coch Kunkel: “ Noah Djibonon Noah Djibonon 6'5" | PF May-Port-C-G | 2027 State ND – Will be a player to watch in the future.“
Patriot Scores/Schedule (12-6)
LOSS 78-47 Central Cass
WIN 63-33 Hatton-Northwood
WIN 68-46 Griggs-Midkota
WIN 77-62 Midway-Minto
WIN 53-31 Wyndmere/Lidgerwood
WIN 66-54 Richland
LOSS 40-37 LaMoure-Litchville-Marion
WIN 60-30 Maple River
WIN 65-53 Carrington
LOSS 71-68 Hillsboro/Central Valley
LOSS 68-56 North Border
WIN 69-42 Northern Cass
LOSS 70-60 Grafton
WIN 76-58 Kindred
WIN 72-68 Thompson
WIN 57-37 Cavalier
WIN 71-38 Larimore
LOSS 64-58 Hillsboro/Central Valley
2/18 home vs. Dakota Prairie
2/24 home vs. Park River-Fordville-Lankin
2/27 home vs. Drayton-Valley-Edinburg
Good luck to the Patriots!