Red Cloud Crusaders: Season Review

The Crusaders are a Class A team that competes in Region 7. The Red Cloud school is located on the Pine Ridge Reservation. They had a nice-looking squad this season with multiple impressive players. The Crusaders picked up 13 wins this year. They did not get as deep into the playoffs as they hoped but they created many great memories and they had fun along the way. The Crusaders lose some talented seniors and they bring back some nice players as well. Take a look below for an in-depth look at the Crusaders from Red Cloud!

Team Record: 13-9

Wins: Hill City, Wall, Pine Ridge, Custer, Todd County, St. Francis Indian School, Custer, Little Wound, Lead-Deadwood, Belle Fourche, Hot Springs, Bennett County, Todd County

Team Stats: PPG: 61 RPG: 30.1 APG: 7.7 SPG: 8.2 TOPG: 13.4 3’s Made: 166 3FG%: 30 FTM: 273 FT%: 64 2FG%: 48

Stats Leaders

Adriano Rama Adriano Rama 5'10" | PG Lakota Tech | 2023 SD (2023) |6’0 G|

15.4 ppg, 6 rpg, 4 apg, 2.5 spg, 44 FG%

Monty Montileaux Monty Montileaux 6'2" | SF Red Cloud | 2024 State SD (2024) |6’2 G/F|

12.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2 apg, 2.1 spg, 38 FG%

Josiah Cottier Josiah Cottier 6'0" | CG Red Cloud | 2023 State SD (2023) |6’0 G|

11 ppg, 2.7 ppg, 1.4 apg, 1.3 spg, 44 FG%

Gabriel Brooks Gabriel Brooks 6'5" | PF Red Cloud | 2023 State SD (2023) |6’5 F|

7.8 ppg, 8.4 ppg, .4 apg, .6 spg, 55 FG%

Haedyn Haas Haedyn Haas 5'11" | SG Red Cloud | 2023 State SD (2023) |5’11 G|

6.5 ppg, 1.8 ppg, .5 apg, .8 spg, 31 FG%

Jules Ecoffey Jules Ecoffey 6'1" | SG Red Cloud | 2023 State SD (2023) |6’3 G/F|

5.1 ppg, 3.6 ppg, .5 apg, .7 spg, 38 FG%

Nick Zuniga (2023) |6’0 G|

4.1 ppg, 1.7 rpg, .7 apg, .6 spg, 30 FG%

Dayton Pourier (2023) |6’1 F|

1.3 ppg, 1.1 rpg, .1 apg, .1 spg, 27 FG%

Top Crusaders

Adriano Rama Adriano Rama 5'10" | PG Lakota Tech | 2023 SD – He led the Crusaders in almost every category this year. Rama was a leader for Red Cloud. He was a 2X LNI All-Tournament selection, 2X All-Conference selection (Black Hills Conference), 1,000-point scorer, Academic All-Conference and Academic All-State!

Josiah Cottier Josiah Cottier 6'0" | CG Red Cloud | 2023 State SD – He was the best on-ball defender for the Crusaders and the vocal leader for this squad. He averaged double-digit points night in and night out, and he was an efficient scorer.

Jules Ecoffey Jules Ecoffey 6'1" | SG Red Cloud | 2023 State SD – He played every position on the floor for Red Cloud. Jules helped the team with his versatility.

Monty Montileaux Monty Montileaux 6'2" | SF Red Cloud | 2024 State SD – His length was needed and he rebounded well. Monty is versatile and he can play multiple positions. He was the Crusaders second-leading scorer and second-leading rebounder.

Q&A with coach Christian McGhee

PHD: How would you sum up the season for your squad?

Coach McGhee: “We had a lot of ups and downs dealing with injuries, and sicknesses. However, I thought we did a great job of staying together and giving ourselves a chance to be successful.” 

PHD: What are a couple of highlights that stick out?

Coach McGhee: “Some highlights were Adriano Rama Adriano Rama 5'10" | PG Lakota Tech | 2023 SD scoring his 1,000th career point, beating Pine Ridge at LNI, and beating Hot Springs who has made the State Tournament.“

PHD: How did your team overcome adversity?

Coach McGhee: “Dealing with Covid when our seniors were sophomores really put us behind. The kids worked very hard to get back to where they can be a State elite team again. We dealt with a ton of injuries, sicknesses, and even grade issues so it was hard to prepare each week not knowing who we were going to have, but they handled the adversity every time.” 

PHD: Who was your hardest worker?

Coach McGhee: “ Adriano Rama Adriano Rama 5'10" | PG Lakota Tech | 2023 SD was our hardest worker – he came in each morning around 5:30 am to get extra shots up.” 

PHD: Who are a couple of role players that stood out to you?

Coach McGhee: “Role players that stood out were: Haedyn Haas Haedyn Haas 5'11" | SG Red Cloud | 2023 State SD – who had a down year shooting the ball but is capable of having big games shooting and Gabe Brooks was very steady for us averaging almost a Double-Double.“

PHD: Can you talk about your seniors and what will be missed?

Coach McGhee: “This senior group that we had have been together since they were little. We are losing a ton of experience and leadership with this group and they will definitely be missed!“

PHD: Who are some up-and-comers to look out for in the future?

Coach McGhee: “ Monty Montileaux Monty Montileaux 6'2" | SF Red Cloud | 2024 State SD as a junior was our second leading scorer and rebounder as well as 2nd on the team in assists and steals. He will be our leader next year and will take a big step for us. Braylon Little Braylon Little 6'0" | CG Mahpiya Luta(Red Cloud) | 2026 State SD was a freshman this year but his season was cut short due to a knee injury. He is a player that would’ve helped us late in the season with depth. I am excited for him as well. Josh Anderson Josh Anderson 6'1" | CG Red Cloud | 2025 State SD is a kid that, if we weren’t senior-heavy, would’ve gotten significant minutes. Josh is a hard worker and never complained and did whatever was asked of him, he shot every morning as well. These 3 will be our leaders next season.“