Sanford Sports Academy 17U Black: Elite Squad

The high school season is in the books. What does that mean? AAU season is here! We are checking in on [program_tooltip program_id='2257226' first='Sanford' last='Sports Academy'] for this team preview article.   [program_tooltip program_id='2222672' first='Sanford' last='Sports'] had their parent's meeting last night at the Pentagon in Sioux Falls and the rosters have been set! 17U Black had their first practice today and their squad is absolutely loaded. They already have two players committed to D1 schools and they have multiple other guys that have the potential to get a D1 scholarship. Many of the other guys have D2 potential. This team has all the pieces to be elite. They have shooters, special athletes, size, length, rebounders, defenders, team players, and hard workers.   The best part is....17U Black will be at three Prep Hoops events this spring/summer, so PHD will get to see them play live, up close, and personal!   Nate Kaeding is the head coach for [program_tooltip program_id='2257226' first='Sanford' last='Sports Academy'] 17U Black and Lee Taylor will be the assistant coach.   See below for 17U Black's roster, player comments, and a Q&A session with coach Kaeding...   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/SanfordSportsAcademyPreview.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/SanfordSportsAcademyPreview.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1871650" /></a></figure>   [program_tooltip program_id='2257226' first='Sanford' last='Sports Academy'] 17U Black Roster   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>PLAYER</td><td>HEIGHT</td><td>POSITION</td><td>SCHOOL</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1266222' first='Porter' last='Ihnen']</td><td>6'5"</td><td>Guard</td><td>Lennox</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1265221' first='JT' last='Rock']</td><td>7'1"</td><td>Center</td><td>Sioux Falls Lincoln</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1270335' first='Jacoby' last='Mehrman']</td><td>6'4"</td><td>Guard</td><td>Harrisburg</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1376686' first='Jesse' last='Van Kalsbeek']</td><td>6'4"</td><td>Wing</td><td>MOC-Floyd Valley (IA)</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1625210' first='Matthew' last='Anderson']</td><td>6'6"</td><td>Wing</td><td>Canton</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1625176' first='Alec' last='Squires']</td><td>6'10"</td><td>Power Forward</td><td>Sioux Valley</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1625182' first='Braeden' last='Vanbockern']</td><td>6'2"</td><td>Guard</td><td>Harrisburg</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1625200' first='Jaxson' last='Wingert']</td><td>6'6"</td><td>Power Forward</td><td>Dakota Valley</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1144475' first='Jeremiah' last='Sem']</td><td>6'2"</td><td>Guard</td><td>Fargo North</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">All players are in the 2024 class</figcaption></figure>   Player Comments from coach Kaeding   [player_tooltip player_id='1266222' first='Porter' last='Ihnen'] - "Smooth, versatile lefty that has a good feel for the game. Already has a couple of D1 offers. Can score from all three levels and create his own. Has the size and skill set to be a tough guy to match up with. Could realistically play four different positions on a college roster."   [player_tooltip player_id='1265221' first='JT' last='Rock'] - "Committed to Iowa State! Has such a unique skill set for a guy that is 7'1". Has good hands/feet, can score inside-out, and has one of the smoothest-looking perimeter shots that I have seen from a guy his size in a long time. High-level rim protector defensively. With his size, frame, and skillset, he has a very high ceiling."   [player_tooltip player_id='1270335' first='Jacoby' last='Mehrman'] - "Lefty guard with good size for his position. Gym rat that is always working on his game. Can play on or off the ball. Has the ball on a string and can get downhill to his spots. Good finisher in the paint and can knock down shots as well."   [player_tooltip player_id='1376686' first='Jesse' last='Van Kalsbeek'] - "He is already a guy that averaged about 20 PPG in high school and he is just scratching the surface of what he can be. Has great genes as his brothers could have played at a lot of schools across the country. Can score in multiple ways from both inside and out. Good length to him that he uses on the glass."   [player_tooltip player_id='1625210' first='Matthew' last='Anderson'] - "Strong, athletic wing that plays whatever role you ask of him. The ultimate glue guy that loves to do the little things. Rebounding, defending, and capable of scoring the ball as well. He is a connector of people and has a vibrant energy about him."   [player_tooltip player_id='1625176' first='Alec' last='Squires'] - "Committed to South Dakota State. Big, physical post that will do whatever you ask of him. Runs the floor hard, can finish plays above the rim, great ball-screen & roll guy, evolving offensive skill, and is a physical post defender."   [player_tooltip player_id='1625182' first='Braeden' last='Vanbockern'] - "High-level shooter that has a knack for finding his shots. Moves well without the ball. Another guy with a good feel for the game. With how people guard him, he is able to attack hard close-outs and put the ball on the floor."   [player_tooltip player_id='1625200' first='Jaxson' last='Wingert'] - "Strong, physical, crafty player that is a tough guard inside but can also step to the perimeter. Good passer for his size. A guy who will run thru a wall for you... has helped Dakota Valley to a 50+ game winning streak and multiple State Championships."   [player_tooltip player_id='1144475' first='Jeremiah' last='Sem'] - "Athletic guard that makes difficult plays look very easy. Just helped lead his Fargo North team to a State Championship. Can score from all three levels and is extremely dangerous in transition. A high-level ball-in-hand guy that can be tough to stop 1-on-1."   Q&A with coach Nate Kaeding   PHD: What gets you excited when you look at this team/roster?   Coach Kaeding: "Talented, versatile group of kids who have a passion for the game of basketball and really work at their craft. We have a nice inside-outside punch with the players and their abilities. They are also great kids who have competed and won at a high level throughout their high school and club seasons. All have the ability to impact college teams beyond their high school careers."   PHD: How often will your team practice/work out?   Coach Kaeding: "Our team will have practice weekends throughout the spring and summer. We will have 20+ practices along with separate skill development sessions during the season."   PHD: What will a couple of your strengths be as a team?   Coach Kaeding: "I think with our versatility, we will be able to play different styles of basketball and our scoring can come from a lot of different places. We should be able to throw the ball inside, attack the paint off the bounce and cut, as well as knock down perimeter shots."   PHD: What style of basketball will you play on the offensive end?   Coach Kaeding: "We want to play with great pace in transition as well as the half court. We will look to put our guys in their strength positions as much as possible and allow them to make plays."   PHD: What brand of defense do you foresee your team playing?   Coach Kaeding: "Our base defense will be a hard-nosed, aggressive, and physical man-to-man defense. We want to really make teams work to score against us. We have a couple of high-level rim protectors that will hopefully be able to protect the paint for us."   PHD: Is there an event/tournament you are most looking forward to and why?   Coach Kaeding: "Testing ourselves on the Under Armour Rise circuit will be a game changer for us. It's the first time to my knowledge in the history of the Dakotas that any time will play on one of the three main shoe-sponsored circuits. We are looking forward to being under the same roof as some of the best teams and players in the country... and the college coaches who will be present!"   17U Black Schedule   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>DATE</td><td>EVENT</td><td>LOCATION</td></tr><tr><td>April 21-23</td><td>UA Rise Session 1</td><td>Mesa, AZ</td></tr><tr><td>April 28-30</td><td>UA Rise Session 2</td><td>Rock Hill, SC</td></tr><tr><td>May 5-7</td><td>Prep Hoops Stomping Grounds</td><td>Sioux Falls, SD</td></tr><tr><td>May 12-14</td><td>Prep Hoops Battle At The Lakes</td><td>Wayzata, MN</td></tr><tr><td>June 28-30</td><td>Great Plains Alliance</td><td>St. Cloud, MN</td></tr><tr><td>July 6-9</td><td>UA Finals </td><td>Cartersville, GA</td></tr><tr><td>July 14-16</td><td>Prep Hoops Hardwork Region Finals</td><td>Wayzata, MN</td></tr><tr><td>July 21-21</td><td>Summer Classic</td><td>Sioux Falls, SD</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ssahoopsteams/status/1599840197910593537 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/SanfordSportsAcademy17U.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/SanfordSportsAcademy17U.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1871661" /></a></figure>

The high school season is in the books. What does that mean? AAU season is here! We are checking in on Sanford Sports Academy ND for this team preview article.