Winner Warriors: 21 Win Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are checking out the Winner Warriors for this season review article. This program has a rich history of success and they proved again this year that they know how to consistently win games. The Warriors did not make it to State, but they won 21 games, beat multiple teams that went to State, and they made it to the SoDak 16. Winner was one the top defensive teams in the state, regardless of class. They held their opponents to 41.3 ppg! Winner loses some talented seniors but they bring back a nice core and they have some up-and-coming players to look out for. Keep reading for more info on the Warriors and their 2022-23 basketball season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>School:</strong> Winner</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mascot: </strong>Warriors</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach:</strong> <em>Brett Gardner </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class: </strong>A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region:</strong> 7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Conferences:</strong> Big Dakota &amp; SESD</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Record: </strong>21-2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Playoffs:</strong> Lost in SoDak 16 to Hot Springs by a score of 47-43</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wins Against: </strong>Wagner, Stanley County, Sully Buttes, Chamberlain, Custer, Bon Homme, Parkston, Lyman, St. Thomas More, Todd County, Mt. Vernon-Plankinton, Gregory, Miller, Cheyenne-Eagle Butte, St. Francis Indian, McLaughlin, Platte-Geddes, Mobridge-Pollock, Crow Creek, Bennett County, Lakota Tech.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"italic","fontWeight":"800"}},"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size" style="font-style:italic;font-weight:800">Shout-out to [player_tooltip player_id='963824' first='Blake' last='Volmer'] on his All-State selection! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1876025,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/winnerwarriors-crop-1169x768-1679975080.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/winnerwarriors-crop-1169x768-1679975080.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1876025" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Stat Leaders</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='963824' first='Blake' last='Volmer'] (2023) |6'3 G|</strong> - 19.1 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 4 apg, 23 3FGM, 100 FTM, 6 charges taken</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1263163' first='Shawn' last='Hammerbeck'] (2025) |6'7 PF|</strong> - 11.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.7 apg, 5 3FGM, 42 FTM</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1876892' first='Aiden' last='Barfuss'] (2024) |6'0 G|</strong> - 11.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.9 apg, 36 3FGM, 28 FTM, 2 charges taken</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1227967' first='Ethan' last='Bartels'] (2023) |6'3 F|</strong> - 6.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1.9 apg, 15 3FGM, 11 FTM</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Silas Chasing Hawk (2023) |5'8 G| </strong>- 4.8 ppg, 1 rpg, .9 pg, 31 3FGM, 5 FTM, 2 charges taken</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1675908' first='Ryder' last='Halligan'] (2025) |5'9 G|</strong> - 2 ppg, 1.4 rpg, .5 apg, 8 3FGM, 6 FTM, 1 charge taken</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pierce Nelson (2023) |5'10 G|</strong> - 1.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg, .7 apg, 7 3FGM, 2 FTM, 4 charges taken</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chaz Blotsky (2023) |5'11 G/F| </strong>- 1.6 ppg, 1.9 rpg, .7 apg, 4 3FGM, 5 FTM</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Team Stats</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PPG:</strong> 59.3 <strong>OPPG:</strong> 41.3 <strong>3FGM:</strong> 130 <strong>FTM: </strong>203 <strong>FT%:</strong> 70 <strong>RPG:</strong> 32.9 <strong>APG:</strong> 14.7 <strong>SPG:</strong> 9.7 <strong>TOPG:</strong> 9.7 <strong>Charges Taken:</strong> 15</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1842251,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/SeaonReview-.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/SeaonReview-.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1842251" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Team Comments from coach <em>Brett Gardner</em></span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We had a real nice season this year. We were undefeated at home and were able to capture both of our conference championships (Big Dakota/SESD). We appreciate everything our Seniors did for us. We held teams to 41.3 points per game by defending the perimeter and finishing with a defensive rebound. We are going to miss their presence every day. Thank you, [player_tooltip player_id='963824' first='Blake' last='Volmer'], <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1227967' first='Ethan' last='Bartels']</strong>, <strong>Chaz Blotsky</strong>, <strong>Silas Chasing</strong> <strong>Hawk</strong>, and <strong>Pierce Nelson</strong>.</em>" </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Q&amp;A with coach <em>Gardner</em></span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: How would you sum up the season for your squad</span>?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Gardner</span>: </strong>"<em>We had a very successful season. We are disappointed in how it ended but are proud of what we accomplished this year.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Do you have any fun memories from the season that happened off the court</span>?</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Gardner</span>:</strong> "<em>The feeling in the locker room and bus trips after a big victory was special.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What were some of the highlights on the hardwood that stick out</span>? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Gardner</span>:</strong> "<em>Our chemistry this year was really good. Our guys passed the ball very well. They gave up a good shot to get a great shot. Our defensive rotation was another thing that stood out.</em>" </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who are a couple of role players that stood out to you</span>?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Gardner</span>: </strong>"<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1876892' first='Aiden' last='Barfuss']</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='1263163' first='Shawn' last='Hammerbeck'] had big years for us. Aiden averaged 11.1 ppg, and 3.3 rpg, 3.9 apg, while Shawn averaged 11.4, 7.6, and 1.7. We are excited about those two returning starters." </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Can you talk about your seniors and what will be missed</span>?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Gardner</span>:</strong> "<em>The leadership our seniors brought was phenomenal. [player_tooltip player_id='963824' first='Blake' last='Volmer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1227967' first='Ethan' last='Bartels'] were 3-year starters.</em>"  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who are some up-and-comers to look out for in the future</span>?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Gardner</span>:</strong> "<em><strong>Zac Olson</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1675908' first='Ryder' last='Halligan']</strong>, and <strong>Carter Craven</strong> are three underclassmen who will play a huge role for us going forward.</em>" </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What are the plans for the offseason</span>?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Gardner</span>:</strong> "<em>The majority of our guys play baseball in the summer and stay very active in the spring as well. We will do our acceleration program and try to get in the gym a couple of times for open gyms.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Did any of your players receive postseason awards</span>? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='963824' first='Blake' last='Volmer']</strong> - 2nd Team All-State - SESD - Big Dakota Conference,  <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1876892' first='Aiden' last='Barfuss']</strong> - SESD - Big Dakota Conference, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1263163' first='Shawn' last='Hammerbeck']</strong> - SESD- Big Dakota Conference, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1227967' first='Ethan' last='Bartels']</strong> - Big Dakota Conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1399487,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/03/SD-1.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/03/SD-1.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1399487" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->