Bears Tail Basketball 16U Gold

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Time to check out the Bears Tail 16U Gold team. This squad has a ton of talent with emerging college prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This 16U Gold team missed an early tournament in Omaha due to some bad weather but they played last weekend in Chicago. Bears Tail 16U Gold is off until next weekend, they travel to California.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team will be playing at the Stomping Grounds in Sioux Falls in early May, I am excited to see how they look against quality Midwest talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bears Tail 16U Gold, is an intriguing group with athleticism, loads of shooting, versatility, and smart players. If they can put it all together, watch out!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PHD will have all eyes on this team when they hit Sioux Falls!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1911894,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/bearstailPHcircuit.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/bearstailPHcircuit.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1911894" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">16U Gold - SCHEDULE</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1911899,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/16UGOLDschedule.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/16UGOLDschedule.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1911899" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">16U Gold - ROSTER</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>#</strong></span></td><td><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PLAYER</span></strong></td><td><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">SCHOOL</span></strong></td></tr><tr><td>0</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1310125' first='Zacharia' last='Nhial']</td><td>West Fargo Sheyenne</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1169147' first='Noah' last='Meissner']</td><td>Jamestown</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1750475' first='Parker' last='Brodina']</td><td>Devils Lake</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1178059' first='Grady' last='Swanson']</td><td>Bismarck</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1769085' first='Joel' last='Nelson']</td><td>Devils Lake</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1165392' first='Karter' last='Peterson']</td><td>Thompson</td></tr><tr><td>11</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1165355' first='Grant' last='Cosley']</td><td>North Border</td></tr><tr><td>13</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1746515' first='Oliver' last='Wirth']</td><td>Devils Lake</td></tr><tr><td>31</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1354781' first='Jenner' last='Smude']</td><td>Bismarck</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">*Hover over the player name for height/position</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Player Comments from coach <em>Swanson</em></span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1310125' first='Zacharia' last='Nhial'] - "<em>Long, athletic wing that can score from all three levels, He uses his length well on defense helping him force turnovers.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1169147' first='Noah' last='Meissner'] -&nbsp; "<em>Playmaking point guard that handles pressure well. Smart and able to get us settled into our offense, quiet leader.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1750475' first='Parker' last='Brodina'] - "<em>Big, athletic wing/forward, great at getting downhill to his spots, and a solid 3-point shooter. Can guard 1-5.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1178059' first='Grady' last='Swanson'] -&nbsp; "<em>Crafty guard, very good shooter, and has the ability to get downhill. 3 and D type of player, very hard worker.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1769085' first='Joel' last='Nelson'] - "<em>Lefty wing/forward crafty and elite rim finisher. Can defend 1-4 and uses athleticism well.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1165392' first='Karter' last='Peterson'] - "<em>Forward, uses his body well to seal off bigger defenders and create space. HOF on the glass.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1165355' first='Grant' last='Cosley'] -&nbsp; "<em>PG who handles the ball well and looks to create for others, unselfish and a nightmare for the opposing teams' PG.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1746515' first='Oliver' last='Wirth'] - "<em>Athletic big, can stretch it to 3, and can play back to the basket, good shot blocker, works hard.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1354781' first='Jenner' last='Smude'] - "<em>Lights out shooter with a quick release, a solid defender who works hard on both ends, vocal leader.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Q&amp;A w/ coach <em>Gunner Swanson</em></span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: How did it go in Chicago for it being the first tournament of the season</span>?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Swanson</span>:</strong> "<em>2-2 record. I thought we played well, especially for everyone's first tourney together but I would be lying if I said we were perfect.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PHD: Which players stood out in Chi-Town, what did they do well?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Swanson</span>:</strong> "<em>[player_tooltip player_id='1750475' first='Parker' last='Brodina'] played well while getting hard downhill and guarding 1-5, we also had a number of guys who knocked down a ton of 3's with [player_tooltip player_id='1178059' first='Grady' last='Swanson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1354781' first='Jenner' last='Smude'], [player_tooltip player_id='1169147' first='Noah' last='Meissner'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1746515' first='Oliver' last='Wirth']. They all hit multiple 3s this past weekend. [player_tooltip player_id='1165392' first='Karter' last='Peterson'] was a monster on the glass as well!</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who shot well in Chicago and where were they getting buckets from</span>?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Swanson</span>:</strong> "<em>After the first game everyone shot well. Mostly 3's and layups, not a ton of mid-range shots.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Going forward, what are you looking to improve on as a team</span>?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Swanson</span>:</strong> "<em>I'm hoping we can improve our chemistry and get everyone playing as a team game to share the ball. I also want us to improve on our half-court defense.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Why are&nbsp;you excited about with this team/roster</span>?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Swanson</span>:</strong> "<em>We have a lot of talent with a ton of varsity experience. Not only are they incredible basketball players and athletes but they are great young men as well.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: How often will your team practice/work out</span>?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Swanson</span>: </strong>"<em>Our team won't get a ton of time to practice as a whole group so they will be thrown to the wolves in these first few tourneys trying to figure out everyone's playing style.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What will a couple of your strengths be as a team</span>?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Swanson</span>:</strong> "<em>A strength of this team will be their shooting ability, everyone can shoot from range. They all have varsity experience playing in some important and intense high school games so they are no strangers to competition.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What style of basketball will you play on the offensive end</span>?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Swanson</span>:</strong> "<em>Offensively we will spread other teams out attacking the hoop and shooting threes.</em>"&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What brand of defense do you&nbsp;foresee&nbsp;your team playing</span>?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coach Swanson:</strong> "<em>We will play tough man-to-man defense, getting after teams on defense to force some turnovers and run in transition.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1912172,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Bears-Tail-Basketball-Logo-2.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Bears-Tail-Basketball-Logo-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1912172" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->