Dakota Valley: Back-2-Back State Champions

Class A Basketball is Dakota Valley's world and everyone else is just living in it. The Panthers finished the season on a 53-game win streak, talk about dominance! DV has won the State Title the past two years, and their win streak started two years ago when they won the 3rd Place game at State.   The Panthers were a super-talented team but I was most impressed with the execution and precision passing. They were also a stout defensive team. Dakota Valley had an impressive cast of players but they also have a phenomenal coach, Jason Kleis. The Panthers lose 7 seniors to graduation but they bring back their BIG man Tish and a few young guards that got their feet wet this season. The Panthers will be a new look team next season but they will still be a tough & talented squad!   See below for team stats, individual numbers, player comments, and Q&A with coach Kleis.   School: Dakota Valley   Mascot: Panthers   Head Coach: Jason Kleis   Class: A   Region: 4   Playoffs: State Champions!   Record: 26-0   Wins Against: Tea Area, Beresford, Minneapolis North (MN), Chamberlain, Sergeant Bluff-Luton (IA), LeMars (IA), West Central, Hartington Cedar Catholic (NE), Tri-Valley, Sioux Valley, Sioux Falls Christian (x2), Clark-Willow Lake, Elk Point-Jefferson, Western Christian (IA), Vermillion, Dell Rapids, Sioux City West (IA), Canton, Madison, Lennox, Parker, Tea Area, Miller, Hot Springs, Hamlin.   All-State Players: [player_tooltip player_id='963742' first='Isaac' last='Bruns'] (1st Team), [player_tooltip player_id='963787' first='Randy' last='Rosenquist'] (1st Team)   Class A Player of the Year: [player_tooltip player_id='963742' first='Isaac' last='Bruns']   SD Gatorade Player of the Year: [player_tooltip player_id='963742' first='Isaac' last='Bruns']   <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>   Player Comments from coach Jason Kleis   [player_tooltip player_id='963787' first='Randy' last='Rosenquist']…"Just had an incredible season, was bigger stronger faster than a year ago, and did so many things for us assists steals scoring rebounding."   [player_tooltip player_id='963742' first='Isaac' last='Bruns']…"Isaac had a phenomenal season/career, and he always saves his best for the big moments and games. His skills, athleticism, toughness, and leadership all took another notch up in his senior season."   [player_tooltip player_id='1500252' first='Jaxon' last='Hennies']…"Jaxon was our x factor, often overlooked because a lot of our offense ran through Isaac and Randy. Teams couldn't key on Randy and Isaac too much, because every time they did Jaxon stepped up with a big game."   [player_tooltip player_id='1511595' first='Sam' last='Faldmo']…"Sam had an incredible year as the ultimate ‘glue' guy. He does everything well…passing, defending multiple positions, shooting, etc and is unselfish almost to a fault."   [player_tooltip player_id='1625200' first='Jaxson' last='Wingert']…"Tish took a big step forward this year, with his scoring and rebounding numbers up big from a year ago. He just keeps getting bigger and more athletic, which along with his great hands and feel and passion for the game are a great combo."   Sam Kleis…"Sam took a big step forward, and gave us hustle plays, big 3-pointers in a lot of our big games this year."   [player_tooltip player_id='1625208' first='Luke' last='Bruns']…"Luke had a tremendous year, was already one of our best defenders and offensively has a knack for the ball and knocking in shots."   [player_tooltip player_id='1406985' first='Logan' last='Collette']…"Logan was fighting a knee injury down the stretch, but had some great moments for us, and was a key in many wins. We expect big things from [player_tooltip player_id='1625208' first='Luke' last='Bruns'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1406985' first='Logan' last='Collette'] next season."   Team Stats   PPG: 75.9 RPG: 32.1 ORPG: 10.3 APG: 16.5 SPG: 8.4 BPG: 3 TOPG: 8 Charges Taken: 6   FG%: 51 PPS: 1.3 FGM: 750 3FG%: 35 3FGM: 186 FT%: 75 2FGM: 564 2FG%: 60   Stat Leaders   [player_tooltip player_id='963742' first='Isaac' last='Bruns'] (2023) |6'5 SG| - 26.3 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 1.2 apg, 55 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='1625200' first='Jaxson' last='Wingert'] (2024) |6'7 PF| - 14.8 ppg, 14.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg, .7 apg, 63 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='963787' first='Randy' last='Rosenquist'] (2023) |6'1 PG| - 14.1 ppg, 7 rpg, 8.3 apg, 53 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='1500252' first='Jaxon' last='Hennies'] (2023) |6'1 SG| - 8.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.5 apg, 43 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='1511595' first='Sam' last='Faldmo'] (2023) |6'4 SF| - 4.2 ppg, 3 rpg, 2.4 apg, 41 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='1625208' first='Luke' last='Bruns'] (2025) |6'0 G| - 3.2 ppg, 1.7 rpg, .2 apg, 33 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='1406985' first='Logan' last='Collette'] (2025) |5'11 SG| - 3 ppg, .6 rpg, .4 apg, 44 FG%   Sam Kleis (2023) |6'5 F| - 1.3 ppg, 1 rpg, .1 apg, 27 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='2272090' first='Charlie' last='Margeas'] (2024) |5'8 PG| - .9 ppg, .1 rpg, .3 apg, 60 FG%   Q&A with coach Kleis   PHD: How would you sum up the season for your squad?   Coach Kleis: "It was a tougher journey, fighting through some injuries, family health issues, expectations, etc. Our guys 1-15 came together at the end of the year, we were really proud and thrilled how the kids stepped up to pull off another undefeated State Title."   PHD: What were some of the highlights on the hardwood that stick out?   Coach Kleis: "There were so many moments and big wins, we played such a tough schedule. It would be hard to top the last two games of the year at State. Playing two quality teams, our team having a lot of pressure on them with the 50-game win streak going into the Tourney, etc, it was so thrilling and gratifying to see this group overcome that to get it done."   PHD: How did your team overcome adversity?   Coach Kleis: "We were down 9+ in the second half of both the State Semifinals (Hamlin) and Finals (SFC). It was a fitting way to end the year, as this team always saved their best for when it mattered most. Every time they were challenged, instead of splintering they relied on each other even more to get it done."   PHD: What are a few things your team improved on over the course of the season?   Coach Kleis: "I thought at end of the year we were passing the ball and more connected and cohesive than earlier in the year. Our kids were always able to step up in the big moments, trusted each other, and found different ways to win."   PHD: Who are a couple of role players that stood out to you?   Coach Kleis: "[player_tooltip player_id='1511595' first='Sam' last='Faldmo'] jumps off the page as the ultimate role player. Long, tough, and did everything for us except he didn't really worry or care about scoring."   PHD: Can you talk about your seniors and what will be missed?   Coach Kleis: "We lose 7 senior players and two awesome senior managers. On and off the court this group was as special as I've seen or had, they left a legacy at DV that won't be forgotten."   PHD: Who are some up-and-comers to look out for in the future?   Coach Kleis: "[player_tooltip player_id='1625208' first='Luke' last='Bruns'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1406985' first='Logan' last='Collette'] will be key guys next year, along with [player_tooltip player_id='1625200' first='Jaxson' last='Wingert']. We expect [player_tooltip player_id='2272090' first='Charlie' last='Margeas'] (junior this year) to step in at the point guard position. We have a deep program with a lot of talented kids, we'll be challenging them this offseason to compete as there will be a lot of minutes up for grabs."   PHD: What are the plans for the offseason?   Coach Kleis: "Same as always, we'll play as a DV team in the Sanford Pentagon league, and maybe 5 or so other dates, but will have open gyms year round and encourage kids to improve individually in the weight room, playing AAU, etc."   PHD: Did any of your seniors play in any All-Star games?   Coach Kleis: "[player_tooltip player_id='963742' first='Isaac' last='Bruns'] and [player_tooltip player_id='963787' first='Randy' last='Rosenquist'] played in 3-Class Shootout and both were selected to play in the Pentagon All-Star game as well."   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><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" alt="" class="wp-image-1399487" /></a></figure>

Class A Basketball is Dakota Valley's world and everyone else is just living in it. The Panthers finished the season on a 53-game win streak, talk about dominance! DV has won the State Title the past two years, and their win streak started two years ago when they won the 3rd Place game at State.