Hamlin Chargers: 3rd Place Finish

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are taking a look back at one of the top teams in South Dakota high school basketball this past season. They are loaded with young talent, the Chargers will return two All-State Players. Hamlin also has one of the top coaches in the state. Elite talent and excellent coaching, no wonder the Chargers had such an epic season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team: </strong>Hamlin</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mascot:</strong> Chargers</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach:</strong> <em>Todd Neuendorf</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class:</strong> A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region: </strong>2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Conference:</strong> Northeast, Lake Central </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Record:</strong> 21-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Playoffs:</strong> 3rd Place at State</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Wins Against</span>:</strong> Groton Area, Howard, Dell Rapids, Tiospa Zina, Webster, De Smet, Redfield, Mt. Vermon-Plankinton. Aberdeen Roncalli, Sisseton, Milbank, Castlewood, Florence-Henry, Deuel, Aberdeen Christian, Clark-Willow Lake, Flandreau, Great Plains Lutheran, Clark-Willow Lake, Madison, Sioux Valley, Elk Point-Jefferson.</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">Player Comments from coach <em>Neuendorf</em></span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>[player_tooltip player_id='1331228' first='Tyson' last='Stevenson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1625191' first='Easton' last='Neuendorf'] led us offensively averaging 14 and 13 points per game. Tyson became our go-to guy down the stretch and Easton controlled the game and set the pace for us throughout.&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='1558204' first='Zac' last='Van Meeteren'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1331227' first='Dawson' last='Noem'] not only provided offense but also did a great job of defending in the post.</em>"&nbsp;([player_tooltip player_id='1414918' first='Brennan' last='Keszler'], [player_tooltip player_id='1414922' first='Evan' last='Stormo'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1545637' first='Jackson' last='Wadsworth'] are mentioned below)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1935589,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/hamlin.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/hamlin.jpg?w=605" alt="" class="wp-image-1935589" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Q&amp;A with <em>Todd Neuendorf</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 Neuendorf</span>:</strong> "<em>I thought our team improved throughout the season. I thought we were playing our best basketball in March. We finished up with a 21-4 record and a Third-place finish with our only loss to eventual State Champs, Dakota Valley.</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&nbsp;off the court</span>?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Neuendorf</span>:</strong> "<em>I think the bus rides and State Tournament back-to-back girls and boys provide a lot of fun times for our kids, school, and the community.</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 Neuendorf</span>:</strong> "<em>Winning the NEC Conference, qualifying for the State Tournament for the first time in 30 years.&nbsp;We played in the Hanson Classic at the Pentagon, DWU Classic in Mitchell, and the Hoop City Classic…Our kids got to play in a lot of great venues.&nbsp;Along with winning the SoDak 16 game in Huron Arena, which is one of the best gyms to play basketball in the State!</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: How did your team overcome adversity</span>?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Neuendorf</span>:</strong> "<em>We started the season with two starters out…One missed the first 6 games and the other missed the first 10 games. It made us better as a team.&nbsp;When we got them back, our team never missed a beat and continued to improve throughout the State Tournament.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What are a few things your&nbsp;team improved on over the course of the season</span>?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Neuendorf</span>:</strong> "<em>Our defense, especially ball screen defense improved immensely.&nbsp;Also, we began to rebound the ball much better down the stretch.</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 Neuendorf</span>:</strong> "<em>[player_tooltip player_id='1545637' first='Jackson' last='Wadsworth'] is a freshman who came off the bench and provided scoring from behind the three-point line.&nbsp;He is a heady player and he played a large role for us all year.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>[player_tooltip player_id='1414922' first='Evan' last='Stormo'] is a sophomore who started for us last season but missed the first 10 games due to a Football injury.&nbsp;Once Evan returned after the first 10 games, he not only provided us with an offensive presence, but he also provided us with defensive structure.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Can you talk about your seniors</span>?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Neuendorf</span>:</strong> "<em>We graduate to Seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1414918' first='Brennan' last='Keszler'] </strong>and <strong>Rylan Bawdon</strong>.&nbsp;Both of these young men provided great leadership throughout the season. Brennan started and provided a finisher at the rim and the ability to slash to the basket.&nbsp;Rylan came off the bench and provided us with another perimeter shooter. We want to thank both of them and wish them the best going forward as they continue their post-high school education.</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 Neuendorf</span>: </strong>"<em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2059573' first='Aiden' last='Abraham']</strong> is a freshman who played for our JV squad.&nbsp;He has the ability to play both on the inside and the perimeter. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2059565' first='Boden' last='Stevenson']</strong> an 8^th&nbsp;grader who can handle the ball and score it from the perimeter.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What are the plans for the offseason</span>?</strong>&nbsp; </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Neuendorf</span>:</strong> "<em>We plan to be in our gym working and improving individual skills along with our conditioning, speed, and agility program.&nbsp;We will play in team camps along the way also.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Did any of your players receive postseason awards</span>?&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Neuendorf</span>: </strong>"<em>[player_tooltip player_id='1625191' first='Easton' last='Neuendorf'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1331228' first='Tyson' last='Stevenson'] were both First-Team All-Northeast Conference and [player_tooltip player_id='1414918' first='Brennan' last='Keszler'] was Second Team.&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='1625191' first='Easton' last='Neuendorf'], [player_tooltip player_id='1331228' first='Tyson' last='Stevenson'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1414918' first='Brennan' last='Keszler'] were also all Conference in Lake Central Conference.&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='1625191' first='Easton' last='Neuendorf'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1331228' first='Tyson' last='Stevenson'] were selected All-Tournament Team at State. [player_tooltip player_id='1625191' first='Easton' last='Neuendorf'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1331228' first='Tyson' last='Stevenson'] were selected to the All-State 3rd Team.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1935590,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/hamlinpicc.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/hamlinpicc.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1935590" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->