Aberdeen Christian: 23-3 Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Knights had another wildly successful season and they finished 3rd at State! That comes as no surprise, they have been one of the best teams in SD in recent years. Playing in the State Tournament has been a regular occurrence for Aberdeen Christian. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This season they won 23 games and only lost to De Smet (State Champs), Hamlin (3rd in A), and Dell Rapids (super talented). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Knights had a new head coach this season with <em>Matt Rohrbach</em>. However, <em>Rohrbach</em> knows the game and program well, so it was not a shock that Aberdeen Christian was one of the best in SD. The senior class had a ton of talent and they had a memorable run for the Knights.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size">See below for more info on the Knights from Aberdeen Christian!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">"<em>After reflecting on the season, even though we missed out on winning the State Championship, we are proud of our accomplishments. We ended the season 23-3 which is a school record and we played both Hamlin and Dell Rapids (both schools we have never played before). We also earned victories over White River and Lower Brule in the regular season (both at the Corn Palace). Sending the seniors out with a 3rd place finish felt good and we can look back on this season and remember how much fun it was.</em>" <strong>-Matt Rohrbach</strong></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 --> <p><strong>Team: </strong>Aberdeen Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mascot:</strong> Knights</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach:</strong> <em>Matt Rohrbach</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class:</strong> B</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region:</strong> 1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Conference:</strong> Lake Region</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Record:</strong> 23-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Playoffs:</strong> 3rd place at State</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>All-State Players:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='963783' first='Malek' last='Wieker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='963765' first='Ethan' last='Russell']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wins Against:</strong> James Valley Christian, Britton-Hecla (x2), Mobridge-Pollock, Lower Brule, Oakes (ND), Potter County, Leola-Frederick, Faulkton, Waubay-Summit, White River (x2), Warner, Herried-Selby, North Central, Northwestern, Ipswich (x2), Aberdeen Roncalli, Langford, Groton, Hitchcock-Tulare, Ethan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1945047,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/aberdeenchristian.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/aberdeenchristian.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1945047" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Team Stats</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PPG: </strong>62 <strong>RPG:</strong> 34.4 <strong>APG:</strong> 13.9 <strong>SPG:</strong> 6.5<strong> BPG:</strong> 2.5 <strong>TOPG:</strong> 9.1 <strong>Charges Taken:</strong> 15</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FG%:</strong> 42 <strong>PPS:</strong> 2.4 <strong>FGM:</strong> 448 <strong>2FG%:</strong> 47 <strong>3FG%:</strong> 29 <strong>3FGM:</strong> 110 <strong>FT%:</strong> 61 <strong>FTM:</strong> 187 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Stat Leaders</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='963765' first='Ethan' last='Russell'] (2023) |6'7 G/F|</strong> - 15.8 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1 apg, 53 FG%</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='963783' first='Malek' last='Wieker'] (2023) |6'1 G|</strong> - 15.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 4.5 apg, 48 FG%</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='963760' first='Jackson' last='Isakson'] (2023) |6'3 G/F|</strong> - 11.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.8 apg, 55 FG%</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kaden Clark (2023) |6'3 F| </strong>- 5.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.7 apg, 59 FG%</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1303091' first='Konnar' last='Furman'] (2025) |6'5 G/F|</strong> - 4.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg, .7 apg, 56 FG%</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1945157' first='Joey' last='Johnson'] (2024) |6'4 F|</strong> - 4.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg, .4 apg, 64 FG%</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1288337' first='Andrew' last='Brennan'] (2023) |5'10 G|</strong> - 4.1 ppg, 3 rpg, 2.5 apg, 41 FG%</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Abe Holscher (2023) |6'1 G|</strong> - 1.9 ppg, 1.6 rpg, .6 apg, 27 FG%</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1783726' first='Ellis' last='Russell'] (2025) | 6'3 G|</strong> - 1.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg, .6 apg, 58 FG% </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>Rohrbach</em></span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What are some fun memories from the season</span>?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Rohrbach</span>:</strong> "Honestly every game was a memory for me as we had such a tight nit bunch this year. There were certain games that someone would go off and it was fun to see the guys rally around that person in the locker room. Some special moments were [player_tooltip player_id='963760' first='Jackson' last='Isakson'], [player_tooltip player_id='963783' first='Malek' last='Wieker'], and [player_tooltip player_id='963765' first='Ethan' last='Russell'] all getting their 1,000th point. Beating White River, Lower Brule, and Groton. That Monday right after the White River game when we received all the First Place Votes in the State Poll. Winning the Conference for the second straight year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Can you tell us about the adversity you faced this year</span>?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Rohrbach</span>:</strong> "<em>Adversity comes in different forms for each team. I felt our bench did a really good job of not allowing minutes to impact their attitudes. It can be difficult when you are not getting the minutes you want but they didn't allow that to impact how they cheered on their teammates. [player_tooltip player_id='1303091' first='Konnar' last='Furman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1945157' first='Joey' last='Johnson'] were hurt for much of the year and there were games we didn't have them but that didn't stop us from playing our best.</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 Rohrbach</span>:</strong> "<em>The seniors will all be missed immensely. They have done so much for this program and I can't imagine a tighter group of kids than them. They've been friends since birth some of them and the exposure they have helped give the school can not be overstated. The Aberdeen community will miss them on and off the court.</em>" </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who are some of the up-and-comers</span>?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Rohrbach</span>:</strong> "<em>I think [player_tooltip player_id='1303091' first='Konnar' last='Furman'], [player_tooltip player_id='1783726' first='Ellis' last='Russell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1945157' first='Joey' last='Johnson'] will have good years next year. They will be the focal points and I look forward to seeing them in action.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Did you have any guys get post-season honors</span>?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Rohrbach</span>:</strong> "<em>[player_tooltip player_id='963783' first='Malek' last='Wieker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='963765' first='Ethan' last='Russell'] played in the 3-Class shootout as well as the Denny Sanford All-Star Game. They were both All-State Performers and Co-MVP of our conference.</em>" </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"italic","fontWeight":"800"}},"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size" style="font-style:italic;font-weight:800">Congrats on the fantastic season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1945255,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/aberdeenchristian-1.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/aberdeenchristian-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1945255" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->