Black Hills Express 16U: Team Profile

PHD has another Team Profile for you! Today we are checking out Black Hills Express 16U. This is a relatively new program that was created in 2022. Ethan Dschaak is the creator/founder/director of Express, he is also the head coach for this 16U team. There is some serious talent on this roster and some extra-athletic players. They have two tournaments under their belts at this point in the season with four more to go. These ballers are underrated and they are heading in the right direction in terms of development. Get to know these names before it is too late!

See below for player comments, the schedule, Black Hills Express mission statement, and some Q&A with coach Dschaak.

“We have a great blend of 16’s on this team. Wonderful kids! Terrific teammates! Talented athletes! I’m blessed to coach them!” –Ethan Dschaak

Player Comments

Dylon Doren Dylon Doren 6'2" | SG Spearfish | 2025 State SD (2025) |6’1 SF| Spearfish

He is a standout athlete. Doren is a starter at DB on the football team and he started last year at small forward for the Spartan basketball team. Dylon’s jump shot is good/fruitful but his best strength is getting to the rim and finishing with his athleticism. Doren is very good defender and his motor is something that really stands out because it never stops!

Devin Buehler Devin Buehler 5'11" | CG Hill City | 2025 State SD (2025) |5’10 PG| Hill City

He is a terrific athlete! Buehler is 6’1″ high jumper and the starting quarterback for the Rangers. Devin has started at point guard for Hill City since his freshman year. He is a great student who will do well in all endeavors. Buehler is known as a terrific jump shooter and athletic enough to get to the rim whenever he wants to. He is a good defender with great hands. Devin is a coach on the floor with a very high basketball IQ.

Max Vliem Max Vliem 6'3" | PF Sturgis | 2025 State SD (2025) |6’2 F| Sturgis

He is the son of Northern State Hall of Famer Jeremy Vliem and little brother of recent Northern recruit Jake Vliem Jake Vliem 6'10" | C Sturgis Brown | 2023 State SD . Max has terrific size and once he grows into his body LOOK OUT!  He already has a high basketball IQ and is an above average perimeter shooter.  Max is as hard of a worker as you will see. Vliem loves the game and will be relied upon in the future for the Sturgis Scoopers.

Alex Stoeckmann Alex Stoeckmann 6'0" | CG Hill City | 2025 State SD (2025) |5’10 G| Hill City

He is a TALENTED shooter! Stoeckmann made six three pointers in a varsity game against AA Sturgis in a near victory for the Rangers this high school season. He can fill it up from deep. For the Express, Alex is relied upon to be a scorer and defender. He is skilled passer and has had moments of highlight reel activity!

Cruz Klundt Cruz Klundt 6'0" | CG Gregory | 2025 State SD (2025) |6’0 PG| Gregory

The consumate “coaches kid.” His Dad (Lonnie Klundt) bas been a long time successful basketball coach for the Gorillas. Cruz is OUTSTANDING off the bounce and has a terrific mid-range game offensively. Klundt is a good three point shooter and smooth facilitator to his teammates. Cruz is a likeable young man who is well respected with his comrades. Cruz will excel for Jeff Determan’s Gregory Gorillas this next high school season.

Teigen Wormstadt Teigen Wormstadt 6'1" | SG Sturgis | 2025 State SD (2025) |6’0 G| Sturgis

He has exceptional measurables as he is fast and can elevate in impressive fashion. Wormstadt qualified for State Track in three events. He is also a standout football player. To makes it simple, Teigen is a multi-sport athlete! He saw varsity minutes last season as a role player. He was expected to come into the game and lock-up with the opposing teams top offensive players. Teigen has an impressive first-step, it is long/low/quick and it was left many defenders in the dust. He has been impressive at times with the Express and he is certainly a player to keep tabs on.

Dalyn Dschaak Dalyn Dschaak 6'3" | SG Sturgis | 2025 State SD (2025) |6’2 G/F| Sturgis

Like everyone on this team, Dschaak is a gifted athlete. He is special type of athlete with impressive jumping, speed, strength, muscle, and agility. Dalyn recently competed at State Track in the Javelin. That is admirable for a sophomore! Dalyn is also a DUDE on the football field. On the court, Dschaak is a versatile player that is productive from the perimeter and inside the lane. His jump shot is true and to the mark and he is also productive off the bounce. He is also a vacuum rebounder. Dalyn has played well this spring with the Express and that type of play will only elevate as we get into the summer months.

Carter Williams Carter Williams 6'3" | C Sturgis | 2025 State SD (2025) |6’3 C| Sturgis

He is a scholar of the game with a great head on his shoulders. Carter has an awesome feel around the rim/basket. Williams has long arms, these create issues for offensive BIGs when he defends them. Carter is sneaky quick around the hoop and has the ability to step out and hit a 20 foot jump shot. He is an undersized low post but big things are in store for this Scooper!

Ty Ferguson Ty Ferguson 5'10" | CG Sturgis | 2025 State SD (2025) |5’10 G| Sturgis

He is another serious athlete and great student! Ferguson qualified for the AA state track meet in the distance races. Ty is also a stand out on the soccer field. He can play either point guard or off-guard on the hardwood. Ferguson is a very good defender who makes things hard for opposing guards. Ty is a terrific teammate who ONLY wants to win. Ferguson will be expected to have a productive junior season for his school team. The way things are looking, that will certainly happen!

Brady Virtue Brady Virtue 6'1" | CG Custer | 2026 State SD (2026) |6’1 G| Custer

He is the youngest of all the Express!  Brady has a VERY HIGH ceiling and will be depended upon to do big things for the Custer Wildcats. Virtue is a true student of the game. He is sneaky quick and has a very good jump shot. Brady has a high motor and no one will ever question his effort! Virtue is known as a terrific young man with high upside.

SCHEDULE

Black Hills Express-Mission Statement

The Black Hills Express AAU basketball program is a concept that came to fruition in the summer of 2022. It was designed as an opportunity to give basketball players from South Dakota, specifically west river players, an opportunity to showcase their talents and refine their skills while playing the game they love. With the support of talented coaches whose primary focus is player development, we have created a highly competitive schedule played in a positive basketball learning environment.

Our coaches are TEACHERS FIRST. Who teach the game in a positive and successful way. Our intentions can be described based on these three pillars.

1. We want our players to HAVE FUN playing the greatest game in the world!
2. We want to give our players the opportunity to develop and grow as basketball players!
3. We want to promote sportsmanship and provide an environment conducive to making our players better human beings!

We are EXCITED to watch the Black Hills Express basketball program grow, and we are hopeful that you will take notice.

Q&A with coach Dschaak

PHD: What are the program goals for Black Hills Express?

Coach Dschaak: “I want to see it grow over the next few years. It’s been challenging for West River kids to get better and get noticed due to the dominance that the Eastern side of the state has had in regards to AAU basketball. I have had a number of friends that send their kids across the state which takes time, money, and it complicates life. I started this program in the summer of 2022 in order to avoid having to send my own son to Sioux Falls. We have TALENTED kids West River and I think our success has shown that.“

PHD: How/why did Black Hills Express get created?

Coach Dschaak: “The goal was to help get opportunities for West River kids to play the game they love. We want to do MORE than just showcase kids…We want to help develop them. I think we do a pretty good job of that.“

PHD: Where is the program headed in the future?

Coach Dschaak: “I want to see it grow, meaning more teams at more levels. Right now, we have a 16U team and a 17 U team. Derris Buus (former Sturgis Head Coach and current Lyman AD) coaches our 17U team. He does a very nice job and is a good teacher of basketball. Hopefully, next year we can expand and add a 15U team and lower. I have an 8^th grade daughter (Danica) who is a pretty good athlete along with my son (Dalyn) who is a 16U player for me and I would like to get some things going on the girls side as well. Currently, I am thrilled with how we are growing. The addition of teams hasn’t happened real fast but I believe we are doing it the right way. Quality kids and quality coaches.“

PHD: How has the spring gone for the 16U team?

Coach Dschaak: “We are doing well. We won the Summer Kick-Off in Bismarck, ND by going 4-0. More importantly, we got a lot of kids on the floor and I think they got better due to the chance to play. We then played in an Avera/Warwick tournament last weekend. We went 2-2 and ran out of gas.  Lost to a really good team that Shane (Warwick) coaches as well as a team from Southwest Minnesota Stars. Two great programs. I was pleased with how we performed.”  

PHD: What style of basket does your team play?

Coach Dschaak: “We press, and then we press, and then we press. A lot of run and jump and we rotate hard. This style allows us to play a lot of kids and use our athleticism. We don’t have a lot of size but we are athletic. It fits us perfectly. Offensively, we are a motion team with a few set plays.  Summer time basketball is meant to be fun and should be played with a lot of freedom. I try to build on that.“

PHD: What does your team hang it’s hat on?

Coach Dschaak: “Defense-Defense-Defense. Our press allows us to transition to offense very quickly. We score mostly in transiton due to our defensive intensity. We often times have 9 or 10 guys so we want to play all of them so the understanding is you play hard while you are on the floor.  We have guys who LOVE THAT!“

PHD: What are you hoping to improve for the rest of the season?

Coach Dschaak: “Just to get a better understanding of the game and become better fundamentally. A lot of kids are SO TALENTED that they need to be broken down and LOSE bad habits because they’ve gotten away with it for so long. Once they start playing guys as good as them then they can’t get away with it. So, development is a huge point of emphasis in our program.“