Viborg-Hurley Cougars: Season Review

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are back for our final Season Review article and it just so happens to be on one of the best teams in class B South Dakota basketball. The Cougars won 21 games this past season and they made a trip to the State Tournament in Aberdeen. Viborg-Hurley obviously has a talented team this year, the scary thing is, they bring back a ton of talent &amp; skill. The Cougars will enter next season as a top 5 team and one of the favorites to get back to the Big Dance at Wachs Arena.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size">See below for stat leaders, player comments, and a Q&amp;A session with coach <em>Schoenefeld</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team:</strong> Viborg-Hurley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mascot: </strong>Cougars</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach:</strong> <em>Galen Schoenefeld</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class:</strong> B</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region:</strong> 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Conference: </strong>Cornbelt</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>All-Conference Players</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='1535886' first='Nick' last='Hanson'] (1st Team), [player_tooltip player_id='1859723' first='Gage' last='Goettertz'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1832812' first='Brady' last='Schroedermeier'] (2nd Team), [player_tooltip player_id='1859727' first='Kobee' last='Sherman'] (3rd Team)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>All-State Player: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1535886' first='Nick' last='Hanson'] (2nd Team)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Record: </strong>21-5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Playoffs:</strong> State Qualifier (1-2 record at State)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wins Against:</strong> Freeman, Irene-Wakonda, Gregory, Hanson, Alcester-Hudson, Gayville-Volin (x2), Avon, Baltic, Centerville, Canistota, Freeman Academy-Marion, McLaughlin, Parker, Philip, Menno, Howard, Dell Rapids St. Mary, Scotland, Wessington Springs, Ethan.</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">Stat Leaders</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1961419,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/nickhanson-crop-3024x1986-1684503258.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/nickhanson-crop-3024x1986-1684503258.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1961419" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1535886' first='Nick' last='Hanson'] - <strong>Pts:</strong> 416 <strong>Reb:</strong> 241 <strong>Ast:</strong> 33 <strong>Blk:</strong> 64 <strong>3FGM:</strong> 11 <strong>FG%: </strong>56</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1859727' first='Kobee' last='Sherman']</strong> - <strong>Pts:</strong> 264 <strong>Reb:</strong> 95 <strong>Ast:</strong> 53 <strong>3FGM:</strong> 47 <strong>FG%:</strong> 41 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1859723' first='Gage' last='Goettertz']</strong> - <strong>Pts:</strong> 261 <strong>Reb:</strong> 124 <strong>Ast:</strong> 99 <strong>3FGM:</strong> 11 <strong>FG%:</strong> 48</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1832812' first='Brady' last='Schroedermeier']</strong> - <strong>Pts:</strong> 220 <strong>Reb:</strong> 126 <strong>Ast:</strong> 51 <strong>3FGM:</strong> 17 <strong>FG%:</strong> 47</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bryson Morrison </strong>- <strong>Pts:</strong> 170 <strong>Reb:</strong> 94 <strong>Ast:</strong> 62 <strong>3FGM:</strong> 21 <strong>FG%:</strong> 32</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Devin Sayler</strong> - <strong>Pts: </strong>57 <strong>Reb:</strong> 55 <strong>Ast:</strong> 36 <strong>3FGM: </strong>3 <strong>FG%:</strong> 50</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1535887' first='Rafe' last='Goettertz']</strong> - <strong>Pts:</strong> 45 <strong>Reb:</strong> 76 <strong>Ast:</strong> 15 <strong>3FGM:</strong> 8 <strong>FG%: </strong>27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Player Comments from coach <em>Schoenefeld</em></span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1859723' first='Gage' last='Goettertz'] (2023) |6'4 F|</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>He had been counted on previously primarily for his defense but really developed as someone who could carry the scoring load as well.&nbsp;He could guard almost any position or player on the court and really helped our defensive flexibility.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bryson Morrison (2024) |6'2 F|</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>He has a good all-around game and moves well for someone his size. Morrison has a good understanding of the game.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Joshua Roth (2024) |5'10 G|</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>He didn't see much varsity time but he really came on as an outside shooter in JV and can be a pesky defender.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Devin Sayler (2024) |6'1 G|</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>He showed a good ability to get to the basket and has been counted on for his defense. Devin had a few games with 3-5 assists as a player off the bench.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1859727' first='Kobee' last='Sherman'] (2024) |6'3 F|</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>He was a reliable scorer for us and really shot the 3 well as the season went on.&nbsp;He was our best 3pt % shooter this year after having to play inside much of last year.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1535887' first='Rafe' last='Goettertz'] (2025) |6'3 F|</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>He gave us some good effort defensively off the bench and even though his 3pt % was not great on the season he had some big shots including in the second half of the SoDak16 game against Wessington Springs.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1535886' first='Nick' last='Hanson'] (2025) |6'7 PF|</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>He was much stronger and more confident this year.&nbsp; He was a reliable scorer and our leading rebounder this season</em>."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1832812' first='Brady' last='Schroedermeier'] (2026) |6'0 G|</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>He had great intensity on the defensive end. Brady had his nights where he provided double-digit scoring. As a point guard and a freshman, he really rebounded well on both ends.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Q&amp;A with <em>Galen Schoenefeld</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 Schoenefeld</span>: </strong>"<em>Overall, very happy with the season. I don't think many people felt we could be in the State Tournament when the season started, but the team made great progress as the season went on. It was a very enjoyable season in terms of their willingness to do the things we asked and in the way they exemplified being a team in the style of play and how they got along with each other.</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 Schoenefeld</span>:</strong> "<em>I think each of the games we played in the classics will stand out (Hoop City, Pentagon Heritage, and the DWU Classic) as well as the SoDak16 game.</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 Schoenefeld</span>:</strong> "<em>At the beginning of the season we had 3 of our top people coming off football injuries in <strong>Devin Sayler</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1859727' first='Kobee' last='Sherman'] </strong>and <strong>Nick</strong> <strong>Hanson</strong>.&nbsp;As with pretty much everyone else in the state we had to deal with a number of missed practices and some rescheduled games due to the weather.</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 Schoenefeld</span>:</strong> "<em>Offensively I feel we really improved in our quality of actions and movement of the ball.&nbsp;We improved in our communication on and off the court as well as our relationships.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who are a couple of role players that stood out</span>?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Schoenefeld</span>:</strong> "<em>Not sure we have many true “role players" as we had 4 of our 5 starters lead us in scoring at least twice and all 5 starters led us in rebounding at least once.</em>"&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Can you talk about your seniors and what will be missed</span>?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Schoenefeld</span>:</strong> "<em>[player_tooltip player_id='1859723' first='Gage' last='Goettertz'] was our only senior.&nbsp;Gage will be missed for his ability to guard pretty much any position on the floor as well as his passing and ability to score in so many ways.&nbsp;He broke both the single game and single season assist records for Viborg-Hurley.</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 Schoenefeld</span>:</strong> "<em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1961428' first='Nolan' last='Kolthoff'] </strong>saw some time off the bench on varsity and was voted as the MVP of our JV team. He saw some varsity time this year. In addition to Nolan we had some other freshmen that were on varsity and saw some time in <strong>Braydyn Morrison</strong>, <strong>Jake Austin,</strong> and <strong>Andrew</strong> <strong>Madsen</strong>.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What are the plans for the off-season</span>?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Schoenefeld</span>:</strong> "<em>We will have both varsity and JV teams in the Summer Jam league at the Sanford Pentagon and are looking to attend one other team camp as well as open gyms and small group skill work.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Did any of your players review postseason awards</span>? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Schoenefeld</span>:</strong> "<em>2^nd&nbsp;Team All-State: [player_tooltip player_id='1535886' first='Nick' last='Hanson'] &amp; 1st Team Cornbelt Conference</em>" </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1859723' first='Gage' last='Goettertz']</strong> 2nd Team Cornbelt Conference, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1832812' first='Brady' last='Schroedermeier']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1859727' first='Kobee' last='Sherman']</strong> 3rd Team Cornbelt Conference.</em>"</p> <!-- 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