James Valley Thunder 16U: Team Brief

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is time to check in on the 16U [program_tooltip program_id='2337876' first='James' last='Valley Thunder'] squad. JVT has played in two tournaments so far this AAU season and they have two remaining. This team has some nice players with quick guards, legit shooters, and some quality forwards. Get to know these players, they are primed for an impressive high school season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>See below for info on JVT's roster, player comments, tournament schedule, and some Q&amp;A with coach <em>Locke</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1634111,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/TeamPreview.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/TeamPreview.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1634111" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Roster &amp; Player Comments</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1790129' first='Shane' last='Henderson'] (2025) |6'5 F| Mobridge/Pollock</strong> - Tough defender, physical, a shooter that can also plays in the post</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2047837' first='Rylee' last='Rieker'] (2025) |6'0 G| Aberdeen Central </strong>- Gritty, explosive, slasher that finishes well, defense first type-player</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1625184' first='Brendan' last='Phillips'] (2025) |6'3 G| Aberdeen Central </strong>- Shooter, smooth, long, has a good handle on the ball</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2047820' first='Samuel' last='Franks'] (2025) |5'8 G| Aberdeen Central </strong>- Smart, leader on the court, good set shooter, finishes well at rim</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1625083' first='Cam' last='Olson'] (2025) |6'7 C| Aberdeen Central </strong>- Tough to stop on the block, quality moves w/ back to basket, relentless on glass </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1575064' first='Darwin' last='Gambler'] (2025) |6'2 G|</strong> <strong>Aberdeen Roncalli</strong> - Athletic with a nice jump shot, explosive finishing at the basket </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1386801' first='Noah' last='Kippley'] (2025) |6'2 G| Leola/Frederick</strong> - Talented shooter, good defender, all-around team player</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2047842' first='Graham' last='Lightfield'] (2025) |5'9 G| Milbank</strong> - Smart player, good handle, productive set shooter, athletic </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2047813' first='Eddie' last='Garza'] (2025) |6'2 F| Oakes </strong>- Explosive, very good around the rim, has a nice shooting touch </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Schedule</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">DATE</span></strong></td><td><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">TOURNAMENT</span></strong></td><td><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">LOCATION</span></strong></td></tr><tr><td>June 9-11</td><td>SoDak Hoops</td><td>Watertown, SD</td></tr><tr><td>June 23-25</td><td>Showdown</td><td>Sioux City, IA</td></tr><tr><td>July 7-9</td><td>Sioux City Classic</td><td>Sioux City, IA</td></tr><tr><td>July 21-23</td><td>Summer Classic</td><td>Sioux Falls, SD</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Q&amp;A with coach <em>Locke</em></span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: How did the first tournament of the season go for your squad</span>? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Locke</span>:</strong> "<em>They played hard and are just starting to come together. Went 2-2 with the opportunity to go 4-0 if they got a couple timely stops earlier. Their size and length was trouble for a lot of teams. Once they get into their flow of playing together they'll compete with some of the best.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What has you excited about this team/roster</span>?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Locke</span>:</strong> "<em>This is a very athletic group with very good size.&nbsp;They have the capability of being a very talented offensive team.&nbsp;They have also shown </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: How often will your team practice/work out</span>?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Locke</span>:</strong> "<em>We will practice twice a week thru the middle of July.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What will a couple of your strengths be as a team</span>?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Locke</span>: </strong>"<em>Offensively we will be able to score the basketball inside and out.&nbsp;We will also have a Team first mentality and look to get quality post touches and have good set shooters for kick out threes.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What style of basketball will you play on the offensive end</span>?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Locke</span>:</strong> "<em>We want to go inside/out in the half court but will also be able to get into transition and score as well.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What brand of defense do you foresee your team playing</span>?&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Locke: </span></strong>"<em>Man to Man team defense with a 5 against the ball mentality.&nbsp;Hope to be able to incorporate a full court run and jump mentality as well.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"italic","fontWeight":"800","fontSize":"38px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:38px;font-style:italic;font-weight:800"><strong>Best of luck with the remainder of the season!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1399487,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <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> <!-- /wp:image -->