Best of West River: 2025's

We are checking out players from western South Dakota today. Players from West River do not get enough attention and that is what we are attempting to do with this piece. These ballers are all talented, athletic, and they are primed for a big junior season. PHD has sixteen 2025 players for you to read about today. Get these guys on your watchlist for the coming season!   Make sure you do not overlook the talent from West River!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><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?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1399487" /></a></figure>   Best of West River: 2025's   [player_tooltip player_id='1263163' first='Shawn' last='Hammerbeck'] |6'7 PF| Winner   He helped the Warriors win 21 games last season and Shawn averaged 11.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg, and 1.7 apg. At 6'7" 240 lbs, Hammerbeck is a MONSTER. Shawn looks like a D1 O-lineman running around the basketball court. However, Hammerbeck is also a skilled baller. Do not get me wrong, he is still an enforcer, but there is more to his game than people think. Shawn will be a double-double guy this winter and one of the top BIGs in the state regardless of class. Look for the Warriors to win many games once again. Hammerbeck will have his squad ready for a deep playoff run.   [player_tooltip player_id='1503881' first='Benson' last='Kieffer'] |5'10 G| Rapid City Christian   The Comets won 20 games last season and I will not be surprised if they do that again this year. RCC will be one of the top A teams in SD and a major reason for that will be [player_tooltip player_id='1503881' first='Benson' last='Kieffer']. Last year, Kieffer averaged 15.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 4.6 apg, and shot a smoking hot 37.1 3FG%. Benson is coming off an impressive grassroots season. He was named a Top-Performer on multiple occasions. Kieffer has one of the best pull-up J's that I saw all summer. He is a fearless attacker and finisher. Benson is a complete player with lightning-quick speed, has all the skills, and is a dynamic playmaker. He creates for others and he forces a ton of TO's on D. Mr. Kieffer will be an All-State player this coming season and PHD predicts that the Comets will be playing at the State Tournament.   [player_tooltip player_id='1406999' first='Kyle' last='Virtue'] |6'5 PF| Custer   PHD is predicting that Custer will be a Top 10-type team in South Dakota and a big reason for that is [player_tooltip player_id='1406999' first='Kyle' last='Virtue']. He might not be the tallest post in SD but he has to be one of the toughest! Kyle was a dude this summer with [program_tooltip program_id='2131095' first='Black' last='Hills Express'], he played up with the 17U squad. This winter will be no different, Virtue will be a beast. He can dominate the paint but also step out for 15-foot J's and triples. Virtue blocks shots and he forces turnovers. Virtue and the Wildcats need some major attention and respect from the rest of South Dakota!   [player_tooltip player_id='1377249' first='Jackson' last='Eisemann'] |5'11 G| Winner   He will be new at Winner this season. What a great addition to the Warriors! Winner brings back some serious talent and now that they have Eisemann, they should be ready for another State Tourney run. Last year at MOPO, Eisemann averaged 10.9 ppg, 3 rpg, and 1.8 apg. This lefty is crafty and smart with sharp handles. He changes speeds well and has no trouble keeping defenders off balance. Eisemann is unselfish and he is a fluid shooter. Jackson should be a great fit at Winner!   [player_tooltip player_id='1263160' first='Cruz' last='Klundt'] |6'0 G| Gregory   The Gorillas won 16 games last season and they made it to the Sodak 16. PHD is expecting Gregory to be back and even better this season. They return three studs with [player_tooltip player_id='1328222' first='Rane' last='Kenzy'], [player_tooltip player_id='1263160' first='Cruz' last='Klundt'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1625188' first='Daniel' last='Mitchell']. Cruz is coming off a highly successful grassroots season with the [program_tooltip program_id='2131095' first='Black' last='Hills Express']. Expect him to carry that momentum into the high school season. Klundt will be one of the best B PG's in South Dakota. He is a smart player that does the little things to help his team. He is skilled, can score in a variety of ways, and takes care of the ball, but more importantly, he makes his teammates better!   [player_tooltip player_id='1407009' first='JD' last='Green'] |6'0 G| St. Thomas More   He helped the Cavaliers win 21 games and get to the State Tournament. With Hollenbeck graduating, Green should take on an increased role this coming season. JD is a well-rounded player that can do a bit of everything. Green is solid on defense and he can make plays with or without the ball on offense. Green is skilled and he can shoot it. He knows how to execute and he shares the ball. STM will be tough once again and Green will be a key player for the Cavs.   [player_tooltip player_id='1761812' first='Julius' last='Frog'] |6'5 PF| Rapid City Christian   The Comets won 20 games last season and a huge part of that success was because of Julius. You thought RCC was good last year? They will be even better this coming season. Frog is a terrific athlete, has length & skill, and he gets the job done on both ends. Julius has natural basketball instincts and he is solid on defense. Frog scores well around the rim and he has a deadly mid-range jump shot. I watched Julius play a couple of weekends ago and he is the real deal! Expect a big year from Mr. Frog!   [player_tooltip player_id='1407011' first='Mackenzie' last='Wike'] |5'10 G| White River   He is a creator, agitator, and playmaker on the court. As a member of the White River Tigers, Wike certainly knows what it takes to win games! He is a speedy guard that makes plays on defense with his basketball instincts and quick reactions. Mackenzie can also score his fair share of points. White River will be tough once again and they will be ready for another State Tournament. Lead guard [player_tooltip player_id='1266275' first='Nic' last='Marshall'] will be the man, Wike will be a major contributor, and the Tigers will have a new BIG on the team, [player_tooltip player_id='1273153' first='Jordan' last='Uhlir']. With the addition on Uhlir, White River went from a good team to one of the best in B. Keep your eye on the Tigers this winter!   [player_tooltip player_id='1751436' first='Blair' last='Ham'] |6'0 G| Lemmon   He had very nice sophomore season and averaged 17 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.2 apg, and shot 34.6 3FG%. Blair can do it all on the hardwood. He standouts out as a shooter with impressive mechanics and form. Ham hits shots off the dribble and catch. Blair does not shoot rushed or in a hurry and his jumper has no wasted movement. Ham is a shooter but that does not define him. When attacking the hoop, I like how he reacts and manipulates the defense. He has no trouble scoring after contact to pick up AND1's. Blair is also an aggressive and productive rebounder. PHD is predicting Ham to have a Rockstar junior season and for him to put up gaudy numbers. Make sure you take the time to watch the Lemmon Cowboys this winter!   [player_tooltip player_id='1342103' first='Ryan' last='Heinert'] |6'3 G| Sturgis   This Scooper is full of talent and he can shoot the lights out from three-point land. Heinert played up in 17U during the grassroots season and he stood out as a shooter & scorer. In high school ball, Ryan will be relied upon to score, score, and score. He certainly will have the green light! Heinert shoots it with a smooth stroke and he is a creative scorer going to the basket. The Scoopers have a couple of other talented & athletic juniors to watch out for. [player_tooltip player_id='1970467' first='Dalyn' last='Dschaak'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1970554' first='Teigen' last='Wormstadt'] will compliment Heinert nicely. The Scoopers look like they could have a 3-headed monster in the junior class!   [player_tooltip player_id='1394394' first='Jet' last='Jensen'] |5'9 G| Belle Fourche   He had a quality sophomore season and put up solid numbers with 12.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.6 apg, and shot 41 FG%. Jensen will be one of the best PG's out west. He is a shifty and skilled player with a smooth and accurate jump shot. Jensen will be the lead guard for the Broncs. He will put up points from beyond the arc, with his pull-up, a stepback, and a smooth runner. Jet is a creator and a precision passer. Jensen creates TO's and he is not afraid to take a charge. Get ready for an impressive junior year from Jensen.   [player_tooltip player_id='1625189' first='Dayler' last='Segrist'] |6'2" SG| Rapid City Stevens   The Raiders will be a much-improved team this season and Segrist will be a dynamic playmaker. At 6'2", his size and athleticism create matchup problems for opposing guards. Dayler is a gifted and creative athlete! Segrist is a knockdown shooter and he fills it up from beyond the arc. Dayler plays with extra energy, is always attacking, and he is a high-character player. PHD believes that Stevens will have a tough team and Segrist will be leading the charge for the Raiders!   [player_tooltip player_id='1328222' first='Rane' last='Kenzy'] |6"4" SF| Gregory   The Gorillas won 16 games last season and they made it to the Sodak 16. PHD is expecting Gregory to be back and even better this season. They return three studs with [player_tooltip player_id='1328222' first='Rane' last='Kenzy'], [player_tooltip player_id='1263160' first='Cruz' last='Klundt'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1625188' first='Daniel' last='Mitchell']. Gregory will be one of the best in B. Mitchell will be the BIG scorer for the Gorillas but Kenzy will provide a legit scoring punch. Rane is a strong and physical player. He gets the job done inside and out. Kenzy is a dual-threat player and the Gorillas should be considered serious contenders.   [player_tooltip player_id='1907971' first='Anthony' last='Steele'] |6'4" PF| Pine Ridge   Last season, Pine Ridge won 18 games and their playoff run ended in the SoDak 16. The Thorpes return intriguing talent and they will be a scary squad. This past year, Steele averaged 9.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 2.1 apg, 3.7 spg, and shot 41 FG%. Steele is a pick-pocket and a complete thief on defense. 3.7 steals per game is an impressive number! Anthony is also a major shooter threat. He knocks down triples off the dribble and catch. Opposing teams will have to account for Anthony and once they do, the floor will be opened up for his teammates. Make sure you pay attention to the Thorpes, they could very well be playing at State in March.   [player_tooltip player_id='1315741' first='Lane' last='Gray'] |5'11" SG| Lower Brule   The Sioux are regulars at the State Tournament and they win a ton of games every season. Lower Brule has taken 2nd Place at State the past two seasons. Lane certainly is a winner. Gray is skilled with the rock and he makes the game look easy. I expect Grey to score heavy points this coming season. Lane is a natural scorer and a knockdown shooter. Will the Sioux get back to the Big Dance? If they do, [player_tooltip player_id='1315741' first='Lane' last='Gray'] will be one of the dudes leading the way!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/08/PHD.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/08/PHD.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1272514" /></a></figure>

We are checking out players from western South Dakota today. Players from West River do not get enough attention and that is what we are attempting to do with this piece. These ballers are all talented, athletic, and they are primed for a big junior season. PHD has sixteen 2025 players for you to read about today. Get these guys on your watchlist for the coming season!