Offseason Improved Players

School is underway and that only means one thing, high school basketball will be here before we know it! As we get closer to the season, we will be sprinkling in season preview articles.   As a basketball fan, rube, and enthusiast, I always want to know who improved over the offseason. That is what we are looking at today. We have ballers that improved during the offseason and players that we should keep an eye on early in the season.   This is not a rankings article. PHD just wanted to give shout-outs to players who improved, worked hard, and put in the time this offseason. PHD is expecting a productive season from these players. We have North Dakota and South Dakota ballers included in this article.   Improved Players   [player_tooltip player_id='2075251' first='Boden' last='Schiller'] (2024) |6'3 SF| Sioux Valley   He really came on last year as the season came to a close. Boden had a tremendous offseason at the local camp, in team camps, and at summer league. He could potentially be the most athletic player on the court for the Cossacks this season. Schiller has become an elite defensive player who takes pride in guarding the opponent's top threat. Boden has really started to fine-tune his game and we expect him to play a vital for the Cossacks.   [player_tooltip player_id='1874332' first='Gabe' last='Sather'] (2025) |6'2 G| Deuel   He had an injury for some of the summer but when Sather was healthy, he really shined. Gabe became the leading scorer for the Cardinals and a serious lockdown defender. You have to love a guy that gets it done on both ends of the floor. Sather can create his own shot and he is a great finisher. He helps control the boards and he can defend multiple positions. Gabe has had a hot start to the football season. The Cardinals are 2-0 and Sather has been the leading wide receiver. Keep tabs on Deuel and Sather this winter, they will be scary!   [player_tooltip player_id='1373691' first='Gavin' last='Soukup'] (2024) |6'3 G| Mitchell   After a fantastic junior season, Soukup had a Rockstar offseason. Gavin has always been an elite shooter, but he has added a ton of physicality to his game and has really put an emphasis on getting to the rim in his summer games. Soukup has improved as a playmaker, defender, leader, and Mitchell is extremely excited for his senior season. The Kernels will be one of the best in AA and Soukup will be one of the top players.   [player_tooltip player_id='1558248' first='Jamison' last='Keszler'] (2025) |6'0 G| Castlewood   He has always been a good shooter but Jamison has really improved on scoring from all 3 levels. Playing up an age group for the Dakota Niners in grassroots this summer really helped his shot and his confidence grew. Keszler is super quick and he finishes with craftiness around the rim. Jamison averaged 10 ppg and 3 apg this summer with Niners at the 17U level. Keszler will be relied on to be another scorer and distributor for the Warriors this winter. Castlewood will be a top team in class B this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='2140013' first='Jaxon' last='Cano'] (2026) |6'0 G/F| Sturgis   He is a wirey and strong young man with a bright future in the Scooper program. Cano can score around the basket but is versatile enough to put the ball on the floor and slash by defenders. Jaxon is a talented shooter from 15-feet, he can also stretch the D and hit from deep when needed. Cano loves to play the game, he did not miss an open gym all summer. He also committed to all the team camps. Jaxon is a team-oriented player who can defend and score.   [player_tooltip player_id='2103032' first='Levi' last='Ulven'] (2024) |6'5 PF| Richland   He worked hard and Levi improved on about every aspect of his game. His skills got better but he also increased his athleticism. This winter, you will see that Ulven is stronger, faster, and his vertical has increased. His ballhandling, overall skill, and pull-up jump shot are trending upward. Look for Ulven to be an effective interior baller and also a playmaker on the wing.   [player_tooltip player_id='1784725' first='Luke' last='Olson'] (2025) |5'11 G| Pierre   He made tremendous improvements throughout the offseason. As the summer went on Olson got better and better at not over-dribbling by attacking the basket and putting pressure on the defense. He was already a great passer but has improved his outside shooting, and combined with Luke's ability to get to the rim whenever he wants, he will be a nightmare for opposing guards to try and defend. Luke has a very high ceiling as a basketball player, he has an awesome work ethic and loves to put the extra hours in the gym. Olson will have opportunities to play at the next level if basketball is the sport he chooses to play. He is one of the best golfers in South Dakota so he will have options in multiple sports at the collegiate level.   [player_tooltip player_id='1763076' first='Max' last='Engebretson'] (2024) |6'2 G| Sioux Valley   He is a serious shooter, a hard worker, a long guard, a gym rat, a smart coach's kid, and a leader/communicator on the floor. Max improved as a leader on the court this summer. Engebretson certainly has the skills to play basketball at the next level. Expect Max to be a major scoring threat for the Cossacks. SV will be a serious contender in A.   [player_tooltip player_id='1811874' first='Myles' last='Schneider'] (2026) |6'3 SF| Madison   He had a great summer shooting the ball consistently. Myles put in a lot of energy, time, sweat, and commitment to improving his game/shooting. Schneider is hungry to be the best player he can be. He wants to help his teammates/team be successful this coming season and for the rest of his high school career. Keep tabs on Schneider and the Bulldogs.   [player_tooltip player_id='1454708' first='Oliver' last='Jensen'] (2024) |6'0 G| Bismarck Century   He had a great summer/offseason improving his skill set and getting stronger physically. Oliver is a great rebounder from the guard position on both ends of the floor. He will be counted on to guard the opposing team's primary scorer this coming season. Jensen is a hard-nosed player who does the little things for a team to be successful. Oliver's confidence has grown offensively, and he has the ability to contribute on that end of the floor. Jensen will be a player to watch in the WDA as a breakout player.   [player_tooltip player_id='1790129' first='Shane' last='Henderson'] (2024) |6'6 PF| Mobridge-Pollock   Shane is now up 6'6”! He has improved his strength in the weight room, his 40-yard dash, and can cover more ground from side-to-side. Henderson's confidence and athleticism are going to push him to new heights in his personal performance on the court. He improved his ability to dominate a game on both ends of the floor. Shane will be a triple threat this season as he will be able to shoot the 3, score from mid-range with a drive or 15-ft pull-up, and post up down low. Colleges should start paying attention, Henderson has a ton of potential and ability. Get this kid on your watchlist! Shane is also a 4.0 in the classroom and will continue to work hard for his goals.   [player_tooltip player_id='1399817' first='Tad' last='Tjaden'] (2025) |6'6 F| Dell Rapids   Look for this junior to have a bigger role for the black and orange on the offensive end. The Quarriers graduated a large amount of production and Tjaden put in the time in the weight room. He worked hard on the court to complete his game. Tjaden will be a difficult matchup with his length, athleticism, and skill.   [player_tooltip player_id='2139734' first='Tanner' last='Drietz'] (2025) |6'2 G| Elkton-Lake Benton   He put in a lot of time this offseason/summer. Tanner has always been a really good shooter but has spent time working on his all-around offensive game. He has been attacking the rim with more consistency and with a purpose. With Drietz being another year older and stronger, he has taken his game to another level. Tanner is a long, athletic kid with great leaping ability. On the defensive end of the floor, he has started to assert himself more as well. Tanner can be a matchup problem with his length, quickness, and athletic ability. Coach Erickson is proud of the way he got after it and worked this summer to improve himself. He is looking like he will have a nice junior season for the Elks. Tanner started all of the games last year as a sophomore and played some quality varsity minutes as a freshman as well. Drietz will keep improving and be a big part of the Elks squad this year.   [player_tooltip player_id='1959432' first='Tobin' last='Squires'] (2026) |6'7 PF| Sioux Valley   He played in everything this summer for the Cossacks and also competed in grassroots basketball. The young Squires wanted to get better and compete, that is what happened! He flourished with SSA and really grew as a player. Tobin finished well in the low post and he rebounded at a high level. Squires has developed a sense for the rock and his movement without the ball has also improved. Tobin has a ways to go to catch his big brother (D1 commit [player_tooltip player_id='1266223' first='Alec' last='Squires']). However, I will keep my eyes peeled whenever this kid is playing and my ears to the wind for reports on this intriguing prospect.   [player_tooltip player_id='1164096' first='Zach' last='Oehlke'] (2024) |6'3 G/F| Grand Forks Red River   He was the most improved player this offseason for the Roughriders. Defensively, Oehlke can guard a post or perimeter player, he offers a ton of versatility. Zach is smart, athletic, and aggressive to the basket. His confidence has taken a big boost and Oehlke is taking on an important leadership role for Red River. Zach has a chance to be a breakout player for RR this season.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><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?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1272514" /></a></figure>

School is underway and that only means one thing, high school basketball will be here before we know it! As we get closer to the season, we will be sprinkling in season preview articles.