Basketball Studs: SD Football Stars
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Football is well underway and I wanted to find a way to tie football in with hoops. The state of South Dakota has many gifted football, basketball, and multi-talented athletes. In this article, we want to look at guys that…
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Continue ReadingFootball is well underway and I wanted to find a way to tie football in with hoops. The state of South Dakota has many gifted football, basketball, and multi-talented athletes. In this article, we want to look at guys that are excellent at football and basketball. See below for some of the top SD football players so far this season.
Basketball Studs: SD Football Stars
Aiden Barfuss Aiden Barfuss 6'0" | SG Winner | 2024 State SD (2024) |6’0 G| Winner
He averaged 11.1 ppg last basketball season, was All-Conference, and he will have a great senior season on the hardwood. This fall, Aiden and the powerful Warriors are 4-0 and ranked #1 in the State. Barfuss is blazing the way for the #1 ranked Warrior’s and he is leading their potent rushing attack. Barfuss is also the leading tackler from his middle linebacker position. Barfuss was the Joe Robbie winner as a sophomore on Winner’s 2021 State Title Team!
Cooper Nelson (2025) |6’2 PF/C| Beresford
He is the type of kid that every coach would want on his team. Cooper has high character, an impressive effort level, and attention to detail in every aspect of his life on and off the basketball court. Cooper will see a dramatic increase in minutes for the Watchdogs this hoops season. He and Seth James Seth James 6'5" | PF Beresford | 2024 State SD will be Beresford’s dynamic duo in the post for this upcoming season. Cooper Nelson was voted team captain this fall for the football squad. He is one of the strongest guys on the team and his knowledge of the game allows him to play many positions on both sides of the ball for BHS. Cooper’s size and strength, along with his advanced skillset along the line of scrimmage make it a no-brainer that he will be playing at the college level for football after high school!
Dalyn Dschaak Dalyn Dschaak 6'3" | SG Sturgis | 2025 State SD (2025) |6’3 SG| Sturgis
In hoops, Dschaak gets the job done on both O & D. Dalyn had an impressive offseason while ballin with Black Hills Express . He is a strong athlete who gives full effort, is unselfish, a grinder on D, and works his tail off on the glass. Dalyn is primed for a breakout hoops season. In football, the Scoopers started 2-0 for the first time since 2010. Sturgis currently has a 2-1 record and Dschaak has been a Rockstar. As a sure-handed TE, Dalyn has 9 catches for 73 years and has proven himself as a physical and reliable blocker. At ILB, he has 11 tackles, 1 TFL, and 1 sack. He also had a big PICK6 in game 2 of the season. Dalyn is a two-player who starts at middle linebacker and tight end. He is currently second on the team in catches, is third on the team in tackles, and leads the team (tied with three others) in interceptions. He is a hard-nosed player that never gives up on a play. After spending the off-season in the weight room, he switched from wide receiver to tight end due to the team being thin at that position. Dschaak’s size as a pass-catching tight end creates mismatches in the middle of the field. He is a team-first guy who will do whatever is asked of him to help the team win. College football coaches better get this kid on their watchlist!
Garret Hansen Garret Hansen 6'3" | SF Chester | 2025 State SD (2025) |6’3 SF| Chester
He was a quality role player off the bench last season for the Flyers basketball team, Hansen provided depth in the front court. He will have an increased role this hoops season. So far on the gridiron, Garret has been tough and productive. He and the Fylers are 3-1 on the year and they are looking like a team to watch in 9A. Hansen is a dawg as a RB/LB. Garret leads the team in tackles through 4 games with 38 tackles, 22 solo, and one interception on the year. He has 8 catches for 83 yards and a receiving TD. In addition, Hansen has 42 rushes for 289 yards and a TD. In a highlight game vs. Garretson (40-0, win) Hansen had 8 rushes for 101 yards and a 40-yard TD run. He also had 5 tackles, 10 assists, 1 sack, and 2 TFL’s. Garret is the engine on both sides of the ball for the Flyers. He does all the gritty work by making tackles and carrying the football for hard yards. An interesting side note is that he also serves as Chester’s backup punter/kicker and is 1/1 on PAT kicks while showing off his diversity and athleticism on the field. Yep, another stud from CHESTER!
Jovi Wolf Jovi Wolf 6'0" | SG Chester Area | 2024 State SD (2024) |5’10 G| Chester
He is a special multi-sport athlete in football, basketball, and track. In football, the Flyers are 3-1 overall and are heading into a tough battle with Alcester-Hudson on Friday night. Wolf plays all three facets of the game as a WR/DB/K. He is a 3-time All-State wide receiver! Through 4 games, Jovi has 14 receptions for 303 yards and 7 TD’s. In addition, he is 13/14 on the year with PAT kicks. He had a highlight game last week vs. Arlington (42-6 win) with 6 receptions for 138 yards and 4 TD’s. In addition, he went 6/6 on PATs! Jovi is a star playmaker, he has State Track speed and athleticism. He has been a bit banged up during the 1st half of the year but has found ways to make plays. In addition, Wolf has been Chester’s starting place kicker for two seasons and he continues to put points through the uprights on a consistent basis which is rare and difficult for 9 man teams to do. All in all, Wolf is DUDE on the gridiron!
Layke Wold Layke Wold 5'10" | CG Chester Area | 2025 State SD (2025) |5’10 G| Chester
This kid is a shooter through and through! Wold is a sniper with great feet, timing, and he is always ready to shoot. Look for Layke to be a top 3-point assassin in Class B and for his numbers to open your eyes this winter. In football, Wold and the Flyers is 3-1 on the year. Layke is the signal caller for the strike-fast Flyers. Through 4 games, Wold is 40/59 passing and has gone for 755 yards, 14 TD’s, and only 1 INT. He is a high-percentage shooter and a high-percentage passer! Layke has also rushed 33 times for 172 yards and 5 TD’s. His highlight game came in a 63-34 win over Centerville in which Wold was 11/14 passing for 272 and 6 TD’s. Layke also rushed 8 times for 82 yards and put in 3 more TD’s! Layke is a fundamental passer with great accuracy and he is the leader in the Flyer offensive huddle. In addition, he has developed the mobility part of his game and has become more of a threat on the ground. I knew he was good at football, but I didn’t realize that he was a STAR!
Nic Gaspar Nic Gaspar 6'2" | SG Dell Rapids St. Mary | 2024 State SD (2024) |6’2 G| Dell Rapids St. Mary
He is an explosive next-level type of athlete. Gaspar is one of the top ballers in Class B and the Cardinals will be one of the elite squads. PHD is predicting an All-State type of year for Mr. Gaspar on the court. Nic plays RB and LB for the 2-2 Cardinal football team. He leads the team in rushing with 366 yards on 46 carries, 7.9 yards per carry, and 7 Total TD’s. Gaspar leads the team with 40 tackles, has 3 sacks and an INT. Nic is a 2X time All-State selection. He was the 2021 Joe Robbie MVP in the 9B State title game.
Seth James Seth James 6'5" | PF Beresford | 2024 State SD (2024) |6’5′ PF/C| Beresford
He will play a pivotal role for the Beresford basketball team this upcoming season. The Watchdogs missed him this summer due to injury, but he will bring size and athleticism to their post-game this winter. Seth was voted Team Captain this fall and is a TE/DE for the football team. James has received offers from DWU and Buena Vista to play at the next level. With many more to come as the season and school year goes on, I’m sure of it! Just like on the court, Seth’s size/strength/athleticism make him a tough match-up on the edge for both the offensive and defensive side of the football.
Shawn Hammerbeck Shawn Hammerbeck 6'7" | PF Winner | 2025 State SD (2024) |6’7 PF| Winner
He is a monster in the paint and a dominant post-player. Hammerbeck is a double-double guy and one of the best forwards in SD. In football, Winner is ranked #1 in 11B and they have a 4-0 record. Shawn has been a force on both sides of the ball for the Warriors. The 6’7″ 245 lb. junior is standing out as a blocking tight end and defensive end this year. Hammerbeck is a D1 type athlete!
Tage Ortman Tage Ortman 6'0" | CG Canistota | 2024 State SD (2024) |6’0 G| Canistota
All-around baller on the hardwood. A special athlete and a complete playmaker on both ends. In football, Ortman is tearing it up! The Hawks are 4-0 and ranked #1 in 9A. They are averaging 46.5 ppg and Ortman is a major reason for that! At this point in the season, Canistota has two signature wins over Howard and Viborg-Hurley. We are expecting many more wins as the season moves along. Tage is a dynamic dual-threat quarterback and ball hawk on defense as a D-back. Ortman has put up impressive numbers with 250 rushing yards on 35 attempts and 3 TD’s. 46-61 throwing the ball for 529 yards and 6 TD’s. On D Tage has 23 tackles and 2 interceptions. He has also returned a kickoff for a touchdown!
Teigen Wormstadt Teigen Wormstadt 6'1" | SG Sturgis Brown | 2025 State SD (2025) |6’1 G| Sturgis
Look for Wormstadt to be a playmaker this winter, he is a gifted athlete. He showed that he can compete at a high level this summer with Black Hills Express . Teigen is lightning-quick on the basketball court and a menace on defense. Tiegen frustrates ball handlers and he creates TO’s on and off the ball. He excels at getting to the rim and his jumper continues to improve. Wormstadt and the Scoopers are off a to a nice start this football season. Tiegen has six catches as a WR for 48 yards and one touchdown catch for 18 yards. On defense as a DB, he has 4.5 tackles and 3 pass break-ups. Wormstadt is a really athletic football player who jumps and runs well. He plays more physically than most guys his size. He adds a terrific dimension to the receiving corps on offense and is a very good cover corner on defense.
Trey Maaland |6’1 G| (2024) Deuel
He is a tough kid on the court and he plays with a high hoops acumen. Trey is an excellent slasher/finisher, he is also an impressive cutter. His game does not stop there, Trey is a top-notch jump shooter. He will be a dude this winter. In football, the Cardinals are off to a hot 4-0 start and they have a clash vs. Groton in a few days. Trey Maaland vs. Lane Tietz Lane Tietz 5'11" | CG Groton | 2024 State SD will be must-watch football on Friday night! Trey is putting up gaudy numbers so far this year with 507 passing yards and 6 TD’s. He has rushed for 489 years and 10 TD’s! On defense, Maaland has 6 interceptions and 1 PICK6. Trey is a dual-threat QB and a difference-maker on defense. Clearly, Maaland is a star in both football and basketball!