Q&A with SD Coaches

For sports fans and people who love the outdoors, the fall can be the best time of the year. For basketball nuts and hoops addicts, the fall can be a stressful and anxious time. However, we are getting close to high school hoops and PHD can see the light at the end of the tunnel. For the next several weeks we are going to be mixing in different previews, predictions, and power rankings. In this article, we are trying something new with a spin on team previews. PHD caught up with three Class B coaches from South Dakota and we hit them with a series of questions.   See below for PHD's conversations with Jerico Sharpe (Freeman Academy), Brock Pashen (Leola/Frederick), and Joe Dalton (Waverly-South Shore).   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><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" style="aspect-ratio:1.6018518518518519;width:1022px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Q&A with Jerico Shape from Freeman Academy-Marion   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/21-22-shield-bearcats-maroon-fill-black-background.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/21-22-shield-bearcats-maroon-fill-black-background.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2247547" /></a></figure>   PHD: What can you tell us about last season?   "Last season the team worked extremely hard and finished the round before the Sweet Sixteen in class B boys' basketball. Now, our team still has great potential, but we need to work hard and stay focused to reach our goals this season."   PHD: How did the offseason go for your team/program?   "Once the offseason began, the team started practicing and working on their skills again, attending open gym sessions and participating in summer camps and clinics. To improve, the players utilized the offseason by enhancing their individual skills by participating in summer camps and working on their individual skills."   PHD: Who are a few of your top players to look out for?   "We are a twelve-man team, everyone has a role, everyone will play, if we lose, we lose as a team, if we win, we win as a team, all twelve of my guys are top players and each one will have a role to play."   PHD: Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for in the near future?   "A couple of up-and-comers to look out for in the near future include Titus Sperling, Hunter Nankivel, and Austin Waldner. These three have improved their game drastically during the offseason and will become a great force for our team this year."   PHD: What style of basketball will your team play?   "We are going back to the old style of basketball. We are going to be a running team with tough defense both inside and outside."   PHD: What are a couple of your team goals this year?   "One team goal that we will have is not letting our opponents score over forty points. Another team goal is that all twelve players become offensive threats."   PHD: In your opinion, who are some of the top teams in your Region and why?   "In my opinion, a top team in our region is Freeman Public. The reason for this is that they have a player by the name of [player_tooltip player_id='2247647' first='Tate' last='Sorensen'] and he is an extremely great player all around. Sorenson has a great inside game and is almost impossible to stop with one defender, but what makes him even more of a special player is his ability to step outside and knock down three-point shots. Sorenson is one of the best players in the state of South Dakota in my opinion and this is why I believe Freeman public is a top team in our region."   Best of luck to the Bearcats this season!   Q&A with Brock Pashen from Leola/Frederick   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/Titans-Logo.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/Titans-Logo.png?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-2247165" /></a></figure>   PHD: What can you tell us about last year?   "We knew we were going to be a young team playing big roles for us after graduating four seniors from the starting lineup but found a way to have a winning record. The disappointing first-round exit at home by one point ended the season on a sour note."   PHD: What did your team do this offseason?   "We hosted a team camp of area teams, then we went out of South Dakota. We attended the Breakdown Series in Waconia, MN, playing Monticello, Big Lake, and Sibley East. Went to Fergus Falls, MN, and played Hillcrest Academy, Battle Lake, and Long Prairie."   PHD: Who are a few of your top players?   "[player_tooltip player_id='2049883' first='Brayden' last='Sumption'], the quickest kid on the floor, creates open shots for himself and others, three-point shooting has improved since sophomore year. [player_tooltip player_id='1386801' first='Noah' last='Kippley'], a returning All-Conference player, slashing, cutting, and shooting, his offense is multi-dimensional, returning leading rebounder and plays quality defense. Brayden had 9.0 ppg and Noah had 14.3 ppg and 7.3 rpg"   PHD: Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for in the near future?   "Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='1548636' first='Winston' last='Clark'], [player_tooltip player_id='1634581' first='Milo' last='Sumption'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1634582' first='Ethan' last='Petrich'] all played critical roles coming off the bench last year as freshmen. Junior Gavin Nickelson will be back after missing last season with a broken hand. Sophomore Westyn Thorpe and Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1551743' first='Titus' last='Kippley'] will push for minutes this year as well."   PHD: What style of basketball will your team play?   "We will want to create turnovers on defense and get out and run the floor."   PHD: What are a couple of your team goals this year?   "We would like to think we are in the mix for the SoDak16 field."   PHD: In your opinion, who are some of the top teams in your Region?   "Aberdeen Christian, graduated a lot but they still have players to reload with that are big and strong; Johnson, Bosma, and Furman will be tough. Warner has [player_tooltip player_id='1311797' first='Hunter' last='Cramer'] and Sauerwein and are always well-coached. Northwestern is quick and athletic."   Best of luck to the Titans this season!   Q&A with coach Joe Dalton from Waverly-South Shore   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/IMG_6246.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/IMG_6246.jpeg?w=1003" alt="" class="wp-image-2247462" /></a></figure>   PHD: What can you tell us about last season?   "We graduated the whole starting lineup and 6th man. We ended the season on a 10-10 note. Lots of talent returning but not much for varsity experience."   PHD: How did the offseason go for your team/program?   "Slow improvement. Trying to figure out who we are."   PHD: Who are a few of your top players to look out for?   "Sam Appelhof & Evan Ekern are our premier shooters. Colton Kranz is our new floor general and has great court vision. Cody Thompson is a pest on defense and athletic. Zach Ries, Brady Eschen, and Bryan Ramirez will be our inside forces."   PHD: Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for in the near future?   "Kyle Kneeland is only a sophomore and battled some injuries last season. Looking for him to have a solid JV season and fight for varsity minutes."   PHD: What style of basketball will your team play?   "We have a mixture of speed, size, and height. We are going to continue to bring full-court pressure in many contests but we might be able to control the half-court offensive end with our size and use a drop-back zone format, too. Opposing team scouting reports, advantages we can capitalize on and losses will dictate what style we pick from game to game."   PHD: What are a couple of your team goals this year?   "To win the conference, be ready to compete in regions, advance to rounds 2 and 3."   PHD: Who are some of the top teams in your Region?   "Aberdeen Christian ( basketball town) and they focus on bb all year round"   "Warner - solid athletes with a combination of skill and size"   "Northwestern - their full court 1-2-2 pressure wears teams down and are always in games when they shouldn't be statistically"   "Leola Frederick - quick and scrappy guard play keeps them in contests"   Best of luck to the Coyotes 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>

For sports fans and people who love the outdoors, the fall can be the best time of the year. For basketball nuts and hoops addicts, the fall can be a stressful and anxious time. However, we are getting close to high school hoops and PHD can see the light at the end of the tunnel. For the next several weeks we are going to be mixing in different previews, predictions, and power rankings. In this article, we are trying something new with a spin on team previews. PHD caught up with three Class B coaches from South Dakota and we hit them with a series of questions.