Sheyenne Mustangs - Season Preview

We are heading up to North Dakota AA for this preview and are looking at the Sheyenne Mustangs! Last season was Tim Brandt's first year at the helm and his team vastly improved from game 1 to the end of the season. I think the Mustangs are going to be scary this year! They have all the talent, size, athletes, shooting, and depth to make a run into the State Tournament.   Team: West Fargo Sheyenne   Mascot: Mustangs   Class: AA   Conference: Eastern Dakota Conference (EDC)   Head Coach: Tim Brandt (2nd season)   Last Season: 10-14, lost in EDC Tournament   See below for stats, Q&A with coach Brandt, and the Sheyenne game schedule.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/SHEYENNE-MUSTANGS-LOGO-HI-RES.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/SHEYENNE-MUSTANGS-LOGO-HI-RES.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2261419" /></a></figure>   Top Statistical Returners   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Name</td><td>Year</td><td>PPG</td><td>RPG</td><td>APG</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1306390' first='Caleb' last='Duerr']</td><td>Senior </td><td>10.9 </td><td>7.3 </td><td>3.6 </td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1310206' first='Tommy' last='Ahneman']</td><td>Junior </td><td>9.8 </td><td>7.5 </td><td>1.1 </td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='2060101' first='Barry' last='Kpeenu']</td><td>Senior </td><td>6.4 </td><td>1.1 </td><td>1.4 </td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='2137637' first='Noah' last='Olson']</td><td>Senior </td><td>6.0 </td><td>2.4 </td><td>1.7 </td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1179065' first='John' last='Angau']</td><td>Senior </td><td>12.8</td><td>3.4</td><td>2.4</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1167609' first='Sullivan' last='Ihry']</td><td>Junior </td><td>4.4 </td><td>2.4 </td><td>2.5 </td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1164105' first='Turo' last='Moni']</td><td>Senior </td><td>6.4</td><td>2.1 </td><td>0.7</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   <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>   Q&A with coach Tim Brandt   PHD: Could you write a couple sentences summing up last season?   "Last year was a season for a lot of kids to grow and gain experience. We had one player returning from the previous season with varsity experience, so it took us the first half of the season to sort of get our legs under us and understand what it takes to be varsity basketball players. Our guys did a great job staying with it and I thought we played really well the second half of the season."   PHD: How did the offseason go for your team/program?   "We had a great offseason. We had skills camp during the month of June and participated in a few team camps throughout the area. We also have quite a few of our players play AAU basketball at a high level for a variety of programs throughout North Dakota, Minnesota, and South Dakota."   PHD: Who are a few of your top players to look out for?   "We have eight players coming back that played significant minutes at the varsity level last year, six of which started for us at different points throughout the season. [player_tooltip player_id='1306390' first='Caleb' last='Duerr'] (6'4" Sr.) is our one returning All-Conference player. Caleb is long and a great multi-sport athlete. Caleb can score from anywhere and is a versatile defender. [player_tooltip player_id='1310206' first='Tommy' last='Ahneman'] (6'9" Jr.) had a great summer with us and playing with Howard Pulley out of Minneapolis. He's good with both hands around the rim and can stretch the floor to the three. [player_tooltip player_id='1179065' first='John' last='Angau'] (6'3" Sr.) lives in the gym. He has always had the ability to shoot it, but he's gained some strength and athleticism and can score at the rim and finish through some contact. [player_tooltip player_id='1164105' first='Turo' last='Moni'] (6'8" Sr.) is a very skilled basketball player. He got stronger and more athletic throughout the offseason. He can score at every level. [player_tooltip player_id='1167609' first='Sullivan' last='Ihry'] (5'11" Jr.) is one of the hardest-working kids we have. This fall on open gym nights, he would get done with football practice and come back to the gym and get shots up for an hour. The thing I'm most excited about with Sully is his ability to defend both on and off the ball. [player_tooltip player_id='2060101' first='Barry' last='Kpeenu'] (5'11" Sr.) is a quick, strong, athletic guard who is physical, can handle the ball, and can shoot it. When Barry is locked in, there aren't many guards better than him."   PHD: Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for in the near future?   "There are a few kids at the sophomore and freshman levels we have our eyes on. Our sophomores finished tied for 1st in the freshman league last year, and our incoming freshman group is very talented. I'm excited to see what we have there this season."   PHD: What style of basketball will your team play?   "I'd like to play multiple styles. We'll be able to be big when we want and we'll also be able to have smaller lineups on the floor."   PHD: What are a couple of your team goals this year?   "We need to do a better job defensively and be able to take care of the basketball. Turnovers hurt us all last year. We need to be more secure with the ball and make better decisions. As far as the defensive side of things, we improved a lot over the second half of the season last year. I think with everyone we have coming back, we should be able to stay on that same trajectory."   PHD: In your opinion, who are some of the top teams in your Region?   "I think our entire league is good this year. Every team is going to have to bring it every single night. Obviously, you look at teams like Davies and North because they have arguably two of the best players in the state coming back, and North is coming off a State Championship. GF Central has a really talented group coming back as well so I think they're going to be tough this year. But like I said, every team is going to have their strengths and every night is going to be a battle."   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/IMG_6312.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/IMG_6312.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2261457" /></a></figure>   Best of luck this season to the Mustangs!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/SHEYENNE-MUSTANGS-LOGO-HI-RES.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/SHEYENNE-MUSTANGS-LOGO-HI-RES.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2261419" /></a></figure>

We are heading up to North Dakota AA for this preview and are looking at the Sheyenne Mustangs! Last season was Tim Brandt's first year at the helm and his team vastly improved from game 1 to the end of the season. I think the Mustangs are going to be scary this year! They have all the talent, size, athletes, shooting, and depth to make a run into the State Tournament.