De Smet Bulldogs: Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PHD is bringing you a Team Preview on one of the top Class B teams in South Dakota. De Smet has won 3 straight Class B State Championships! Calling this program a powerhouse is an understatement! <em>Jeff Gruenhagen</em> has talent and size on his team but he is also a great coach and he runs a first-class program. There is a reason why the Bulldogs are always playing their best basketball in March! PHD has De Smet as #1 heading into the season. We plan on watching the Bulldogs early and often, and we recommend you do as well! Keep reading for more info on the infamous Bulldogs!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team:</strong> De Smet</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mascot: </strong>Bulldogs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach:</strong> <em>Jeff Gruenhagen</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class:</strong> B</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region: </strong>2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1634111,"width":"380px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><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" style="width:380px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">2022-23 Team Stats</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Record:</strong> 23-3 <strong>PPG:</strong> 65 <strong>OPPG:</strong> 40.5 <strong>RPG: </strong>36 <strong>Reb Margin: </strong>12.5 <strong>APG: </strong>13.7 <strong>SPG:</strong> 8.1 <strong>BPG:</strong> 4.2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FG%: </strong>46 <strong>OFG%:</strong> 32 <strong>FGM: </strong>631 <strong>3FGM: </strong>152 <strong>3FGMPG:</strong> 5.8 <strong>3FG%:</strong> 32 <strong>FTM:</strong> 275 <strong>FT%:</strong> 66 <strong>A/TO: </strong>1.3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Q&amp;A with coach <em>Jeff Gruenhagen</em></span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What can you tell us about last season?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Last season we were able to use our tough schedule to really improve and come together as a team. We had lost 3 starters and 5 seniors total but our next group of seniors stepped in and really pushed to get back to the top of Class B and win that <strong>STATE TITLE</strong>. They had been playing against the best in the state in practice during their entire career and they showed they had what it took. <strong>Wilkinson</strong>, <strong>Gruenhagen</strong>, and <strong>Janssen</strong> all played great for us last year. Now we find ourselves in the exact same position this year as we return 2 starters and our sixth man. I think we will be under the radar at the start of the season but have the ability to get back to the State Tourney again this year and see if we can put together another Title Run. Our schedule will be tough again this year with Sioux Valley, Hamlin, Castlewood, DRSM, Deuel, and Wolsey Wessington all having great teams back this season.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: How did the off-season go for the Bulldogs?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We had a really good off-season playing in the Pentagon League and several good team camps. Learning to play without 6-10 center <strong>Damon Wilkinson</strong> took some getting used to but we did adapt and competed well. We came up a game short at the end of summer losing to Rapid City Stevens at the Hardrocker Camp in Rapid City but we saw great things that will make us a great team this season.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What can you tell us about the Bulldogs?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We return 5 seniors who have been playing against the best in practice throughout their entire careers. [player_tooltip player_id='1625203' first='Kadyn' last='Fast'] will lead us this year and has started for us the past 2 seasons. 6-0 SR 10 ppg 4 rpg 3 apg, 3 spg, is a great defender with a slashing offensive game. He will be called upon to give us some more offense this year. Fast has extended his 3 pt shooting this offseason. [player_tooltip player_id='1725470' first='George' last='Jensen'] 6-7 SR 12 ppg 6 rpg 2 bpg is a smooth forward who has great jumping ability and will have to clean up boards for us this year. I look for him to really get us going inside and out this season. [player_tooltip player_id='1764168' first='Tom' last='Aughenbaugh'] 6-0 Sr 8 ppg is a crafty PG who played just like a starter last season. Tom is a very good shooter and he gets people open with great passes and floor sense. [player_tooltip player_id='1966052' first='Britt' last='Carlson'] 6-3 SR is a very athletic G who has speed and a really good nose for the ball. [player_tooltip player_id='1552592' first='Trace' last='Van Regenmorter'] 6-3 Sr is another athletic F who can play inside and out. He brings us energy and really gets us going. [player_tooltip player_id='2286030' first='Grant' last='Wilkinson'] 6-8 Soph post is going to be a great help in the size department for us and gives us a big body. He has good hands and scores well inside. it will be fun to see him develop this year.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What style of basketball will you play?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We look to play the same style of M2M defense and pressure every shot. We will look to run and play fast in transition as we have the past few seasons. It will be nice to have some big weapons on offense but we will have great balance and hopefully another very unselfish team that just shares the ball like true Bulldog Basketball should.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What do you have for team goals?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Our team has set the goal of getting back to State B, and back to the Title game. Win the DVC for the 5th Straight time. Win the LCC which may be the toughest conference in the state again this year There may be some bumps along the way but we will learn fast I can't wait to get started. These guys had a great FB Run and know what lies ahead of them</em>."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who are some of the top teams in your Region?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Our Region is loaded with De Smet, Castlewood, and Wolsey-Wessington all returning great teams. Castlewood will return 4 starters and has some really good young players coming up. The seeding battle in our Region will be tight.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>All 3 teams will be at the top of class B along with White River, Viborg-Hurley, Canistota, Gregory, Wess Springs</em>."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Bulldog Roster</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2285780,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/11/IMG_6652.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/11/IMG_6652.jpeg?w=637" alt="" class="wp-image-2285780" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">De Smet Schedule</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2285784,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/11/IMG_6653.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/11/IMG_6653.jpeg?w=636" alt="" class="wp-image-2285784" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size">PLAYOFFS - Regions (Feb 26 &amp; 27 - March 1) SoDak 16 (March 5) State B (March 14-16) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"italic","fontWeight":"800"}},"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size" style="font-style:italic;font-weight:800">Best of luck to the Bulldogs this season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1399487,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <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> <!-- /wp:image -->