Hoop Chatter: 3 SD Coaches

Corsica-Stickney, North Central, and Timber Lake are the teams highlighted in this article!   PHD chatted with three South Dakota coaches, PHD bounced a series of questions off the coaches and they gave us back some quality insight. Take some time to read below about the Jaguars, Thunder, and the Panthers. We have many players below that you will want to hear about and the coaches gave us some intriguing basketball material that you need to read before the season starts.   Team Information   Team: Corsica-Stickney Class: B Region: 5   Team: North Central Class: A Region: 6   Team: Timber Lake Class: B Region: 8   See below for PHD's conversations with Luke Bamberg (Corsica-Stickney), Scott Heyne (North Central), and Lawrence Cody (Timber Lake).   <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 Luke Bamberg from Corsica-Stickney   The Jaguars are looking to grow off of the previous season. They return 3 experienced starters and 13 total letter-winners to the varsity squad. The Jags roster consists of a diverse group with height, size, speed, and strength. They should be able to play multiple styles of basketball, their versatility will help them compete with opponents. Staying healthy and depth is always an issue for Class B teams and it has been a struggle in recent years for the Panthers. Corsica-Stickney has expectations of continuing to grow their basketball ability and knowledge. This will help them compete in post-season play.   PHD: How did the 2022-23 season go for your squad?   "We finished 2022-23 with a regular season record of 7-12. Lost in the Region 5 Quarterfinal game to Marty 66-54, to finish our season with an overall record of 7-13."   PHD: Who are your top returning players?   [player_tooltip player_id='2274282' first='Tyson' last='Wentland'] (2025) |6'4 F| - 10.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg   Carter Wright (2024) |6'0 G| - 6.85 ppg, 3.85 rpg, 2.6 apg   Tye Hosman (2024) |5'11 G| - 6.9 ppg, 4.65 rpg, 1.65 spg   [player_tooltip player_id='2274272' first='Austin' last='Krogstad'] (2024) |6'8 C| - 2.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg   Lincon Bruinsma (senior) |6'0 G| - 2.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg   PHD: Who would you say are the top 5 teams in Class B?   "Viborg-Hurley, Castlewood, Gregory, Wessington Springs, Tripp-Delmont/Armour."   PHD: Who are the top 5 players in Class B?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1535886' first='Nick' last='Hanson'] - Viborg-Hurley, [player_tooltip player_id='1266237' first='Daniel' last='Mitchell'] - Gregory, [player_tooltip player_id='1415229' first='Tage' last='Ortman'] - Canistota, [player_tooltip player_id='1625205' first='Lane' last='Tvedt'] - Castlewood, [player_tooltip player_id='1819685' first='Jackson' last='Schauer'] - Faith, [player_tooltip player_id='1266275' first='Nic' last='Marshall'] - White River."   PHD: Who are some of the other top players in SD outside of B?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1266222' first='Porter' last='Ihnen'] - Lennox, [player_tooltip player_id='1266223' first='Alec' last='Squires'] - Sioux Valley, [player_tooltip player_id='1625191' first='Easton' last='Neuendorf'] - Hamlin"   Best of luck to the Jaguars this season!   Q&A with coach Scott Heyne from North Central   PHD: How did last season go for the Thunder?   "This is my 1st season of coaching for the North Central varsity program. Last year's team struggled record-wise but showed flashes at times but just never put together entire games. We have a nice class of seniors and then a nice group of young players coming up. It will be a mixed unit as we try to be competitive this season and also improve for future years."   PHD: How did the offseason go for your team?   "This offseason we spent a lot of time shooting. Floor spacing will be very important so that we can hopefully have space to get some easier baskets. We had good turnouts in our team shooting days so hopefully, we can put things together going forward."x   PHD: Who are some of your top players to watch?   [player_tooltip player_id='1313426' first='Raynor' last='Sprague'] 6'2" G senior - "He is the catalyst and leader of the team. He was coming back from ACL surgery last year and has put a lot of time in. He doesn't get rattled and is a great competitor. He does a nice job of setting the tone for us."   [player_tooltip player_id='1313428' first='Tim' last='Rucker'] 6'4" F junior - "He is a good athlete who has been working on his shot. He has the chance to be a great post-scorer and rebounder."   Dawson Waltz 6'3" F senior - "He has a good feel for the game and as he gains confidence in moving without the ball and finishing strong at the rim he should have a chance to really improve on last season."   PHD: Who are some up-n-coming players to watch this season?   "Cole Beitelspacher (junior) and Cooper Oxner (senior) both got some varsity time last season but will be looked to really play much more vital roles this year. They both can shoot the ball when we can get them the ball in on time and in rhythm."   PHD: What style of basketball will you play?   "Well I think every year is different and in the past, they have played extremely fast. Hopefully, we can keep the aggressive mindset but get quality possessions every time. Defensively we will have to improve and make ourselves a team that can play good fundamental defense."   PHD: Do you have any goals for the season?   "We want to get better and compete on a nightly basis. We want to work to really play team basketball."   PHD: Who do you see as the top teams in Region 6?   "I don't know much about our Region as we don't play all the teams in our Region. I know Mcglaughlin was the number one seed last year and Mobridge has had a really good group of kids coming up."   Best of luck to the Thunder this season!   Q&A with coach Lawrence Cody from Timber Lake   PHD: Could you write a couple sentences summing up last season?   "Up and down season with a lot of growing pains. Kids gained a lot of experience for the upcoming year though."   PHD: How did the offseason go for your team/program?   "We went to a couple of different team camps and the kids found themselves in the gym in order to make themselves better."   PHD: Who are a few of your top players to look out for?   "[player_tooltip player_id='2274470' first='Tristan' last='Dupris'] (sr), Was our leading scorer at 15 ppg and had a productive summer learning the game."   "Kyler Bollinger (sr), Has grown into a well-rounded player on both ends of the floor."   "Gracen Hanson (sr), Plays really hard on both ends of the floor."   PHD: Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for in the near future?   "Cole Ducheneaux (jr), Is a very good defender who shoots the ball well."   "Kody Keller (sr), Can be an explosive scorer and defender."   "Aidan Rough Surface (sr), Has become a well-rounded player."   PHD: What style of basketball will your team play?   "We like to push the ball for layups, turn defense into offense, and run great sets when needed."   PHD: What are a couple of your team goals this year?   "Turn defense into offense, play together, and enjoy the season."   PHD: In your opinion, who are some of the top teams in Class B?   "Viborg-Hurley, Castlewood, De Smet, White River, Faulkton"   Best of luck to the Panthers this season!   <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>

Corsica-Stickney, North Central, and Timber Lake are the teams highlighted in this article!