Previews: Hanson, Huron, Watertown

<!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"25px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:25px">Happy Thanksgiving!!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you need a break from the commotion of the holiday, talking with friends &amp; family, or decide to take a timeout from the feast, we have some Team Previews for you! We are only days away from the hoops season starting! The first practices get rolling on Monday the 27th. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"20px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:20px">In this piece, we have info on the Beavers, Tigers, and Arrows.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Team Information</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team:</strong> Hanson Beavers <strong>Class:</strong> A <strong>Region</strong>: 5 <strong>Head Coach:</strong> <em>Josh Oltmanns</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team:</strong> Huron Tigers <strong>Class:</strong> AA <strong>Head Coach:</strong> <em>Tim Buddenhagen</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team: </strong>Watertown Arrows <strong>Class:</strong> AA <strong>Head Coach:</strong> <em>Pat McClemans</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2058335,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/06/Preview-crop-823x540-1688699564.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/06/Preview-crop-823x540-1688699564.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2058335" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Hanson Beavers</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2280124,"width":"189px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/11/hansonLogo.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/11/hansonLogo.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2280124" style="width:189px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Top Returning Players for the Beavers</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>SR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1266235' first='Jayce' last='Slaba']</strong> – 2-year starter, 13 ppg<br>SR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1266236' first='Isayah' last='Price']</strong> – Coming off a missed season due to an Injury<br>SR <strong>Hayden Schoreder </strong>– Coming off a missed season due to an injury<br>SR <strong>Talen Weber</strong><br>JR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2280274' first='Sutton' last='Dewald']</strong> – 2-year stater 5.5 ppg<br>JR <strong>Ben Wilber</strong> – 4 ppg<br>JR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1830442' first='AJ' last='Wilber']</strong> – 4 ppg<br>JR <strong>Tye Hernandez</strong><br>Jr <strong>Carter Popp</strong><br>JR <strong>Jeren Zens</strong><br>JR <strong>Keaton Weber</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Season Expectations from coach <em>Josh Oltmanns</em></span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We have a couple of players that missed last season due to injuries. The good news from that is others got to play and now have experience. We have a multitude of players that can play, so finding the right group for the right situation will be fun. The competition level at practice<br>should be intense and bring out the best in all the players.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Top Teams on the Beaver Schedule from coach <em>Oltmanns</em></span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Ethan, Howard, MCM, Canistota, Bridgewater/Emery, Canton, MVP</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><em>"Looking forward to kicking the season off. We have a lot of kids that played last year back, so we hope to be competitive in each game we play." -Josh Oltmanns</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Beaver Schedule</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>12/8 - at <strong>Ethan</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>12/12 - home vs. <strong>McCook Central/Montrose</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>12/15 - at <strong>Menno</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>12/18 - at Corn Palace vs. <strong>Kimball/White Lake</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>12/21 - at <strong>Lyman</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>12/29 - home vs. <strong>Irene-Wakonda</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1/2 - at <strong>Parkston</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1/4 - at <strong>Viborg-Hurley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1/11 - at <strong>Parker</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1/16 - at <strong>Howard</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1/18 - home vs. <strong>Canistota </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1/20 - at Corn Palace (Hanson Classic) vs. <strong>TBD</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1/23 - home vs. <strong>Sanborn Central/Woonsocket</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1/26 - home vs. <strong>Bridgewater-Emery</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1/30 - home vs. <strong>Wagner</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2/1 - home vs. <strong>Mount Vernon/Plankinton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2/6 - at <strong>Freeman</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2/13 - home vs. <strong>Chamberlain</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2/16 - home vs. <strong>Canton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2/23 - at <strong>Mitchell Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"20px","fontStyle":"italic","fontWeight":"800"}}} --> <p style="font-size:20px;font-style:italic;font-weight:800">Best of luck to the Beavers this season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Huron Tigers</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2280135,"width":"148px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/11/hurontigers-1.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/11/hurontigers-1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2280135" style="width:148px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Q&amp;A with coach <em>Tim Buddenhagen</em></span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Can you tell us a bit about last season?</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We finished 7-14 last year. We were 7-2 when we scored 60 or more points but only 1-13 when scoring less than 60 points. We were one-dimensional relying a lot on <strong>Reilyn Zavesky</strong> as he averaged 27 points per game. Our pace of the game was slowed down in the second half of the season and we were not getting a lot of offensive possessions. [player_tooltip player_id='1467166' first='Blake' last='Ellwein'] was injured and sat out about 8 games which hurt our offensive output.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: How did the off-season go for your team?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>This off-season our guys were involved in individual workouts, open gyms throughout the week, and various team camps. We made a lot of progress this summer. We are excited to continue to improve.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who are some of your top players to watch?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1467166' first='Blake' last='Ellwein'] 6"8" Sophomore</strong>: "<em>He can handle the ball, he has good court vision, he shoots it well from the outside. We are hoping he is tough to match up with.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2165559' first='Gavin' last='Moeding'] 5"10" Senior</strong>: "<em>Hardnosed defender, handles the ball well and can get us into our offense, quick off the bounce, gets us a lot of second shots because of his ability to get to the offensive glass, tremendous leader.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2280277' first='CJ' last='Gainey']  6"1"  Senior</strong>: "<em>He has good range on his jumper, quick off the bounce, he has grit on defense. He and Gavin should be one of the better sets of guards because of their toughness and leadership skills.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2128932' first='Anderson' last='Porisch'] 6"4" Freshmen</strong>: "<em>He has good range, he is athletic, and will be able to score in a variety of different ways for us.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px">"<em>We should be competitive this year. We have a lot of guys returning that gained experience last year. We have good depth which should make our practices competitive. Guys will have to step up and compete for playing time.</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 want to be a race and space team. Get the ball out and attack the defense before they can match up. We want to take advantage of mismatches and create scoring opportunities off of our offensive actions. We will want to be able to spread and shoot it and attack poor closeouts.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Defensively we would like to put pressure on teams and force them into tough shots. We can extend our defense and use our quickness and athleticism.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Do you have any team goals?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We would like to improve each week and be able to get to the State Tournament.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who do you see as the top teams in AA?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>1. Harrisburg 2. Jefferson 3. Washington 4. Stevens 5. Lincoln</em>"</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 Tigers this season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Watertown Arrows </span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Top Statistical Returners </span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1266267' first='Kohen' last='Kranz'] (sr)</strong> - 21 gp, 8.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.3 apg, 39.5 FG%</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2091678' first='Caden' last='Beauchamp'] (sr)</strong> - 21 gp, 7.5 ppg, 5 rpg, 1.4 apg, 47.1 FG%</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2091798' first='Jake' last='Olson'] (sr)</strong> - 21 gp, 10.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2 apg, 38.2 FG%</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2139471' first='Marcus' last='Rabine'] (sr)</strong> - 20 gp, 2.7 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1.9 apg, 42.3 FG%</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2091797' first='Dylon' last='Rawdon'] (sr)</strong> - 20 gp, 9.7 ppg, 2 rpg, 2.1 apg, 34.8 FG%</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Will Engstrom (sr)</strong> - 19 gp, 3.3 ppg, 1.7 rpg, .6 apg, 43.5 FG%</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brody Torgerson (sr)</strong> - 15 gp, 1.5 ppg, .8 rpg, .3 apg, 61.5 FG%</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mitch Olson (jr)</strong> - 10 gp, .6 ppg, .4 rpg, .4 apg, 37.5 FG%</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Peyton Buisker</strong> <strong>(sr)</strong> - 7 gp, 1.6 ppg, 1 rpg, .7 apg, 40 FG%</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"20px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:20px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Q&amp;A with coach <em>Pat McClemans</em></span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: How did last season go for the Arrows?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Last season ended up 7-14 with a SoDak 16 loss to Mitchell.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What players do you return?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2091797' first='Dylon' last='Rawdon']</strong> PG, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1266267' first='Kohen' last='Kranz']</strong> G, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2091798' first='Jake' last='Olson']</strong> G/F, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2091678' first='Caden' last='Beauchamp']</strong> F, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2139471' first='Marcus' last='Rabine']</strong> F, <strong>Brody Torgerson</strong> G, <strong>Will Engstrom</strong> G, <strong>Peyton</strong> <strong>Buisker</strong> G, <strong>Mitch Olson</strong> F.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We return 9 letter winners and 5 players who started throughout the course of the season.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: How did the offseason go for your squad?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Offseason we felt was productive. However even with returning the number of players, just because you are a year older doesn't mean you are a year better.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: General thoughts on the season?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>A lack of size is a concern both offensively and defensively. Hope to be able to improve and be competitive as the season progresses.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who do you see as the top teams in AA?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Harrisburg, Brandon Valley, all of the SIoux Falls schools</em>"</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 Arrows 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 -->