Previews: Lennox and Wagner

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> We are two days away from basketball practice starting in South Dakota. What a relief!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this article, PHD is bringing you previews on the Orioles and Red Raiders. There are some talented ballers in this article, make sure you take the time to read below. Both squads will put a nice team on the floor this winter and win many games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"italic","fontWeight":"800","fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px;font-style:italic;font-weight:800">Best of luck to the the Orioles and Red Raiders this season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Team Info</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team:</strong> Lennox Orioles <strong>Class:</strong> A <strong>Region</strong>: 4 <strong>Head Coach:</strong> <em>Chris Buckmiller</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team:</strong> Wagner Red Raiders <strong>Class:</strong> A <strong>Region:</strong> 5 <strong>Head Coach:</strong> <em>Josh Davies</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1634111,"width":"467px","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:467px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Lennox Orioles</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Orioles are loaded! [player_tooltip player_id='1266222' first='Porter' last='Ihnen'] is arguably the top player in the state and he is committed to USD for hoops. [player_tooltip player_id='1625181' first='Boston' last='Katzer'] is new to Lennox this year and he is another DUDE. Katzer is a multi-sport athlete and an impact player. [player_tooltip player_id='1987578' first='Braxton' last='Musser'] is another talented baller with length and a lethal stroke from deep. Musser has offers from Dakota Wesleyan and Mount Marty for hoops. The talent does not stop there for the Orioles. They have many other studs and budding stars that are sure to impress and show out this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Q&amp;A with coach Chris Buckmiller</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Could you write a couple sentences summing up last season?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Last season we finished 17-4 and lost in the first round of Regions.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: How did the off-season go for your team/program?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Our off-season was the best it's ever been. We are proud of all the time our guys put in. We had many players playing AAU, attending all open gyms, getting in the weight room, and playing in games primarily against AA teams.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who are a few of your top players to look out for?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>[player_tooltip player_id='1266222' first='Porter' last='Ihnen']: University of South Dakota commit. One of the best players in SD. Porter can score at all 3 levels and defend the best player on the other end of the floor. His positive leadership is his greatest quality.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>[player_tooltip player_id='1467165' first='Tate' last='Gerdes']: Tate was one of our best players last year even though he came off the bench. He's a tremendous two-way player who will have a massive leap as a sophomore.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>[player_tooltip player_id='1625181' first='Boston' last='Katzer']: A new player for us who will help us on both ends of the floor. It will take some time for Boston to learn our style but I expect that transition to go quickly as he's a high IQ player who wants to win.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>[player_tooltip player_id='1987578' first='Braxton' last='Musser']: An elite shooter who has earned the green light to shoot from anywhere. One of the more underrated players in Class A. His 6'6'' frame causes problems on the defensive end. He picked up his first offer from Mount Marty and another one from Dakota Wesleyan recently.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who are a few of you up-and-comers to look out for?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>[player_tooltip player_id='1503879' first='Layton' last='Smith'], [player_tooltip player_id='1641164' first='Talen' last='Eich'], [player_tooltip player_id='1641162' first='Cloy' last='McVey'], [player_tooltip player_id='1641163' first='Teegan' last='Musser'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2054983' first='Drake' last='Mikkelsen'] will all have an opportunity to make our rotation this year. We are a team with a ton of depth. Our practices will be extremely competitive and will determine where players land in our rotation.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What style of basketball will your team play?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We will be an up-tempo team offensively and shoot a lot of 3s. Defensively, we will do our best to pressure teams in order to make them uncomfortable. Overall, we want to be elite at the fundamentals.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>PHD: Who are the top teams in your Region?</strong></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Dakota Valley and Tea</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Orioles Schedule</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="6"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Lennox</span></strong></td></tr><tr><td colspan="6"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Boys Basketball Schedule</span></strong></td></tr><tr><td colspan="6"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Head Coach</span>:</strong> <em>Chris Buckmiller</em></td></tr><tr><td><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Type</span></strong></td><td><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Day</span></strong></td><td><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Date</span></strong></td><td><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Time</span></strong></td><td><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Versus</span></strong></td><td><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Location</span></strong></td></tr><tr><td>Doubleheader</td><td>Fri</td><td>12/8/2023</td><td>8:00PM</td><td>SF Christian</td><td>Lennox</td></tr><tr><td>Doubleheader</td><td>Sat</td><td>12/9/2023</td><td>4:30PM</td><td>Milbank</td><td>Milbank</td></tr><tr><td>Doubleheader</td><td>Thu</td><td>12/14/2023</td><td>8:00PM</td><td>Madison</td><td>Lennox</td></tr><tr><td>Doubleheader</td><td>Mon</td><td>12/18/2023</td><td>8:00PM</td><td>Canton</td><td>Canton</td></tr><tr><td>Classic</td><td>Sat</td><td>12/28/2023</td><td>TBD</td><td>TBD</td><td>Sanford Pentagon</td></tr><tr><td>Doubleheader</td><td>Thu</td><td>1/4/2024</td><td>7:30PM</td><td>Rock Valley</td><td>Rock Valley, IA</td></tr><tr><td>Game</td><td>Tue</td><td>1/9/2024</td><td>7:30PM</td><td>Western Christian</td><td>Western Christian- Hull, IA</td></tr><tr><td>Doubleheader</td><td>Thu</td><td>1/11/2024</td><td>8:00PM</td><td>Vermillion</td><td>Lennox</td></tr><tr><td>Game</td><td>Tue</td><td>1/16/2024</td><td>7:30PM</td><td>Chamberlain</td><td>Lennox</td></tr><tr><td>Doubleheader</td><td>Thu</td><td>1/18/2024</td><td>8:00PM</td><td>West Central</td><td>West Central</td></tr><tr><td>Doubleheader</td><td>Fri</td><td>1/19/2024</td><td>8:00PM</td><td>Platte-Geddes</td><td>Lennox</td></tr><tr><td>Doubleheader</td><td>Thu</td><td>1/25/2024</td><td>8:30PM</td><td>Parkston</td><td>Lennox</td></tr><tr><td>DAK XII Clash</td><td>Sat</td><td>1/27/2024</td><td>TBD</td><td>TBD</td><td>Madison</td></tr><tr><td>Doubleheader</td><td>Tue</td><td>1/30/2024</td><td>8:00PM</td><td>Elk Point-Jefferson</td><td>EPJ</td></tr><tr><td>Classic</td><td>Sat</td><td>2/3/2024</td><td>TBD</td><td>TBD</td><td>Sanford Pentagon</td></tr><tr><td>Game</td><td>Mon</td><td>2/5/2024</td><td>7:30PM</td><td>Tri-Valley</td><td>Lennox</td></tr><tr><td>Doubleheader</td><td>Fri</td><td>2/9/2024</td><td>8:00PM</td><td>Tea Area</td><td>Tea</td></tr><tr><td>Doubleheader</td><td>Tue</td><td>2/13/2024</td><td>8:00PM</td><td>Beresford</td><td>Lennox</td></tr><tr><td>Game</td><td>Fri</td><td>2/16/2024</td><td>7:30PM</td><td>Dell Rapids</td><td>Dell Rapids</td></tr><tr><td>Game</td><td>Fri</td><td>2/23/2024</td><td>7:30PM</td><td>Dakota Valley</td><td>Lennox</td></tr><tr><td>Regions</td><td>Tue</td><td>2/27/2024</td><td>7:00PM</td><td>TBD</td><td>TBD</td></tr><tr><td>Regions</td><td>Fri</td><td>3/1/2024</td><td>7:00PM</td><td>TBD</td><td>TBD</td></tr><tr><td>SoDak16</td><td>Tue</td><td>3/5/2024</td><td>7:00PM</td><td>TBD</td><td>TBD</td></tr><tr><td>State</td><td>Thu</td><td>3/14/2024</td><td>TBD</td><td>TBD</td><td>Rapid City</td></tr><tr><td>State</td><td>Fri</td><td>3/15/2024</td><td>TBD</td><td>TBD</td><td>Rapid City</td></tr><tr><td>State</td><td>Sat</td><td>3/16/2024</td><td>TBD</td><td>TBD</td><td>Rapid City</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Wagner Red Raiders</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Head Coach</span>:</strong> <em>Josh Davies</em> (career record 164-223)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Assistant Coach</span>:</strong> <em>Riley Kirwan</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Conference</span>:</strong> LMVC and SESD</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">2022-23 Overall Record</span>:</strong> 8-31</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>Comments on 2022-23 Season from coach <em>Davies</em></strong></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We finished the year playing well but lost our first round Region game to Hanson by 12 or 14 points.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Top Returning Red Raiders</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2281516' first='Carter' last='Cournoyer'] (2024) |6'2 F|</strong> - 11 ppg, 8 rpg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2281517' first='Joey' last='Cournoyer'] (2024) |6'2 F|</strong> - 7 ppg, 7 rpg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1952117' first='Preston' last='McFayden'] (2025) |6'2 G|</strong> - 9 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2281518' first='Parker' last='Petry'] (2025) |6'1 F|</strong> - 7 ppg, 4 rpg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hunter Lhotak (2025) |5'10 G|</strong> - 2 ppg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Newcomers</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2132820' first='Jesse' last='Zephier'] (2027) |5'8 PG|</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carlos Galindo (2027) |5'10 G|</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Javian Pesicka (2027) |5'9 G|</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Team Comments from coach <em>Davies</em></span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We will be bigger than we are used to and our post players all have varsity experience. We will look to play fast and score in transition and mix in half-court possessions where we focus on getting our post players touches. Our starting lineup will be older and experienced, however, our bench will be young and talented. We will need some of our freshmen to step up and help us with depth this season.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Red Raider Schedule</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>12/8 - at <strong>Winner</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>12/14 home vs. <strong>Delmont/Armour</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>12/19 - at <strong>Menno</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>12/21 home vs. <strong>Ethan</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>12/29 - home vs. <strong>Avon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1/5 - at <strong>Bon Homme</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1/6 - at <strong>Corsica-Stickney</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1/9 - home vs. <strong>Irene/Wakonda</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1/11 - home vs. <strong>Parkston</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1/16 - home vs. <strong>O'Neill (NE)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1/18 - at <strong>Burke</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1/23 - home vs. <strong>Mt. Vernon/Plankinton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1/25 - home vs. <strong>Scotland</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1/30 - at <strong>Hanson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2/1 - at <strong>Andes Central/Dakota Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2/6 - at <strong>Gregory</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2/9 - at <strong>Chamberlain</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2/13 - home vs. <strong>Vermillion</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2/16 - home vs. <strong>Platte-Geddes</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2/18 - at <strong>Beresford</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PLAYOFFS</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 -->