Shanley Deacons: Season Preview
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It is a new era of Deacon basketball! They have a new head coach, Stefan Webber and Shanley graduated seven seniors off of last season’s team. They lost a couple of studs with Conner Kraft and Vuciri Hakim. What does…
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Continue ReadingIt is a new era of Deacon basketball! They have a new head coach, Stefan Webber and Shanley graduated seven seniors off of last season’s team. They lost a couple of studs with Conner Kraft and Vuciri Hakim. What does that mean for this year’s team? There will be a ton of new opportunities, needed scoring, and plenty of chances for the players to prove they are ready for varsity basketball. It will be fun to follow along and see how the Deacons take shape over the course of the season. Read below for more info on the Deacons.
Practice starts on the 20th for Class AA, we are almost there!
Team: Shanley
Mascot: Deacon
Head Coach: Steffan Webber (1st Season)
Class: AA
Region: East
Q&A with coach Stefan Webber
PHD: Could you write a couple sentences summing up last season?
“We had a successful season last year, making State after starting the season just 1-5 in the Conference. We went on to win 8 straight games to help get the #5 seed in the EDC Tournament.“
PHD: How did the offseason go for your team/program?
“We had a productive off-season with lots of kids attending our camps, as well as 4 different team camps in the area.“
PHD: Who are a few of your top players to look out for?
Kaden Christmann Kaden Christmann 6'1" | SG Fargo Shanley | 2024 ND 6’1″ Senior: “Returning starter who is a great defender; expect him to guard the opposing team’s best scorer night in and night out.
Jordan Leininger Jordan Leininger 6'0" | CG Shanley | 2024 State ND 6’0″ Senior: “Returning starter who shot almost 40% from 3 last season.“
“It will be exciting to see who steps up at the varsity level. We graduated 7 seniors who ate up most of our varsity minutes last year. I would look out for Michael Noack, Isaac Perkerewicz Isaac Perkerewicz 6'0" | CG Shanley | 2024 ND , and Charlie Bernhardt who are seniors this year and multi-sport athletes who I expect to step up their game and be productive players.“
PHD: Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for?
“We have a bunch of young players I am excited to see this winter. Tommy Baumgartner Tommy Baumgartner 6'4" | SG Shanley | 2027 State ND is a freshman who can shoot from anywhere on the floor. Isaac Beauchamp Isaac Beauchamp 6'1" | PG Shanley | 2025 State ND and Justin Ajeo Justin Ajeo 5'11" | PG Shanley | 2025 State ND are both juniors who are athletic, play great defense, and have the capabilities to get to the rim. Jake Kraft Jake Kraft 6'0" | SG Shanley | 2026 State ND has a versatile skill set of being able to spot up and shoot from 3, while also being able to hit pull-up jumpers.“
PHD: What style of basketball will your team play?
“We will play a variety of styles. We have Luke Warner Luke Warner 6'11" | C Shanley | 2025 State ND , a 6’8″ junior who can work the low post and will get his touches in the paint, but we also have a plethora of skill players who can run the floor and shoot.“
PHD: What are a couple of your team goals this year?
“One of the reasons I decided to apply for the Shanley job is the expectations and standards of excellence in all sports here. No matter if we graduate 7 seniors or none, the next year the standard is to make State and that will be no different this year.“
PHD: In your opinion, who are some of the top teams in the EDC?
“Fargo North is the obvious answer as reigning State Champions who return most of their players from last season. I also think Grand Forks Central will be a top team with their returning talent and capability to shoot, but also work the paint with their posts.“
Deacon Schedule
12/1/23 – home vs. Legacy
12/2/23 – home vs. Mandan
12/5/23 – at Bismarck St. Mary’s
12/8/23 – home vs. Fargo North
12/12/23 – at Fargo Davies
12/14/23 – at West Fargo
12/16/23 – at Concordia vs. Moorhead
12/19/23 – home vs. Fargo South
12/30/23 – at Wahpeton
1/4/24 – home vs. Horace
1/9/24 – at West Fargo Sheyenne
1/12/24 – at Red River
1/23/24 – home vs. Grand Forks Central
1/26/24 – at Fargo North
1/30/24 – home vs. Fargo Davies
2/2/24 – home vs. West Fargo
2/6/24 – at Fargo South
2/9/24 – at Horace
2/13/24 – home vs. West Fargo Sheyenne
2/16/24 – home vs. Red River
2/22/24 – at Grand Forks Central
PLAYOFFS
Best of luck to the Deacons this season!
Returning Statistical Leaders
Name | Year | PPG | RPG | APG |
Kaden Christmann Kaden Christmann 6'1" | SG Fargo Shanley | 2024 ND | Senior | 7.7 | 2.7 | 3.1 |
Jordan Leininger Jordan Leininger 6'0" | CG Shanley | 2024 State ND | Senior | 7.1 | 3.9 | 1.8 |
Isaac Perkerewicz Isaac Perkerewicz 6'0" | CG Shanley | 2024 ND | Senior | 2.6 | 1.2 | 0.4 |
Prep Hoops Ranking
Player | Year | Rank |
Kaden Christmann Kaden Christmann 6'1" | SG Fargo Shanley | 2024 ND | Senior | 65 |
Justin Ajeo Justin Ajeo 5'11" | PG Shanley | 2025 State ND | Junior | 39 |
Luke Warner Luke Warner 6'11" | C Shanley | 2025 State ND | Junior | 53 |
Isaac Beauchamp Isaac Beauchamp 6'1" | PG Shanley | 2025 State ND | Junior | 69 |
Carson Busek Carson Busek 5'11" | SG Shanley | 2025 State ND | Junior | 109 |
Alex Busch Alex Busch 6'1" | SF Fargo Shanley | 2025 ND | Junior | 126 |
Jake Kraft Jake Kraft 6'0" | SG Shanley | 2026 State ND | Sophomore | 35 |
Luke Motteberg Luke Motteberg 6'3" | SF Fargo Shanley | 2026 State ND | Sophomore | 74 |
Shawn Kotrba Shawn Kotrba 5'11" | PF Fargo Shanley | 2026 State ND | Sophomore | 154 |
Derek Boehm Derek Boehm 5'10" | PF Fargo Shanley | 2026 ND | Sophomore | 172 |
Tommy Baumgartner Tommy Baumgartner 6'4" | SG Shanley | 2027 State ND | Freshman | 18 |
Michael Hollcraft Michael Hollcraft 5'11" | PG Shanley | 2027 State ND | Freshman | 69 |
Joey McLaughlin Joey McLaughlin 5'11" | SF Shanley | 2027 State ND | Freshman | 122 |