Wahpeton Huskies: Season Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You are coming into Huskie territory for this article! It is a new era for the Wahpeton Huskies and <em>Jeff Ralph</em>. We now have three Classes in North Dakota high school basketball. The Huskies are still in Class A but they are no longer in the top class or in the Eastern Dakota Conference (EDC). What does that mean? Their schedule is much different and they are in Region 1. It is going to be a fun year watching the new Class A and how the teams fit in with each other. The Huskies lost a talented class of seniors, so they will have some new blood on the squad this year. However, coach <em>Ralph</em> does a great job and he will have to team ready to compete with the best in Class A. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team:</strong> Wahpeton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mascot:</strong> Huskie</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach:</strong> <em>Jeff Ralph</em> (17th season)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class: </strong>A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region:</strong> 1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep reading for Huskie stats and a Q&amp;A session with coach <em>Jeff Ralph</em>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Make sure you take some time to look at the Huskie schedule below. This is certainly the most unique and different type of schedule that they have had in the history of the program. It is definitely a new era of basketball in Huskie country!</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":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Top Statistical Returners </span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1798696' first='Brayden' last='Steffens']</strong> - 3.7 ppg, 1.6 rpg, .9 apg, 29 FG%, 18 FTM, 81 FT%, 4 3FGM, 21 3FG%, .6 spg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1184569' first='Treyton' last='Mauch']</strong> - 7.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.4 apg, 40 FG%, 39 FTM, 62 FT%, 4 3FGM, 20 3FG%, 1.2 spg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1184547' first='Jayden' last='King']</strong> - 7.4 ppg, 5 rpg, .7 apg, 49 FG%, 47 FTM, 48 FT%, 1.5 spg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Q&amp;A with coach <em>Jeff Ralph</em></span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Can you tell us a bit about last season?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Our 2022-23 season was one of our best in the past few seasons. We finished at 8-13 in the EDC and lost to WF Sheyenne in a Play-In game. We had a great point guard in <strong>Caden Kappes</strong>, an excellent shooter in <strong>Caden Hockert</strong> and one of the most explosive athletes on the floor in <strong>Ethan</strong> <strong>Manock</strong>.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What can you tell us your your offseason? </span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Our offseason was productive in many ways. We saw a good turnout with kids in the weightroom to start the fall and our open gyms have been loaded and competitive. It's difficult to judge based on open gym, but the excitement as noticeable.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who are some of your top players to watch out for?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>6'4” Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1184547' first='Jayden' last='King']</strong> is one of our returning contributors from last year. He will be called upon to expand his role offensively. He's a good shooter from the perimeter and can get to the rim and score.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>5'10” Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1184569' first='Treyton' last='Mauch']</strong> also played a lot of minutes for us last year as a sophomore and I believe his speed and quickness will really allow us to pressure defensively. He's an explosive player and can score at the rim and also is a good perimeter shooter.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>I'm really excited to see what senior post player 6'4” <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2246132' first='Cooper' last='Klosterman']</strong> can do for us this year. He had a great junior season on our JV and has worked to extend his range to the 3 point line. He's a high energy guy and a great leader that will get the opportunity to show his skills this season.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Our point guard will likely be a 5'10” sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1798696' first='Brayden' last='Steffens']</strong>. Brayden had a really good game last season in our border battle with Breckenridge and I think our fans got a glimpse of what we saw in practice every day. He can finish off the dribble and knock down the midrange jumper."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Returning seniors are <strong>Noah Berge</strong>, <strong>Matt Comings</strong>, <strong>Nick Langenwalter</strong> and<strong> Jordan Hannasch</strong> along with several juniors and sophomores should make us a pretty deep team with multiple threats on both ends.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What style of basketball will your squad play?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Our style of play will revolve around our ability to pressure the basketball defensively. I think this team has the ability to defend the entire court and with our depth, we should be able to force some turnovers and also lock down in the half court.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What are some of your goals for the season?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>With the new division, our team is really looking to improve weekly and be at the top of our game in March. We have a great schedule, opening up at Thompson on December 9, then hosting Four Winds-Minnewauken the following Saturday. I think those two games will really give us an indication of where we will be in Region 1. We always have a list of 10 goals we want to accomplish throughout the season and number 8 is to get to the State Tournament.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who will be the top teams in your Region?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Kindred will have to be the favorite with the guys they have returning, plus the transfer from Thompson will make an impact for them too. Central Cass will be very good again. Fargo Oak Grove is always tough too. Those three along with former EDC rival Valley City will make for a competitive Region 1.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Huskie Schedule</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>12/9/23 - at <strong>Thompson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>12/16/24 - home vs. <strong>Four Winds/Minnewaukan</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>12/19/23 - home vs. <strong>Lisbon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>12/30/23 - home vs. <strong>Shanley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1/2/24 - at <strong>Central Cass</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1/5/24 - at <strong>Kindred</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1/9/24 - at <strong>Hillsboro</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1/12/24 - at <strong>Oak Grove</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1/18/24 - home vs. <strong>Valley City</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1/20/24 - at NDSCS vs. <strong>Breckenridge</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1/23/24 - home vs. <strong>Kindred</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1/26/24 - at <strong>Beulah</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1/27/24 - at <strong>Killdeer</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1/30/24 - at <strong>Lisbon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2/1/24 - home vs. <strong>Central Cass</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2/6/24 - at <strong>Northern Cass</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2/9/24 - home vs. <strong>Fargo Oak Grove</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2/16/24 - home vs. <strong>Devils Lake</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2/19/24 - at <strong>Standing Rock</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2/23/24 - at <strong>Valley City</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2/27/24 - vs. <strong>Fergus Falls</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>March 4/5/7 - at SHAC (Region 1 Tournament)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>March 9 - at SHAC (State Qualifier Games)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>March 14/15/16 at Fargodome (STATE Tournament)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px","fontStyle":"italic","fontWeight":"800"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px;font-style:italic;font-weight:800">Best of luck to the Huskies this season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1606306,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/NorthDakota.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/NorthDakota.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1606306" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->