All Gas, No Brakes!

This is a spin-off piece from yesterday's, Dakotas All Hustle Team. To see that article, <a href="https://prephoops.com/2024/01/dakotas-all-hustle-team/">click here</a>.   Hoop fans love nothing more than watching a player who hustles & leaves it all on the court and ballers love playing with teammates who hustle.   If you can't tell, HUSTLE is the topic and we are looking at guys who play fast and never slow down!   What is a Hustle Player? You have never to take a play off, give full effort, dive on the floor, board up, take charges, get stops on D, sprint, make plays in transition, do the little things, play aggressively, step up to the challenge, positively affect your team, never give up, play inspired ball, recover quickly, be resilient, stay positive, being versatile, accepting your role, being a leader, have a great work ethic, commitment to the team, play with high NRG, play relentless defense, giving 100% in practice, being mentally tough, create TO's, get deflections, take away passing angles, by closing out hard but under control, playing physically, scarping it up, getting jump balls, holding box outs, helping the helper, and many, many others!   See below, we have info/comments on 28 players!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/AllHustle.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/AllHustle.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2121089" style="width:556px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1575041' first='Aiden' last='Fisher'] (2025) |5'10 G| Aberdeen Roncalli   He is one of the main guys the Cavaliers rely on to take the ball up the court against full-court pressure. Aiden is also a guy who will immediately turn around and defend an opponent's best player for 94 feet. When a ball is on the floor, Fisher is the first one to it! He always sprints the floor in transition (both offensively and defensively) and over the last two years, leads the Cavs in charges taken!   [player_tooltip player_id='1313354' first='Alex' last='Schumacher'] (2024) |6'0 G| Miller   He is a scoring machine, but Schumacher is also a hustler and hard worker. Alex goes hard every minute that he is on the court. Barring foul trouble, he pretty much has played 32 minutes a game since 9th grade. He is not afraid to defend anyone, including BIG guys. The talented Mr. Schumacher is not afraid to dive for a loose ball and he is often bruised up and/or scratched up after a game. Some of this is from being the main ballhandler as defenses often try to get physical with him. Alex does not back from a challenge. The Rustlers rely on Alex to handle the ball against whatever the defense throws at them. Schumacher is a talated player, a Rustler, and a HUSTLER!   [player_tooltip player_id='2276981' first='Avery' last='Gratton'] (2025) |6'1 F| Larimore   He is the 1a/1b defensive guy for the Polar Bears and one of the team captains. There are some nights when Gratton leads the team in scoring and some nights he will have a stat line that goes something like 7 points, 7 rebounds, 5-6 assists. For example, against Richland last Thursday he had 21 points and led the team in scoring, then the next night against Langdon he locked down the team's best player and had only 7 points, but had 7 assists and 5 rebounds. Last Friday night against Langdon, the Polar Bears ran a box and chaser on one of the best players in the Region and State ([player_tooltip player_id='1857757' first='Rayce' last='Worley']) and Avery held him to 9 points while being the chaser. Gratton picked Worley up full court and was glued to him all night. Whenever Avery was asked if they needed to switch someone else onto Worley, he replied “no, I'm good” and got right back to work.   Brison Falch (2025) |6'2 F| Larimore   He has stepped into the role of that “Dennis Rodman” type of guy. Brison scores maybe 2-4 ppg but his points are on put-backs off of offensive rebounds. Falach probably averages about 5-6 rebounds a night and half of them are offensive rebounds. On the defensive end, Brison is the Polar Bears 1a/1b guy to guard the other team's best player.   [player_tooltip player_id='1966052' first='Britt' last='Carlson'] (2024) |6'4 F| De Smet   This kid is a winner and a hustler. Carlson has been putting in great effort this season for the Bulldogs. He makes a difference by grabbing loose balls, gobbling up rebounds, and running out on the break. His competitive nature takes over and he finds another gear. Britt's hustle sometimes finds him an extra foul or two but he really gets the Bulldogs going.     [player_tooltip player_id='2114976' first='Brogan' last='Young'] (2027) |6'0 G| Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier   The young frosh has started a game for the Rebels and is the first sub off the bench in other games. Young guards-up opposing backcourt players full or halfcourt and he creates a lot of havoc in the press (just a menace). Brogan is always around the rim getting rebounds or on the floor for loose balls, an energizer bunny to say the least! He does anything and everything asked of him and just keeps getting better.    Caden Pourier (2025) |6'3 F| Red Cloud   Pourier is a 6'3" forward who is super versatile and guards 1-5 for the Crusaders! Caden rebounds hard every time and never stops playing hard. He hoops with a great attitude and will do whatever it takes to win!   [player_tooltip player_id='1497485' first='Cole' last='Wilber'] (2025) |5'10 PG| Grand Forks Central   Wilber is a tough defender who is not afraid to mix it up on both ends. He handles the ball with skill, pushes tempo, directs traffic, hits big shots, creates for others, sets up the offense, defends hard, and fights for rebounds.    [player_tooltip player_id='2270646' first='Easton' last='Benz'] (2026) |6'3 G| New Rockford-Sheyenne   Mr. Benz gives 110% every second he is on the basketball floor. He is always diving for loose balls and has taken 7 charges through 5 games this season! That is impressive!   [player_tooltip player_id='1632700' first='Ezra' last='Robinson'] (2026) |5'8 G| Midway/Minto   He is a good on-ball defender who has a motor that never stops, plays much bigger than he is by being quick and by getting into the proper position. Robinson is the floor leader who runs the Mustang offense by getting people into position and by pushing the ball up the court to an open teammate. Ezra gets into great defensive position and this leads to taking charges, he is also smart about using proper angles to defend.  Robinson gives his full effort on every possession by flying around the court and he gets those 50-50 balls for the Mustangs.   [player_tooltip player_id='2311990' first='Gracen' last='Hansen'] (2024) |5'10 G| Timber Lake   The standout senior Panther is averaging 10.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2 deflections, and 2 steals per game. Gracen plays defense against positions 1-5 on the court and his motor runs hot. Hansen is always looking for a loose rebound, is willing to take charges, and he gets on the floor for loose balls. Gracen plays hard on both ends of the floor and does it all with a positive attitude.   [player_tooltip player_id='1892735' first='Jack' last='Retterath'] (2025) |5'11 G| Washburn   Jack is the point guard for the Cardinals who is tasked every game with guarding the opponent's best perimeter player. Not only does Washburn need him to be their best defensive player, but he is also responsible for getting the Cards into their offense. Washburn found out quickly last year that they are better when Jack is on the floor than off.     [player_tooltip player_id='2281517' first='Joey' last='Cournoyer Jr.'] (2024) |6'4 F| Wagner   He is the best defender for the Red Raiders. Joey works hard on every defensive possession and always guards the other team's best player. Cournoyer works hard on both ends of the floor and is an excellent rebounder. He gets on the floor after loose balls and he always outworks the guy he is guarding.     Justin Scheresky (2024) |6'1 F| Washburn   Justin is the undersized 5-man for the Cards who has to use his effort and athleticism to battle with the plethora of 6'4"-6'8" guys that Washburn faces. Scheresky is always on the floor diving for balls.   [player_tooltip player_id='2264862' first='Justin' last='Tschosik'] (2024) |5'8 PG| Linton-HMB   He has helped lead the Lions to an undefeated record, the Championship at the Mandan Holiday Tournamnet, and a Top 10 Ranking in the State Poll. However, Tschosik is just getting started! Justin is the defensive leader for the Lions. He has taken 7 charges in 6 games, all from being the on-ball defender. Although he would be the first to say it was an entire team effort defensively, he was the primary defender on: [player_tooltip player_id='1864035' first='Lance' last='Bradley'] from Standing Rock and held him to 6/20 from the floor & [player_tooltip player_id='1144617' first='Carson' last='Haerer'] from Bottineau and held him to 10/30 from the floor. The Lions also count on Tschosik to initiate the offense and be the floor general.     [player_tooltip player_id='2331428' first='Kaden' last='Zacher'] (2025) |5'11 F| Belfield   Kaden "Pistol Pete" Zacher is a gritty, scrappy, never-ending ball of fire. He brings leadership to the hardwood from his experience as a catcher and quarterback. Zacher plays with natural instincts which help him anticipate, deflect, and create turnovers. Pete brings fire consistently and he is constantly bringing the momentum to the Bantams side. This kid has put bull blood in his veins and he refuses to back down to anyone, regardless of their size & stats!   [player_tooltip player_id='1540724' first='Kale' last='Schommer'] (2024) |6'5 SF| Bismarck Century   The "Hustle Guy" for Century would be Mr. Schommer. Kale is a guy who can affect the game in many ways. The way he rebounds, runs the floor, and always plays as hard as he can makes him a valuable player for the Patriots. He does not take any possessions for granted and always accepts the challenge thrown at him. Along with his hustle, Kale has impressive length that helps him make things difficult defensively. Schommer also has a good skill set which allows him to make athletic plays offensively. Kale is a senior who is leading by example and taking full advantage of his final year of high school basketball.   [player_tooltip player_id='1563465' first='Keyshawn' last='St. Pierre'] (2024) |5'8 G| Four Winds/Minnewaukan   Keyshawn "Bucky" St. Pierre is a key role player for the Indians. He takes charges, dives on the floor, boxes out bigger/stronger players, gives 110% effort on the defensive side, and plays to the final buzzer!    [player_tooltip player_id='2075967' first='Kincade' last='Lehman'] (2025) |6'0 G| Custer   He is the Wildcats sparkplug. Lehman rarely, if ever takes a possession off. He is Custer's second-leading scorer as a shooting guard but also has the responsibility of guarding the other team's best player most nights. Kincade also leads the team in steals and is a high-energy guy.     Luke Obrigewitsch (2025) |6'1 F| Belfield   He runs the floor well and often beats his opponents to their spot which forces an offensive foul. He is not afraid to give up his body for the team. Luke is still growing and finding himself as a basketball player. His leadership qualities define the true meaning of grit, class, and integrity. Luke is coachable, when he is asked or assigned a job, he executes and delivers.   [player_tooltip player_id='1407011' first='Mackenzie' last='Wike'] (2025) |5'8 G| White River   He is a vital member of the 6-1 #4 ranked Tigers. Mack has great quickness and speed and he usually guards the opponent's best guard. Wike works tirelessly on the defensive end for White River and he prides himself on being a great defender. He will dive on the floor, take a charge, and sacrifice whatever is needed on the defensive end. Mack is currently leading the Tigers in chargers taken.   [player_tooltip player_id='2277502' first='Mason' last='Kessel'] (2025) |5'11 G| Belfield   Ice Man is having a high-quality start to the season. They call him "Ice Man" because of his ice-cold demeanor, you can't tell if he just drilled last second shot or or if the official just missed a big call. Mason keeps his emotions in check, he plays calm, cool, and collected. He might have a quiet disposition but he is still an effective leader. Kessel is a hardworking on-ball defender and he will take any assignment that is thrown at him. If there is a 50/50 ball on the floor, put your money on Ice Man coming up with the rock. He is an energizer bunny that keeps going and going. He will do whatever it takes to get the W, Mason scores from all 3-levels and he stuffs the stat sheet. Even more importantly, he lifts his teammates up, promotes them, and has been helping the Bantams achieve success. PHD encourages you to look up Mr. Kessel, you will have an entertaining night of good-ol-gritty "Bantam Style" basketball!   [player_tooltip player_id='1625215' first='Trey' last='Maaland'] (2024) |6'1 G| Deuel   You name it, Trey does it on the basketball court. Maaland is one of the top guards in SD but he is also a tireless worker, a great teammate, and the epitome of HUSTLE.   Wall Eagles - Starting 5   [player_tooltip player_id='2275397' first='Brodi' last='Sundall'] (Senior) - 13.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.7 apg, 2.3 spg   [player_tooltip player_id='2311913' first='Emmet' last='Dinger'] (Sophmore) - 6.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.2 spg   [player_tooltip player_id='2275483' first='Dawson' last='Handcock'] (Sophmore) - 9 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1 spg   [player_tooltip player_id='1894285' first='Jace' last='Mohr'] (Sophmore) - 6.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.8 apg, .8 spg   [player_tooltip player_id='2126219' first='Teelan' last='Kjerstad'] (Freshman) - 11.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.2 apg, 2 spg   All of these guys get after it every time they step on the court, whether it's summer ball, open gym, regular season, or postseason. The Eagles last victory over 5-0 Parkston came from an all-around team effort. Four of the starting five scored double digits led by Brodi and Teelan with 14 each, the 5th man scoring 6. Dawson & Jace had 5 assists each. Teelan, who doesn't weigh more than 120 pounds led the team in rebounding with 10, Brodi added 7 boards. This is impressive when you think about the Trojans starting mainly juniors/seniors who are 3 inches taller and 50 pounds heavier than the Eagles starting 5! Wahl is a very unselfish group and each one of these players fall into the "hustle" category.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/AllHustle.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/AllHustle.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2121089" /></a></figure>

This is a spin-off piece from yesterday's, Dakotas All Hustle Team. To see that article, click here.