Baller Interviews: Combo Platter
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The prep season is finished and the club season is on the brink of beginning. We have a short time period before live-action starts again. With that said, PHD is bringing back the Baller Interviews! We chatted with ballers from both North Dakota…
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Continue ReadingThe prep season is finished and the club season is on the brink of beginning. We have a short time period before live-action starts again. With that said, PHD is bringing back the Baller Interviews!
We chatted with ballers from both North Dakota & South Dakota!
Prep Hoops Dakotas (PHD) caught up with Austin Terveen Austin Terveen 6'1" | SG O'Gorman | 2025 State SD , Blake Ellwein Blake Ellwein 6'8" | SF Huron | 2026 State SD , Colton Smith Colton Smith 6'5" | PF Mitchell | 2026 State SD , Drew Kempel Drew Kempel 6'4" | PG Bismarck Century | 2025 State ND , Easton Neuendorf Easton Neuendorf 5'11" | PG Hamlin | 2025 State SD , Jhace Woods Jhace Woods 6'3" | SF Sioux Falls Washington | 2026 State SD , and Sage Hanson Sage Hanson 6'8" | SF TGU | 2026 State ND . These ballers are athletic, skilled, and are full of intrigue. We shot 10 questions at them and they gave us some interesting and compelling answers!
Keep in mind, this Saturday (March 30th), Prep Hoops is hosting a Spring Exposure Event in Fargo, for more info & registration CLICK HERE.
Austin Terveen Austin Terveen 6'1" | SG O'Gorman | 2025 State SD (2025) |6’1 G| O’Gorman
13.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1.5 spg, 45 FG%, 36 3FG%, 74 FT%
Q&A with Austin Terveen Austin Terveen 6'1" | SG O'Gorman | 2025 State SD
PHD: Can you briefly recap your school season for us?
“We were 10-11 overall, some games we would play very well but then in others, we just couldn’t seem to play all that well. Overall, we were a good team that had some off days, ended up losing a close game to Huron in the SoDak 16.“
PHD: What role did you play on your high school team?
“I would say I was an energy guy getting the offense going or trying to get the team going.“
PHD: What is your best hoops memory from the season that just wrapped up?
“Our first game against Brandon was probably the most fun because our team was on fire and everyone was having fun.“
PHD: What do you want to improve on this offseason?
“Something I want to improve on this offseason is my body and my athleticism along with everything else.“
PHD: Who was the best player you competed against this season?
“There really isn’t one player that was the hardest to play against. A lot of teams had a good defender that would follow me the whole game.“
PHD: What is your best off-the-court memory from the school season?
“The team dinners before games were the best memories this past season.“
PHD: Do you have any fun offseason plans outside basketball?
“Yes, we have some family trips planned that should be pretty fun.“
PHD: What type of work will you put in to expand your game?
“A lot of lifting and a lot of skill workouts, and a bunch of shooting workouts.“
PHD: Who do you have winning the NCAA Tourney?
“UConn because they are a hard to team to play against.”
PHD: What are your basketball plans for the spring & summer?
“I plan on playing with Sanford White this summer on the Prep Hoops Circuit.“
Blake Ellwein Blake Ellwein 6'8" | SF Huron | 2026 State SD (2026) |6’8 F| Huron
17.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.7 spg, 41.2 FG%, 32 3FG%, 85 FT%
Q&A with Blake Ellwein Blake Ellwein 6'8" | SF Huron | 2026 State SD
PHD: Can you briefly recap your school season for us?
“We had a very successful year. We went 14-10, and we made it back to the State Tournament for the first time in 5 years and finished 7th place.“
PHD: What role did you play on your high school team?
“I took on more of a vocal leadership role this year.”
PHD: What is your best hoops memory from the season that just wrapped up?
“My best memory from this season was winning the SoDak 16 game. It was an exciting close win. The celebration with my team, cutting nets down and taking pictures was an experience I’ll never forget.“
PHD: What do you want to improve on this offseason?
“I plan to work on improving my overall game so I can bring my skills to the next level.“
PHD: Who was the best player you competed against this season?
“Throughout the season I played against a lot of talented players. There were too many great opponents to name just one.“
PHD: What is your best off-the-court memory from the school season?
“I really enjoyed the State Tournament experience, and I also have some really fun memories staying in the hotel on our Spearfish/Sturgis trip this year.“
PHD: Do you have any fun offseason plans outside basketball?
“I plan to hang out with my family and friends, go to the lake, and get a little golfing in.“
PHD: What type of work will you put in to expand your game?
“This offseason I plan to work on my individual skills, go to team camps, and play on a summer travel team.“
PHD: Who do you have winning the NCAA Tourney?
“I picked UConn because they have consistently been the best team this year.“
PHD: What are your basketball plans for the spring & summer?
“I will be playing Hoop City 17U basketball team.“
Colton Smith Colton Smith 6'5" | PF Mitchell | 2026 State SD (2026) |6’5 F| Mitchell
18.3 ppg, 9 rpg, 3.8 apg, 1.7 apg, 52.6 FG%, 30.5 3FG%
Q&A with Colton Smith Colton Smith 6'5" | PF Mitchell | 2026 State SD
PHD: Can you briefly recap your school season for us?
“This year’s school season was one that I will always remember, it was a season full of never-ending fun, seemed like no matter what we were doing I would always have fun with those guys.“
PHD: What role did you play on your high school team?
“I played the defensive and rebounding kind of role, but my most important role was to be a leader whether it was on or off the court.“
PHD: What is your best hoops memory from the season that just wrapped up?
“My favorite memory from this year’s season was the bus rides with the team, it seemed to never be quiet on the bus, there was always something going on whether it was someone singing karaoke or the freshmen having rap battles.“
PHD: What do you want to improve on this offseason?
“This offseason I have a lot to improve on, starting with learning to attack with my left hand better. I really wanna work on my pull-up game this summer.“
PHD: Who was the best player you competed against this season?
“The toughest person I had to play against this year has to be Josh Olthoff Josh Olthoff 6'9" | C Brandon Valley | 2024 State SD , due to how big and strong he is.“
PHD: What is your best off-the-court memory from the school season?
“My favorite off-court memory is when me, Markus Sutton, Gavin Hinker Gavin Hinker 6'4" | PF Mitchell | 2025 State SD , and Parker Mandel Parker Mandel 6'3" | SF Mitchell | 2025 State SD would all go and drive around town.“
PHD: Do you have any fun offseason plans outside basketball?
“I plan on doing track for the first time and can’t wait for it.“
PHD: What type of work will you put in to expand your game?
“I will be putting in more of a dribbling and pull-up-type of game for next season.“
PHD: Who do you have winning the NCAA Tourney?
“I have Creighton winning it all because they play the game as a team and their defense is next level.“
PHD: What are your basketball plans for the spring & summer?
“This spring i will be playing for Martin Brothers out of Cedar Falls, Iowa.“
Drew Kempel Drew Kempel 6'4" | PG Bismarck Century | 2025 State ND (2025) |6’3 PG| Bismarck Century
13 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 4 apg, 1.6 spg, 52.1 FG%, 28.6 3FG%
Q&A with Drew Kempel Drew Kempel 6'4" | PG Bismarck Century | 2025 State ND
PHD: Can you briefly recap your school season for us?
“We went 19-8 overall, 3rd in the WDA, State Qualifiers, and finished 6th in State. The season didn’t necessarily go the way I wanted it to but we showed flashes of how good we can be next year.“
PHD: What role did you play on your high school team?
“I played the point guard role for the most part but also played in the post at times to try and create offense. My role was to get myself involved in scoring while getting teammates good looks as well.“
PHD: What is your best hoops memory from the season that just wrapped up?
“Making State“
PHD: What do you want to improve on this offseason?
“Being creative off of ball screens and being a knockdown guy when open.“
PHD: Who was the best player you competed against this season?
“ Jeremiah Sem Jeremiah Sem 6'3" | SG Fargo North | 2024 State #303 Nation ND . He is an electric scorer with NBA level athleticism.“
PHD: What is your best off-the-court memory from the school season?
“Going to Wyoming and staying for 3 nights having fun with teammates.“
PHD: Do you have any fun offseason plans outside basketball?
“Hang out with friends and go to Wisconsin Dells with AAU teammates after our last tournament.“
PHD: What type of work will you put in to expand your game?
“Play as much live basketball as possible and be consistent with my workout schedule.“
PHD: Who do you have winning the NCAA Tourney?
“UConn because of their elaborate offensive schemes, commitment, and bringing back lots of experience.“
PHD: What are your basketball plans for the spring & summer?
“Get better every day, play AAU for ND Phenom , and win as many games as possible.“
Easton Neuendorf Easton Neuendorf 5'11" | PG Hamlin | 2025 State SD (2025) |5’11 PG| Hamlin
15.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 7.1 apg, 3.2 spg, 51.4 FG%, 34.6 3FG%, 81.8 FT%
Q&A with Easton Neuendorf Easton Neuendorf 5'11" | PG Hamlin | 2025 State SD
PHD: Can you briefly recap your school season for us?
“Started off well, lost a game to a good Tennessee school. Then later on we lost twice to Sioux Falls Christian. After losing twice to SFC we figured some stuff out and go it fixed for State. Then going into the State Tournament we knew we had a good feeling and we ended up winning it all!”
PHD: What role did you play on your high school team?
“What role did you play on your high school team? Being the pg and one of the leaders of our team it was my job to control the tempo of the game and get all of my teammates involved.“
PHD: What is your best hoops memory from the season that just wrapped up?
“Winning the State Tournament.“
PHD: What do you want to improve on this offseason?
“Shooting and shooting shots off the dribble more.“
PHD: Who was the best player you competed against this season?
“ Jaxson Wingert Jaxson Wingert 6'7" | PF Dakota Valley | 2024 State SD . He was a very strong kid and can step out and shoot the 3 but can also post up and finish well.“
PHD: What is your best off-the-court memory from the school season?
“Hotel at the State Tournament.“
PHD: Do you have any fun offseason plans outside basketball?
“Going to the Dominican.“
PHD: What type of work will you put in to expand your game?
“Go to the gym and work on my weaknesses.“
PHD: Who do you have winning the NCAA Tourney?
“North Carolina. I think they will win because they have a lot of veterans on the team and that’s what you need in March.“
PHD: What are your basketball plans for the spring & summer?
“Playing for Hoop City.“
Jhace Woods Jhace Woods 6'3" | SF Sioux Falls Washington | 2026 State SD (2026) |6’3 SF| Sioux Falls Washington
10.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, .6 apg, .8 spg, 64.6 FG%, 36.8 3FG%, 66.7 FT%
Q&A with Jhace Woods Jhace Woods 6'3" | SF Sioux Falls Washington | 2026 State SD
PHD: Can you briefly recap your school season for us?
“This season we came in as the team who wasn’t expected to win any games. People assumed we were the worst team.“
PHD: What role did you play on your high school team?
“I played good leader role on the team and kept the energy up.“
PHD: What is your best hoops memory from the season that just wrapped up?
“The best memory was definitely the Roosevelt game First Round (State) because the energy after that game was great and we were all very excited to be able to compete in the semifinals.“
PHD: What do you want to improve on this offseason?
“I definitely think I should focus more on being able to shoot the basketball and also body language because that is huge.“
PHD: Who was the best player you competed against this season?
“The best player I have competed with this season was Marcus Talley from Mitchell. He is a great guard and the way he plays the game is very smooth and at his own pace.“
PHD: What is your best off-the-court memory from the school season?
“The best off-court memory was the day before the first State Tournament game because we did team bonding that whole Wednesday and it was just great and so fun.“
PHD: Do you have any fun offseason plans outside basketball?
“Hanging out with my friends is definitely one thing I’ll be doing.“
PHD: What type of work will you put in to expand your game?
“I will put in work by going to the gym every day which I already do but also doing the small things.“
PHD: Who do you have winning the NCAA Tourney?
“I’m biased because my favorite team is North Carolina so I really hope they can win it.“
PHD: What are your basketball plans for the spring & summer?
“I’m playing for the Under Armor Circuit this summer for Sanford Pentagon so that will be really fun and will help me get more noticed.“
Sage Hanson Sage Hanson 6'8" | SF TGU | 2026 State ND (2026) |6’7 F| TGU
18.5 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1 spg, 3 bpg, 53 FG%, 31 3FG%, 63 FT%
Q&A with Sage Hanson Sage Hanson 6'8" | SF TGU | 2026 State ND
PHD: Can you briefly recap your school season for us?
“Our season started out hot right out the gates winning our first 7 out of 8 teams versus weaker opponents. We then faced a rough stretch against some of the best teams in the state in Westhope, Bishop Ryan, and Our Redeemers. We were able to stay out of the Play-In and secure the 5th seed in Districts but we would end up losing that game. We won our next two games including a nail-biter in OT to sneak into the Region Tournament. We would end up upsetting WTHS who was number 8 in the State at the time before barely losing to Westhope after coming back down 15 to go up 3 later in the game. We would then blow a 15-point lead to fall short of making it to the State Play-In game. Overall a fun season just fell short of where we wanted to be.“
PHD: What role did you play on your high school team?
“My role on my high school team is to play inside most of the game while sneaking out to the perimeter to hit some threes. On the defensive side, I usually guard the post so that I can help off and become a rim protector.“
PHD: What is your best hoops memory from the season that just wrapped up?
“My favorite memory of this season has to be hitting a game-tying three-pointer to force OT in the Region Qualifying game.“
PHD: What do you want to improve on this offseason?
“This off-season I would like to improve my three-point efficiency and get big in the post. I will also be looking to improve my ball handling as we will need some help bringing up the ball next year since we will be losing our point guard. As well as becoming quicker laterally so if I have to guard a forward or guard I can stay in front of them.“
PHD: Who was the best player you competed against this season?
“The best player I have played against this year has to be Walker Braaten Walker Braaten 6'4" | CG Westhope/Newburg | 2025 State #278 Nation ND . He has a knack for getting to the rim and finishing strong and athletically. He is also one of the best shooters in the state. Watching him go for 42 against Bishop Ryan proves my point.“
PHD: What is your best off-the-court memory from the school season?
“My best off-the-court memory has to be riding the bus home after the game against WTHS. Hanging out with some of my teammates and just being super excited that we won made the 1-and-a-half-hour bus ride feel like 10 minutes!“
PHD: Do you have any fun offseason plans outside basketball?
“Outside of Basketball, I will be playing baseball for the Surrey Mustangs. It will be my first time ever playing spring baseball so I look forward to it excitedly.“
PHD: What type of work will you put in to expand your game?
“At my school, we can get a key fob for the gym so we can access it whenever we want. I will be using that to get shots up and practice ball handling after practices and during the summer. I will also do strength training in the gym with a few of my friends.“
PHD: Who do you have winning the NCAA Tourney?
“I have Creighton winning the tournament. Even though I haven’t had many chances to watch them play televised I have seen some highlights and stats. I think they have some good players and that they are a very well-rounded team. Watching them shoot 5/22 in the first half from 3 and going into double OT with Oregon and still winning shows that they are never out of a game.“
PHD: What are your basketball plans for the spring & summer?
“For my spring and summer, I will be playing AAU for ND Phenom on the Prep Hoops Circuit and attending many camps. These camps include a showcase for Prep Hoops, a Crossroads Elite camp, and some others that my family and I haven’t decided on yet.“