ND Baller Interviews

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The high school season is wrapped up and the AAU/grassroots season will start soon. We have a small window of time before live-action starts again. With that said, PHD is bringing back the <span style="text-decoration: underline">Baller Interviews</span>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"200"}},"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:200">Prep Hoops Dakotas (PHD) caught up with [player_tooltip player_id='1327795' first='Beckett' last='Pfau'], [player_tooltip player_id='1327797' first='Carter' last='Evanson'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1169145' first='Walker' last='Braaten']. These dudes are talented and they have a bright future. We shot 10 questions at them and they gave us some interesting and compelling answers!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"10px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:10px">Keep in mind, that next Saturday (March 30th), Prep Hoops is hosting a Spring Exposure Event in Fargo, for more info &amp; registration <a href="https://events.prephoops.com/e/1063/register/prep-hoops-dakotas-spring-exposure-session">CLICK HERE</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Look below for the<strong> 3 Baller Interviews</strong>...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1272514,"width":"179px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/08/PHD.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/08/PHD.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1272514" style="width:179px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Q&amp;A with [player_tooltip player_id='1327795' first='Beckett' last='Pfau']</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1327795"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"8.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.3 apg, .5 spg, 42.9 FG%, 39.8 3FG%, 45 3FGM, 79.5 FT%rnrnu003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cstrongu003ePHD: Can you recap the school season for us?u003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003ernrnu0022u003cemu003eWe started the season slow and had a couple of injuries, but as the season progressed we found our roles and started to play together, and with great leadership from our seniors we ended up making it to State. We lost in the first round but it was a great overall experience and I will never forget this team.u003c/emu003eu0022rnrnu003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cstrongu003ePHD: What was your role this season?u003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003ernrnu0022u003cemu003eBring the ball up, create shots for my teammates, and play high energy full-court defense.u003c/emu003eu0022rnrnu003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cstrongu003ePHD: Could you share memory from the season with us?u003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003ernrnu0022u003cemu003eMy favorite memory from this season was beating a great team in Grand Forks Central to go to State and having the student section rush the court.u003c/emu003eu0022rnrnu003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cstrongu003ePHD: What do you want to improve on this off-season?u003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003ernrnu0022u003cemu003eWhat I want to improve on this off-season is my strength and speed.u003c/emu003eu0022rnrnu003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cstrongu003ePHD: Who was the best player you competed against this season?u003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003ernrnu0022u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eJerry Semu003c/strongu003e because of his quickness and athleticism.u003c/emu003eu0022rnrnu003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cstrongu003ePHD: Do you have any fun off-season plans outside of basketball?u003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003ernrnu0022u003cemu003eThis off-season, I will be running track and competing in the 400M, hurdles, and high jump.u003c/emu003eu0022rnrnu003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cstrongu003ePHD: What type of work will you put in to expanding your game?u003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003ernrnu0022u003cemu003eIn order to expand my game, I will continue to work on my shot and finishing strong around the basket.u003c/emu003eu0022rnrnu003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cstrongu003ePHD: Who do you have winning the NCAA Tourney?u003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003ernrnu0022u003cemu003eI have Arizona winning the NCAA Tournament because u003cstrongu003eCaleb Loveu003c/strongu003e is a dawg!u003c/emu003eu0022rnrnu003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cstrongu003ePHD: What are your basketball plans for the spring u0026amp; summer?u003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003ernrnu0022u003cemu003eMy plans for this spring and summer is playing AAU for the top [program_tooltip program_id='2078372' first='ECI' last=''] Team.u003c/emu003eu0022rnrnu003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cstrongu003ePHD: What is one of your best off-the-court memories from the season?u003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003ernrnu0022u003cemu003eMy favorite memory off the court this year was watching the Super Bowl at [player_tooltip player_id='1164786' first='Tony' last='Leal']'s house.u003c/emu003eu0022","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660050bd3865c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Q&amp;A with [player_tooltip player_id='1327797' first='Carter' last='Evanson']</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1327797"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"17.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.7 apg, 2.5 apg, 44.6 FG%, 37.1 3FG%, 69 3FGM, 76.1 FT%rnrnAll-EDCrnrnu003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cstrongu003ePHD: Can you recap the school season?u003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003ernrnu0022u003cemu003eWe started off a little sluggish trying to figure out what our roles were within our team and lost games with some large margins. As the season went on we kept the games closer and really improved. We should have had a few more wins than our record showed.u003c/emu003eu0022rnrnu003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cstrongu003ePHD: What role did you play on your high school team?u003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003ernrnu0022u003cemu003eTo do whatever I can for our team.u003c/emu003eu0022rnrnu003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cstrongu003ePHD: What is your best hoops memory from the season?u003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003ernrnu0022u003cemu003eBeating Red River in the Play-In Game and advancing to our first ever EDC Tournament. We wanted to keep going, esp[program_tooltip program_id='2078372' first='ECI' last='']ally for the seniors.u003c/emu003eu0022rnrnu003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cstrongu003ePHD: What do you want to improve on this off-season?u003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003ernrnu0022u003cemu003eI want to improve on my mid-range game and get stronger.u003c/emu003eu0022rnrnu003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cstrongu003ePHD: Who was the best player you competed against this season?u003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003ernrnu0022u003cemu003eIt would be [player_tooltip player_id='1169136' first='Mason' last='Klabo'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1310206' first='Tommy' last='Ahneman'], those two are tough players to compete against, both have a bright future, and both are good kids off the court. The two best defenders in my opinion would have to be [player_tooltip player_id='2137637' first='Noah' last='Olson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1867243' first='Nick' last='Hasbargen'].u003c/emu003eu0022rnrnu003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cstrongu003ePHD: What is your best off-the-court memory from the school season?u003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003ernrnu0022u003cemu003eSpending time with the team, getting close with the seniors on their last ride. We didn't have seniors last year, it's tough seeing them go.u003c/emu003eu0022rnrnu003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cstrongu003ePHD; Do you have any fun off-season plans outside of basketball?u003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003ernrnu0022u003cemu003eWe are going to Arizona next week for a family vacation. I am excited to spend time with family at the lake this summer and hang out with friends.u003c/emu003eu0022rnrnu003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cstrongu003ePHD: What type of work will you put in to expand your game?u003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003ernrnu0022u003cemu003eI plan on living in the weight room and repetition. Get many shots up everyday, lift weights, work on plyos, and speed.u003c/emu003eu0022rnrnu003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cstrongu003ePHD: Who do you have winning the NCAA Tourney?u003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003ernrnu0022u003cemu003eUNC, Coach Nate Symons is always right, and UNC is tough!u003c/emu003eu0022rnrnu003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cstrongu003ePHD: What are your summer plans for the spring u0026amp; summer?u003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003ernrnu0022u003cemu003eI am playing with [program_tooltip program_id='2075741' first='ND' last='Phenom'] for AAU, teams camps, and Horace basketball workout all summer.u003c/emu003eu0022","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660050bd3871a"} /--> <!-- wp:image --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img alt="" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Q&amp;A with [player_tooltip player_id='1169145' first='Walker' last='Braaten']</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1169145"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"26.1 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 2.8 apg, 3.2 spg, 52 FG%, 64 2FG%, 39 3FG%, 74 FT%rnrnAll-District, All-Region, All-State Tournament Team, 1st All-Staternrnu003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cstrongu003ePHD: Can you recap the season for us?u003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003ernu0022u003cemu003eFirst of all, we ended the season 26-2 with our only 2 losses coming from Bishop Ryan. We lost the District Championship to Bishop Ryan. Then went into Regional's and beat Bishop Ryan to go to State. We won all the games at State and became the 2024 STATE CLASS B CHAMPIONS.u003c/emu003eu0022rnrnu003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cstrongu003ePHD: What role did you play on your high school team?u003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003ernu0022u003cemu003eMy role was to score, to help put the team in the best situation to win games. On defense, I was the guy who guarded the other team's best player most of the time.u003c/emu003eu0022rnrnu003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cstrongu003ePHD: What is your best  memory hoops memory from the season?u003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003ernu0022u003cemu003eMy best memory is definitely winning the State Championship for the first time in Westhope-Newburg co-op history!u003c/emu003eu0022rnrnu003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cstrongu003ePHD: What do you want to improve on this off-season?u003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003ernu0022u003cemu003eI plan to improve on my overall skill set. Along with my ability to attack the rim and finish at a high level.u003c/emu003eu0022rnrnu003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cstrongu003ePHD: Who was the best player your competed against this season?u003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003ernu0022u003cemu003eThe Duffield twins ([player_tooltip player_id='1144932' first='Bohden' last='Duffield'] u0026amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1144931' first='Bishop' last='Duffield']) and [player_tooltip player_id='1324683' first='Dane' last='Hagler']. They are very good athletes and great basketball players. It was very fun to play against them. [player_tooltip player_id='1189452' first='Ramsey' last='Walz'] as well, he is as tough as they come.u003c/emu003eu0022rnrnu003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cstrongu003ePHD: What is your best off-the-court memory from the season?u003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003ernu0022u003cemu003eMy best off-the-court-memory was probably staying at the hotel at State with my teammates. We all had a great time and will have those memories forever.u003c/emu003eu0022rnrnu003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cstrongu003ePHD: Do you have any fun off-season plans outside of basketball?u003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003ernu0022u003cemu003eI will continue to play sports. I play baseball and golf in the spring. Baseball and AAU in the summer. Next fall, I will be playing football!u003c/emu003eu0022rnrnu003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cstrongu003ePHD: What type of work will you put in to expand your game?u003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003ernu0022u003cemu003eI will continue to play as much as I can. I will try and add a few new moves. I will continue to be in the weight room.u003c/emu003eu0022rnrnu003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cstrongu003ePHD: Who do you have winning the NCAA Tourney?u003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003ernu0022u003cemu003eHouston in one bracket and UConn in another. I picked them both because I feel they have the highest chance of winning it all. Also, I really like both of the teams this year. Even though I am a Duke fan.u003c/emu003eu0022rnrnu003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cstrongu003ePHD: What are your basketball plans for the spring u0026amp; summer?u003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003ernu0022u003cemu003eI plan to play AAU for [program_tooltip program_id='2075741' first='ND' last='Phenom'].u003c/emu003eu0022","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660050bd387f1"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":2119266,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/ballerinterviews.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/ballerinterviews.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2119266" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->