De Smet Bulldogs: Season Review
Often times it seems like Class B South Dakota basketball is owned by the De Smet Bulldogs and all the other teams are just trying to exist! A huge part of that is because of coach Jeff Gruenhagen. The program’s…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingOften times it seems like Class B South Dakota basketball is owned by the De Smet Bulldogs and all the other teams are just trying to exist! A huge part of that is because of coach Jeff Gruenhagen. The program’s rich tradition and the community’s athletic families certainly help the cause!
We have the De Smet Season Reivew in this article!
Look for the Bulldogs to be tough once again next season.
If you are unfamiliar with De Smet, you do not know SD high school hoops!
SHOUTOUT TO All-Staters: George Jensen George Jensen 6'6" | SF De Smet | 2024 State SD (2nd Team), Kadyn Fast Kadyn Fast 6'1" | PG De Smet | 2024 State SD (3rd Team)!
See below for stats and an in-depth Q&A session with legendary coach Jeff G!
Team: De Smet
Mascot: Bulldogs
Head Coach: Jeff Gruenhagen
Class: B
Region: 3
Record: 22-4
Finish: 2nd at State
STATS
Q&A from coach Jeff G
PHD: How would you sum up the season for your squad?
“Another Great season for the Bulldogs I don’t think anyone was giving us much of a shot to get back to the Title game this year. Very similar to 2023. We knew our schedule would challenge us and the guys really responded and stuck together all season. We did not know who would lead us this year and all of the Seniors really stepped up and battled all season.”
PHD: Do you have any fun memories you want to share with us from the season?
“There were so many great memories and games this season that it is hard to give them all the air time they deserve. George Jensen George Jensen 6'6" | SF De Smet | 2024 State SD hitting a couple of big-time threes at the Pentagon vs. Sioux Valley allowing us to keep that game close and win in OT. That game propelled us into the playoffs with the confidence that we could defend our title.”
“The State B was filled with big plays in all of the games. So many talented teams in the field. Kadyn Fast Kadyn Fast 6'1" | PG De Smet | 2024 State SD steal vs. Gregory which got him 2 FT to tie it up. And then George Jensen George Jensen 6'6" | SF De Smet | 2024 State SD hitting the step-back 3 over Daniel Mitchell Daniel Mitchell 6'7" | SF Gregory | 2024 State SD for the game-winner was just awesome. Tom Aughenbaugh Tom Aughenbaugh 6'0" | PG De Smet | 2024 State SD with a pump fake step over three in the semifinals to give us the lead in a defensive battle with Castlewood was so clutch. Trace VR had a huge block vs. Laue and then a steal on the post entry right after that by just sheer hustle was just a few examples of huge plays we were making on both ends. Grant Wilkinson Grant Wilkinson 6'8" | C De Smet | 2026 State SD was great vs Laue on D and executed a perfect pick and roll for a key basket in the low-scoring battle.”
“The Championship Game vs. Howard was no different. Everyone stepped up and hit key shots to keep us coming back.
Britt Carlson
Britt
Carlson
6'4" | SF
De Smet | 2024
State
SD
buried 3 threes in that game. All 5 starters hit at least one as we made 9/18, but Howard had the hotter hand going 19/34 from the field in the game 5/10 from 3. A bad time to not have our best defensive effort but I credit Howard, they made some tough shots also. Great team play on both sides. Jensen’s super athletic play to force OT with 1.2 seconds is just amazing with the help of a great Carlson pass kept the March Madness alive. So proud of our effort in that game and everyone being willing to step up and knock down shots to give us a chance at the end.”
PHD: How did your team overcome adversity?
“We lost 3 games during the season and they were all games that we had the lead late in the game. I was proud of how we handled those situations and did not let that hurt our team chemistry. We kept focus as a group on the goal to get to the tourney and take our shot.”
PHD: What are a few things your team improved on throughout the season?
“We really got better at shot selection and ball movement as the year went on. Using Jensen and Wilkinson in the paint to get us better looks from the 3-point line. We also got a lot better at rebounding. Offensive and Defensive. Damon Wilkinson did so much of that for us last year we needed to get that going. Our Team D really gelled along as we got going in Jan and February when we played teams of equal talent and the guys really decided to start doing the work and hustling every play after the tough losses to Hamlin and Cwood.”
PHD: Who are some role players that stood out to you?
“ Grant Wilkinson Grant Wilkinson 6'8" | C De Smet | 2026 State SD really did a great job off the bench and we needed his play to be at our best. He worked his butt off guarding and rebounding while some nights he did not get many shot attempts or ball touches in the offense. Some games he lead us in scoring. Grant handled all of that well and will be back to lead us next year.”
“ Trace Van Regenmorter Trace Van Regenmorter 6'4" | SF De Smet | 2024 State SD was a beast on the boards and on D this year. Many nights scoring no points or taking no shots simply because another teammate was playing well. While it was tough to stay positive he always found us a way to give energy. He was able to stay confident enough to hit many key shots 2s and 3s in the State Tourney.”
“ Britt Carlson Britt Carlson 6'4" | SF De Smet | 2024 State SD also really adjusted to getting up limited shot attempts in many games this year but was always hustling and hitting key baskets when we needed them. Such a fierce competitor and led with hustle. He kept improving all year.”
PHD: Can you talk about your seniors and what will be missed?
“Our seniors are a special group and will for sure be missed. Tom Aughenbaugh Tom Aughenbaugh 6'0" | PG De Smet | 2024 State SD played so smart, such a good shooter for us that drew a ton of D all season. George Jensen George Jensen 6'6" | SF De Smet | 2024 State SD and Kadyn Fast Kadyn Fast 6'1" | PG De Smet | 2024 State SD came up big all season and had many special nights Van Regenmorter and Carlson came to battle each night. Their combined effort really came together in their final season.”
PHD: Who are some up-and-comers to look out for in the future?
“ Grant Wilkinson Grant Wilkinson 6'8" | C De Smet | 2026 State SD 6-9 soph will have to become more athletic next year but he has all the tools to be a special player. He will have to lead us.”
“Ganon Henrich 6-2 JR will step in at a guard. Fast and long, he has the 100m dash record at De Smet.”
“Sam Gigov Jr G played well in JV.”
“Noah Leuthmers a freshman PG will be looking to get minutes. He was a very good shooter and handler for our JV.”
“ Carter Wilkinson Carter Wilkinson 6'4" | PF De Smet | 2027 SD 6-4 freshman looks he will keep growing and give us added size.”
PHD: Who was your best defensive player?
“
Kadyn Fast
Kadyn
Fast
6'1" | PG
De Smet | 2024
State
SD
got in our starting lineup 3 years ago because of his D smarts and quickness. He always seems to be able to frustrate opponents all game long. Knew when he could get a timely steal or take a charge. His effort will be hard to replace.”
PHD: Any last comments/thoughts on the season?
“A simply fantastic season. We really wanted to be champions at the end and came up just short. We proved so many people wrong that doubted we were going to be at the top by the end of the season and did it by being a great team. Their class will be remembered as one of the best Bulldog groups of all time.”
Best of luck to the Bulldogs in the offseason!