Four Winds-Minnewaukan: Hoops Review

In this Season Recap, we are looking at one of the elite basketball programs in North Dakota! The Four Winds-Minnewaukan Indians. Legendary coach Rick Smith leads the program, they live and breathe basketball in that community! Keep reading for a detailed Season Recap on the Indians from Four Winds-Minnewaukan.   See below for team stats, individual numbers, player comments, and an in-depth Q&A session with coach Smith.<a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/eagleschamp.jpg"></a>   SHOUTOUT: [player_tooltip player_id='1144580' first='Deng' last='Deng'] - Mr. Basketball, All-State, All-Region, Class A Senior Athlete of the Year   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/4winds.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/4winds.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-2409139" style="width:220px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Team: Four Winds-Minnewaukan   Mascot: Indians   Head Coach: Rick Smith   Class: A   Region: 2   Record: 17-6   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/SeaonReview-.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/SeaonReview-.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1842251" style="width:281px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Team Stats   PPG: 70 OPPG: 52 RPG: 28.4 APG: 14 SPG: 13.1 BPG: 3.3 PTS: 1,609   FG%: 48 2FGM: 554 2FG%: 57 3FGM: 116 3FG%: 28 FTM: 173 FT%: 62   Individual Numbers   [player_tooltip player_id='1144580' first='Deng' last='Deng'] ('24) |6'5 F| - 21 gp, 27.2 ppg, 56 FG%, 8 rpg, 2.3 apg   [player_tooltip player_id='1894947' first='Ron' last='McKay'] ('25) |6'3 F| - 21 gp, 4.3 ppg, 54 FG%, 2.3 rpg, .8 apg   [player_tooltip player_id='1144581' first='Dalen' last='Leftbear'] ('24) |6'3 F| - 23 gp, 13.8 ppg, 49 FG%, 6.7 rpg, 2.7 apg   [player_tooltip player_id='1185124' first='Wade' last='Nestell'] ('24) |5'9 G| - 19 gp, 6.5 ppg, 43 FG%, 3.2 rpg, 3.3 apg   [player_tooltip player_id='1363917' first='Marial' last='Deng'] ('26) |6'4 F| - 20 gp, 6.8 ppg, 46 FG%, 3.5 rpg, .9 apg   [player_tooltip player_id='1563465' first='Keyshawn' last='St. Pierre'] ('24) |5'8 G| -23 gp, 4.4 ppg, 41 FG%, 1.3 rpg, 1.4 apg   [player_tooltip player_id='2344136' first='Dorvan' last='McKay'] ('25) |5'8 G| - 23 gp, 5 ppg, 48 FG%, 1.8 rpg, 1.7 apg   [player_tooltip player_id='1894932' first='Jonte' last='Delorme'] ('26) |5'10 G| -16 gp, 2.8 ppg, .7 rpg, .5 apg   Player Comments from Rick Smith   [player_tooltip player_id='1144580' first='Deng' last='Deng'] (Sr): "A true definition of a coach's player. Did everything you asked of him and much more to be a better basketball player, gym weight room, classroom, etc. A once in a lifetime player for us. Started out the season with a foot injury and when he came back, he took the state by storm."   [player_tooltip player_id='1144581' first='Dalen' last='Leftbear'] (Sr): "Very underrated player when playing alongside Deng. Deng's first cousin, did much of the dirty work guarding many of the top scorers on opposing teams. Dalen is a very athletic player, another player who will be missed tremendously. A very good two-way player."   [player_tooltip player_id='1185124' first='Wade' last='Nestell'] (Sr): "Wade had a very interrupted year. Illness, his father's death, and missing the last game in a half with a concussion. A great kid who always played the game hard and handled the point guard duties for us, was also a very good defensive player. Wade will be missed because of the things he did both offensively and defensively."   Keyshawn “Bucky” St. Pierre (Sr): "Bucky started every game for us this year. For always being the smallest guy on the court he never backed down defensively to anyone. Taking charges from anyone on the opposing team. A “pest” defensively, he will be missed."   Kylon Keja (Sr): "Started the year in the starting line-up and ended the year in a bench role. A very smart and dedicated player, Kylon always struggled with confidence and how good he could be. A very strong player, Kylon led by example on and off the court."   [player_tooltip player_id='1894947' first='Ron' last='McKay'] (Jr): "Ron had a good year for being able to play his first varsity season. He was one of the first guys off the bench, Ron has very good passing skills and is an underrated offensive player around the basket. Ron has a very good chance to start for us next year if he continues to put time in the gym and the weight room."   [player_tooltip player_id='2344136' first='Dorvan' last='McKay'] (Jr): "Dorvan was a transfer student who played his first year in the “Indians” program. He caught on very fast and plays the game with no fear. He had some very good games for the varsity team and was a spot starter when Nestell went down."   [player_tooltip player_id='1894874' first='Keilan' last='Longie'] (Jr): "Keilan went down with an ACL injury before the season had begun. Keilan was looking to have a break-out year for us. He would have been in line for a starting spot, because of the way he played defense and could score the ball in bunches. He would have taken some of the scoring burden off Deng and Dalen. A very good player, time will tell if he will make it back to form for next season."   Greyson Delorme (Jr): "Spent most of his time playing at the JV level. An outstanding shooter still has issues on the defensive end of the floor."   Wakia Greybear (Jr): "Spent most of his time at the JV level. A good little defender."   Kashton Keja (Jr): "Coming off a tough injury from last season, Kashton could never get himself back to the tough little point guard he was before the injury. Played most of the year at the JV level trying to get himself in playing shape and injury free but couldn't get beyond that point. A very nice little point guard, he has a lot of skill and is hoping he makes a better comeback next season."   [player_tooltip player_id='1363917' first='Marial' last='Deng'] (So): "Marial came off an ACL injury that gave his season a little late start. Playing his first games in December and into the starting line-up in January, Marial came on very strong during the year and became our 3rd leading scorer. Marial has tremendous upside to his game. He will need to keep getting stronger and continue to work on his game, but he can play both ends of the floor."   [player_tooltip player_id='1894932' first='Jonte' last='Delorme'] (So): "Jonte battled the injury bug during the season. He would play some good games for us and then a nagging injury would come for him. A slick left-handed guard, Jonte can play both guard positions. He shoots the ball very well from beyond the arc. He will need to get stronger, so he can guard stronger guards."   Rich Cavanaugh (So): – "Played most of his time at the JV level. A very nice player needs to be more confident in his game."   Tyler Black (So): "Played most of his time at the JV level. A very aggressive player that needs to stay under control in his game."   Clayton Dubois (So): "Played most of his time at the JV level, could have helped the varsity out this year, but played himself out of shape which cost him his quickness."   [player_tooltip player_id='1894872' first='Joran' last='Lohnes'] (Fr): "Played at the C & JV level. A very good shooter inside and out. Needs to work on quickness and strength."   Dion Jackson (Fr): "Played at the C & JV level. Probably one of our better outside shooters on the whole team. A great corner shooter."   Q&A with Coach Smith   PHD: How would you sum up the season for your squad?   "We started the season with injuries and ended with injuries. Just could quite get our main guys on the floor together through the year. We put a great string of wins together when [player_tooltip player_id='1144580' first='Deng' last='Deng'] returned to the line-up, and lost some tough games to Kindred, Devils Lake, and Grafton to end our season. We lost 6 games this year. 2 to Devils Lake – State Champion, 1 to Kindred – State Runner-Up, 2 to Grafton – State 3rd place team, (one was to a Deng injury), and 1 – to Wahpeton (Deng Injury). We beat Devils Lake, Grafton, Shiloh (4th place state), Beulah (7th place state). I thought our kids played extremely well all season. We thought we belonged in the State Tournament to show people our team, but it didn't work out the way we wanted it to."   PHD: Do you have any fun memories you want to share with us from the season?   "It was the first time in the school's history that we got to play Devils Lake. It was something that we wanted to see for a long time but couldn't ever get the game on the schedule. I don't think we disappointed our fans at all when we won the first-ever match-up and they won the 2nd and 3rd game. Both Four Winds and Devils Lake gyms were packed to the rafters, which was an outstanding atmosphere for the kids."   "[player_tooltip player_id='1144580' first='Deng' last='Deng'] winning the Mr. Basketball award was also special for our school, team and community. It was a very much deserving award for a student-athlete who dedicates so much time into his game and studies."   PHD: How did your team overcome adversity?   "We played the game as hard as we could and let the chips fall where they may. Losing [player_tooltip player_id='1894874' first='Keilan' last='Longie'] to an injury, losing Deng to injury, losing [player_tooltip player_id='1185124' first='Wade' last='Nestell'] to injury in the semi-finals of the Regional Tournament and losing Deng to foul trouble in his final game, never could anyone say that these kids battled every game and never gave up. We played in the strongest Region by far in the State. We believed we were one of the best teams in the state, but you must be playing your best basketball when it comes to tournament time."   PHD: What are a few things your team improved on throughout the season?   "I thought once we settled on an everyday lineup, we established our bench rotation well. I thought we did a better job moving without the basketball and not standing so much."   PHD: Who are some of your role players that stood out?   "Bucky St. Pierre – Non-stop hustle kept him on the court"   "[player_tooltip player_id='2344136' first='Dorvan' last='McKay'] – Adapted to our program well by playing the game hard on both ends of the floor."   "[player_tooltip player_id='1894947' first='Ron' last='McKay'] – Very good passer and guards the post very well."   PHD: Can you talk about your seniors and what will be missed?   "Leadership and dedication on and off the court. Never had to worry about them never being in school or having poor grades. Never had to worry about them never being in practice. Always led by example. They had been playing basketball together since the 4th grade and their leadership skills were unmatched. Very tough to replace dedicated seniors."   PHD: Who are some up-and-comers to look out for in the future?   "Juniors – [player_tooltip player_id='1894947' first='Ron' last='McKay'], [player_tooltip player_id='2344136' first='Dorvan' last='McKay'], Kashton Keja, [player_tooltip player_id='1894874' first='Keilan' last='Longie'] (injury)"   "Sophomores - [player_tooltip player_id='1363917' first='Marial' last='Deng'], Rich Cavanaugh, [player_tooltip player_id='1894932' first='Jonte' last='Delorme'], Tyler Black, Dion Jackson"   "Freshmen – [player_tooltip player_id='1894872' first='Joran' last='Lohnes'], Dason Dubois, [player_tooltip player_id='2284889' first='Lander' last='Guy']"   "8th – [player_tooltip player_id='2409449' first='Sonny' last='Alberts']"   "Deng, Delorme, Lohnes, Alberts have a great up-side. The other players and all very good players and they will need to work on their game to become even better."   PHD: Who was your best defensive player?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1144581' first='Dalen' last='Leftbear'] – He could guard multiple positions, with his length and quickness, could also play well in a zone because of his length, always getting his hand on the ball. [player_tooltip player_id='1185124' first='Wade' last='Nestell'] & [player_tooltip player_id='1144580' first='Deng' last='Deng'] were not far behind."   PHD: Any last comments/thoughts on the season?   "The new classification was very grueling and intense. You had to play your best basketball every night. I thought we played in the toughest Region in the state. We had a disappointing end to a great season. We will have to fill some shoes of some very good players we are losing in the senior class. Our new team will have to figure out their new roles on the team, and we will have to grow up fast contending in another tough Region 2. There will be some growing pains, but I think we can adjust by the end of the year. Congrats to [player_tooltip player_id='1144580' first='Deng' last='Deng'] for a great year and all the awards that he won are so very deserving!"   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/4windsteampic.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/4windsteampic.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2409131" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Four Winds-Minnewaukan Basketball</figcaption></figure>

In this Season Recap, we are looking at one of the elite basketball programs in North Dakota! The Four Winds-Minnewaukan Indians. Legendary coach Rick Smith leads the program, they live and breathe basketball in that community! Keep reading for a detailed Season Recap on the Indians from Four Winds-Minnewaukan.