Winner Warriors: Season Review
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PHD is back for another Season Review article. We are looking at one of the better Class A programs in South Dakota, the Winner Warriors! See below for player comments, Warrior stats, and an informational Q&A session with coach Gardner. Team: Winner Mascot: Warriors Head…
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Continue ReadingPHD is back for another Season Review article. We are looking at one of the better Class A programs in South Dakota, the Winner Warriors!
See below for player comments, Warrior stats, and an informational Q&A session with coach Gardner.
Team: Winner
Mascot: Warriors
Head Coach: Brett Gardner
Class: A
Region: 7
Record: 17-5
Player Comments from coach Brett Gardner
Aiden Barfuss Aiden Barfuss 6'0" | SG Winner | 2024 State SD (2024) |6’0 G| – “Our heart and soul. COMPETITOR“
Shawn Hammerbeck Shawn Hammerbeck 6'7" | PF Winner | 2025 State SD (2025) |6’7 C| – “Strong post-player. Can jump out of the gym. So strong“
Ryder Halligan Ryder Halligan 5'11" | CG Winner | 2025 State SD (2025) |5’11 G| – “A great shooter“
Zac Olson Zac Olson 5'7" | PG Winner | 2026 State SD (2026) |5’7 PG| – “Sophomore point guard at the Class A level. Handled the ball for 32 minutes a game“
Carter Craven Carter Craven 6'3" | SF Winner | 2027 State SD (2027) |6’3 F| – “Averaged 10 rebounds a game as a freshman. Defended well, and will be a big-time player for the next 3 years“
Aiden Schroeder (2025) |6’0 G| – “Nice role player, can shoot it“
Landon Calhoon (2025) |5’11 G| – “A great energy guy. Great defender.“
Team Stats
PPG: 53.3 OPPG: 41 FGM: 399 FG%: 43 2FG%: 50 3FGM: 95 3FG%: 28
FTM: 173 FT%: 63 RPG: 33.5 APG: 12.2 SPG: 6.9 Charges Taken: 13
Stat Leaders
Shawn Hammerbeck Shawn Hammerbeck 6'7" | PF Winner | 2025 State SD – 15.9 ppg, 10.8 rpg, 1.6 apg, 62 FG%
Aiden Barfuss Aiden Barfuss 6'0" | SG Winner | 2024 State SD – 12 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 5 apg, 44 FG%
Carter Craven Carter Craven 6'3" | SF Winner | 2027 State SD – 10.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 1.5 apg, 39 FG%
Ryder Halligan Ryder Halligan 5'11" | CG Winner | 2025 State SD – 9.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.2 apg, 35 FG%
Zac Olson Zac Olson 5'7" | PG Winner | 2026 State SD – 37. ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.5 apg, 36 FG%
Q&A with coach Gardner
PHD: How would you sum up the season for your squad?
“We felt that our defense was the strength of our team and really kept us in all of our games. Anytime you are able to win 17 games, you are pretty pleased with the year.“
PHD: Do you have any fun memories to share with us from the season?
“We got a nice win on Senior Night on our home floor.“
PHD: How did your team overcome adversity?
“Our guys stepped up and filled their roles nicely this year. We had to replace 3 starters and 6 of our top 8 from a year ago. We had some young players step into their spots and did a great job.“
PHD: What are a few things your team improved on throughout the season?
“Playing off of each other. Our guys had not played many minutes together. So they learned throughout the year to trust when to cut, and when to shoot, etc. Very proud of that.“
PHD: Who are some role players that stood out to you?
“ Zac Olson Zac Olson 5'7" | PG Winner | 2026 State SD , Ryder Halligan Ryder Halligan 5'11" | CG Winner | 2025 State SD , Landon Calhoon, and Aiden Schroeder were players who didn’t get talked about much, but did their role to the fullest.“
PHD: Can you talk about your seniors and what will be missed?
“We lose Noah Best and Payton Fisher who were great practice guys. They brought it every day in practice and cheered on our guys from the bench during games. Aiden Barfuss Aiden Barfuss 6'0" | SG Winner | 2024 State SD is the ultimate competitor. He guarded the other team’s best player, he played point guard, shooting guard, or center. He is the toughest guy we have ever coached. We will miss his DRIVE.“
PHD: Who are some up-and-comers to look out for in the future?
“ Zac Olson Zac Olson 5'7" | PG Winner | 2026 State SD will have a year under his belt as a point guard. Carter Craven Carter Craven 6'3" | SF Winner | 2027 State SD started all 22 games for us as a freshman, and Jalen Tideman Jalen Tideman 5'11" | PG Winner | 2028 SD will try to make an impact next year in his first year in high school.“
PHD: Who was your best defensive player?
“We feel we have a nice defensive team. All our guys buy into the defensive side of the ball and we rotate and pick each other up.“
PHD: Any last comments/thoughts on the season?
“We are excited about the future, and will need a big summer of working on our skills. We will miss our 3 seniors, but can’t wait for the 2024-25 basketball season.“
Best of luck this offseason to the Warriors!