Beresford Watchdogs: Season Recap
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PHD is back for another Season Recap. We are turning the calendar back and looking at the high school season for the Beresford Watchdogs. They did not win as many games as they would have liked but this program is…
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Continue ReadingPHD is back for another Season Recap. We are turning the calendar back and looking at the high school season for the Beresford Watchdogs.
They did not win as many games as they would have liked but this program is in good shape. Beresford is heading in the right direction, they have quality talent/athletes returning, and they have one of the best young coaches in South Dakota leading the team/program.
Scan the QR Code to visit the Beresford Watchdog team website.
Team: Beresford
Mascot: Watch Dogs
Head Coach: Ben Short
Class: A
Record: 9-12
See below for player stats and an in-depth Q&A session with coach Short.
Watchdog Stats
Andrew Atwood Andrew Atwood 6'2" | SG Beresford | 2024 State SD (2024) |6’3 G| – 21 GP, 11.3 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 3.1 apg, 39.9 FG%
Seth James Seth James 6'5" | PF Beresford | 2024 State SD (2024) |6’5 C| – 21 GP, 7.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, .6 apg, 52.5 FG%
Cooper Nelson (2025) |6’2 F| – 21 GP, 2.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg, .4 apg, 42.6 FG%
Malachi James Malachi James 6'2" | SG Beresford | 2026 State SD (2026) |6’2 G| – 20 GP, 11.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.4 apg, 43.2 FG%
Jon DeLay (2024) |6’1 G| – 19 GP, 7.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.8 apg, 28.7 FG%
Tiegen Nyhaug Tiegen Nyhaug 6'4" | SG Beresford | 2026 State SD (2026) |6’4 G| – 16 GP, 6.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1 apg, 33.3 FG%
Ashton Oberle Ashton Oberle 5'11" | PG Beresford | 2027 SD (2027) |5’11 G| – 16 GP, 1 ppg, 1 rpg, .4 apg, 13.3 FG%
Aidan Hamm Aidan Hamm 5'11" | SG Beresford | 2025 State SD (2025) |5’11 G| – 15 GP, 10.9 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg, 38.3 FG%
Q&A with Ben Short
PHD: How would you sum up the season for your squad?
“Overall, we had a great season with lots of growth. Our record may trick some into thinking the opposite as we finished 9-12. However, the growth and development of our younger players in our program will only help us move forward into future seasons. Following the best season we have had in 20+ years a season ago our expectations were once again relatively high. The returning players put in a ton of work, open gyms/club teams/team camps, etc. With that being said we were hit with the injury bug before the season even started. Between injuries and illnesses, we only had one starter this season that did not miss a game. Finding that continuity, and ever-important momentum just seemed ever so elusive.“
PHD: How did your team overcome adversity?
“Adversity was the story of our season. Battling injuries and illnesses, for what seemed like the entire season. Whether it was being able to compete in practices or being healthy to suit up on game night. Aidan Hamm Aidan Hamm 5'11" | SG Beresford | 2025 State SD broke his hand, twice… Tiegen Nyhaug Tiegen Nyhaug 6'4" | SG Beresford | 2026 State SD , broken finger. Jon DeLay missed 3 early games due to a high ankle sprain. Andrew Atwood Andrew Atwood 6'2" | SG Beresford | 2024 State SD and Malachi James Malachi James 6'2" | SG Beresford | 2026 State SD missed games due to illness. Trying to find the silver lining, our younger inexperienced players who wouldn’t have likely seen as much varsity time did and will hopefully help us moving forward. We competed with everyone we played with and didn’t make excuses. Which as a coach is something I was proud of!“
PHD: Who are a couple of role players that stood out to you?
“ Seth James Seth James 6'5" | PF Beresford | 2024 State SD , Senior. His name doesn’t get brought up enough for our team. Seth was our 5 this season, he understood his role and excelled in it. His senior leadership, on and off the court, his durability, and his increased level of play night in and night out allowed us to focus elsewhere because as a staff we knew we could count on him.“
“Jon DeLay, Senior. He played such a huge role for us. His level of play on defense and his ability to shoot the three-ball allowed things to open up for others. Jon led our team in three-pointers made. Academic All-State player, Jon was one of the guys that has been a cornerstone piece of our program for the last three years.“
PHD: Can you talk about your seniors and what will be missed?
“ Andrew Atwood Andrew Atwood 6'2" | SG Beresford | 2024 State SD . A three-year starter for the Beresford Watchdogs. Finished his career as a top ten all-time three-point shooter. Will surely be missed. His athleticism and conditioning were elite as a sophomore when I came to this program and it only got better year after year. A testament to Andrew’s hard work he put in over that time. Andrew finished as a 3-time All-Conference Big-East player, two-time captain for our program, and without a doubt our all-time leading dunk-getter as he finished with some all-time memorable ones that Watchdog Nation won’t forget! Andrew will be running at the next level at Black Hills State University, Spearfish, SD.“
PHD: Who are some up-and-comers to look out for in the future?
“ Malachi James Malachi James 6'2" | SG Beresford | 2026 State SD is only a sophomore this year. Has a very bright future. Freak athlete and even freakier work ethic for his age. Overcame some adversity leading up to this season as he had to sit out all off-season due to a knee procedure last spring. He has high ambitions and goals for his athletic career and the sky’s the limit. I truly believe he is a future college basketball player in the making. He was our team’s MVP and Defensive Player of the Year this past season. Honorable mention Big East All-Conference player as well. Malachi guarded the top players from the top region in the state, night in a night out. He was also required to lead us in crucial moments offensively as well. Malachi will continue to get bigger, faster, and stronger because of his commitment and determination. He will also improve skill-wise by playing all over the country this summer; he made it on the National 16U team at the Sanford Pentagon Basketball Academy.“
“ Tiegen Nyhaug Tiegen Nyhaug 6'4" | SG Beresford | 2026 State SD , a sophomore. I still stand by my quote that Tiegen is the best shooter in the state that nobody has heard about. Tiegen has grown to be 6 ‘4, add that to his range he is developing into a more well-rounded basketball player. Tiegen is a gym rat I don’t have to worry about whether he will put in the time or not. Staying healthy, and continuing to build that confidence will be his next step in his basketball maturation. Tiegen will start for us next season and hopefully will be poised for a breakout year.“
“ Ashton Oberle Ashton Oberle 5'11" | PG Beresford | 2027 SD is only a freshman. Was forced into action on our varsity squad due to injury and illnesses. Ashton, the future point guard for the boys’ program handled the situation with poise. Ashton is not unfamiliar with the varsity spotlight as he will be the starting quarterback for the Watchdogs program next year as well. He’s got a natural feel for the game, a solid passer for a freshman. Once the speed of the game slows down for him on the basketball court his efficiency on the court will increase as well.“
PHD: What are your plans for the offseason?
“Put in that necessary grind. The plan is to continue working with Rozy this offseason in the weight room. We’ll be at Summer Jam in the Pentagon playing against the best teams in our area. To build that in-game experience and team comradery we will be going to a couple of team camps that will allow us to continue to grow as a program.“
Best of luck to the Watchdogs this offseason!