SD Identity 16U Blue: Team Profile

In this article, we are taking a deep dive into South Dakota Identity 16U Blue. They have played three tournaments this club season and have three remaining.   Take a look at this roster, this squad is full of underrated players with exciting potential!   "Through the first three tournaments, our team has been challenged with some really tough competition. That's what the summer is all about, playing teams that are better and that allows for individual improvement. Some strengths are they play hard and compete on both ends of the floor. Some improvements for the team are; continuing to learn each other's games, communicating more, and understanding how fast and physical the game is as you go up levels. We have continued to learn how to win going from 0-4 to 1-3 to 2-2 in our first three tournaments. A lot of growth is happening for sure!!" -Kade Stearns   See below for [program_tooltip program_id='2145852' first='SD' last='Identity'] 16U Blue schedule, roster, player comments, and a Q&A session with coach Kade Stearns.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/DaksHoops/status/1792231056336150998 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/SD-Identity-blue-crop-2632x1729-1713643544.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/SD-Identity-blue-crop-2632x1729-1713643544.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2417929" style="width:265px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   SCHEDULE   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/image_3c44b2.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/image_3c44b2.png?w=791" alt="" class="wp-image-2449178" /></a></figure>   16u Blue - ROSTER   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/image_32c139.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/image_32c139.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2449179" /></a></figure>   Player Comments from Coach Stearns   #1 [player_tooltip player_id='1656545' first='Dylan' last='Runestad'] (Baltic, SD / Class of 2026)   "Dylan is a great floor leader, he can get us into our offense and organized very quickly. He has the ability to knock down shots and handles the ball well. He is also very willing to learn. Dylan was able to experience the HS game this past season and was able to step in and make plays when he needed to for a good Baltic team that finished 14-8."   #2 [player_tooltip player_id='2402552' first='McCade' last='Nelson'] (Sioux Valley / Volga, SD / Class of 2026)   "McCade is a hard worker and always wants to get better. He is someone that can find ways to get easy points whether that's on offensive rebounds, open threes, or out in transition. He was a part of a State Tournament team that finished 5th place."   #3 [player_tooltip player_id='1811875' first='Lincoln' last='Juracek'] (Gregory, SD / Class of 2026)   "Lincoln is a good ball handler and can get into the lane well. He also can knock down open shots. He defends at a high level as well. He was able to experience the HS game and was a part of a State Tournament team that finished the year 20-6 and a 6th place finish."   #5 [player_tooltip player_id='2338066' first='Tristen' last='Bunde'] (Tri-Valley / Colton, SD / Class of 2026)   "Tristen is a hard worker. Every rep is at game speed. He is lengthy and can disrupt offenses. He gets into the lane, while being very patient. Great footwork and touch around the rim. He has the ability to knock down open shots as well. Started for Tri-Valley and had a good season."   #6 [player_tooltip player_id='2341521' first='Bret' last='Milton'] (Sioux Valley / Volga, SD / Class of 2026)   "Bret is an athlete and works hard. He is active defensively and grabs a lot of boards. He finishes well at the rim. Bret does all the little things. He was a part of a State Tournament team that finished 5th place."   #10 [player_tooltip player_id='2406045' first='Carter' last='Sapp'] (Sioux Valley / Volga, SD / Class of 2027)   "Carter is a talented big man that has good touch around the rim and a good feel for the game. He grabs tons of boards and plays hard on defense. He was a part of a State Tournament team that finished 5th place."   #11 [player_tooltip player_id='1911439' first='Connor' last='Relf'] (Roosevelt / Sioux Falls, SD / Class of 2026)   "Connor is a skilled guard who can make shots and can handle the ball. He is a hard worker and is always wanting to improve his game. He had a pretty good year and is looking for a big jump in his junior year for the Rough Riders."   #23 [player_tooltip player_id='1641266' first='Ben' last='Erickson'] (Baltic, SD / Class of 2026)   "Ben is a skilled guard that finishes well and can knock down shots and can get hot. He is a hard worker and is active defensively. He had a great HS season with a few breakout games for Baltic this season."   #24 [player_tooltip player_id='1656544' first='Kellen' last='Artz'] (Baltic, SD / Class of 2026)   "Kellen is a skilled, athletic big man. He finishes well around the rim, rebounds well, runs the floor hard, and is a good rim protector. He is a hard worker as well. He was named to the Big East Conference All-Conference 3rd Team for the Bulldogs."   Q&A with Coach Kade Stearns   PHD: Can you tell me a little about your coaching/basketball background?   "I am a Tea Area High School graduate and was a part of 2 State Championship teams (2017, 2019). I then played 4 years of college basketball at Mount Marty University. Then went back to Tea after I graduated college to be the head coach for the 9th grade boys basketball team and be an assistant for the JV and varsity teams this past winter."   PHD: Why are you excited to coach this group?   "I am excited to coach this group because I love being around kids who want to work hard and get better. We have a great group of kids who understand the game of basketball and are willing to go outside their comfort zone to learn."   PHD: What will be the strengths of your team?   "The strengths of our team will be our pace of play and how much we move the ball. As well as defensively we are going to be able to be really good with the personnel we have."   PHD: What style of basketball will you play?   "We are going to be up-tempo, a lot of movement with action, the ball will not be sticking. Being able to find open guys for threes and getting to the rim while finishing through contact or getting to the foul line."   PHD: What will your team "hang your hat on"?   "Our team is going to hang our hat on defense. How well can we defend when we play against competition that is tough and really good. We are really going to rely on that."   PHD: Who do you predict will be your top defender?   "I predict my top defender to be [player_tooltip player_id='1656544' first='Kellen' last='Artz']. He is just so lengthy and protects the rim very well. He is very active with his hands as well."   PHD: What event/tournament are you looking forward to the most?   "The tournament I am looking forward to the most is the Battle at The Lakes. I remember playing in that tournament and it always has really good competition."   PHD: Do you see your team playing man, zone, or a mix of both?   "I see my team strictly playing man-to-man. You have to be able to guard to play at the next level. Playing man-to-man will best replicate that."   PHD: Will your team get together and practice?   "Yes, we practice once a week. For the first few weeks we had two practices a day but once the season started rolling we practice once a week on the weekends we don't play."   PHD: What are your goals for this AAU/grassroots season?   "My goal for the AAU/grassroots season is to develop and grow our team into better basketball players. Understanding the game and what it takes to play at the next level. I've experienced it, so I want to be able to show our team what it truly takes every day to get there."   PHD: Who are some of your top shooters?   "Some of my top shooters would be [player_tooltip player_id='1911439' first='Connor' last='Relf'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1656545' first='Dylan' last='Runestad']. They are always ready to catch and shoot. Their shot preparation is what makes them good shooters. Hands, feet, hips are landed, and their shot motion allows them to knock down a lot of shots."   Best of luck to [program_tooltip program_id='2145852' first='SD' last='Identity'] this summer!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/SDidentity.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/SDidentity.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2417723" /></a></figure>

In this article, we are taking a deep dive into South Dakota Identity 16U Blue. They have played three tournaments this club season and have three remaining.