Black Hills Express 16U: Season Recap

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">We are talking West River hoops in this Season Recap.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16U [program_tooltip program_id='2131095' first='Black' last='Hills Express'] is the topic and these ballers need your attention!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size">See below for detailed player comments...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2533382,"width":"308px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/image_dbf178.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/image_dbf178.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2533382" style="width:308px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1842251,"width":"309px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <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:309px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong>Player Comments from Coach <em>Brett Garland</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2338062' first='Hayden' last='Rock'] (2026) |5'10 G| Sturgis Brown</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Hayden had a great summer with the [program_tooltip program_id='2131095' first='Black' last='Hills Express']. He was the best perimeter shooter on the team and knocked down some big 3's in tight games, including the game-winner in the Championship of the Bearstail Summer Kickoff. Hayden handles the ball extremely well, finishes strong at the rim with either hand and is not afraid to challenge defenders to get to the basket. He will be a key contributor to his high school team this season.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2140013' first='Jaxon' last='Cano'] (2026) |6'0 G| Sturgis Brown</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Jaxon is one of the fiercest competitors to step on the court. His ability to guard the other team's top scorer was key to the [program_tooltip program_id='2131095' first='Black' last='Hills Express'] this summer. He never shied away from it, and welcomed the challenge, oftentimes guarding players much bigger than him and succeeding. His quickness also allowed him to beat defenders off the dribble and routinely get open looks. Jaxon will also be a huge contributor to the Sturgis basketball team this season.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2058166' first='Jerek' last='Dufner'] (2026) |6'1 G| Sturgis Brown</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Jerek is a pure shooter. He enjoyed tremendous success from behind the arc this summer and will be counted on to be a scorer for his high school team this season. Jerek handles the ball well, can create off the dribble, or catch and shoot. His versatility will make it very hard for defenders to guard him this winter.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2301374' first='Zane' last='Messick'] (2026) |5'10 G| Hill City</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Zane was the quickest player on the team. He pushes the ball at every opportunity and is an unselfish player. His ability to get up the court led to a wealth of fast break points for the [program_tooltip program_id='2131095' first='Black' last='Hills Express'] this summer. Zane was also able to stretch defenses with his outside shooting. A true competitor, Zane never let up on the defensive end of the floor and wreaked havoc on opposing guards. Zane will be a huge factor on his high school team this season.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2370747' first='Colt' last='Keiser'] (2026) |6'5 F| Gregory</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Colt is a 6'5, versatile, do-it-all, type player. He played primarily the 4 and 5, but would also easily transition to the 3 if needed. His inside game is strong, but he is not afraid to challenge from mid-range /beyond and thrive. Colt runs the court as well as any big man we saw this summer and handles the ball as well as most guards. Colt is a multi-sport athlete (football, baseball, track), and that athletic ability/work ethic served him well this summer. Colt's basketball future is extremely bright. He will be a huge contributor on his high school team that will challenge for a State “B” title in South Dakota this season.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2387843' first='Greir' last='Simon'] (2026) |5'10 G| Sturgis Brown</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Greir has a high basketball IQ. He runs the court well, and despite being undersized, he uses sound basketball instincts and grit defending guards bigger than him. Greir is a totally unselfish player and routinely made the extra pass to set up teammates for success. He is no slouch from the 3-point line either and knocked down some big 3's during the summer.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2250563' first='Henry' last='Koppmann'] (2026) |6'6 F| Rapid City Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Henry is an extremely versatile player. At 6'6, Henry played the 4 and 5 this season. He has a relentless motor. Henry was a force defensively, blocking shots and making it very difficult for opposing players to score. An athletic 6'6” player, Henry runs the floor as well as anyone his size and is a strong finisher in transition. Henry is not afraid to step outside the paint and he knocked down some big perimeter shots for us this summer.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2387867' first='Peyton' last='Glenn'] (2027) |6'1 G| Rapid City Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Peyton was a force for the Express. The son of a college coach, Peyton's basketball IQ is among the best. He was an excellent scorer, able to get to the basket and also knock down big 3's. Peyton just has a knack for making the right play, the right decision, at the right time. His leadership and skill level will be a big bonus for his high school team this season. Though entering the year as only a sophomore, Peyton should see significant minutes on a very talented Rapid City Christian team.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2387862' first='Jack' last='Jolley'] (2027) |5'10 G| Sturgis Brown</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Jack also played up a level this year. Jolley's strength is his outside shooting. He is able to catch and shoot with ease, as well as shoot off the dribble. Jack was also never afraid to get his hands dirty on defense. Jack led the team in taking charges. He has a bright future with Sturgis moving into his sophomore year.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2387872' first='Gage' last='West'] (2026) |6'1 G| Sturgis Brown</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Gage was one of our most versatile players this summer. At 6'1", Gage played every position on the floor, out of necessity, but mostly because of his versatility and athleticism. Gage was one of our top rebounders this summer, and certainly led the team in floor burns, as his hustle and aggressiveness led to turnovers and points going the other way. Gage also runs the floor well, and is a strong finisher at the rim. Gage should see some varsity minutes for Sturgis as he enters his sophomore year.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong>Tournaments</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Mile High Mayhem: 2-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Bearstail Summer Kickoff: 4-0 (Tournament Champions)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Prep Hoops Stomping Grounds: 1-3 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Hardwood Challenge: 2-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Summer Slam: 2-3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Falls Brawl: 1-3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Overall Record: 12-15</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong>Roster</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2533522,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/image_a67bb8.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/image_a67bb8.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2533522" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->