Upgraded Ballers from the Summer

Summer is not officially over but it seems like it is for many of us. The club basketball campaign is complete and football practices have started. For PHD, that means summer is in the books!   With the start of the new school year, I am always interested in who improved during the offseason/summer. High school programs were busy this summer in the gym and many players hooped via club basketball. A ton of basketball was played across the Dakotas in the last 5 months.   Who Improved/upgraded/elevated their game this summer?   PHD has those answers. We are looking at ballers from South Dakota who improved their overall bball game.   See below for info on 15 ballers from South Dakota!   Upgraded & Improved   [player_tooltip player_id='1625082' first='Austin' last='Terveen'] (2025) |6'2 G| O'Gorman   Austin came in the summer hoops season as a knockdown shooter and did not disappoint. What coach Short loved about him was the fact he began to grow as a finisher around the rim, expanding his game. He no longer looked for fouls but expected to be fouled and still finished through contact. He is an 80% plus free throw shooter, it bodes well for his team when Terveen is at the line! Austin pushed himself to be a better perimeter defender as well. He did a great job of staying in front of his defender and is a surprisingly good shot blocker for his size. He used his basketball IQ and quickness to his advantage. Austin is drawing a good amount of college attention and has received an offer from Briar Cliff, and talking to many more. Mr. Terveen is poised for a big winter season.   [player_tooltip player_id='2523775' first='Caden' last='Finnesand'] (2025) |6-2 G| Deuel   Finnesand averaged 2.9 ppg, 1.8 rpg, .3 apg, and .6 spg last season. This offseason, Caden brought an offensive presence from the perimeter and is becoming a consistent scorer. He really improved his rebounding this year and continues to improve defensively. Caden has the opponent's attention with his shooting ability and helps spread the court with the attention he gets on the perimeter.   [player_tooltip player_id='2523774' first='Caleb' last='Ronne'] (2025) |6-3 C| Deuel   Last season he averaged 3.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg .3 apg, and .8 spg. This offseason Caleb worked hard on the defensive end and offensively showed the ability to attack the rim. He did a nice job working for the rebounds and hustled constantly. This summer he really became a consistent player, actively attacking the rim and the offensive boards. Defensively has been able to lock down his matchup.   [player_tooltip player_id='1874332' first='Gabe' last='Sather'] (2025) |6-3 F| Deuel   Sather averaged 10.8 ppg, 7 rpg, and 1.6 apg last season. Expect those numbers to improve this year as he had a productive offseason. This summer Gabe showed his athletic ability to attack with a quick first step and finished well around the rim. Defensively he was able to guard at all positions. He led Deuel in rebounding and charges taken this past season and was 2nd in scoring and in blocked shots. He had a great summer of hoops and was very productive on both ends of the court. Sather continues to put in the extra time in the gym getting shots up.   [player_tooltip player_id='1545637' first='Jackson' last='Wadsworth'] (2026) |6'2 G| Hamlin   Jackson is known as one of the purest shooters in the state, but he has really expanded his game. Wadsworth worked a lot this summer to improve his to-the-basket game and had a very good summer for Hamlin & Hoop City. With his ability to shoot it from deep and attack the rim, Jackson is an All-State type of talent.   [player_tooltip player_id='2523773' first='Jaxon' last='Peterreins'] (2025) |6-3 G| Deuel   In his junior season, Jaxon averaged 3.3 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1.8 apg, and .9 spg. This offseason, Peterreins helped keep the offense moving with his ability to make the right pass and led the team in shots blocked on the defensive end. Jaxon continues to disrupt things defensively with his length and quick hands for blocks and deflections. PHD is expecting a breakout year for Jaxon.   [player_tooltip player_id='1641571' first='Jaxson' last='Weeldreyer'] (2026) |6'3 G| O'Gorman   He has a quick-release 3-point shot and has gotten strong enough to defend multiple positions. Jackson is a smart player and has a chance to be a good fit for OG with their talented guards. Wheeldryer is a gym rat who puts a lot of time into improving his game. No one is outworking this baller.   [player_tooltip player_id='1477140' first='John' last='Lent'] (2025) |6'4 F| O'Gorman   He played great all summer and gives OG an interior player who can compete on both ends of the floor. John is a 3 sport athlete, but he has a chance to have a great senior year in basketball! John is becoming more than just a guy to play big - he is becoming a focal point of what can be a good AA team. PHD saw him a couple of years ago and was impressed with his potential. We are not surprised to hear that is game is improved and ready to be an impact player in his senior season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1842420' first='Josh' last='Anderson'] (2025) |6'2 SF| Red Cloud   This baller is going to be a matchup problem for many teams and the Crusaders are excited about his potential. Josh worked hard in the weight room, became stronger, and is now a scoring threat in the post area. Anderson worked extremely hard this summer and has become a sharpshooter. He shot it well last year but put in the time and he will light the nets on fire this winter.   [player_tooltip player_id='2523159' first='Joaquin' last='Petrik'] (2026) |5'10 G| Rapid City Christian   A to-be Junior guard. Joaquin had a really nice year at JV for the Comets last season. This summer he played a ton of varsity time for the Comets at team camps and had a productive overall summer. Joaquin is a good 3-point shooter who hits at a high percentage as a catch-and-shoot guy. This summer he improved a lot in his ball handling, choice making, and on the defensive side of the ball. Joaquin is a high-character kid who works very hard and leads by example. PHD is looking forward to seeing what he can do for the Comets in his junior year.    [player_tooltip player_id='2523202' first='Kyle' last='Finnesand'] (2027) |6-5 C| Deuel   This big man brings impressive length and size to the court. Kyle has a presence in the paint on both ends of the hardwood. His length is always a factor and it helps with matchups altering shots/rebounding.   [player_tooltip player_id='2387867' first='Peyton' last='Glenn'] (2027) |6'1 G| Rapid City Christian   A to-be sophomore guard and played for the [program_tooltip program_id='2131095' first='Black' last='Hills Express'] AAU team this spring/summer. Peyton had a really nice summer for the Comets in team camps. Glenn grew some since basketball season and he diversified his game this summer. He has always been a good shooter, but he really shot the ball at a high level for us this summer. Peyton does a nice job of coming off screens ready to shoot and has a quick release. Beyond shooting, Peyton improved in his movement off the ball and his cutting. He also has become a much better rebounder and an improved defender. But it was Peyton's strides in rebounding and movement off the ball where that impressed the most. As a sophomore, he will be in the mix for the Varsity rotation this year. PHD will not be surprised if Mr. Glenn has a big year.   [player_tooltip player_id='2523772' first='Sutton' last='Benck'] (2027) |5-11 G| Deuel   He is skilled offensively on the hardwood. Benck is talented and he defends well. You have to love a guy who plays serious D. Sutton is a player who defends seriously well. He did a lot of good things when playing up with the varsity this summer.   [player_tooltip player_id='2276526' first='Troy' last='Jenson'] (2026) |5-11 G| Deuel   This past year, Jenson averaged 7.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.4 apg, and 1.5 spg. PHD has a hunch that Jenson will have a high-quality junior season. Troy provides a balanced skill set and the ability to be a three-level scorer. Troy has a good feel for the game and good court vision to distribute the basketball. He finished the summer strong after recovering from a collarbone surgery this spring.   [player_tooltip player_id='2523163' first='Zander' last='Hoffman'] (2026) |5'11 G| Leola-Frederick Area   This Titan had a very solid showing this summer and took advantage of the off-season season. Zander made serious improvements in shot selection, live-game choices quick-twitch reactions, as the summer progressed.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/03/SD-1.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/03/SD-1.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1399487" /></a></figure>

Summer is not officially over but it seems like it is for many of us. The club basketball campaign is complete and football practices have started. For PHD, that means summer is in the books!