Gregory Gorillas: Team Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PHD is back for another Team Preview! We are heading to West River for this one, the Gregory Gorillas are the focus!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"100"}},"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:100">Gregory had a highly successful season in 2023-24 with a 20-6 record and a 6th Place Finish at the State B Tournament. They did lose Daniel Mitchell to graduation, he was a big part of that team. However, the Gorillas bring back a serious amount of talent, depth, size, and athleticism. They are also a well-coached squad. PHD expects the Gorillas to be a top team in Class B and a major contender for the State Tournament in Aberdeen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>School:&nbsp;</strong>Gregory</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Mascot:</strong>&nbsp;Gorilla</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Head Coach:</strong>&nbsp;Jeff Determan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Class:</strong>&nbsp;B</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Region:&nbsp;</strong>5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Conference:</strong> SESD &amp; SCC</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">See below for stats, player comments, and a Q&amp;A with Jeff Determan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2627555,"width":"290px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/Gorilla.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/Gorilla.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2627555" style="width:290px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1634111,"width":"289px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/TeamPreview.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/TeamPreview.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1634111" style="width:289px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong>2023-24 Team Stats</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FG%: </strong>44 <strong>3G%:</strong> 28 <strong>FT%:</strong> 65 <strong>PPG:</strong> 59.4 <strong>OPPG:</strong> 43.6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong>Players To Watch </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>Comments from Coach Determan</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1263160' first='Cruz' last='Klundt'] 6'1" Sr PG </strong>- 12.3 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 3.1 SPG, 3.8 APG - "<em>Cruz earned All-Tournament team last season at the State Tournament as well as All-Conference.&nbsp;Cruz is our leader in every fashion and he does a lot for our team.&nbsp;Besides filling up the stat line, he is our floor general.&nbsp;He sees the floor very well and would rather make a great assist than score a basket himself.&nbsp;He is also our best defender and he usually gets the assignment of guarding our opponent's best perimeter player.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2328475' first='Noah' last='Bearshield'] 6'1" Sr SG </strong>- 13.4 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.2 SPG, 1.8 APG - "<em>Noah is athletic and has the ability to score in multiple ways.&nbsp;He has a smooth jump shot, combined with the ability to get to the rim.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1811875' first='Lincoln' last='Juracek'] 5'10" Jr SG </strong>- 4.7 PPG, 2.7 RPG - "<em>Lincoln platooned in the starting rotation last season.&nbsp;He is not real big but he is athletic.&nbsp;He has improved his jump shot throughout his career and can extend the defense at times.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2370747' first='Colt' last='Keiser'] 6'6" Jr Forward</strong> - 4.5 PPG, 3 RPG - "<em>Colt is the best athlete on our team.&nbsp;At 6'6, he can defend all 5 positions and protect the rim.&nbsp;His mid-range game really evolved last season as well as his ability to score in the paint.</em>"&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1328222' first='Rane' last='Kenzy'] 6'4" Sr Forward</strong> - 3.5 PPG, 2.3 RPG - "<em>Rane has spent time in the starting lineup for a couple of years now.&nbsp; He can score from all areas of the floor and he provides a physical presence for us defensively.&nbsp;He plays very well in the open floor.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2434630' first='Jackson' last='Bolander'] 6'5 Sr Forward </strong>- 3.5 PPG, 4 RPG - "<em>Jack has great size and can score from multiple areas on the floor.&nbsp;He is physical as well which allows him to defend in the post.</em>"&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2627548' first='Cole' last='Serr'] 6'5" Sr Forward</strong> - 1.9 PPG, 2.3 RPG - "<em>Cole has been a role player most of his career and he had a really nice State Tournament last year in that role.&nbsp;He is big and strong, which allows him to defend multiple positions as well.&nbsp;He has a nice mid-range to post game and uses his size to his advantage.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nick Kenzy 6'1 Sr Guard</strong> - 2.1 PPG -"<em>Nick is athletic and gives us really good depth in the guard position.&nbsp;He is a slasher offensively and he always plays extremely hard.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jad Leber 5'10" Sr Guard</strong> - "<em>Jad is another player who always plays extremely hard and physical at the guard position.&nbsp;Jad is a player that will do whatever is asked of him and whatever is best for the team.</em>"&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2627540,"width":"216px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/image_587c84.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/image_587c84.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2627540" style="width:216px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong>With Jeff Determan</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Could you sum up last&nbsp;season for us?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Last season we finished with a record of 20-6 and a 6^th&nbsp;place finish at the State B Tournament.&nbsp;We did a great job of playing together and playing unselfishly, which was a huge part in having a great season and making the State Tournament.&nbsp;We won both of the conferences that we are a part of as well.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who will be your primary ballhandler this year?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>[player_tooltip player_id='1263160' first='Cruz' last='Klundt'] will be our primary ball handler.&nbsp;He sees the floor well and does a nice job of running the show on the floor.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: How did the offseason go for your team/program?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>The offseason went well.&nbsp;We were very competitive at team camps and several of our players played AAU throughout the summer as well.&nbsp;Our kids, led by our seniors, have spent a lot of time in the gym throughout their careers and this offseason has been no exception.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who are a few of your top players to look out for?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We have really good depth again this season.&nbsp;Our top returners from last year are [player_tooltip player_id='1263160' first='Cruz' last='Klundt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2328475' first='Noah' last='Bearshield'] as they bring experience and athleticism to our lineup every night.&nbsp;But, I really feel like our strength is our depth, which allows us to pressure the ball and rotate guys throughout the game.&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2370747' first='Colt' last='Keiser']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1811875' first='Lincoln' last='Juracek'] </strong>would be our up-and-comers but they both played significant minutes last season.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who do you think will be your top interior players?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We have a good complement of size and athleticism in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2370747' first='Colt' last='Keiser']</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1328222' first='Rane' last='Kenzy'], <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2434630' first='Jackson' last='Bolander'],</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2627548' first='Cole' last='Serr']</strong>.&nbsp;All bring something different to the lineup when they are on the floor.</em>"&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>PHD: What are 2&nbsp;or 3 goals for the team this year?</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>This team is still hungry.&nbsp;We have set our sights pretty high this year but in order to achieve those goals, we have to take care of rebounding and our defensive goals every game.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>PHD: Who will be your hardest workers?</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We have 7 seniors who all work very hard.&nbsp;They will be our leaders this season. Hopefully, the example they set every day will trickle down through our program.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who are some of the top teams &amp; players in your Region?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Top Teams in our Region: Gregory, Tripp-Delmont/Armour, Lower Brule.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Top Players in our Region: [player_tooltip player_id='1263160' first='Cruz' last='Klundt'] (Gregory), [player_tooltip player_id='2328475' first='Noah' last='Bearshield'] (Gregory),&nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2475844' first='Isaac' last='Wunder']</strong> (TDA), [player_tooltip player_id='2132815' first='Dawsen' last='Volmer'] (Lyman).&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='1263163' first='Shawn' last='Hammerbeck'] (Winner) is a player in our local area but in a different class, who will also be a player to watch.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Any last comments about the upcoming season?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We are looking forward to the season.&nbsp;We play a tough schedule and there will be challenges along the way.&nbsp;Our kids are excited to get on the floor and try to accomplish all of the goals that we have set for ourselves.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px","fontStyle":"italic","fontWeight":"800"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px;font-style:italic;font-weight:800">BEST OF LUCK TO THE GORILLAS THIS SEASON!!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2627555,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/Gorilla.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/Gorilla.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2627555" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->