4Winds-Minnewaukan & Nedrose

USE CODE “herrick30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION<a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/image_4b8076.png"></a>   We are getting close to the high school hoops season in North Dakota! Practices for class A start December 2nd, the first games can be played on December 12th, and the A State Tournament is March 20-22 in Bismarck.   At Prep Hoops Dakotas (PHD), we call this time of year “Preview Season". In this article, we are doing previews Q&A style.   We are highlighting the Four Winds-Minnewaukan Indians and the Nedrose Cardinals!   Both squads are optimistic and excited to get the hoops season started. The Indians and Cardinals bring back experienced varsity players but they have several inexperienced ballers as well. It will be fun to see how it all comes together!   See below for info on Howard and Waverly/South Shore…   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/HoopsProfile.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/HoopsProfile.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2632523" style="width:234px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/4winds-crop-700x459-1730906214.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/4winds-crop-700x459-1730906214.jpg?w=699" alt="" class="wp-image-2632540" style="width:239px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Schools: Four Winds & Minnewaukan   Mascot: Indian   Head Coach: Rick Smith   Class: A   Region: 2   2023-24 Record: 17-6   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/image_e1be4c.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/image_e1be4c.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2632561" style="width:277px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   With Coach Rick Smith   PHD: How would you sum up last season?   "I thought we had a tremendous year. The way it ended was not what we expected and injuries played a major part again. Deng Deng missing the first two games, Dalen Leftbear and [player_tooltip player_id='1363917' first='Marial' last='Deng'] coming back from knee injuries were slowed a bit. [player_tooltip player_id='1894874' first='Keilan' last='Longie'], who would been a huge boost for our team (slated to start), went down with an ACL, Wade Nestell (point guard), missed 3 games for sickness, family death, and concussion in final game. All these injuries played a part in our season. With that, we had a great year in the new 3-class system. I believe we had the toughest region in the state. Devils Lake (State Champions), Grafton (3rd place at State). We were the one team that beat them both last year. With a little more luck we could have been the 3rd team from our Region at State. We will miss our seniors, especially Deng Deng and Dalen Leftbear, who were great leaders."   PHD: Who will be your primary ball-handler this year?   "We will have a few guys that will take turns in that role. [player_tooltip player_id='2632821' first='Kashton' last='Keja Jr'] (Sr.), probably our truest point guard, but [player_tooltip player_id='2344136' first='Dorvan' last='McKay'](Sr.) and [player_tooltip player_id='1894932' first='Jonte' last='Delorme'] (Jr.) will also be playing that position. They have all played that position over the years."   PHD: How did the off-season go for the squad?   "The offseason was very busy again as it usually is for our program. We attended several team camps in Dunseith, Minneapolis, Grand Forks and our own annual camp. The boys stayed busy in the weight room and fitness centers working on their programs. We really had to improve on our leadership skills and learn to play with basically a whole new crew."   PHD: Who are the top players on our team?   "With a whole new crew and one returning starter, there will be several players that we are looking at to be leaders, scorers, etc. [player_tooltip player_id='1363917' first='Marial' last='Deng'] is our lone starter. Coming off an ACL injury, Marial went into the starting line-up in January and played some very big games for us. Marial has a lot of skills, but still needs to find that extra gear. [player_tooltip player_id='1894947' first='Ron' last='McKay'], [player_tooltip player_id='2344136' first='Dorvan' last='McKay'], both played valuable minutes last year. Basically our 1st two bench players. [player_tooltip player_id='1894947' first='Ron' last='McKay'] will be a nice player to watch this year for us. He has a lot of skills. [player_tooltip player_id='1894932' first='Jonte' last='Delorme'], [player_tooltip player_id='2632821' first='Kashton' last='Keja Jr'], and Greyson Delorme all bring something different to the table. [player_tooltip player_id='1894915' first='Tyler' last='Black Jr.'] had a great off-season and will be looking for a starting spot. [player_tooltip player_id='1894872' first='Joran' last='Lohnes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2409449' first='Sonny' last='Alberts'] are two young players with loads of talent. [player_tooltip player_id='1894874' first='Keilan' last='Longie'] will be coming back from an ACL injury and will be a much-needed boost on both ends of the floor."   PHD: Do you have any up-n-comers to keep eyes on?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1894872' first='Joran' last='Lohnes'] (So.) and [player_tooltip player_id='2409449' first='Sonny' last='Alberts'] (Jr.) are two of the better young players in the area. [player_tooltip player_id='1894873' first='Dayson' last='Dubois'] (So), is another good young player who plays the game the right way."   PHD: Who are your top interior players?   "We are very big. [player_tooltip player_id='1894947' first='Ron' last='McKay'], [player_tooltip player_id='1894915' first='Tyler' last='Black Jr.'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2409449' first='Sonny' last='Alberts'] are post players but can also move around the perimeter. Ron has very sneaky moves around the basket and can use either hand. Sonny has good post moves as a freshman but will need to continue to work, and Tyler is a great offensive rebounder who can finish in traffic."   PHD: What style of basketball will you play?   "As always we like the up-tempo type of game on the offensive end, with limited turnovers. We have guys that can run the floor. On the defensive end, constant pressure on opposing teams."   PHD: What goals do you have for this season?   "Our Region will be as tough as ever. (Devils Lake, Grafton, Thompson), Our goals are to always improve at every practice every game, every tournament, and hope the end result will be positive. We want to try and outwork every opponent that we play to give ourselves a chance to win."   PHD: Who will be your hardest worker?   "They are better be my hardest workers. [player_tooltip player_id='2632821' first='Kashton' last='Keja Jr'] is tough as they come. [player_tooltip player_id='2344136' first='Dorvan' last='McKay'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1894947' first='Ron' last='McKay'] will leave it all on the floor for us. [player_tooltip player_id='1894915' first='Tyler' last='Black Jr.'] is also a great hustle guy."   PHD: Who are the top teams and players in Region 2?   "Devils Lake: Very talented players with State Tournament experience and a Championship under their belt. They will be a big challenge to every team year in and year out."   "Grafton: Bring back a talented post and good shooting wings, with State Tournament Experience."   "Thompson: Very talented big men, with good defensive skills. A very tough matchup."   "[player_tooltip player_id='1177143' first='Parker' last='Brodina'] - Devils Lake, [player_tooltip player_id='1769085' first='Joel' last='Nelson'] - Devils Lake, [player_tooltip player_id='1770389' first='Kyler' last='Droog'] - Grafton, [player_tooltip player_id='1632630' first='Brody' last='Lillemoen'] - Grafton, [player_tooltip player_id='1165392' first='Karter' last='Peterson'] - Thompson, [player_tooltip player_id='1363917' first='Marial' last='Deng'] – FW/M [player_tooltip player_id='1894947' first='Ron' last='McKay'] – FW/M"   PHD: Any last comments?   "It will be a dog fight again in Region 2A. Devils Lake, of course, will be a huge hurdle to overcome. Grafton has a Big 3 coming back, and Thompson will be a mismatch nightmare. Depending on how quickly we learn how to play together we could be right there in the end."   BEST OF LUCK TO THE INDIANS THIS SEASON!!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/image_a2a19b.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/image_a2a19b.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2632566" style="width:305px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/NedroseCardinalLogo-.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/NedroseCardinalLogo-.jpeg?w=658" alt="" class="wp-image-2632567" style="width:303px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Schools: Nedrose   Mascot: Indian   Head Coach: Brock Zietz   Class: A   Region: 3   2023-24 Record: 5-17   Players To Watch   [player_tooltip player_id='2608329' first='Kaedin' last='Bader'] 6'4" Sr. - 9.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, .6 apg, 54.4 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='2608334' first='Kaleb' last='Eggen'] 5'10" Jr. - 8 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2 apg, 35 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='2608335' first='Derek' last='Heinert'] 6'5" Jr. - 2.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg, .7 apg, 35.3 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='2632652' first='Brayden' last='Heigh'] 5'10" Sr. - 9.6 ppg, 2 rpg, 1.5 apg, 31.8 FG%   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/image_ebbeec.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/image_ebbeec.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2632629" style="width:276px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   With Coach Brock Zietz   PHD: What can you tell us about last season?   "Last season was a big transition for us. We were playing a new division and had to rehaul our culture and perception of what we could be. I think our players did a great job tackling the season head-on and getting better. Despite a 5-17 record, I thought our boys battled to the best of their ability all season."   PHD: Who will be your primary ballhandler this year?   "We lost our point guard from last season's team. This year we are hoping our 5'9" Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2632717' first='Jayden' last='Wills'] can take over the reins. He is a quick shifty guard that has put in a lot of with this offseason to develop his ability to finish and shoot. We will have to get him used to the physicality and pace of the Varisty game. We will platoon him with Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2608334' first='Kaleb' last='Eggen'] and Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2608328' first='Koltyn' last='Hoppke'] to give him some breaks."   PHD: How did the offseason go for your team/program?   "This offseason we worked on trying to become more consistent in shooting the basketball. We are hoping to have a few more players become consistent threats from outside."   PHD: Who are a few of your top players to look out for?   "We return 4 Key players from last year's roster:"   "6'3" Senior Forward [player_tooltip player_id='2608329' first='Kaedin' last='Bader'] is an athletic player who has nice ability to finish and the rim. He will need to be more of a threat on the offensive glass this year."   "5'10" Junior Guard [player_tooltip player_id='2608334' first='Kaleb' last='Eggen'] is a tough guard who has a knack for getting to the rim and is a threat to score from outside. He needs to become more consistent shooting the ball this season."   "6'5" Center [player_tooltip player_id='2608335' first='Derek' last='Heinert'] is a very smart player. He has a great ability to rebound the basketball. We need to be more confident in his primary and counter moves to be move efficient offensively."   "5'10" Senior Shooting Guard [player_tooltip player_id='2632652' first='Brayden' last='Heigh'] is a threat to score from deep. He was our most consistent shooter last season. He has ability to get hot and score in bunches. He has become more athletic this season. We are hoping he continues to be a threat this season."   PHD: Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for?   "5'9" Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2632717' first='Jayden' last='Wills']"   "6'2" Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2608333' first='Phillip' last='Weed']"   "5'10" Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2632745' first='Brickson' last='Burkhard']"   PHD: Who do you think will be your top interior players?   "6'3" Senior Forward [player_tooltip player_id='2608329' first='Kaedin' last='Bader'] is an athletic player who has nice ability to finish and the rim. He will need to be more of threat on the offensive glass this year."   "6'5" Center [player_tooltip player_id='2608335' first='Derek' last='Heinert'] is a very smart player. He has a great ability to rebound the basketball. We need to be more confident in his primary and counter moves to be more efficient offensively."   PHD: What are the goals for the team this year?   "Our goal is going to be building off last season. We are looking at just getting better practice by practice game by game. I think if we can continue to mature as basketball players and people we will be successful no matter our record. Our focus is on reaching our potential."   PHD: Who will be your hardest worker?   "[player_tooltip player_id='2608334' first='Kaleb' last='Eggen'] has proven himself to be one of the hardest workers on the court."   PHD: Who are some of the top teams & players in your Region?   "Stanley [player_tooltip player_id='1716899' first='Drake' last='Schlosser'] [player_tooltip player_id='1355919' first='Bennett' last='Larson']"   "Dunseith [player_tooltip player_id='2421956' first='Tayden' last='Azure']"   "DLB [player_tooltip player_id='2053544' first='Colton' last='Feller']"   BEST OF LUCK TO THE CARDINALS THIS SEASON!!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/NorthDakota.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/NorthDakota.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1606306" /></a></figure>

USE CODE “herrick30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION