Class B Previews: EKM & LLM

USE CODE “herrick30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION   If you take a look out the window, it certainly looks like hoops season. The big (Class AA) schools tipped off practice yesterday, but the A & B teams will not get their first official practice until December 2nd.   This is the perfect time for two more Team Previews, PHD is always excited to promote small-town hoops, and that is exactly what we have for you today.   It is time to talk Class B basketball! The 2 teams we are highlighting in this article both made it to State last March.   Take a look below for info on the Rebels from Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier (EKM) and the Loboes from LaMoure-Litchville/Marion (LLM). Both squads compete in Region 1 District 2, so these squads know each other well!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/TeamPreview.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/TeamPreview.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2632356" style="width:306px;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/EKMrebels.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/EKMrebels.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2672112" style="width:305px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Program: Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier   Mascot: Rebel   Head Coach: Kevin Strobel   Class: B   Region: 1   District: 2    2023-24 Record: 22-7 (State Tournament Qualifier)   Players To Watch   Comments from assistant coach Allen Olsen   "First we will be a very guard-oriented team this year but I will start with our Big Man:"   "[player_tooltip player_id='2255562' first='Drew' last='Nitschke'] (Center) Junior 6'2ish - He will be key this year and will have to step up into a big role playing inside and giving us that inside scoring from time to time. The great thing about Drew though is he is also very capable of hitting the outside shot enough to have to be guarded and then his skills as an off-the-bounce big man. He can finish at the basket or can make a nice pass also comes into play, he does have that skill set but we need his motor to run full speed all the time!" 29 GP, 2.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg, .8 apg, 33.3 FG%   "Guard [player_tooltip player_id='1935092' first='Joseph' last='Kramlich'] (Senior) 6'1 - 1st team All-State football player and Airforce commit will be our floor general. At 6'1" he has the size to guard most positions on the floor, super athletic and ambidextrous to boot, plays with an edge (just needs to keep it in check at times), he will be looked at as one of our two seniors and leaders, he can shoot the three and take guys off the dribble!" 26 GP, 7.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.3 apg, 39 FG%   "[player_tooltip player_id='2255543' first='Braeden' last='Kinzler'] (Senior)  6'1 Guard - A senior who made a school record 62 3's and shot 41% from the arc last season, so everyone knows he can shoot but this year he's tried to improve his all-round game to add some diversity to it so he should be harder to guard. He's a very good rebounder and his effort is never in question when he's on the floor!" 29 GP, 11.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3 apg, 44.9 FG%   "[player_tooltip player_id='2255561' first='Kade' last='Nitschke'] Guard 5'11 (Junior) - He showed potential last year and should be a starter this year, purest shooter on our team, and will give us another elite deep-threat shooter for teams to have to guard. Kade is a super smart high IQ player and knows how to get open and is a very willing passer (too unselfish at times in my opinion)." 19 GP, 2.4 ppg, 1 rpg, .5 apg, 44.1 FG%   "Guard Sophmore [player_tooltip player_id='2114976' first='Brogan' last='Young'] 6'0 - He is our best all-around guard as he can score from any spot on the court-finish at the rim with either left or right hand and is like the energizer bunny who does know how to be tired!" 29 GP, 3.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.5 apg, 46 FG%   "We also have a nice group of other Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2417346' first='Luke' last='Nitschke'] 6'3, a nice all-round player does a bit of everything, [player_tooltip player_id='2672185' first='Brady' last='Hanson'] 6'2, high IQ, also does a lot of nice things for the team, [player_tooltip player_id='2672184' first='Braden' last='Brandenburg'] 6'1, but super long and athletic plays like he's 6'5, can't outwork this kid and is very coachable, could end up being our leading rebounder with enough minutes (wants to be good)!"   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/image_8289e4.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/image_8289e4.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2672183" style="width:237px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   With Coach Olsen   PHD: How did last season go for the program?   "Last season our team made it to State which is always a goal here and with the kids and talent we have should be a goal each season, we finished 8th at the State Tournament."   PHD: What type of defense will you play this season?   "Since we will be such a guard-oriented team we will. We need to play faster and push the tempo on offense and defense much more this season. Press and run will be stressed for our basketball team whether it's m2m fullcourt-zone press or even just some half-court trapping, personnel dictates the style of play!"   PHD: Who will be your primary ballhandler?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1935092' first='Joseph' last='Kramlich'] will be our primary ball handler but I believe we will have a couple of others who can handle those duties also this year to free up Joe to do some other things."   PHD: How did the off-season go for the program?   "The off-season was kinda hit and miss this summer we missed out on a few camps due to our baseball program being so good (good problem to have in my opinion) we did ok in our team camps. It was definitely a work in progress."   PHD: Who are your top players to watch?   "[player_tooltip player_id='2114976' first='Brogan' last='Young'] would be the #1 player to watch out for because of his versatility-effort and leading by example! Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2672184' first='Braden' last='Brandenburg'] could easily be our leading rebounder if he gets the minutes very long-active and relentless on the glass on both ends!"   PHD: What are your team goals?   "Team Goals are to not just play hard but COMPETE (there is a difference) each and every day in practice and have that carry over into the games! Also understanding roles that may change from game to game! Definitely make Regionals and then again the State Tournament will be very attainable for this group!"   PHD: Who are some of the top players in Region 1?   "Region 1 top players will be [player_tooltip player_id='1559968' first='Raeshaun' last='Earl'] from Hankinson, he's just as good as it gets when it comes to all-round basketball everything! [player_tooltip player_id='1144603' first='Gentry' last='Richter'] from Lintom will be a handful with good size and all-round skill set. [player_tooltip player_id='2052770' first='Beau' last='Thorpe'] from Oakes is very good shooter with the ability to take you off the dribble if you close out poorly."   PHD: Who do you think will be the top teams in Region 1?   "Basically every team in the Region lost a lot of size and seniors except for Oakes, this should be a very good and competitive Region. I don't believe there's a set-it-and forget-it #1-#2 or #3 team there could be quite a few teams fighting for those top 3 or 4 spots come the end of the year!"   GOOD LUCK TO THE REBELS!!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/image_5df87d.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/image_5df87d.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2672268" style="width:355px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/image_d34e38.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/image_d34e38.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2672311" style="width:354px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Program: LaMoure-Litchville/Marion   Mascot: Loboe   Head Coach: Tyler Thielges   Class: B   Region: 1   District: 2    2023-24 Record: 17-12 (State Tournament Qualifier)   Players To Watch   Comments from coach Thielges   "[player_tooltip player_id='1725175' first='Brayan' last='Karlgaard'] - 6'3" G (2025) - Brayan is our best returning scorer. He provides good length & shooting range to our team." 9.9 ppg, 4 rpg, 1.9 apg, 37.3 FG%   "[player_tooltip player_id='1859912' first='Gunner' last='Thielges'] - 6'1" F (2026) - Gunner brings our team tremendous versatility & value. Great overall athlete." 4.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.3 apg, 54 FG%   "[player_tooltip player_id='2237767' first='Colby' last='Thielges'] - 6'0" G (2027) - Colby is a natural PG & leader. He is a nice athlete that will step up this season." .7 ppg, 1.2 rpg, .5 apg, 33.3 FG%   "[player_tooltip player_id='1951579' first='Avery' last='Kramer'] - 5'10" G (2026) - Avery is a quick defender that can score in bunches. He will be ready to step into a key role."   "Treyce McGaughy - 5'10" G (2025) - Treyce is another quick athlete that can score the ball in different ways."   "Russel Exner - 5'9" G (2025) - Russel has good defensive instincts and has improved his 3PT shot over the offseason."   "Nick Meisch - 6'2" G (2025) - Nick provides good length to our team and also shoots the 3PTer well."   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/image_ab861c.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/image_ab861c.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2672397" style="width:289px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   With Tyler Thielges   PHD: Could you write a couple sentences summing up last season?   "Last season we finished 17-12, 1st in the Barnes County Tournament, 4th in the District 2 Tournament, 2nd in the Region 1 Tournament & 7th in the State Tournament. I thought we improved all season & played pretty good basketball at tournament time."   PHD: Does your program/team have any non-negotiables?   "We just want to compete at a championship level while developing young men of character & virtue. Our core values are relentless effort, joyful attitude, humble spirit & trustworthy character."    PHD: What will your defense "hang its hat on"?   "We'll continue trying to play an attacking style of defense - pressuring the ball, getting in passing lanes & making it hard to get uncontested looks at the basket."   PHD: Who will be your primary ball-handler this year?   "[player_tooltip player_id='2237767' first='Colby' last='Thielges'] will probably be our primary ballhandler. He did a good job running the JV & contributing on varsity last season. He's a smart & savvy athlete."   PHD: How did the off-season go for your team/program?   "Our off-season went okay. We had a few guys that committed to improving their athleticism. A couple guys got in the gym & developed their skills. A lot of our guys competed at a high level in baseball & football. We competed well in our team camp - guys had to get used to scoring more without Max Musland on the floor."   PHD: Who are a few of your top players to look out for?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1725175' first='Brayan' last='Karlgaard'] will be ready to step up & consistently score for us. He has gotten stronger since last season & will need to be steady for us to succeed. With his speed & strength, [player_tooltip player_id='1859912' first='Gunner' last='Thielges'] will be a tough matchup for many teams. He was more aggressive scoring the ball this last summer. [player_tooltip player_id='2237767' first='Colby' last='Thielges'] put in the most court time this offseason. We feel very comfortable with him running our offense. [player_tooltip player_id='1951579' first='Avery' last='Kramer'] is a dynamic player who is an X-factor for us. He has the ability to get downhill quickly, but can also knock down an open 3."   PHD: Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for?   "[player_tooltip player_id='2672464' first='Preston' last='Arndt'] - 6'0" F (2027) - Preston is unbelievably strong & athletic. He has spent a ton of time in the weight room this past year & it shows. He has a chance to bring a physical presence to the floor that can help us defend, rebound & win tough games."   "[player_tooltip player_id='2672466' first='Mason' last='Warcken'] - 6'0" F (2027) - Mason is a smart & skilled ball player. He made eight 3PTers in a JV game last season. He has a chance to spread the floor & bring a great offensive dynamic to the court for us."   PHD: Who do you think will be your best rebounders?   "Gunner & Brayan both averaged over 4 rebounds per game last year. They'll both be counted on to defend around the hoop for us, so naturally they'll eat up more rebounds especially with Max & his 7 rebounds per game graduating."   PHD: What are your team goals this year?   "We want to improve throughout the season & put ourselves in a position to compete for postseason Championships."   PHD: Who will be your hardest worker?   "I really appreciate [player_tooltip player_id='2672464' first='Preston' last='Arndt']'s approach to the game & how he has worked himself into a high-level athlete. He'll do whatever the coaches ask him to do in order to help the team win."   PHD: Who are the top teams & players in your Region?   "Hankinson, Linton-HMB, Edgeley-Kulm-M & Oakes are all teams that come to mind based on what they have returning. I think any time you have a player like [player_tooltip player_id='1559968' first='Raeshaun' last='Earl'], you have a chance to win. I know [player_tooltip player_id='2349038' first='Andrew' last='Jean'] is an all-district returner too. Linton will be really strong inside with [player_tooltip player_id='1144603' first='Gentry' last='Richter'] & [player_tooltip player_id='2264596' first='Kashton' last='Moser']. [player_tooltip player_id='2429661' first='Justin' last='Bosch'] is an impressive upcoming PG. EKM has athletic & experienced guard play returning with [player_tooltip player_id='2255543' first='Braeden' last='Kinzler'] & [player_tooltip player_id='1935092' first='Joseph' last='Kramlich']. I think [player_tooltip player_id='2114976' first='Brogan' last='Young'] is a strong upcoming talent too. Oakes returns a lot of experience - [player_tooltip player_id='2052770' first='Beau' last='Thorpe'] will be a very difficult matchup to defend. [player_tooltip player_id='2047813' first='Eddie' last='Garza'] & [player_tooltip player_id='2052771' first='Jyles' last='Meier'] are also difficult matchups with their size & skill. Maple River has a pretty dynamic duo with [player_tooltip player_id='1167615' first='Tee' last='Sylling'] & [player_tooltip player_id='1189430' first='Carter' last='Baasch'] returning. I think they can contend too."   PHD: Any last comments about the upcoming season?   "Like most teams throughout the Region, we will look different with the graduation of a strong senior class. It will be interesting who has developed in the offseason. We have a lot of good coaches & strong traditions throughout the region, so I'm sure most nights will be quite competitive. We're excited in LaMoure/Litchville-Marion for the basketball season to get rolling."   GOOD LUCK TO THE LOBOES!!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/ClassBBasketball.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/ClassBBasketball.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2672394" /></a></figure>

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