Previews: Bowman County & West Central

It's Black Friday, if you are sick of shopping, PHD has some hoops for you the checkout!   Prep Hoops Dakotas has two Team Previews for the readers in this article. We are looking at a class B team from North Dakota and a class A squad from South Dakota. Both programs are full of impressive ball players, and they tip off practice on Monday.   Fun fact...Bowman and Hartford are 462 miles apart, I don't think we have to worry about these two programs playing against each other anytime in the near future. However, Bowman is familiar with competing against SD squads, they typically play 1 or 2 games a season against SoDak squads from West River.   The Bulldogs are in a bit of a rebuilding year as they lost a ton of talent to graduation. However, they still have plenty of athletes who are hungry and ready to step up. Despite losing the Duffield twins, Bowman will still compete fiercely, win many games, and likely make a legit playoff run. Region 4 looks to be wide open!   When I look at the Trojans, I see a team that is primed and ready for a State Tournament run. They play a loaded schedule and are in a tough Region. However, they have all the pieces with size/length, gamers, skill, shooters, athletes, depth, and coaching!   The fans from Bowman and Hartford are in for a treat this season.   See below for info on the Bowman County Bulldogs and the West Central Trojans.   <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:258px;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/image_ceb9ff.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/image_ceb9ff.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2674510" style="width:262px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   School: Bowman County   Mascot: Bulldog   Head Coach: Ronnie Stewart   Class: B   Region: 4   District: 7   2023-24 Record: 25-2 (3rd at State Tournament)   Players to Watch & Stats   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/image_ceb647.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/image_ceb647.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2674608" /></a></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/QA.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/QA.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2511663" style="width:250px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   With Ronnie Stewart   PHD: What can you tell us about last season?   "The 23-24 season was one for the record books. Bowman County wants to thank the 9 seniors from last years team for their years dedicated to our program. Although the team lost a heartbreaker in the State Semis and was not able to reach our goal of a State Championship, our team still had many things to be proud of. Last year's team: District and Regional Champs. Finished the season 25-2, 71 PPG; #1 in class B, 43 Opponents PPG; #1 in class B, 29.2 margin of victory; #1 in class B.   PHD: Does your program/team have any non-negotiables?   "From our handbook: 1. Respect: school, coach, teammates, referees, game workers, and fans. 2. Be an Unselfish Teammate: make the extra pass, take a charge, cheer from the bench, sprint to help a teammate up. 3. Give 110% Effort: sprint the floor, rotate on defense, make hard cuts, be in a stance, get back on defense. 4. Make eye contact with your coaches and teammates when they are addressing you. 5. Run to huddle during timeouts. No walking! 6. Stand and clap for teammates checking out of the game. 7. Pick up after yourself. All locker rooms we visit, and any bus/vehicle we travel on."   PHD: What will your defense "hang its hat on"?   "Key Defensive Components: Although Bowman County lost a majority of its production on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, look for us to still put lots of pressure on the ball. We aim to create turnovers from our fullcourt pressure and speed. Being active in the gaps is still a priority for this team. We want to limit dribble penetration and force outside shots as much as possible."   PHD: Who will be your primary ballhandler this year?   "Bowman County will be using the early parts of the season to find out who will be our primary ball handler."   PHD: Who are a few of your top players to look out for?   [player_tooltip player_id='2636209' first='TJ' last='Andrews'] (SR.) guard; "Great outside shooter with experience. 2-year letterman who is a quiet leader. Tough kid that is eager to make the most of his senior season."   [player_tooltip player_id='2636210' first='Noah' last='Njos'] (SR.) guard; "Another senior looking to make the most of his opportunities. Noah works extremely hard and is very athletic. Look for him to create opportunities off of dribble penetration. Another quiet leader for our team. He is another two-year returning letterman for our squad."   [player_tooltip player_id='2636207' first='Jackson' last='Fischer'] (Jr.) F; "Look for Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2636207' first='Jackson' last='Fischer'] to have a great season for the Bulldogs. He is a great rebounder with great leaping ability. We are expecting great things from him on offense and defense."   [player_tooltip player_id='2377922' first='Jonah' last='Njos'] (Jr.) guard; "A tremendous athlete that we are expecting big things from. He will be our primary defender on the opposing teams best player or ball handler. He has proven to knock down big shots for us in key situations. He can penetrate well and uses his athletic ability to score at the rim."   PHD: Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for?   "BC will have lots of competition with our underclassmen. The future is bright. The early parts of the season will let us know who the up-and-comers are."   PHD: Who do you think will be your best rebounder?   "[player_tooltip player_id='2636207' first='Jackson' last='Fischer'] has proven he will be our leader on the rebounding side. He has great timing and athletic ability."   PHD: What are your team goals this year?   "Team goals this year are to improve each week and to be playing our best basketball at the end of the year."   PHD: Who will be your hardest worker?   "Our team hangs its hat on hard work. We are a full team of hard workers. Cannot narrow it down to any specific individuals."   PHD: Who are some of the top teams in Region 4?   "Top teams in the Region outside of BC are Wilton Wing, Washburn, and Garrison."   PHD: Any last comments about the upcoming season?   "We will have a lot of holes to fill after graduating 5 starters and 9 seniors from last year's 25-2 team. Our 4 returning varsity players have waited eagerly for this chance to step up and prove themselves. [player_tooltip player_id='2636207' first='Jackson' last='Fischer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2377922' first='Jonah' last='Njos'] made huge strides last year and will play a huge role in what we do. Look for seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2636209' first='TJ' last='Andrews'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2636210' first='Noah' last='Njos'] to really contribute as well. Bowman County will have quite a few underclassmen that will be pushing for minutes. Losing 9 seniors, we will need our 4 returning players to step up as leaders for the underclassmen."   GOOD LUCK TO THE BULLDOGS!   <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:249px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   School: West Central   Mascot: Trojan   Head Coach: Jacob Sittig (Career Record 109-110 in 10 seasons)   Assistant Coaches: Adam Herther (Freshman & Associate Head Coach), Zane Jira (JV)   Class: A   Region: 3   2023-24 Record: 12-10, lost in Region 3 Semifinals to SFC. JV squad went 15-2   Program History: State Champions in 2000 & 2001, State Runner-Up in 1994 & 1999, last State Tourney appearance in 2001. The varsity has had a .500 record or above five of the last six seasons after many consecutive sub .500 seasons.   Players to Watch   [player_tooltip player_id='2076018' first='Connor' last='Mebius'] (2027) 5'8 G - 13 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.5 spg, 46 3FG%, 62 3FGM, started all 22 games   2nd Team All Dakota XIII Conference. Meebs returns as the leading scorer from last year's varsity team. He runs the show at PG most of the time. Connor is a great three-point shooter, his numbers from last season were super impressive for just being a 9th grader. Last year he struggled to score inside the arc, but this summer Meebs made huge strides in that area. The Trojans will rely on him to be the main scorer while getting everyone else involved. Connor has the potential to be one of the best guards in Class A for the next 3 seasons. He has the talent to be an All-State type of baller as a soph.   [player_tooltip player_id='1919285' first='Will' last='Kuhl'] (2026) 6'9 PF - 5.4 ppg, 4 rpg, 1 apg, .8 bpg, 42 3FG%, 22 games played & 1 start   Mr. Cool has huge potential in his 6'9 frame. Will is a talented & high-percentage outside shooter. He has the skill to finish at all three levels, which makes him a matchup headache. Kuhl is a great rim protector on defense, his presence in the paint makes him a game-changer. Will needs to improve his game around the rim with his back to the basket, but if he does, he could be one of the top BIGs in class A. If Will can prove he is a dominant force, he will push the team to be one of the top in the Conference and an elite squad in A.   [player_tooltip player_id='1535881' first='Carter' last='Tetzlaff'] (2025) 6'0 G - 4.4 ppg, 1.7 rpg, .9 apg, 22 games played & starts   Carter has been in the varsity rotation since his sophomore season, but now as a senior, he will be relied upon to play a much bigger role. Carter's best skill is his outside shooting. The Trojans will look for Tetzlaff to space and keep defenses honest so they can't help off of him onto the BIGs and Meebs. Carter will also be expected to defend the opponents' top backcourt players.   [player_tooltip player_id='1959424' first='Kolte' last='Garry'] (2026) 6'4 F - (JV Stats) 10.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.9 spg, .9 bpg, played in 15 varsity games   Kolte was the leading scorer and rebounder last year on the JV as a sophomore. Garry will make an immediate impact on the varsity team this year as a junior. Kolte had a great summer season. Garry is primarily a back-to-the-basket player who can finish on both sides of the basket with both hands. His footwork in the post is very good for a high school player and he has a high basketball IQ. I think he will be a great role player for the Trojans and surprise some people. Kolte has the potential to be a breakout player.   Luke Knight (2025) 6'1 F - (JV Stats) 8.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.6 apg, played in 15 varsity games   Luke is the do-it-all player and a glue guy for the Trojans. He can score at all three levels by shooting the 3, driving to the basket, and can play with his back to the basket. Knight is the son of a coach and is from a big basketball family and it shows. He gets the game well and has a high basketball IQ. While he may not jump off the page in any one statistical category, his presence on the floor simply makes our team better.   [player_tooltip player_id='1944188' first='Liam' last='Schmeichel'] (2025) 6'1 G - (JV Stats) 4.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.4 spg   Liam is an extra-athletic and speedy backcourt player who will be asked to share the PG duties with [player_tooltip player_id='2076018' first='Connor' last='Mebius']. His main role will be defending the opponent's best offensive guard. Schmeichel was a State Champion in the 110 Meter hurdles last year as a junior! The Trojans hope to use that athleticism on the basketball court as well. Liam might not put up the most gaudy stats but his role is important.   Next In Line To Earn Playing Time   Listed alphabetically by grade   Bennett Ingalls — 6'0 Senior Guard Anthony Lanham — 6'0 Senior Guard Bubba Kono — 6'0 Junior Guard Carter Gross — 6'0 Junior Guard [player_tooltip player_id='2449685' first='Dylan' last='Bettcher'] — 6'0 Sophomore Guard/Forward Elliot DeJong — 6'3 Freshmen Forward [player_tooltip player_id='2132818' first='Hayden' last='Heier'] — 5'9 Sophomore Guard [player_tooltip player_id='2132811' first='Boche' last='Knight'] — 5'4 Sophomore Guard [player_tooltip player_id='2437990' first='Tanner' last='Wagner'] — 6'5 Freshmen Center   Season Overview from Coach Sittig   "This team has a chance to be very good. If you want to have a great team, you need to have both inside and outside threats on offense. This team has that between [player_tooltip player_id='2076018' first='Connor' last='Mebius'] plus others on the perimeter and [player_tooltip player_id='1959424' first='Kolte' last='Garry'], [player_tooltip player_id='1919285' first='Will' last='Kuhl'], and Luke Knight inside."   "We will not be overly athletic, but we are not slow by any means. We will not be as big as we were last season, but will still be bigger than most teams on our schedule."   "We plan to play fast on offense, getting the ball up the floor quickly and looking for the first GREAT shot we can get. Last year, we were a top 15 defensive team in Class A and we will look to pick right back up where we left off in that category."   "Teams will really have to focus on stopping Connor. He has that level of elite talent that teams will have to game plan to stop him. How we respond as a team and how other players step up will be key. Luckily, we have plenty of skilled players around him who are licking their chops to get a chance to prove themselves worthy of All-Conference consideration."   "If everything comes together, this team could finish in the top third of the Dakota XII Conference and make a run at the SoDak 16 and a State Tournament bid."   Jacob Sittig's Predictions   Dakota XII Conference   (Not including West Central)   1) Sioux Falls Christian 2) Lennox 3) Dakota Valley 4) Vermillion 5) Dell Rapids 6) Madison 7) Elk Point-Jefferson 8) Tri-Valley 9) Canton   Region 3A   (Not including West Central)   1) Flandreau 2) Dell Rapids 3) Baltic 4) Madison 5) Tri-Valley 6) Garretson   Top Teams in Class A   (Not including West Central)   1) Sioux Falls Christian 2) Hamlin 3) Lennox 4) Rapid City Christian 5) Pine Ridge 6) Dakota Valley 7) Vermillion   Top Players in Class A   (No Specific Order)   [player_tooltip player_id='1263162' first='Ben' last='Brooks'] - Madison, [player_tooltip player_id='1263163' first='Shawn' last='Hammerbeck'] - Winner, [player_tooltip player_id='1390319' first='Britton' last='Mulder'] - Sioux Falls Christian, [player_tooltip player_id='1503883' first='Griffen' last='Goodbary'] - Sioux Falls Christian, [player_tooltip player_id='1390318' first='Cole' last='Snyder'] - Sioux Falls Christian, [player_tooltip player_id='1297808' first='Easton' last='Neuendorf'] - Hamlin, [player_tooltip player_id='1263155' first='Luke' last='Bruns'] - Dakota Valley, [player_tooltip player_id='1467165' first='Tate' last='Gerdes'] - Lennox, [player_tooltip player_id='1384718' first='Marvin' last='Richard'] III - Pine Ridge, [player_tooltip player_id='1503881' first='Benson' last='Kieffer'] - Rapid City Christian   GOOD LUCK TO THE TROJANS!!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/image_99ab78.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/image_99ab78.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2674406" /></a></figure>

It's Black Friday, if you are sick of shopping, PHD has some hoops for you the checkout!