Previews: Devils Lake & Killdeer

We are 23 days away from basketball practice starting for Class A!   The first games of the season in A-ball can be played on December 13th, and PHD could not be more excited. In this Preview Article, we are looking at two A squads in North Dakota. Both teams made the State Tournament last season. Both groups bring back a ton of talent and certainly have their sights set on the Big Dance once again. Bismarck hosts the State Tournament at the Event Center on March 20-22.   Prep Hoops Dakotas is highlighting the Devils Lake Firebirds and the Killdeer Cowboys.   See below for a bevy of information on these two top-notch Class A squads.   <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:273px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   It is time to take a look at the reigning State Champs in Class!   School: Devils Lake   Mascot: Firebird   Head Coach: Dustin Brodina   Class: A   Region: 2   2023-24 Record: 25-2   Returning Statistical Leaders   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/image_d4b30d.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/image_d4b30d.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2634045" /></a></figure>   Players To Watch   Comments from Coach Brodina    "We expect Parker to be our leader that we will lean on to control both ends of the court, offensively and defensively. He will be our floor leader and is expected to make the big shot when needed. The University of Mary commit will join his lifelong teammate Wylee Delorme next year, we expect Parker to take over Wylee's role from last season. Parker can score from all levels, is a great defensive player, and sees the court very well."     "Joel is a workhorse and we expect Joel to expand his leadership role this year by taking control of the game when needed. He is super athletic, can defend anyone, and can score at all levels as well."     "Oliver is a great athlete at 6'6". Oliver can shoot the ball very well and finish at the rim. We will look for Oliver to step up defensively and control the glass on both ends of the court."      "Mason is a great scorer and we will look for him to fill some of the voids that we lost to graduation from our Championship Team a year ago. Defense and floor leader will be two things that Mason will need to improve on."    <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/image_442701.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/image_442701.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2634056" style="width:246px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   With Dustin Brodina   PHD: How would you sum up last season?   "2023-2024 was a very successful season finishing the year at 25-2 and winning the Class A State Championship. The Region was very competitive with some exceptional teams, the Region competition really prepared us for the State Tournament games."   PHD: Who will be your primary ballhandler this year?   "We will look to put the ball in [player_tooltip player_id='1177143' first='Parker' last='Brodina'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1632626' first='Mason' last='Palmer']'s hands to control the offense. Their alertness and observational skills guide them to always be eager to learn and become true floor leaders."   PHD: How did the offseason go for your team/program?   "Off-season consisted of kids getting faster, stronger, quicker and working on their individual skill sets. Many players extended their season by playing AAU travel basketball."   PHD: Who are a few of your top players to look out for?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1177143' first='Parker' last='Brodina'], [player_tooltip player_id='1769085' first='Joel' last='Nelson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1746515' first='Oliver' last='Wirth'] - We look for these 3 to really control the game with their size and length."   PHD: Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for?   "We have Sophomores - [player_tooltip player_id='2114977' first='Will' last='Heilman'], [player_tooltip player_id='1539673' first='Talan' last='Gregory'], and Freshman - [player_tooltip player_id='2415382' first='Ben' last='Brodina'] who led our C squad and JV teams last year. We look for them to improve and push for Varsity playing time."   PHD: Who do you think will be your top interior players?   "Our top 3 interior players will be [player_tooltip player_id='1177143' first='Parker' last='Brodina'], [player_tooltip player_id='1769085' first='Joel' last='Nelson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1746515' first='Oliver' last='Wirth'] - Their size and skill will help them control the glass on both ends and play tough interior defense."   PHD: What are your goals for the season?   "Our goals this year are to continue to get better throughout the season, and become the best version of us that we can. Working together as a team, competing at a high level, and having fun will be another goal of ours."   PHD: Who will be your hardest worker?   "We will look to have everyone working hard as that is a non-negotiable part of our program. There will be no substitute for industriousness and conditioning."   PHD: Who are the top teams & players in Region 2?   "Thompson, Grafton, FWM will all be very tough teams to compete with this year, they all have some exceptional players and great coaches."   "[player_tooltip player_id='1177143' first='Parker' last='Brodina'], [player_tooltip player_id='1769085' first='Joel' last='Nelson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1746515' first='Oliver' last='Wirth'], [player_tooltip player_id='1770389' first='Kyler' last='Droog'], [player_tooltip player_id='1363917' first='Marial' last='Deng'], [player_tooltip player_id='1165392' first='Karter' last='Peterson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1169143' first='Josh' last='Bickett'], [player_tooltip player_id='1632630' first='Brody' last='Lillemoen'], [player_tooltip player_id='1632619' first='Reggie' last='Rice'] will be top players this year."   PHD: Any last comments about the upcoming season?   "Excited to get back on the court with a new squad working together and having fun enjoying the game of basketball."   BEST OF LUCK TO THE FIREBIRDS!!   <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:292px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Will the Cowboys get back to State? They certainly have the experience, size, athletes, and coaching to make the trip to Bismarck in March.   School: Killdeer   Mascot: Cowboy   Head Coach: Greg Pruitt   Class: A   Region: 2   2023-24 Record: 25-2   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/image_780e1d.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/image_780e1d.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2634138" style="width:362px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   With Greg Pruitt   PHD: What can you tell us about last season?   "The Cowboys are coming off a great season last year, making the state tournament for the first time in 71 years since 1953. We graduated two seniors and return 12 lettermen. We had the ability to start multiple athletes throughout the year giving them all a lot of confidence in key situations. We will have the opportunity to have good competition in practice to challenge and push each other for these starting spots again. Having played a very tough schedule last year helped our team build confidence as the year went on."   PHD: How did the off-season go for the squad/program?   "The key to this year's season will be how much growth and maturity we made in the off-season. I felt we had a great off-season as far as skill development, weight training, and played plenty of competitive games, including travel to Gonzaga to participate in their team camp. We did not have our full team all summer, so this allowed many of the players to step into key roles for us. A few things that we need to get better at would be consistency in shooting. although we do have great shooters, finishing through contact, and the physicality of the Class A Division."   PHD: What will you focus on this season?   "Getting back to the State Tournament is going to be a tough task in a very competitive region. We will focus on one game at a time and try to get our athletes to play their best basketball at the right time of the season. It should be a fun year for the Cowboys."   PHD: Can you tell us about some of your top players?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1765803' first='Jaxon' last='Reese'] (Overall Best Player inside and out) is very athletic. He has a great midrange shot. Jaxon has the ability to take over games. His inside and outside skills make it difficult for teams to match up to him. He can shoot the three-ball very well."   "[player_tooltip player_id='2625146' first='Cooper' last='Bang'] (Primary Ball Handler) is one of the team's best shooters. He had great post-season play last year, coming off a football injury. He also has shown he has the ability to take over games and did so in the State Tournament, helping him to be selected to the State Class A All-Tournament Team."   "[player_tooltip player_id='2634199' first='Jekori' last='Dahlen'] (Hardest Worker) is one of the best defenders in the state! He stepped up last year, guarded every team's best player, and did a great job doing it. Jekori held multiple double-digit scorers to single digits. He can get to the rim with the best of them and has improved on his shooting tremendously."   "[player_tooltip player_id='1390216' first='Owen' last='Schleppenbach'] (Good Inside Player) is the team's best rebounder. He puts himself in the right position making it very difficult for teams to keep him off the offensive boards. Owen has a very nice midrange shot and can knock down the open three when he needs to."   "[player_tooltip player_id='2634201' first='Nekori' last='Dahlen'] (Amazing defender) can shoot the ball extremely well. He can play inside and out for the team. Nekori has the ability to be a game-changer for our team and steps up when he needs to. He can post up very well and shoots the three-ball with the best."   "[player_tooltip player_id='2625147' first='Kale' last='Hansen'] (top 3 ball shooter) is one of the team's best outside shooters. He runs the point for the team as well. Kale has really improved at getting to the rim and finishing. Kale sees the floor very well and is our team's best passer in transition."   "[player_tooltip player_id='2634212' first='Chase' last='Kling'] (Upcomer) is the spark plug for the team. He shoots the ball very well and can guard the other team's best player when [player_tooltip player_id='2634199' first='Jekori' last='Dahlen'] needs a rest. Chase also runs the point for the team and can get to the rim when needed."   "Calvin Dobitz is our team's most physical player. He has great footwork around the post and can shoot the midrange very well."   "Grayson Fettig is one of the team's best three-point shooters."   "[player_tooltip player_id='2525695' first='Trey' last='Larimer'] (Upcomer) will be an outstanding addition for our inside game.  He could work himself into the starting rotation."   PHD: Who do you see as the top teams/players in Region 4?   "Team Rankings: 1. Shiloh 2. Beulah 3. Dickinson Trinity"    "Top Players: [player_tooltip player_id='1355920' first='Braylen' last='Schirado'], [player_tooltip player_id='1219808' first='Caden' last='Englund']"   BEST OF LUCK TO THE COWBOYS!!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><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" /></a></figure>

We are 23 days away from basketball practice starting for Class A!