Pirates, Cougars, Bearcats

It was a busy weekend of hoops. Before we start the new week of games, Prep Hoops Dakotas (PHD) has THREE more Team Introductions! 2 of the teams are from North Dakota and we have 1 from South Dakota.   We are highlighting Highmore-Harrold, North Prairie, and North Star.   The Pirates from Highmore-Harold are 1-0 on the season with a 47-29 win over Jones County. Up next, the Pirates host Wolsey-Wessigntong on Friday 12/20/24.   The Cougars from North Prairie are 0-1 on the year, losing 59-57 to TGU. They travel to Benson County for their next contest on Tuesday 12/17/24.   The Bearcats from North Star are 1-0 with a double-digit (61-42) victory over Benson County. Coach Vote's squad has an intriguing matchup on Tuesday 12/17/24 at home vs. New Rockford-Sheyenne.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/TeamIntroduction.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/TeamIntroduction.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2693098" style="width:227px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Highmore-Harrold   Head Coach: Scott Pekarek   Mascot: Pirate   Class: B   Region: 6   Player to Watch   [player_tooltip player_id='2269324' first='Caleb' last='Roth'] 6'4 Forward Senior - Roth is a very long and athletic young man. He has a quick first step that allows him to get to the basket on his defender. Very good rebounder and runs the floor extremely well.   [player_tooltip player_id='2475801' first='Aidan' last='Ferens'] 5'10 Guard Senior - Ferens is an extra-strong guard who can get to the basket and finish. Very good on-ball defender that takes pride in defending the best guard on the other team.   [player_tooltip player_id='2269328' first='Brooks' last='McPeak'] 5'9 Guard Freshman - Brooks is impressively skilled offensively. Can shoot the ball very well and is super crafty when he gets around the rim. He is getting better on the defensive end and can be a solid on-ball defender.   Miles McPeak 5'10 Forward Senior - McPeak is a great team leader. Miles is a very unselfish player who looks to get the assist over taking a shot. A very good help-side defender who led the Pirates in charges taken last year.   Jordan Erfman 6'6' Forward Junior - Jordan took a big leap last year in rebounding and toughness. He played a big role for the Pirates down the stretch last year while stepping in during injuries and he earned a spot in the rotation. He works extremely hard and has a big motor.   <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:232px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   With Scott Pekarek   PHD: What can you tell us about last year?   "We had a very good year last year. We were competitive in almost every game which helped us immensely when it came to Regions. A lot of our games came down to one or two possessions, which helped us be a very composed team. We had a very solid season that ended in the SoDak 16."   PHD: Who will be your primary ballhandler this year?   "[player_tooltip player_id='2475801' first='Aidan' last='Ferens'] - Very strong ballhandler that has a very good to the basket game. Has good court vision and make any pass."   PHD: How did the offseason go for your team/program?   "The boys had a good offseason. They got into the weight room to work on their strength and agility. They put in a lot of time on the court working on ball handling and shooting."   PHD: Who are a few of your top players to look out for?   "[player_tooltip player_id='2269324' first='Caleb' last='Roth']- Very long and athletic player.  Has a good nose for the ball while rebounding and can finish strong through contact."   "[player_tooltip player_id='2475801' first='Aidan' last='Ferens']- Very strong and quick guard. Very good finisher around the rim. He is a very good on-ball defender."   "[player_tooltip player_id='2269328' first='Brooks' last='McPeak']- Very quick guard that is a very good shooter. He is crafty around the rim and is a very high-IQ basketball player."   "Jordan Erfman- Very long post player. He is a very good rebounder with a good touch around the rim."   PHD: Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for?   "Jayden Erfman & Karsten McPeak"    PHD: Who do you think will be your top interior players?   "[player_tooltip player_id='2269324' first='Caleb' last='Roth']- Very long and athletic. He is a quick jumper with good touch around the rim."   "Jordan Erfman-Very long. He is a very good rebounder and a good finisher."   PHD: What are 2 or 3 goals for the team this year?   "Hold Opponents to 45 points. Make the SoDak 16. Make it to State."    PHD: Who will be your hardest worker and why do you think that?   "[player_tooltip player_id='2475801' first='Aidan' last='Ferens']- He is a guy that leads by example. He pushes the underclassmen to work as hard as him."   "Miles McPeak- He is the type of player that does all the little things that never shows up on the stats sheet."   PHD: Who are some of the top teams & players in your Region?   "Sully Buttes-[player_tooltip player_id='1959413' first='Wesley' last='Wittler']"   "Highmore-Harrold-All the players I mentioned above."   "Ipswich-Max Kulesa"    PHD: Any last comments?   "We have a very good group of players coming back that have good varsity experience. The success from last year has them hungry for more. We look to be a very competitive team this year. We should be a very good defensive and rebounding team."   GOOD LUCK PIRATES!!   North Prairie   Head Coach: Tory Danielson   Mascot: Cougar   Class: B   Region: 2   District: 3   RETURNING PLAYER STATS   [player_tooltip player_id='2398656' first='Kade' last='Mitchell'] - 21 GP, 6.4 ppg, 1.8 rpg, .5 apg, 32.2 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='1632746' first='Isaac' last='McCloud'] - 20 GP, 4.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg, .6 apg, 40 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='2697096' first='Jonny' last='Mears'] - 18 GP, 3.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.9 apg, 31.9 FG%   Jacob Mattson - 15 GP, 1.7 ppg, 1.6 rpg, .7 apg, 31.1 FG%   Julius Elick - 12 GP. 1.2 ppg, 1.3 rpg, .3 apg, 23.3 FG%   Payne Wilkie - 7 GP, .7 rpg, .6 apg   Mason Ortiz - 7 GP, .3 ppg, 2.1 rpg, .1 apg, 14.3 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='1721143' first='Jeffry' last='Rosinski'] - DNP due to injury   <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:249px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   With Tory Danielson   PHD: Does your program/team have any non-negotiables?   "Defense and rebounding will be our non-negotiables. Have to be able to do both to play. We aim to be GREAT every day."    "Great = Gritty Relentless Energetic Attitudes Tough."    PHD: What will your defense "hang its hat on"?   "Defensively we will look to pressure the basketball and force teams out of rhythm. We want to not allow them to get comfortable in what they're trying to do offensively. We will look to speed them up and play our style of basketball."   PHD: Who will be your primary ballhandler this year?   "[player_tooltip player_id='2697096' first='Jonny' last='Mears'] will be our point guard and be the guy that makes us go offensively. Only a sophomore but he's tougher than nails, smart, strong with the ball, and has a desire to compete every day. We need him to look to score the ball more this year."   PHD: How did the offseason go for your team/program?   "We had a great off-season at North Prairie. We hosted a weekly skills league that focused on fundamentals and skill building, had daily weightlifting sessions for athletes, and attended multiple team camps throughout the summer. Attendance was great for everyone."   PHD: Who are a few of your top players?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1721143' first='Jeffry' last='Rosinski'] is returning from an ACL injury that kept him out last season. He's a 6'5" guard that has the ability to play inside and outside. He can shoot that ball efficiently and get to rack when called on."    "[player_tooltip player_id='2398656' first='Kade' last='Mitchell'] will be a kid we will lean on to shoot the ball and stretch the defense. 6'2" Sophomore that isn't done growing. He's a pure shooter and has improved his ability to get to the hoop."   PHD: Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for?   "We have a freshman class of 8 athletes that love being in the gym and love playing basketball. They all should be solid parts of our program. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2697113' first='Jack' last='Rosinski'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2697109' first='Grant' last='Odermann'] will dress varsity this year and have a chance to make an immediate impact."   PHD: Who do you think will be your best rebounders?   "6'3" Senior Mason Ortiz will be the guy we look to control the boards. He is an athletic big man with a large frame and a high motor. If he stays active, he will be tough to keep off the glass."   PHD: What are your team goals this year?   "Our goal is pretty simple. Compete every day. If we show up and compete, we're going to get better. We do have an end goal to play in the Regional tournament."   PHD: Who will be your hardest worker?   "We have a big group of kids that really push each other. I don't know that we have a hardest worker, but they all do well to hold each other accountable."   PHD: Who are some of the top teams & players in your Region?   "North Border, Midway-Minto, and New Rockford will be some quality teams. All three of them have some kids that can score the ball and defend well."   PHD: Any last comments?   "We're excited about the group we have for this season and years to come. These guys have put a lot of effort and time in the offseason and are hungry to show what they're capable of."   GOOD LUCK COUGARS!!   North Star   Head Coach: Jesse Vote   Mascot: Bearcat   Class: B   Region: 2   District: 3   [player_tooltip player_id='1632620' first='Hunter' last='Hagler'] had 23 points and 15 rebounds in game 1 and [player_tooltip player_id='2412298' first='Ian' last='Westlind'] went for 16 points. The Bearcats had a nice group effort in the first outing of the season.   Players to Watch   [player_tooltip player_id='1632620' first='Hunter' last='Hagler'] 6'3” Jr. Forward   Levi Borstad 6'4" Jr. Forward   [player_tooltip player_id='2412298' first='Ian' last='Westlind'] 6'2” Frosh Forward - Strength is shooting, athletic.   Alec Peyerl 6'1” Soph Forward - Strong kid that likes to get to the basket.   Kale Prouty 6'1” Soph Forward - Good defender and rebounder. Likes to be physical.   [player_tooltip player_id='2697163' first='Rylen' last='Anderson'] – 5'10” Frosh Guard - Good quickness and is a good on-ball defender.   [player_tooltip player_id='2697161' first='JD' last='Du Preez'] – 5'11” Frosh Forward - Good outside spot-up shooter. Good touch around the basket   Brody Svir – Senior point guard, injured   "We have a completely new team this year. Very little experience, but we have a group of kids that have a very high ceiling. Learning to play together and figure out our identity and what we are going to do well will need to be figured out before January. I look for us to be successful down the stretch and a little dark horse come tourney time." -Coach Vote   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/image_495f4e.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/image_495f4e.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2697164" style="width:188px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   With Jesse Vote   PHD: What can you tell us about last season?   "It was a ride. One that our players, families, fans, and community will never forget. We obviously accomplished 99% of our goals."   PHD: What will your defense "hang its hat on"?   "We will have to use our quickness and our height as we are not the overall strongest team. Our plan right now is to change up our defensive philosophy a little bit and put more pressure on the ball and do more denying."   PHD: Who will be your primary ballhandler this year?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1632620' first='Hunter' last='Hagler'] will have to move from a role player to the main ball handler. He will be looked at as being our new leader and floor general. Our secondary ball handler, Brody Svir (senior), is currently injured and a timetable isn't known right now for a return. [player_tooltip player_id='2697163' first='Rylen' last='Anderson'] (freshmen) will look at also having to do some point guard responsibilities."   How did the offseason go for your team/program? What did you do to improve?   We had quite a few open gyms and kids that came in and shot on their own time.   PHD: Who are a few of your top players to look out for?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1632620' first='Hunter' last='Hagler'] – Really the only true full time experience we have returning. QB on the football team. Will be looked at as being the leader for us and doing a little bit of everything."   "[player_tooltip player_id='2412298' first='Ian' last='Westlind'] could be looked at to carry the load for scoring."   "Both players have the potential to be All-District and Hunter All-Region and possibly All-State."   PHD: Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for?   "[player_tooltip player_id='2412298' first='Ian' last='Westlind'] is a freshman that will be a starter for us from the beginning. He has lots of potential talent, can shoot from anywhere, and is long to defend."   "Alec Peyerl – (sophopmore) very aggressive, can defend, he is our most built tough kid that we have."   PHD: Who do you think will be your best rebounders?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1632620' first='Hunter' last='Hagler'] will be looked at being our best rebounder, but we have some aggressive kids as well (Kale Prouty) that like to mix it up a little bit. Ian and Levi Borstad (Junior) have some length that will help us out. We aren't very “strong” so we will need to rely on our boxing out to get position."   PHD: What are your team goals this year?   "We are starting fresh with little experience. Our biggest thing is going to be learning to play as a team because we are mixing 1 varsity guy, with 3 – 4 B squad players, with 3 JH kids from last year. Roles will need to be learned early!"   PHD: Who will be your hardest worker?   "Right now we have a lot of guys that are working hard. I really can't pinpoint one until more games are played."   PHD: Who are some of the top teams & players in your Region?   "North Border and New Rockford. [player_tooltip player_id='1165355' first='Grant' last='Cosley'] – North Border will be tough. [player_tooltip player_id='1843885' first='Elijah' last='Feather'] - Warwick"   GOOD LUCK BEARCATS!!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/TeamIntroduction.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/TeamIntroduction.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2693098" style="width:666px;height:auto" /></a></figure>

It was a busy weekend of hoops. Before we start the new week of games, Prep Hoops Dakotas (PHD) has THREE more Team Introductions! 2 of the teams are from North Dakota and we have 1 from South Dakota.