Previews: Huron & Westhope-Newburg

Practices are well underway across the Daktoas and the coaches/players/fans are itching to watch/play meaningful basketball games.   Reading the PHD Previews will help pass the time!   In this piece, we examine a class AA team from SD and a class B squad from ND. Both teams went to the State Tournamnet in their respective state and class last season. Westhope-Newburg even brought home the State Championship! You should expect the Tigers and Sioux to both be back at State this spring.   See below for a good read on the Huron Tigers and the Westhope-Newburg Sioux.   <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:212px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/hurontigers.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/hurontigers.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2678830" style="width:213px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Program: Huron   Mascot: Tiger   Head Coach: Tim Buddenhagen   Class: AA   2023-24 Record: 14-10 (7th at State)   Impact Players   Comments from Coach Buddenhagen   [player_tooltip player_id='1467166' first='Blake' last='Ellwein'] 6"9" Junior Guard/Forward   "Blake is a unique player because of his size and skill level. He will be able to run the point as well as post up. Good shooter and good off the bounce. He can change games on the defensive end as well because of his length and shot-blocking abilities."   [player_tooltip player_id='2128932' first='Anderson' last='Porisch'] 6'5" Sophomore Guard/Forward   "Anderson is a skilled player. He can shoot it and is quick off the bounce. He can go either right or left and has the ability to post up. He is working on his handles to assume some of the ball-handling responsibilities."   [player_tooltip player_id='2348517' first='Davis' last='Chase'] 6'7" Sophomore Forward   "He transferred in from James Valley Christian School. He will not be eligible to play our first two games. He has size and is very athletic. He will help us offensively to create mismatches and has great touch around the rim.  He has the capability to shoot the 3.  He will be a match-up problem for our opponents."   [player_tooltip player_id='2528155' first='Bubba' last='Peterson'] 6"2" Senior Guard   "He is a physical defender and a leader on our team. He is good going to the basket both right and left hand. He has the ability to make shots from the outside."   [player_tooltip player_id='2641659' first='Colton' last='McNeil'] 5'10" Senior Guard   "He has a unique skill set. He is quick off the bounce and does an excellent job finding openings at the hoop when he does not have the ball. Defenders have to pay attention to him because he can hit the 3-point shot. He is a gutsy defender who will draw the other team's best ball handler."   [player_tooltip player_id='2351487' first='Trace' last='Wenz'] 6'3' Senior Guard   "He can flat-out score. He is a tremendous shooter and is explosive off the bounce. If Trace has a good year we will be tough to guard."   [player_tooltip player_id='2442388' first='Myles' last='Ellwein'] 6'4" Freshmen Guard   "Good shooter. He will be able to stretch the defense for us."   [player_tooltip player_id='1959442' first='Mason' last='Jurgens'] 6'2" Junior Guard   "Hard-nosed defender and very physical. His offense is improving."   Logan Leyendecker 6'2" Senior Guard    "Good shooter will provide us with some depth off the bench. He is also good moving without the ball. He is a good defender."   Kolby Hofer 5'10" Senior Guard   "He is an extension of the coach on the floor. He has the ability to shoot it and is a physical driver to the basket. He will also have to guard our opponent's best ball-handler."   [player_tooltip player_id='2427892' first='Carter' last='Porisch'] 6'4" 8th Grader   "He has size and athleticism. He can shoot it, drive it, and can post up. He gives us some depth in the paint along with having ball skills on the perimeter."   <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:293px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   With Tim Buddenhagen   PHD: What can you tell us about last season?   "We had a tremendous year last season. We were able to get to the State Tournament with a relatively young team. We will sorely miss our 5 seniors."   PHD: On defense, what will you "hang your hat on"?   "Defensively we have to be able to play M-M defense. We have some size and athleticism. The biggest key is whether we can guard the ball one-on-one without having to give help. This will enable us to take away shooters on the outside."   PHD: Who will be your primary ballhandler?   "We will have ball handling by committee. We want to be able to play a tempo offense so we need all our guys to be able to advance the ball up the floor."   PHD: How did the off-season go for your squad?   "This off-season we were able to have our guys attend team camps in order to work on our offensive and defensive schemes. We were able to work with our players on skill development."    PHD: Who are some of your top players to watch?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1467166' first='Blake' last='Ellwein'] was first team All-Conference and First Team All-State. His size and skill level make him a unique player."   "[player_tooltip player_id='2128932' first='Anderson' last='Porisch'] 6'5" Sophomore Guard/Forward. Anderson is a skilled player. He can shoot it and is quick off the bounce. He can go either right or left and has the ability to post up. He is working on his handles to assume some of the ball-handling responsibilities."   "[player_tooltip player_id='2348517' first='Davis' last='Chase'] 6'7" Sophomore Forward. He transferred in from James Valley Christian School. He will not be eligible to play our first two games. He has size and is very athletic. He will help us offensively to create mismatches and has great touch around the rim. He has the capability to shoot the 3. He will be a match-up problem for our opponents."   "[player_tooltip player_id='2351487' first='Trace' last='Wenz']  6'3'  Senior Guard. He can flat-out score. He is a tremendous shooter and is explosive off the bounce. If Trace has a good year we will be tough to guard."   PHD: Who are your up-n-comer to keep track of?   "[player_tooltip player_id='2442388' first='Myles' last='Ellwein'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2427892' first='Carter' last='Porisch'] see their write-ups in our player breakdowns."   PHD: Who will be your top rebounders?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1467166' first='Blake' last='Ellwein'] will be a good rebounder for us because of his size and his ability to track the ball. [player_tooltip player_id='2128932' first='Anderson' last='Porisch'] because of his speed and athleticism.  [player_tooltip player_id='2348517' first='Davis' last='Chase'] because of his athleticism, size and quick jump. [player_tooltip player_id='2528155' first='Bubba' last='Peterson'] because of his toughness and his nose for the ball."   PHD: What are your team goals?   "Our goals for this year are to improve every week, be resilient, and get to the State Tournament."   PHD: Who will be your hardest workers?   "We anticipate our best players to be our hardest workers. This sends a powerful message to the rest of our team if our best players are the first ones at practice and the last ones to leave."   PHD: Who are the top teams in AA?   "Top Teams in AA would be SF Washington, SF O'Gorman, Brandon Valley, and defending Champions Mitchell."   PHD: Any last thoughts about the season?   "We are excited for this season. We feel if we improve weekly, we could be a contender by the end of the season."   GOOD LUCK TIGERS!!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/image_991072.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/image_991072.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2680203" style="width:282px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Program: Westhope-Newburg   Mascot: Sioux   Head Coach: Anthony Lee   Class: B   Region: 3   District: 6   2023-24 Record: 26-2 (State Champion)   2023-24 Stats & Numbers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/image_63d29c.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/image_63d29c.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2680980" /></a></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/image_5be04f.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/image_5be04f.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2680981" /></a></figure>   Players to Watch   [player_tooltip player_id='1355223' first='Braden' last='Bailey'] 5'6 SR PG: Playmaker. Quick, can get to the rim. Shooter.   [player_tooltip player_id='2680985' first='Dayton' last='Hawkins'] 5'8 SR G: Great shooter. Floor spacer. Sneaky quick.   [player_tooltip player_id='1169145' first='Walker' last='Braaten'] 6'4 SR G: Super athletic, can do it all.   Will Artz 6'1 SR G: Solid all around. Can play and defend multiple positions at a high level.   [player_tooltip player_id='1717045' first='Hunter' last='Tolstad'] 6'3 JR F: Does the dirty work. Great defender and rebounder. Athlete in the post.   [player_tooltip player_id='2681041' first='Treyton' last='Lesmann'] 5'7 SR G: A great on-ball defender. He does an outstanding job of forcing turnovers.   [player_tooltip player_id='1511062' first='Rocklin' last='Beaudrie'] 5'10 JR G: High BB IQ. Works extremely hard. Can shoot the 3.   [player_tooltip player_id='2237771' first='Tiger' last='Lee'] 5'10 SO G: Shooter. Good athlete.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/image_2c1a26.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/image_2c1a26.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2681006" /></a></figure>   With Anthony Lee   PHD: Could you write a couple of sentences summing up last season?   "It was a dream season for us. We lost two very close games to a very good Bishop Ryan team. We played our best basketball down the stretch and were State Champions."   PHD: Does your program/team have any non-negotiables?   "Give your best effort and get better every day. Be a great Teammate! Respect, Communicate, Together, & Toughness."   PHD: What will your defense "hang its hat on"?   "Full Court Pressure. We want to make the opponent uncomfortable."   PHD: Who will be your primary ballhandler this year?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1355223' first='Braden' last='Bailey']. This will be his 4th year starting for us. He is a great leader for our club and does a great job of controlling the pace of the game."   PHD: How did the off-season go for your team/program?   "The guys got stronger and put in work. We did a few team camps."   PHD: Who are a few of your top players to look out for?   "We return our starting 5 and [player_tooltip player_id='2681041' first='Treyton' last='Lesmann'] who have played tons of minutes for us the past few years. They play so well together and are a fun group to watch play the game."   PHD: Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1511062' first='Rocklin' last='Beaudrie'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2237771' first='Tiger' last='Lee'] both got some experience last year. We are looking for them to take on a larger role."   PHD: Who do you think will be your best rebounders?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1717045' first='Hunter' last='Tolstad'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1169145' first='Walker' last='Braaten']. Both are strong & athletic. Workers."   PHD: What are your team goals this year?   "Get better every day. Repeat."   PHD: Who are the top teams in your District?   "There are some very talented teams and players in our District. It will be a battle just to qualify for our Region Tournament. Bishop Ryan & Our Redeemers both qualified for the State Tourney last season and bring back everyone. Velva has a great group of athletes with a ton of big-game experience. MLS has some skilled athletic guys returning. It should be a very competitive District."   PHD: Any last comments about the upcoming season?   "We are very excited for the season. We have a very difficult regular season schedule that should help prepare us for post-season play. We must keep improving throughout the season and hopefully, we will be playing our best basketball come tournament time. It will be another exciting year in District 6."   GOOD LUCK SIOUX!!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/image_64a0e9.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/image_64a0e9.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2681008" /></a></figure>

Practices are well underway across the Daktoas and the coaches/players/fans are itching to watch/play meaningful basketball games.