Redhawks, Raiders, Bearcats

Prep Hoops Dakotas (PHD) has THREE more Team Introductions for the basketball fans to dive into. Two of the squads are from South Dakota and we have one from North Dakota.   We are highlighting Estelline-Hendricks, Richardton-Taylor, and Webster.   The Estelline-Hendricks Redhawks are 2-0 on the season with a 73-49 win over Garretson and a 63-39 large-margin victory over Sioux Falls Lutheran. Up next, they host Langford Area on Tuesday 12/17/24.   The Richardton-Taylor Raiders open the season this Tuesday at the Roughrider Tournament in Bowman. The Raiders play Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at the Roughrider.   The Webster Bearcats are 0-1 on the year with a loss to Warner by a score of 57-52. On Tuesday, they hit the road for Webster to play the Mustangs from Webster-Summit.   <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:271px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Estelline-Hendricks   Mascot: Redhawks   Head Coach: Andy Hansen   Class: B   Region: 2   Redhawks to Watch   [player_tooltip player_id='2694384' first='Wyat' last='James'], senior, 6'- Lengthy player who can score well from 3 and the midrange. Defensively he is our best shot-blocker.   [player_tooltip player_id='1530220' first='Braxton' last='Pravecek'], senior, 6'0-  Shoots well and can finish with either hand inside.   [player_tooltip player_id='2623205' first='Kyler' last='Carlson'], junior, 5'10- Sneaky quick. Great catch and shoot from 3.   <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:238px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   With Coach Hansen   PHD: What can you tell us about last season?   "We played a tough schedule and finished the season just over .500 and then lost in the first round of Regions to Flandreau."   PHD: Who will be your primary ballhandler?   "Primary ball handler will be [player_tooltip player_id='2623205' first='Kyler' last='Carlson'] and Kam Hauck. Kyler is sneaky quick and uses both hands well. Kam is very quick and can get past defenders."   PHD: How did the off-season for your team?   "This offseason we used Heiser Academy and worked hard on our outside shooting and moves to finish at the rim."   PHD: Who are your top players?   "Top players this year will be [player_tooltip player_id='2694384' first='Wyat' last='James'] who is a consistent scorer inside and out. Efficient when he shoots the ball.  [player_tooltip player_id='1530220' first='Braxton' last='Pravecek'] can score outside and uses his body well to finish at the rim.  [player_tooltip player_id='2623205' first='Kyler' last='Carlson'] is a great 3-point shooter and then has ability to go by defenders when they close out hard."   PHD: Who are your up-n-comers to look out for?   "Up and comers are Kam Hauck who is very quick and finishes well at the rim. [player_tooltip player_id='2563318' first='Cade' last='Hexem'] is a great shooter who is very efficient when he gets in the paint."   PHD: Who are your interior players?   "Top interior players will be Braxton Jongeling who can uses his body well to get positioning, and then can finish with either hand.  Matthew McAninch who is quick to get by bigger defenders."   PHD: What are your goals for the season?   "Our goals for this season are to improve all of our shooting percentages from last year and continue to grow defensively."   GOOD LUCK REDHAWKS!!   Richardton-Taylor   Mascot: Raiders   Head Coach: Kari Hamann   Class: B   Region: 4   District: 7   <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:252px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   With Coach Hamann   PHD: What can you tell us about last season?   "The Raiders had a tough season last year but we saw some very good things from our young players. We had more wins than we have had in previous years and we looked at every game as a learning experience and improved. We graduated Marcus Cuevas and Caisen Dohrmann. Both were leaders on and off the floor and rarely sat out. Caisen will be tough to replace, he broke records every year he played varsity. Marcus was our spark when we needed it."   PHD: Who will be your primary ballhandler?   "Our starting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1542351' first='Chase' last='Christensen'], is out for a significant amount of time due to a knee injury in football resulting in surgery. We are hoping to have him back sooner rather than later. This will allow someone an opportunity to step up into that role."   PHD: Do you have an interior player we should keep eyes on?   "Kane Rivinius, 6'1, junior forward/center is our leader and a strong player down low.  He can post up and enjoys the physicality side of the game.  He has worked tremendously on his shooting game and will be a threat anywhere on the court. Defensively he is solid and we will look to him for rebounds. Kane is a balanced effective player."   PHD: Can you tell us more about personnel?   "We are sitting pretty good for varsity minutes with our returners.  We played 8 kids last year consistently so we will see some experience coming back. Rigo Silva, 5'9 junior guard, Matthew Aune, 6'1 junior forward, Braydin Hazen, 6'1 junior guard, and 5'10 sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2378452' first='Kyler' last='Krank'] will all be expected to contribute on both ends of the court. I am looking forward to seeing the younger kids step up to join the varsity team as well."   PHD: What will you do on defense?   "We are going to be quick and athletic. Our primary focus will be to build a strong defensive foundation. I plan to put some different defenses in place and will run an offense that highlights our versatility."   PHD: How did the off-season go?   "We attended a variety of team camps and skills camps this off-season and saw some great development from the boys. Our team chemistry has been coming together and I am looking forward to seeing what our young team can do. The kids are buying into our expectations in their off-season games, in the weight room, and on the court. We will be building on that momentum throughout the season."   PHD: Can you fill us in on your guard play?   "We have options coming at point guard, with Chase out, we will see Rigo or Kyler step in but all the boys will be expected to handle the ball. Both have quick hands, see the floor well, pass well, and will penetrate when needed. I am confident with both of them. Braydin will be a shooting threat but can get to the rim if he needs to."   PHD: Who will be your productive rebounders?   "Kane and Matthew are both physical down low and are eager to fight for the rebounds. Kane was our second-leading rebounder the last 2 years and Matthew is aggressive enough to make a difference in the paint."   PHD: What are your team goals?   "Our off-season and preseason have provided valuable insights into our strengths and areas of improvement.  We've been emphasizing teamwork and communication and I am pleased with the progress made so far."   PHD: Who are your up-n-comers to keep eyes on?   "We have some fresh talent coming up and it has added a new level of competition and energy. We have some strong freshmen who can earn some varsity minutes. [player_tooltip player_id='2694771' first='Kanyn' last='Dohrmann'] is a 6'2 post, he's long and athletic, and has worked to improve his midrange shooting. Camden Hoff, 5'10 guard, put in the work this off-season and his shooting game has come a long way. Confidence is key with the freshman players we have. I have a big group and I am expecting them to step up."   PHD: Any last comments on the season?   "Every practice we will have to continue to build chemistry, refine our strategies and condition to ensure we are healthy and prepared for the season. I see a lot of potential and the boys have some big goals for their team! We will focus on every game one at a time with the District Tournament in our sights."   GOOD LUCK RAIDERS!!   Webster   Mascot: Bearcats   Head Coach: Jared Vergeldt   Assistant Coach: Riley Reetz   Class: A   Region: 1   2023-24 record: 8-13   Returning Starters   [player_tooltip player_id='2344282' first='Ian' last='Lesnar'] (sr) 6'1 G, Matt Mount (jr) 6'1 F, [player_tooltip player_id='2338068' first='Jack' last='Shoemaker'] (jr) 6'4 F   Other Key Players   Tate Mammenga (sr) 5'8 G, Jeron McCreary (jr) 6'2 F, Thomas Kuecker (sr) 6'0 G   Season Outlook With Coach Vergeldt   "We had a nice summer. Competed well in team camps. We have nice experience this year. The boys have been around the program now for a few years and understand our philosophies and strategies. We have some injuries to start the season that may lead to a slow start. Jack is coming back from a knee injury and wrist issue. Hope to have him near the start. We will be missing [player_tooltip player_id='2344281' first='Martin' last='Dorsett'] for the season with a knee injury. Matt Mount has a bum knee at moment from football and a few other boys decided not to come out. We will need to develop a solid bench."   "Overall, I believe we have a solid team this year. This is the first group that i've seen that has a well-rounded Basketball IQ. They play well as a team and understand the game. As usual, we'll focus on tough D and rebounding well. Each night will be different depending on who we play which will determine our defensive strategy. I feel we have kids that can handle the ball and put the ball in the hole. We'll really need to find kids who can come off the bench and give a few good minutes. We have a little more size this year which may help defensively. If the boys stay determined all season, I feel we'll be very competitive each night."   GOOD LUCK BEARCATS!!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><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" /></a></figure>

Prep Hoops Dakotas (PHD) has THREE more Team Introductions for the basketball fans to dive into. Two of the squads are from South Dakota and we have one from North Dakota.