Team Intro: Tea Titans & Tri-Valley Mustangs

<!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"100"}},"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:100">Over the last few months, we have published many Team Previews and Team Introductions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"100"}},"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:100">We are finally down to our last Intro! The season in well underway but we wanted to get this last article out and give the readers more info on the Titans and Mustangs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Titans from Tea Area are 1-0 on the year with a 69-63 win over Huron. Up next, they play at Brookings on Thursday (12/19/24). This is the first year that Tea has competed at the AA level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tri-Valley Mustangs are 0-2 on the year with losses to Parkston and Madison. On Friday (12/20/24), they play at Garretson.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2693098,"width":"255px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <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:255px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img alt="" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Tea Area Titans</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2699231,"width":"203px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/teaTitans--crop-400x263-1734536400.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/teaTitans--crop-400x263-1734536400.jpeg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2699231" style="width:203px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head coach:</strong> Drew Weber (Career Record 159-82)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assistants:</strong> Clay Robinson, Kade Stearns, Taylor Becker</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class:</strong> AA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>23-2024 Record: </strong>12-10 (Lost in Dakota Valley in Regional Tournament)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Key Players</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1548942' first='Marshall' last='Smythe'], 6'3, SR</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Only returning starter</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Led team in assists last season, 3rd in scoring</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Do-it-all guard who is recovering from offseason wrist surgery</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Potential to be one of the better guards in the ESD</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2250284' first='Grifin' last='Wiebenga'], 6'3, SO</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-6th man last season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Most talented player &amp; is a future all-state caliber player</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Along with Smythe, he will be asked to do a lot offensively &amp; defensively</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1641166' first='Brenner' last='Konrad'], 6'3, JR</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Out for season w/ torn ACL</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1911442' first='Kayden' last='Williamson'], 6'3, JR</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-One of only a few true posts on the roster</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Defensively gifted player whose length &amp; athleticism give him ability to guard all 5 positions</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-His upside as an offensive player will be a key to our season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2623202' first='Jaxson' last='Merrigan'], 6'2, SR</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Physical forward</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-High basketball IQ w/ offensive upside</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Will be asked to guard bigger players often, but won't back down from the task</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cole McKinney, 5'10, SR</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Feisty perimeter defender</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Unselfish, quick guard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Developed more as a scorer last season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Spark plug that provides much needed toughness</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rylan Norris, 5'11, SR</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Good perimeter scorer &amp; defender</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Tough kid w/ team-first mentality</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2132816' first='Gavin' last='Shawd'], 5'11, SO</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-One of the more offensively skilled players on the roster</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Big upside player, but will have to adapt to the physicality of the Varsity level</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2550489' first='Lane' last='Sieber'], 6'2, SO</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-High IQ forward</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Team first player that will be big part of our future</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2562400' first='Isaac' last='Slowey'], 6'3, SR</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2442386' first='Mitch' last='Grant'], 6'0, FR</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Daschle Lowery, 5'11, JR</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2562401' first='Caden' last='Bohnenberger'], 5'9, JR</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Season Outlook</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-A lot of inexperience compared to past teams with only two players w/ Varsity experience</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Transition period - 1st year in AA – they have been playing 10 AA games a year for the past few seasons, should be familiar with the difference in levels</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Inexperience - Adjusting offensive &amp; defensive philosophies to accommodate different skill sets. It will take time to grasp new concepts &amp; figure out how to play together</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-How the Titans adjust to the physicality &amp; speed of Varsity compared to JV will be the biggest hurdle early in the season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Titans Strengths</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Perimeter scoring &amp; shooting</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1548942' first='Marshall' last='Smythe'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='2250284' first='Grifin' last='Wiebenga'], two blue-chip players w/ experience. Will rely on them heavily until everyone else catches up</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Something to prove</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Quickness</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Titan Question Marks</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Physicality</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Post scoring &amp; defending</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Rebounding, the Konrad injury takes away the Titans most physical player &amp; best rebounder</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Adjustment period to class AA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"24px","fontStyle":"italic","fontWeight":"1000"}}} --> <p style="font-size:24px;font-style:italic;font-weight:1000">BEST OF LUCK TO THE TITANS!!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2699296,"width":"238px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/image_58332f.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/image_58332f.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2699296" style="width:238px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Tri-Valley Mustangs</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2699297,"width":"187px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/trivalley.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/trivalley.jpg?w=610" alt="" class="wp-image-2699297" style="width:187px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Brandon Feterl</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class:</strong> A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region: </strong>3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">23-2024 Stats</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2699329,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/image_901bcd.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/image_901bcd.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2699329" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2511663,"width":"239px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <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:239px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">With Coach Feterl</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What can you tell us about last season?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Last season was frustrating overall for us. We were in a lot of games, unfortunately, we averaged over 20 turnovers a game. That cost us a lot of games and put us in a tough spot to start the postseason. It was also a season of growth for our younger players and we are hoping we learned from our mistakes this season.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Does your program/team have any non-negotiables?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Off the court, it's important that you represent the team in a way that makes us proud to be a part of it. On the court, it is effort defensively and unselfishness on both sides of the ball. It's easy to be a good teammate when things are going well, I look for the guys who are great teammates when we are struggling.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What will your defense "hang its hat on"?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Communication and effort. We have struggled with this since we've been here. The effort has been there at times, but understanding that we are a unit that needs to be in sync with each other has been difficult for us at times.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>PHD: Who will be your primary ballhandler this year?</strong></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>I don't know that we have a true “point guard” this year. [player_tooltip player_id='2277844' first='Brady' last='Jewett'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2277838' first='Alex' last='Wingen'] will likely handle the  ball for us. They both bring different strengths to the position and I'll look to them to control the pace and take care of the basketball for us this year.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: How did the offseason go for your team/program?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We had a good off-season. Open gym a few days a week and our boys were active in the AAU circuit. We also went 3-0 at the USF team camp and went to other team camps in Madison and Orange City.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline"> PHD: Who are a few of your top players to look out for?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>[player_tooltip player_id='2277844' first='Brady' last='Jewett'] 6'1 G 10- He will be coming into his sophomore year after having a big freshman year. He's a great shooter and has an excellent basketball IQ. I'm looking forward to what he can do.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>[player_tooltip player_id='2277838' first='Alex' last='Wingen'] 6'0 G 12-Alex will be one of our two returning starters. He has a high motor and can do a lot of different things offensively.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>[player_tooltip player_id='2338066' first='Tristen' last='Bunde'] 6'3 F 11-Tristen will be our other returning starter. He's very athletic and plays great defense. I'm excited to see how his offensive game can go to the next level this season.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Some of our newcomers I'm looking forward to seeing more of are [player_tooltip player_id='2434012' first='Teagin' last='Gacke'], Ty Oyen, Aiden Bunde, and Landon Hughes.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who do you think will be your&nbsp;best rebounders?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Ty Oyen - A strong kid and plays bigger than he is. Ty will be an integral part of what we do this year.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: <u style="font-weight: bold">What are&nbsp;your&nbsp;team goals this year?</u></span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We are hoping to win double-digit games and win a playoff game. After that, anything can happen!</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who will be your hardest worker?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>I can't wait to find out!</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"24px","fontStyle":"italic","fontWeight":"1000"}}} --> <p style="font-size:24px;font-style:italic;font-weight:1000">BEST OF LUCK TITANS!!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1399487,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/03/SD-1.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/03/SD-1.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1399487" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->