Devils Lake Hoops Review: State Runner-Up

<!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"100"}},"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:100"><span style="text-decoration: underline">The ND high school basketball season is in the books. Prep Hoops Dakotas is publishing a series of Season Reviews to help recap and celebrate the season</span>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">We are looking at one of the elite programs in Class A, the <strong>Devils Lake Firebirds!</strong> Last season, DL won the State Championship, and this year they took 2nd at State. This squad is loaded with talent, they play extremely hard, and they are well-coached.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Head Coach:</strong> Dustin Brodina</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Class:</strong> A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Region:</strong> 2 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Record:</strong> 24-2 (Second Place at State) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Devils Lake Firebirds</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2825494,"width":"307px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/image_8e9b52.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/image_8e9b52.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2825494" style="width:307px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"25px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:25px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Individual Stats</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2825507,"width":"1140px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/image_7c4a7d.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/image_7c4a7d.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2825507" style="width:1140px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2825512,"width":"283px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/image_aab471.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/image_aab471.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2825512" style="width:283px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"25px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:25px"><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>With Coach Dustin Brodina</strong></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: How would you sum up the season? </span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>The 2024-25 season was a successful and enjoyable basketball season. Our teams continued to improve each and every day with hard work and dedication. I was proud of the players for giving 100% effort from the start of the season all the way until the end of the season. We finished the season 24-2 and lost in the State Championship to a very talented and well-coached Kindred team. Our younger teams continued to improve throughout the season and look forward to watching them in future years.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Do you have any fun memories you want to share with us from the season?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>This team was the most cohesive and unselfish team that I have been a part of. Those qualities that this team exemplified created an atmosphere that was exciting and enthusiastic for all involved.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: How did your team overcome adversity?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Our team became closer and worked even harder when faced with adversity. We learned from our mistakes and experiences to be better prepared for when it comes again. Their composure and trust in each other kept them together.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What are a few things your team improved on?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We continued to get better each day with our defense, teamwork, and shooting ability.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who are some role players that stood out to you?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em><strong>Trason Beck</strong> and <strong>Fausten Olson</strong> were 2 role players that brought the energy and intensity every day. They never complained or made excuses about playing time or working hard in practice. The stat sheet doesn't show the heart that they showed on the court, doing the little things. Defending, getting loose &amp; tipped balls on defense.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Can you talk about your seniors?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>[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'], <strong>Trason Beck</strong>, <strong>Fausten Olson</strong> are all seniors that will be irreplaceable. Their leadership skills on and off the court were fantastic. Their respect for everyone around them, their accountability in all things, and most importantly, their dedication to the sport. All of our seniors served different roles on our team, and they sacrificed personal interests for the glory of the team.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who are some up-and-comers to look out for?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We will return 4 Juniors, 2 Sophomores, and 1 Freshman from our Varsity team. [player_tooltip player_id='1632626' first='Mason' last='Palmer'], [player_tooltip player_id='1632635' first='Max' last='Palmer'], [player_tooltip player_id='1632694' first='Kade' last='Fee'], [player_tooltip player_id='1951558' first='Bryar' last='Exner'], [player_tooltip player_id='1539673' first='Talan' last='Gregory'], [player_tooltip player_id='2114977' first='Will' last='Heilman'], [player_tooltip player_id='2415382' first='Ben' last='Brodina']. We expect all of these players to have significant roles next season.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who was your best defensive player?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>[player_tooltip player_id='1177143' first='Parker' last='Brodina'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1769085' first='Joel' last='Nelson'] were our 2 best defensive players. They are extremely smart and strong players who were never out of position on defense, always challenged with guarding the other team's best players.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"25px","fontStyle":"italic","fontWeight":"1000"}}} --> <p style="font-size:25px;font-style:italic;font-weight:1000">BEST OF LUCK TO THE FIREBIRDS THIS OFFSEASON!!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2825496,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/devilslake.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/devilslake.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2825496" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Devils Lake Firebirds</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->