15 Improved Ballers from the Spring

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is summer in the Dakotas and PHD is looking back at the spring to talk about improved ballers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size">As a basketball fan, rube, and enthusiast, I always want to know who has improved their game. That is what we are looking at today! We have ballers who improved during the spring club season and players that we should keep an eye on this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PHD wanted to give shout-outs to players who improved, worked hard, and put in the time to better themselves. PHD is expecting a productive summer from these players. We have&nbsp;a nice mix of underclassmen and upperclassmen from <strong>North Dakota</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>South Dakota</strong> included in this article.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2879542,"width":"352px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/UpgradedImproved.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/UpgradedImproved.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2879542" style="width:352px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1680906' first='Aiden' last='Green'] (2027) |6'1 G| Horace/SSA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At time, Grren has looked unguardable on offense, his first step off the bounce in incredible! Aiden's defensive energy and effort have taken a step forward as well this summer as well, he has done a good job of keeping slashers in front of him. As Green becomes more consistent, he is turning himself into a scary baller. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1651918' first='Brett' last='Livingston'] (2027) |6'6 PF| Horace/SSA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This power forward from Horace is rebounding like starved bird of prey going after a small mammal. Livingston is boarding on a different level for his age group. Brett's three-point shot has also looked really good this spring. His athleticism is showing well on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2417302' first='Bricker' last='Johnson'] (2028) |6'0 PG| MPCG/SSA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He has improved his attacking of the basket. Johnson is creative off the bounce and is a scrappy rebounder. Anytime there is a 50/50 ball, Brick will get it! His perimeter game has also improved this spring. Get ready for a big summer from this Patriot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2442373' first='Brody' last='Fink'] (2029) |5'8 G| Sioux Falls Lincoln/[program_tooltip program_id='2228190' first='TEAM' last='Warwick']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brody has&nbsp;become a great point guard over the last couple of months. He is understanding how to control the pace and tempo of the game. Fink has become a vocal leader for the Warwick squad. Brody's defense is also looking tough, he is a guy that now guards the full length of the court every single game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brody Moriarty (2027) |6'2 SF| Rapid City Central/[program_tooltip program_id='2228190' first='TEAM' last='Warwick']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moriarty has improved since he started the spring season. Brody has developed/upgraded is basketball IQ and feel for the game. This has allowed him to get easier shots for himself and to create for his teammates. This developed understanding has increased his offensive production and also put him in a better position to guard 3 positions on the defensive end. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2837633' first='Charlie' last='Pruett'] (2029) |5'7 G| Harrisburg/[program_tooltip program_id='2228190' first='TEAM' last='Warwick']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Charlie is a highly talented athlete who has improved his decision making when getting downhill. His finishing is getting more &amp; more creative around the rim and this has increased his point production. Pruett has developed the ability to take over games on both ends of the floor, he is an exciting up-n-comer!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2854840' first='Chase' last='Carlbom'] (2028) |6'4 F| Wall/[program_tooltip program_id='2228190' first='TEAM' last='Warwick']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carlbom has improved a great deal since the spring club season started. Chase is an extremely athletic player who will catch your attention. He has utilized his athleticism on both ends of the floor. He is transitioning to a 5-out motion offense while coming from a back to the basket offense. Chase has done great and has shown his athleticism along with impressive offensive abilities. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1632692' first='Elijah' last='Robinson'] (2026) |5'11 G| &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1632700' first='Ezra' last='Robinson'] (2026)|5'11 G| Midway-Minto/[program_tooltip program_id='2075723' first='ND' last='Attack']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two are the two main reasons why Midway-Minto will be in the mix for a State Tournament berth next year. Eli and Ezra have both improved with their leadership this spring and offensive aggressiveness. The Robinson's and Schlenker are the leading point getters for [program_tooltip program_id='2075723' first='ND' last='Attack'] squad and they both can do it in a variety of ways. They hoop with high intensity, sharp skills, and a competitive spirit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1632740' first='Jayson' last='Schlenker'] (2026) |6'0 G| BCN/[program_tooltip program_id='2075723' first='ND' last='Attack']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jayson continues to improve and he has been very impressive this spring. Schlenker can play and guard any position on the floor. He is so physically strong that he has no issues getting inside and finishing through contact. If Owen leads [program_tooltip program_id='2075723' first='ND' last='Attack'] in rebounding, Jayson is second. What he lacks in height, he makes up for with leaping ability and the strength to box-out much bigger opponents. Jayson is extremely coachable, knowledgeable, has a great competitive attitude, and mental toughness. I believe he could have an All-State caliber season next year!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2417297' first='Logan' last='Breidenbach'] (2028) |6'1 G/SF| West Fargo Sheyenne/SSA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Logan has proved himself as a very consistent outside shooter. He is effective from 3-point land and mid-range. This Mustang has also become more aggressive on both ends of the floor and he is learning to create separation for scoring opportunities.&nbsp;The exciting part is, Logan improved in every tournament this spring. He will be a scary player by the winter season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2335325' first='Owen' last='Gilbert'] (2026) |6'4 SF| Lisbon/[program_tooltip program_id='2075723' first='ND' last='Attack']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Owen has improved the most out of anyone from [program_tooltip program_id='2075723' first='ND' last='Attack'] since the first tournament. Owen is much more aggressive on the offensive end and has really utilized a couple of nice go-to post moves around the basket. He can also step out and hit a couple of threes each game. Gilbert has become more confident guarding and banging with the opponent's BIGs. He is probably the team's leading rebounder and definitely leads [program_tooltip program_id='2075723' first='ND' last='Attack'] in blocked shots. I expect Owen to have a huge year for the Lisbon Broncos.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1511062' first='Rocklin' last='Beaudrie'] (2026) |5'10 G| Westhope-Newburg/ND Attack</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He has always prided himself on being a defensive stopper. This spring, Beaudrie has really stepped up his offensive game as well. Rocklin has had a few games in which he cashed in multiple triples as well as taking the ball to the rim and leading the offense in transition. Expect Beaudrie to continue that impressive offensive play this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2237722' first='Tanner' last='Kratcha'] (2027) |6'7 PF| West Fargo Sheyenne/SSA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This BIG Stang has really taken a step forward as a leader for his SSA group. Tanner is a very coachable player who is poised to make a big jump if he keeps working hard this summer. Kratcha has proved himself as a gamer and clutch peoformer. He gas hit multiple game winning shots and has come up with huge defensive stops when it really matters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1919285' first='Will' last='Kuhl'] (2026) |6'9 PF| West Central/SSA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The BIG man from West Central has found another level of physicality in the paint/around the basket. Will has come a long way from the beginning of spring to now. Kuhl has turned into a serious prospect with his impressive length/upgraded physicality and aggressiveness down low. Will has also proved that he is a serious three-level scorer. This Trojan is a walking mismatch. Kuhl sweats potential, he has a high ceiling!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1272514,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/08/PHD.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/08/PHD.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1272514" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->