Summer Improvement

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is take number 3 on the players who showed improvement this summer. PHD has given heavy coverage to the Prep Hoops Circuit. It is time to cover the ballers who looked good with their respective high school teams over the summer months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>See below for ND &amp; SD ballers who have stepped up their game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2917893,"width":"466px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/NDSD.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/NDSD.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2917893" style="width:466px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2276344' first='Aidyn' last='Fisher'] (2026) |6'3 G| Hettinger-Scranton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He put a ton of work this summer and it has shown. Fisher hit the weight room hard and put up thousands of shots. Aidyn worked hard on his scoring off the bounce. He averaged 13 ppg last season as a catch-n-shoot player. Expect Fisher to be a more versatile scorer this coming season. His added strength will make him a tougher defender. Look for Aidyn to be the primary scorer for the Night Hawks this coming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2918367' first='Braxton' last='Heckaman'] (2029) |5'8 G| Beach</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is coming on fast and has improved in a large way this summer. He is young but talented. Braxton is a scorer and bucket-getter; he looks for his shot and delivers. Heckaman is basketball smart and a player to watch. He will start the year playing JV and varsity. Keep eyes on this Buc!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2917904' first='Cole' last='Vincent'] (2026) |5'7 PG| Griggs-Midkota</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a solid offseason and a coaching shake-up, the Titans are reloaded and refocused. Cole is the lone returning starter for the Titans, he will bring leadership to the squad. He is a lead-by-example baller and will do whatever is needed to help the team. Vincent will be a lead guard and a productive player for the Titans. He has had a solid off-season and the expectations are high.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1911439' first='Connor' last='Relf'] (2026) |5'9 G| Sioux Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He will be new at Sioux Valley. Relf was at SF Roosevelt last season. He has looked very good with the Cossacks this summer, Connor will be a dude for coach Vincent's squad. I watched him this spring and Ralf can score the rock. Connor showed out this summer as a lead guard and combo guy. He gets downhill and has shown the ability to get scalding hot from deep. Relf distributes well and has a good motor. Watch out for Sioux Valley in 2025-26. The Cossacks will surprise some people!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2917905' first='Cooper' last='Timm'] (2026) |5'11 SG| Griggs-Midkota</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Titans have had a strong off-season and they have a new head coach. Timm has a very nice shot from three-point land and has worked hard this summer to improve his consistency. The Titans will rely on Cooper to knock down shots and to spread the floor. Timm will be a valuable baller for the new look Titans. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1921182' first='Gavin' last='Parnow'](2026) |6'2 PF| Hettinger-Scranton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He had a great summer with ND attack. In the Night Hawk team workouts, Gavin has become more aggressive and is looking to score more often. His rebounding has been fantastic this summer. Gavin will move from being a solid role player to an impact baller for the Night Hawks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2405782' first='Jalen' last='Tideman'] (2028) |6'2 PG| Winner</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This young and talented Warrior really improved his ability to get to the rim and not let contact affect his finishing. Jalen has a good shot at starting for Winner and becoming the secondary option behind [player_tooltip player_id='2249344' first='Carter' last='Craven']. Tideman scored from 3 levels last season, but his offensive game has improved; he is more efficient, and he is becoming dynamic. Winner will be tough in class A SD ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2052771' first='Jyles' last='Meier'] (2027) |6'5 PF| Oakes</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is an old-school BIG who will man the paint and be one of the top low posts in class B. I heard reports that Jyles looked good at MSUM's Sweet 16 last week. He has impressive size and strength and I have seen him pass the ball very well. Jyles has great footwork and a killer spin move. He will be a handful for opposing teams this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2918261' first='Lakin' last='Ronningen'] (2027) |6'0 G| Griggs-Midkota</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been a productive offseason for the Titans, who are entering a new era under fresh leadership at the helm. After logging meaningful minutes last season and building on that momentum with a strong summer, Lakin is poised for a big year. A skilled and confident guard, Ronningen scores at all three levels, attacks the rim with purpose, and does a great job setting up his teammates with quality looks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2917907' first='Trace' last='Spickler'] (2027) |6'1 SG| Griggs-Midkota</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Titans have been making moves this offseason, and with a new head coach calling the shots, momentum is building fast. He saw significant action last season, has had a good summer, and Trace will be an important player this winter. Spickler is a talented guard who scores from every level. He gets to the rim nicely and creates good looks for his teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2918366' first='Trent' last='Ambo'] (2029) |5'9 G| Beach</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's been making rapid strides this summer, showing major improvement and proving that, while young, his talent is undeniable. Trent is an aggressive and attacking guard who shoots the ball well. Ambo will play some JV but also get varsity burn to see what he can do under the bright lights.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2918173,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/image_9fa368.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/image_9fa368.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2918173" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->