SSA 16U Black: Season Review

Season Review: Sanford Sports Academy 16U Black Makes Its Mark   Sanford Sports Academy 16U Black rolled through the summer with a talented roster that delivered strong performances on the Prep Hoops Circuit. Under the guidance of head coach Colton Lund, multiple players picked up college offers, and every member of this squad looks primed to be an impact player for their high school teams. Competitive, skilled, and well-coached, this group proved they can hold their own against top competition — and their upward trajectory is hard to miss.   See below for SSA's roster player comments, a look back at the schedule, and an in-depth Q&A session.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/SeaonReview-.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/SeaonReview-.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1842251" style="width:310px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Roster & Player Comments   [player_tooltip player_id='1680906' first='Aiden' last='Green'] - Horace High School   "[player_tooltip player_id='1680906' first='Aiden' last='Green'] is a quick change of pace PG that is great at making reads off of ball screens. There were multiple games this summer where AG took over offensively, seeing double teams and traps in numerous games. His change of pace at the 16U level is one of the best on the circuit. Defensively, this summer, there was not a single player we saw that he couldn't keep in front. AG is prone to be one of the best Juniors in the EDC."   [player_tooltip player_id='2405944' first='Aidan' last='Sanchez'] - Breckinridge High School   "[player_tooltip player_id='2405944' first='Aidan' last='Sanchez'] is a workhorse and is one player that is the heart of a team. His leadership and effort this summer were second to none. He was also one of the best catch-and-shoot perimeter players we had. If I had to put a percentage on it 40-50% for the summer (elite shooting). Defensively, Aiden always loved challenging himself and guarding opponents' best players; he made multiple jumps this summer and is aiming for a big Junior year."   [player_tooltip player_id='1651918' first='Brett' last='Livingston'] - Horace High School   "Brett is a long and athletic wing. He can play above the rim and got himself multiple dunks this summer. He attacks the paint with a purpose and is great on the offensive glass. Defensively he can guard 1-5 which makes him a great asset for this team to have, and he is always in help side ready to challenge opponents at the rim. Brett was great all summer long on both ends of the floor, one of the best rebounders in the state at his position. Brett is another Junior that will have great upcoming year in the EDC."   [player_tooltip player_id='2237807' first='James' last='Schindler'] - Red River High School   "James is a great point guard. He does exceptionally well at executing offensively, can hit 3s space the floor. Great game IQ recognizing mismatches and calling plays to exploit them. He had a great summer again, playing extremely hard on both ends. James brings a passion to the game that just makes everyone around him better, always gives 100% and plays with emotion. Defensively, he works his tail off on the ball defense, hounding ball handlers and giving up nothing easy."   [player_tooltip player_id='2132777' first='Kyson' last='Keller'] - WF Sheyenne High School   "Kyson had a great summer. He is a long wing that doesn't miss many 3's (if any) with his feet set. Kyson has a great ability to get downhill and finish over any defender, showcasing his All-EDC scoring ability. His length on defense allows him to guard multiple positions and he is poised to make another big jump for Sheyenne this next year. Picked up a D2 offer from Jamestown and will look to add more as the school season progresses. Kyson is aiming to be one of the best players in the EDC next season."   [player_tooltip player_id='1539675' first='Nathan' last='Stevenson'] - Dickinson High School   "Nate brings a toughness to our team. His ability to score on second-chance shots and post-up smaller guards make him a tough matchup offensively. Now, combine what he gives offensively with the defensive effort he puts out and he becomes such an asset on both sides of the floor. He is one of the strongest 16U kids on the circuit and this alone makes him a matchup problem, combining strength with his motor and Nate will be someone all WDA teams need to keep off the glass for 36 mins."   [player_tooltip player_id='1539676' first='Reese' last='Walters'] - Red River High School   "Reese made measurable strides this summer. Coming into the summer, I knew Reese was a great catch-and-shoot guard, but what surprised me is the effort and intensity Reese brought to the team on the defensive end. He would classify as the player you want to play with and never against. Super pesky on the defensive end, getting multiple steals and really shooting the ball well offensively. Reese will help space the floor for Red River next year and will be another great shooter in the EDC."   [player_tooltip player_id='2237722' first='Tanner' last='Kratcha'] - WF Sheyenne High School   "Tanner was our one true 5-man this year. He is a tough matchup on the circuit due to his ability to hit 3s and fadeaways as well as play on the low block. Tanner came a long way this summer and is one of, if not the top, leaders in the ND 16U class. Another player who picked up a D2 offer this summer. Taking charges, hitting game winners, Tanner showed that he does what it takes to win games and is a great teammate. If he keeps putting in the effort he did this summer, Tanner is ready to take a massive jump for Sheyenne in the EDC this year."   [player_tooltip player_id='2237753' first='Wyatt' last='Weekley'] - ORCS High School   "Wyatt had a great summer this year. He showed us just how well he can shoot the ball and was a great teammate. His ability to hit the 3 combined with his post-up game for a guard, makes him such a tough matchup on the court. Defensively, he always gives 100% and has gotten progressively better throughout the summer. His length allows him to guard quicker offensive players without giving much up. He will have another great year for ORCS and be one of the best players at that level in the state."   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/08/image_06f94f.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/08/image_06f94f.png?w=818" alt="" class="wp-image-2933784" style="width:304px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Schedule   April 12th-13th Comets Shootout St. Cloud, MN April 26th Pentagon Spring Jam Sioux Falls, SD May 3rd-4th Scheels League I Minneapolis, MN May 9th-11th Prep Hoops Battle at the Lakes Minneapolis, MN May 16th-18th Prep Hoops Stomping Grounds Sioux Falls, SD June 27th-28th Comets Great Plains Alliance St. Cloud, MN July 11th-13th Prep Hoops 2K25 Minneapolis, MN July 18th-20th Recruit Looks Chicago, IL   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/QA.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/QA.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2508303" style="width:332px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   With Coach Lund   PHD: What are some of your best memories from off the court?   "This team could always keep it light off the court. Always hanging out with post-game meals and tossing in a few jokes."   PHD: Can you tell us about a memorable play or game that sticks out to you?   "The end to the year was something special. Went 2-2 in the Prep Hoops tournament before heading to Chicago. Got put in pool B with extremely tough competition including multiple Puma Circuit teams and played masterclass basketball as a team, beating every team by 20 and going 4-0 in the final weekend. The way we were playing together that tournament was something spectacular to watch."   PHD: Who was your "go-to" player when you needed a basket?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1680906' first='Aiden' last='Green'] on a ballscreen or a 3-pt shot for [player_tooltip player_id='2132777' first='Kyson' last='Keller'], [player_tooltip player_id='1539676' first='Reese' last='Walters'], [player_tooltip player_id='2237807' first='James' last='Schindler'], or [player_tooltip player_id='2237753' first='Wyatt' last='Weekley'] was a lot of what we drew up late in games or out of time-outs. Somehow [player_tooltip player_id='2237722' first='Tanner' last='Kratcha'] always seemed to find the ball at the end of the game. Hit multiple game winners this summer."   PHD: Who was your most improved player?   "Most improved player for the summer was [player_tooltip player_id='1539675' first='Nathan' last='Stevenson'], by the end of the summer, he was playing on an entirely different level on both ends of the floor. Defensively hounding guys the full length of the court and holding multiple teams' best players to single digits scoring, all while averaging 5+ O-boards on the other end."   PHD: How did the team improve from the start of the season to the end?   "This team gradually got better all summer long. Once they learned how to play with one another, they were fun to watch. Turnovers and bad shots at the beginning of the year turned into extra possessions and great shots by the end."   PHD: Who were a few of your hardest workers?   "Everyone on this team worked hard. From [player_tooltip player_id='2237807' first='James' last='Schindler'] to [player_tooltip player_id='2405944' first='Aidan' last='Sanchez'] to [player_tooltip player_id='1651918' first='Brett' last='Livingston']. Everyone on this team works hard."   PHD: Can you talk about a time when the team overcame adversity?   "Early in the year playing SSA 16U black from SD we had [player_tooltip player_id='1680906' first='Aiden' last='Green'] get stitches from an earlier game and sit out and [player_tooltip player_id='1539676' first='Reese' last='Walters'] sitting out with cramps (4th Game of the weekend). We saw some zone for the first time all summer as well and the guys battled into a double-digit win to end the weekend 4-1, super gritty team win with both guys cheering on from the bench!"   PHD: Who was your top post player?   "[player_tooltip player_id='2237722' first='Tanner' last='Kratcha'], he was the only true 5 that we had this summer with Brett playing the 5 sparingly and being a wing/4man for the most part. Tanner's ability to hit 3s and play on the block makes him a tough matchup at the HS level."   PHD: Were there any memorable buzzer-beaters, upsets, or clutch performances?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1651918' first='Brett' last='Livingston'] with a massive dunk on a help side defender in the Scheels League, [player_tooltip player_id='2132777' first='Kyson' last='Keller'] coming out and scoring 15 in the first half of one of our games, and Kratcha game winners against Comets and Wisconsin 49ers."   PHD: What kind of identity did this team take on?   "Tough nose and gritty. This team was tough to play defensively, rebounded well, and when they shot it well from the perimeter, there weren't many teams that could compete with us."   PHD: Who emerged as an unexpected contributor or breakout star?   "[player_tooltip player_id='2132777' first='Kyson' last='Keller'] & [player_tooltip player_id='2237722' first='Tanner' last='Kratcha'] had a great summer this year, gauging some interest from D2s and an offer from Jamestown. I would also say [player_tooltip player_id='1539676' first='Reese' last='Walters'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2237753' first='Wyatt' last='Weekley'] were underrated performers all year round. Their ability to hit open 3s and guard opponents made them extremely important contributors to the success of the team. Multiple games this summer, having them on the court just evened out spacing and allowed great flow into our offense."   PHD: What lessons from this season go beyond basketball?   "This group cares, showed up every day, listened, and most importantly, tried their absolute best, very intentional with their actions. In my eyes, they took advantage of every opportunity they had and win or lose, they can all say they got better this summer as a team and as individuals, something that will carry on to their junior years."   PHD: Any last comments?   "I am really going to miss coaching every single one of these guys. They were a pleasure to coach (some of them for the last 2 years) and in my eyes are the best kids in the state at this level. Their effort, intensity, and attitudes will take them a long way this upcoming year, and I can't wait to see them battle it out during the school ball season. Just a bunch of great kids from great families. I would encourage anyone who enjoys watching great basketball to make it out and see these kids play this winter!"   BEST OF LUCK TO ALL THE SSA PLAYERS THIS WINTER!!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/08/image_176e90.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/08/image_176e90.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2933521" /></a></figure>

Season Review: Sanford Sports Academy 16U Black Makes Its Mark