SSA 17U Black: Season Review

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Sanford Sports Academy 17U Black Dominates in 30-Win Campaign</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Sanford Sports Academy 17U Black squad put together a season to remember, finishing with an impressive <strong>30-7 record</strong> and collecting multiple championships along the way. Under the guidance of head coach <strong>Nate Kaeding</strong>, the team maximized its talent and delivered on every stage, traveling across <strong>South Dakota, Minnesota, Ohio, Georgia, and Illinois</strong> to take on top competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This roster was stacked — <strong>five D2 basketball commits</strong> and <strong>one D1 football commit</strong> — and they played like it. From gritty wins to high-flying performances, SSA 17U Black proved they were among the best, and their wildly successful club season sets the stage for a bright future for these incoming seniors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"300"}},"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:300">See below for commitments, a Q&amp;A session, and SSA's schedule/roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1842251,"width":"305px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/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:305px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2931880,"width":"271px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/08/image_696307.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/08/image_696307.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2931880" style="width:271px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">College Commitments</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1641205' first='Sam' last='Ericsson'] - Augustana</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1949563' first='Sam' last='DeGroot'] - Augustana</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1332144' first='Garrett' last='Nissley'] - MSUM-Moorhead</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1510914' first='Camden' last='Kraemer'] - Northern State</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1919285' first='Will' last='Kuhl'] - Northern State</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Weston Rowe - SDSU (football)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2511663,"width":"282px","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:282px;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 Kaeding</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What are some of your best memories from off the court?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Of course there are many moments traveling to and from games/tournaments, in the hotels, or getting something to eat. However, I think the thing that really sticks out to me was the embraces and body language of the guys when we wrapped up our final game of the season at the Pentagon. You could see how much they enjoyed this experience and also witnessed how much they may miss it in the future.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>PHD: Can you tell us about a memorable play or game that sticks out to you?</strong></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We had two games that really stood out, both on our Under Armour Rise circuit. For session II in Atlanta, we were down double figures with 90 seconds to play. We stayed the course and found a way to battle to OT where we won on a [player_tooltip player_id='1911438' first='Mason' last='Clark'] buzzer-beating layup. This allowed us to stay unbeaten and helped us on our way to a perfect 7-0 finish in Atlanta. The other really memorable game was against a very good SW15H Elite team in the Sweet 16 of the Championship Division on the Rise. In a highly competitive and intense game, we found ourselves down a couple of possessions during the final 2 minutes. We found ways to make huge plays and advanced to the Elite 8 for the first time in our three-year run on the Rise.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who was your "go-to" player when you needed a basket?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>One of the things that made this team really special and as good as anyone in the Midwest was our balance. Different guys stepped up in different moments.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who was your most improved player?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>The two guys that stand out to me are [player_tooltip player_id='1911438' first='Mason' last='Clark'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1560759' first='Memphis' last='Bylander']. I challenged Mason on a few things and he really worked to improve those aspects. Memphis always brings great defensive and rebounding effort, but he got more and more comfortable on the offensive end as the season wore on.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: How did the team improve from the start of the season to the end?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>In the spring, we were a good, solid, talented team that finished 10-5. In the summertime, we were a special, connected unit that went 20-2. The difference was buying into the little things, having better flow offensively, and a bit tougher on the defensive side.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Who were a few of your hardest workers and what made them standout?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>[player_tooltip player_id='1510914' first='Camden' last='Kraemer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1911438' first='Mason' last='Clark'] are two high-energy guards who set the tone for us with the pace they play at and their defensive effort.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who was your top post player?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>&nbsp;"<em>[player_tooltip player_id='1919285' first='Will' last='Kuhl'], [player_tooltip player_id='1949563' first='Sam' last='DeGroot'], and Weston Rowe all had their moments of being really effective inside.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What kind of identity did this team take on?&nbsp;</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We had 8 guys that could all stretch the floor and shoot the ball pretty consistently. We ended up taking quite a few 3's, but as the season went along, I was really pleased with our understanding of the flow of the game and taking the right ones at the right time. These guys also bought into playing for each other. They didn't care who made the big play or who got the credit as long as our team was successful.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who emerged as an unexpected contributor or breakout star?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We have 5 athletes already committed to play basketball at the D2 level ([player_tooltip player_id='1949563' first='Sam' last='DeGroot'], [player_tooltip player_id='1641205' first='Sam' last='Ericsson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1919285' first='Will' last='Kuhl'], [player_tooltip player_id='1332144' first='Garrett' last='Nissley'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1510914' first='Camden' last='Kraemer']), when you have that type of ability/talent…. Those contributors could really change from game to game. I do think that [player_tooltip player_id='1510914' first='Camden' last='Kraemer'] was an athlete that maybe not a whole lot of people outside the game knew about, and that changed in a hurry.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD What lessons from this season go beyond basketball?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We had guys with this group who had been with our program for a long time, others a couple years, and some brand new. That really didn't matter as they came together quickly and really enjoyed each other's company. A big part of that was also their supportive families, who made this last club season journey so special.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Schedule &amp; Roster</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2931873,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/08/image_312aa4.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/08/image_312aa4.png?w=835" alt="" class="wp-image-2931873" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"italic","fontWeight":"1000"}}} --> <p style="font-style:italic;font-weight:1000"><span style="text-decoration: underline">BEST OF LUCK TO ALL THE SSA PLAYERS IN THEIR SENIOR SEASON!!</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2931878,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/08/image_2d43c5.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/08/image_2d43c5.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2931878" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->