2025–26 Parkston Trojans Team Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As October winds down and November quickly approaches, basketball fans across South Dakota can feel the excitement building. The start of practice is just around the corner, and with it comes renewed energy, optimism, and anticipation. This time of year always brings fresh hope — every team believes it can make noise, every player is ready to take the next step, and every gym in the state is about to come alive once again. It's shaping up to be another great year of hoops in South Dakota.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2632356,"width":"238px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/TeamPreview.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/TeamPreview.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2632356" style="width:238px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The <strong>Parkston Trojans</strong> enter the 2025–26 season with a new face leading the program but plenty of familiar talent on the floor. Veteran coach <strong>Bill Marquardt</strong> takes over as head coach in his <strong>37th year</strong> on the bench, bringing a career record of <strong>501–284</strong> and a proven track record of building disciplined, competitive teams. After finishing <strong>16–6</strong> a year ago, Parkston looks to remain a tough out in the <strong>SESD Conference</strong> and <strong>Region 4B</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>A New Chapter, Same Tough Identity</strong></span></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marquardt's Trojans will play a balanced, methodical style — pushing the pace in transition when opportunities arise but showing patience and purpose in the half-court. Defensively, Parkston remains committed to its bread and butter: tough, man-to-man defense. Last season, the Trojans allowed just <strong>49.3 points per game</strong>, showcasing their defensive discipline and effort.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, the team will have to replace its top two rebounders, <strong>James Deckert</strong> and <strong>Elliot Leischner</strong>, both of whom played major roles in the paint. Deckert, an all-conference performer, leaves behind big shoes to fill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Returning Core &amp; Key Contributors</span></strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite those losses, the Trojans return a deep and experienced group led by several talented upperclassmen:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2132812' first='Brycen' last='Bruening'] (Jr., 6'1”)</strong> – A returning <strong>Class B All-State Honorable Mention</strong>, Bruening was Parkston's top offensive threat last year, averaging <strong>18 points and 4.1 assists per game</strong> while shooting an efficient <strong>53% from the field</strong>. Expect him to once again be the go-to scorer and floor leader.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2250434' first='Mason' last='Jervik'] (Jr., 5'11”)</strong> – A steady returning starter who averaged <strong>8 PPG and 4 APG</strong> last season. Jervik brings defensive grit and veteran poise to the backcourt.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3034656' first='Reco' last='Muilenburg'] (Jr., 6'0”)</strong> – Another returning starter, Muilenburg provides valuable shooting from deep, connecting on <strong>40% from three</strong> last season. His perimeter scoring will be key to spacing the floor.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3034660' first='Grady' last='Bowar'] (Jr., 6'1”)</strong> – The Trojans' “sixth man” from a season ago, Bowar brings shooting ability and a high basketball IQ. He's expected to step into a larger scoring role this winter.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Trey Boettcher (Sr., 6'1”)</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3034662' first='Hayden' last='Mette'] (Sr., 6'4”)</strong> – Both seniors will compete for minutes in the post and look to help replace the rebounding production lost to graduation. Mette, in particular, has solid hands and offensive instincts inside.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2427894' first='Sean' last='Deckert'] (Fr., 5'10”)</strong> – After playing key minutes as an eighth grader, Deckert is poised for a big leap. A smart, athletic guard who plays bigger than his size, he'll be counted on to provide ball-handling, defense, and energy.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Carson Bueber (Jr., 5'9”)</strong> – A quality role player and reliable defender who gives the Trojans depth and toughness off the bench.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Season Outlook</span></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Parkston will feature <strong>depth on the perimeter</strong> and a roster full of <strong>athletic, coachable players</strong> who buy into the team-first mentality. The key question heading into the season will be finding a consistent interior presence to handle the physicality of Region 4B play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a mix of returning starters, strong guard play, and a legendary coach at the helm, the Trojans have the tools to compete with the region's elite. The <strong>SESD Conference</strong> title race will be tight, and Region 4B features powerhouses <strong>Freeman</strong> and <strong>Viborg-Hurley</strong>, but don't count out Parkston — a program that has built its reputation on toughness, teamwork, and steady improvement.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Expect the Trojans to be in the mix once again and continue to make noise across Class B basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"italic","fontWeight":"1000","fontSize":"22px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:22px;font-style:italic;font-weight:1000">Best of luck to Parkston this season!!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1399487,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/03/SD-1.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/03/SD-1.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1399487" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->