Baltic Bulldogs: Hoops Preview

The Baltic Bulldogs enter the season with momentum, confidence, and one of the deepest returning groups in Class A. Loaded with talent and experience, this is a team built to contend—and they're ready to make some noise. Under the direction of head coach Alex Langner, whose passion for the game fuels the program's identity, Baltic has its sights set on a big year in the always rugged Region 3. With skill, great length, depth, and a competitive edge that few can match, the Bulldogs are poised to be one of the teams everyone keeps an eye on. Look out—Baltic is coming!   "Baltic ended the year last year with a tough loss to Dell Rapids in the 2nd round of region play. We were a team without a Senior on the team last year and return our entire team this year with a wealth of experience from our 12-9 season. We ramped up our schedule last year and lost to a couple of State Tournament teams as well as some other teams that had their run end in the SODAK 16. Our kids got a taste of what it was like to play against state-caliber competition and are ready to take the next step and be in that conversation." -Alex Langner   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/balticbulld.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/balticbulld.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3077449" style="width:317px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/HoopsPreview_509706.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/HoopsPreview_509706.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-3077451" style="width:284px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Player Comments vis Coach Langner   "We return our starting five from last year and gain valuable experience as well in our bench players."   [player_tooltip player_id='1656544' first='Kellen' last='Artz'] – 6'9 – SR Forward – "Kellen is a versatile player who handles the ball well for his size. Offensively, can play in the paint or step outside and knock down an open 3. His length allows him to be a rim protector on the defensive end of the floor, initiating our break and allowing our guys to be aggressive on the perimeter."   [player_tooltip player_id='1656545' first='Dylan' last='Runestad'] – 6'0 SR Guard – "Dylan is the creator in our offense. We ask him to handle pressure and rely on him to be the decision maker in our offense a lot of times. He plays really well on the ball in our PNR game and can knock down big shots for us. Defensively, Dylan is our strongest perimeter defender. He has committed himself to the weight room to be able to match the physical guard play that we see throughout the year."   [player_tooltip player_id='2410633' first='Trevor' last='Cuperus'] – 6'7 SR Forward – "Trevor has improved his skill level and has become more comfortable playing off the block and is a great screener for our guards. Trevor is our most physical player and does a great job of playing through contact. We expect to see more from Trevor on the offensive end of the floor this season. Defensively, he is a great communicator, directing traffic on the defensive end of the floor and plays in the paint really well."   [player_tooltip player_id='1641266' first='Ben' last='Erickson'] – 6'1 SR Guard - "Ben is sneaky athletic on both ends of the floor. His length allows him to play the passing lanes defensively and he has a really good first step on the ball. Ben is a great cutter. He sees opportunities off the ball on the weak side of our offense and finds opportunities for himself to score on his cuts."   [player_tooltip player_id='2637594' first='Cooper' last='Garry'] – 5'10 SR Guard – "Cooper is a quick on-ball defender and likes to guard it 94 ft. Cooper has taken great pride in his ability to pressure ball handlers and has become a nice 3 and D guy for us. Offensively, he is a good knock-down shooter and plays well off the ball screen."   Bench   [player_tooltip player_id='2475686' first='Ben' last='Berg'] - 6'0 SO Guard – "Ben is our most athletic player. He has an ability to burst and is probably our best rebounding guard. He gained a ton of experience last year, stepping in as a starter after an injury for the last 8 games. Defensively, Ben gained a lot of experience playing and does a great job of playing off the ball."   [player_tooltip player_id='2562417' first='Brody' last='Aday'] – 6'1 SR Guard – "Brody is a new addition to our roster and has been a great fit for our team chemistry. Brody does a nice job of stepping in and playing a big or being a shooter within our offense. We ask him to be versatile because he may rotate with a variety of guys given different situations."   [player_tooltip player_id='2637692' first='Bradyn' last='Hanson'] – 6'1 JR Forward – "Bradyn is the ultimate glue guy. He does all the little things, makes the hustle plays, and has a great understanding of what we want to do offensively. His best asset is that he understands where he is at and what his role is and is a star in that role."   Bulldog Preview   The Baltic Bulldogs enter the new season with a renewed edge and a roster built to contend. With a strong core returning and several players poised to take big steps forward, this group has the experience, toughness, and depth to be a real problem in Class A. Head coach Alex Langner brings a fiery passion for the game, and his Bulldogs reflect that competitive identity—confident, connected, and hungry after last year's finish. In a loaded Region 3, Baltic isn't just another contender; they're a team ready to make a statement.   The Bulldogs' playing style reflects a group that knows how to win and knows how to play together. Offensively, Langner says the team thrives on pace, movement, and sharing the ball. “We rely on a lot of movement from our guys and sharing the ball. We are looking for balance on the score sheet and finding the open guy and being unselfish players,” he explained. That approach has shaped Baltic into one of the more dynamic, unpredictable offenses in the class.   Defensively, the identity is just as clear. “Our kids have prided themselves on their man-to-man and we want to continue to be consistent at that end of the floor,” Langner said. “This group takes great pride in the defense they play.” Expect Baltic to bring toughness and discipline every night, anchoring themselves with the kind of defense that can win games deep into the season.   This year's confidence comes from the work put in long before opening night. The Bulldogs spent their offseason sharpening their edge, competing in the Impact League against top Class AA programs and taking a special trip to Lawrence, Kansas, where they played against strong teams from across the country. “Our kids have really grown together this summer, and it shows with our communication on the court,” Langner noted. That chemistry—built through reps, travel, and challenges—might be one of Baltic's biggest strengths.   One name to watch as an emerging contributor is sophomore guard Treylen DeHaven. At 5'11", he's poised to open some eyes. As Langner put it, “Treylen has been in the gym a ton this summer and it shows. He has a smooth lefty jumper that has become much more consistent,” and he's beginning to understand how to move without the ball and create opportunities for himself and his teammates. Whether he impacts at the JV or varsity level right away, DeHaven represents the promising depth behind Baltic's veteran core.   Motivation won't be an issue. The Bulldogs ended last season with a disappointing finish, one that left them hungry to take the next step. “Our guys want to get to that SODAK 16 level and have an opportunity to play to get to Rapid City,” Langner said. With a senior class that has grown within the varsity program since eighth grade, Baltic has leadership, maturity, and a locker room full of players who, as Langner put it, “just care about winning.”   Region 3 offers no shortcuts—West Central returns elite talent, Dell Rapids remains a perennial threat, and teams like Garretson, Flandreau, and Madison bring athleticism and coaching that will keep the standings tight from top to bottom. But Baltic welcomes the challenge. This is a team with experience, continuity, and a clear mission.   The Bulldogs believe this is their time. And if the summer's growth and the seniors' leadership are any indication, Baltic has every reason to expect big things.   BEST OF LUCK TO THE BULLDOGS!!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/balticbulld_6ed2c7.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/balticbulld_6ed2c7.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3079965" /></a></figure>

The Baltic Bulldogs enter the season with momentum, confidence, and one of the deepest returning groups in Class A. Loaded with talent and experience, this is a team built to contend—and they're ready to make some noise. Under the direction of head coach Alex Langner, whose passion for the game fuels the program's identity, Baltic has its sights set on a big year in the always rugged Region 3. With skill, great length, depth, and a competitive edge that few can match, the Bulldogs are poised to be one of the teams everyone keeps an eye on. Look out—Baltic is coming!