Dakota Valley: Panther Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The Dakota Valley Panthers enter the 2025–26 season with plenty of pride, purpose, and a familiar standard of excellence. Guided by Jason Kleis — one of South Dakota's premier coaches — the Panthers know what it takes to compete at a high level, and they'll need every ounce of toughness and growth as they navigate the gauntlet that is Region 4. It's one of the state's deepest and most competitive regions, and Dakota Valley will have to earn every inch this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"100"}},"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:100">This year's group isn't shying away from the challenge — they're embracing it. The Panthers carry a rich history of winning, and this roster is eager to write its own chapter. With a team hungry to prove themselves, expect Dakota Valley to show up with grit, pride, discipline, and a mindset to battle every night — and in the process, make sure the Panthers remain a respected name across South Dakota hoops.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><strong>High School:</strong> Dakota Valley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><strong>Town:</strong> North Sioux City</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><strong>Mascot: </strong>Panther</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><strong>Head Coach:</strong> Jason Kleis</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><strong>Athletic Director:</strong> Bill Clements</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><strong>Class:</strong> A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><strong>Region: </strong>4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><strong>Conference: </strong>Dakota XII</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3045285,"width":"240px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/dakotavalleylogo-crop-683x449-1762829676.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/dakotavalleylogo-crop-683x449-1762829676.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-3045285" style="width:240px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2632356,"width":"225px","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:225px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Players To Watch</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"100"}},"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:100">*Coach Kleis comments...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2978189"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69129c31e39f3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">"<em>We expect him to be one of the top players in Class A this season.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1959433"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69129c31e3a8f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">"<em>Played some last year, has really improved his game.&nbsp;Good shooter, and quality all-around skills.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2565168"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69129c31e3b16"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">"<em>He is a great defender.&nbsp;Started some games for us last year and has improved his offensive skills.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2250557"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69129c31e3b98"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">"<em>Good all-around ball player.&nbsp;Slater emerged as a key prospect for us, a talented shooter, decision maker, and defender.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Q&amp;A with Jason Kleis</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Could you write a couple sentences&nbsp;summing up last&nbsp;season?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We had a solid season, but had several injuries throughout the year, and didn't finish how we wanted, ending up with a 14-8 record.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Does your program/team have any non-negotiables?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Attitude and effort, of course, are always at the top of the list.&nbsp;Everyone says it, but we believe great attitude and max effort are key to everything we want our team to be.&nbsp;Basketball specific, our non-negotiables are playing fast and moving the basketball.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What will your defense "hang its hat on"?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We plan to get back to playing a lot of guys, keeping them fresh, and getting after people while still staying disciplined with our defensive principles.&nbsp;The last few years, we have only played 7 guys in our rotation; this year, we will have the luxury of playing 10-11 guys if we choose.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who will be a couple of your lead&nbsp;guards?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>[player_tooltip player_id='2978189' first='Tatum' last='Sorensen'] will be our best player.&nbsp;He was having a great year and had a season-ending knee injury and surgery in January.&nbsp;He is very athletic, skilled, and has a high bball IQ</em>."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>PHD: How did the offseason go for your team/program?</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We saw our guys improve throughout the season and fall.&nbsp;We have some young guys that will be in key roles, so it's taken some time, but we feel they'll be ready to compete at a high level.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who are a few of your top defensive players?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>[player_tooltip player_id='2978189' first='Tatum' last='Sorensen'] - He is a big 6'1 strong athletic guard, and can guard 1-5 positions.&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='2565168' first='Grady' last='Ramos'] (senior) will also be a key defender for us…very athletic, fundamental, and plays super hard.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>[player_tooltip player_id='1959433' first='Luke' last='Anema'] had a great offseason for us, we expect him to have a good senior year.&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='2250557' first='Cash' last='Slater'] is a junior guard who we expect to emerge into a key player for us.&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='2826298' first='Payton' last='Sorensen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2437986' first='Aaron' last='Bruns'] are two freshmen who are both great shooters and could see key minutes for us.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who do you think will be your&nbsp;best rebounders?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>[player_tooltip player_id='2978189' first='Tatum' last='Sorensen'] is our best rebounder, athletic big guard, and has a knack for rebounding.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What are&nbsp;your&nbsp;team goals this year?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We normally don't set any goals that we can't control.&nbsp;Our Region will be extremely difficult; we want to be playing our best in March and be in a position to make a run.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>PHD: Who are some of the top teams &amp; players in your Region?</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>SFC, West Central, Lennox, and Groton will be tops in Class A, I would think.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Any last comments about the upcoming season?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We are excited about our group.&nbsp;We feel like we have the depth and talent to have a great season, and we are excited about the way our guys have worked and improved this past offseason.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"20px","fontStyle":"italic","fontWeight":"1000"}}} --> <p style="font-size:20px;font-style:italic;font-weight:1000">BEST OF LUCK TO THE PANTHERS!!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3045285,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/dakotavalleylogo-crop-683x449-1762829676.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/dakotavalleylogo-crop-683x449-1762829676.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-3045285" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->