MOPO Tigers: Hoops Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The Mobridge-Pollock Tigers enter the season with unfinished business. After reaching last year's SoDak 16, they fell just one step shy of the State Tournament, and now this Class A squad from Region 6 is back, hungrier, wiser, and determined to take that final leap to the Big Dance in Rapid City. At the helm is head coach TJ Knudson, a passionate basketball mind who brings energy, attention to detail, and a belief in player development that has steadily elevated the Tigers' program.</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">Replacing the post dominance of the graduated Shane Henderson won't be easy, as he was a force inside and a major focal point of last season's success. But this year's Tigers have a different identity, one built on perimeter firepower. With three talented guards, [player_tooltip player_id='1551734' first='Kale' last='Knudson'], [player_tooltip player_id='2362037' first='Shooter' last='Frederick'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1551737' first='Easton' last='Eisemann'], Mobridge-Pollock will be fast, skilled, and dangerous from the outside. These three will run the show, stretch defenses, and carry the offensive load with their craftiness, confidence, and scoring ability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"20px","fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"200"}}} --> <p style="font-size:20px;font-style:normal;font-weight:200">MOPO might look different this season, but make no mistake, they're built to win. If the shots fall and the pace clicks, the Tigers could be one of the most exciting teams in Class A, and a real contender to reach Rapid City this March. The hunt is on!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3072386,"width":"356px","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/HoopsPreview.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/HoopsPreview.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-3072386" style="width:356px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3143920,"width":"329px","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/image_7b7cdd.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/image_7b7cdd.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3143920" style="width:329px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><strong>Program:</strong> Mobridge-Pollock&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><strong>Mascot:&nbsp;</strong>Tiger</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><strong>Head Coach:</strong>&nbsp;TJ Knudson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><strong>Athletic Director:</strong>&nbsp;Kyle Falk</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><strong>Class:</strong>&nbsp;A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><strong>Region:&nbsp;</strong>6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><strong>Conference: </strong>Big Dakota</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><strong>24-25 Record:</strong> 14-9 (Lost in SoDak 16)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>Top Tigers</strong></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"11px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:11px"><em>*Comments from Coach Knudson</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1551734' first='Kale' last='Knudson'] Junior 6'1”</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Last year scored 241 points, 10.5 PPG, 78 assists, 124 rebounds, 57 steals.&nbsp;Will look to improve handling pressure, he led us in assists and steals, second in rebounding.&nbsp;We will need him to score the ball and continue to improve his assists.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2362037' first='Shooter' last='Frederick'] Junior 6'4"</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Last year scored 298 points, 12.9 PPG, led team in three pointers 51, 27 assists, 102 rebounds, 43 steals, 13 blocked shots.&nbsp;Will need him to continue to score points and improve his rebounding around the rim.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1551737' first='Easton' last='Eisemann'] Junior 6'0”</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Last year scored 162 points, 7 PPG, 45 assists, 66 rebounds, 26 steals.&nbsp;Easton will again be a top defender on our team. Quick and high basketball IQ.&nbsp;We will need him to score on the drive and get to the free-throw line.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2508303,"width":"202px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/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:202px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">With TJ Knudson</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 finished the year with a record of 14 wins and 9 losses.&nbsp;We lost to Lennox in the Sweet Sixteen.</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>Self-discipline to avoid individual and team consequences, No Excuses, always play hard, smart, and together.</em>”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: <u>What will your defense "hang its hat on"?</u></span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Man-to-man defense.</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='1551734' first='Kale' last='Knudson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2362037' first='Shooter' last='Frederick'].&nbsp;Both will look to keep improving shot selection and find another level of their offensive skills.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: How did the offseason go for your team/program?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We lost way more than we usually do in the off-season, but I was impressed at where we gained ground in team chemistry.&nbsp;There were days and matchups that I learned how this team can win and win big.&nbsp;This was a summer that I learned about what it is going to take to get this group going early in the season.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>PHD: Who are a few of your top defensive players?</strong></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>[player_tooltip player_id='1551737' first='Easton' last='Eisemann'] is a top defender.&nbsp;Great instincts and doesn't back down from the competition.</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='3148544' first='Jesse' last='Schneider'], Kyson Good Shield, [player_tooltip player_id='2545321' first='Trueth' last='Crow Ghost'].</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>Team goals are to make it to the State Tournament in Rapid City, SD.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who are the top teams in your Region?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Top teams in region 6A will be M-P, Stanley County, and Miller.</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>The last two years we have started 4-0 and we will need to have a good two weeks of practice to accomplish that again this year.&nbsp;We will be changing some of our offensive strategies this season.&nbsp;We will be looking to make improvements in several areas of our overall ability to score the ball.&nbsp;Hank Taken Alive is my new assistant.&nbsp;He has already coached almost every player in our program when they were in middle school. He will be a valuable addition.&nbsp;We will be breaking out new uniforms, travel jackets, and game day polos.&nbsp;Our kids are excited about looking good. It is going to be a great year!</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"italic","fontWeight":"1000"}},"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size" style="font-style:italic;font-weight:1000"><strong>BEST OF LUCK TO THE TIGERS!!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3143920,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/image_7b7cdd.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/image_7b7cdd.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3143920" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->