Q/A: Hamlin and Lakota Tech

The landscape of Class A basketball spans the entire state, and few programs illustrate that range better than Hamlin in the east and Lakota Tech out west. Both enter the new season with compelling storylines, renewed expectations, and plenty of talent ready to make noise.   Hamlin is coming off another remarkable campaign—one that ended in the State Championship game for the second straight year. Despite graduating a decorated senior class, the Chargers remain built for contention with elite guard play, defensive toughness, and a wave of young talent stepping forward. Their standard hasn't changed: defend, share the ball, and be at their best in March.   On the opposite side of the state, Lakota Tech continues to build a rising foundation under Ted Standing Soldier, who became the program's first coach to return for a second season. After laying cultural groundwork last year and navigating the growing pains of a young roster, the Tatanka enter the winter with hungry underclassmen, aggressive defensive principles, and a roster full of emerging athletes eager to prove themselves.   Two programs. Two different regions. Two sides of the state. Two very different paths. But both Hamlin and Lakota Tech carry the same mission into the 2025–26 season—take a leap forward, compete every night, and carve out their place in a loaded Class A field.   See below for Q&A sessions with Hamlin and Lakota Tech.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><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" style="width:309px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   School: Hamlin   Mascot: Charger   Head Coach: Todd Neuendorf   Athletic Director: Todd Neuendorf   Class: A   Region: 2   24-2025 Record: 22-3 (Runner-Up at State)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/hamlinpicc.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/hamlinpicc.jpg?w=930" alt="" class="wp-image-3070647" style="width:176px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   <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:166px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   With Todd Neuendorf   PHD: Could you write a couple sentences summing up last season?   "We had a very successful season last year, losing in the State Championship game to SF Christian in a repeat of the previous year. We graduated a very good group of players that had a very successful HS career."   PHD: Does your program/team have any non-negotiables?   "You have to be able to guard on the defensive end of the floor.  On the offensive side of things the ball has to move from a good shot to a great shot."   PHD: What will your defense "hang its hat on"?   "We will hang our hat on our defensive toughness and make teams work hard for all their shots."   PHD: Who will be a couple of your lead guards?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1545637' first='Jackson' last='Wadsworth'] will be a very big key to what we do.  Jackson is a pure knockdown shooter. Jackson will be asked to be the main ball handler along with his scoring load. On the defensive side of things, Jackson guards the other team's best perimeter player."   "[player_tooltip player_id='2059565' first='Boden' last='Stevenson'] provides us with length and a player who is athletic and can both shoot the ball and get to the rim!"   PHD: How did the offseason go for your team/program?   "Our summer was very productive. We incorporated some young kids into our program and had a very good summer of basketball."   PHD: Who are a few of your top defensive players?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1545637' first='Jackson' last='Wadsworth'] is a strong athletic player who can guard multiple positions."   PHD: Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for?   "[player_tooltip player_id='2710052' first='Jack' last='Stormo'] (Jr) was on our varsity last year and had a very good JV Season. Jack had a great summer. [player_tooltip player_id='2710073' first='Owen' last='Taschner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2856285' first='Trig' last='Heinrich'] are both freshmen who have the ability to play large roles on this team."   PHD: Who do you think will be your best rebounders?   "[player_tooltip player_id='2059573' first='Aiden' last='Abraham'] is a player who just works hard and has a nose for the basketball. We are looking for Aiden to have a great year for us."   PHD: What are your team goals this year?   "Our team goals are the same as years past. We want to improve throughout the season and play our best basketball in March and compete in the State Tournament."   PHD: Who are some of the top teams in Class A?   "Top Teams: West Central, SF Christian, Lennox, Groton, Clark Willow Lake."   BEST OF LUCK TO THE CHARGERS!!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/image_1b8724.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/image_1b8724.png" alt="" class="wp-image-3071146" style="width:263px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   School: Lakota Tech   Mascot: Tatanka   Head Coach: Ted Standing Soldier   Athletic Director: Francis Big Crow   Class: A   Region: 7   24-2025 Record: 4-17   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/image_23fc1d.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/image_23fc1d.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3071149" style="width:257px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/image_7a7c30.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/image_7a7c30.png" alt="" class="wp-image-3071150" style="width:221px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   With Ted Standing Soldier   PHD: Could you write a couple sentences summing up last season?   "Last season I was able to set the tone for a new culture and bring expectations to a program that has never had a coach return for a 2nd season.  There were a lot of growing pains and I believe the underclassmen benefited the most from those implications."   PHD: Does your program/team have any non-negotiables?   "Be reliable"   "Be dependable"   "Be a good teammate"   PHD: What will your defense "hang its hat on"?   "Being aggressive / Pressure"   PHD: Who will be a couple of your lead guards?   "Tarrent Reddest - Very Aggressive attacks the basketball well."   "[player_tooltip player_id='3072040' first='Brayden' last='Poor Thunder'] - At 6'5" is very skilled, great passer, but can also score the basketball."   PHD: How did the offseason go for your team/program?   "The off-season had great consistent attendance from the underclassmen, which is great for setting the foundation and expectations for the program."   PHD: Who are a few of your top defensive players?   "[player_tooltip player_id='2562316' first='Jacob' last='Moeller'] - Very athletic and can put constant pressure on the basketball."   "[player_tooltip player_id='2828590' first='Emilio' last='Hopkins'] - Very athletic and can put consistent pressure on the basketball."   PHD: Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for?   "[player_tooltip player_id='3072040' first='Brayden' last='Poor Thunder'], [player_tooltip player_id='2828590' first='Emilio' last='Hopkins'], Rylan Cuny, Adler Walking, [player_tooltip player_id='3072051' first='AJ' last='Rowland']."   PHD: Who do you think will be your best rebounders?   "Richard Palmer III - Does not shy away from contact."   "[player_tooltip player_id='2828590' first='Emilio' last='Hopkins'] - Great jumping ability and great timing."   "[player_tooltip player_id='3072061' first='Keldin' last='Weston'] - Great Size and big body."   PHD: What are your team goals this year?   "Our goal is to become a team. With a lot of new faces and never played together if we can become a team, the rest will take care of itself."   PHD: Who are some of the top teams & players in your Region?   "Pine Ridge - [player_tooltip player_id='1384718' first='Marvin' last='Richard III']"   "Mahpiya Luta - [player_tooltip player_id='2827866' first='Okte' last='Spotted Eagle'], [player_tooltip player_id='2480867' first='Memphis' last='Brewer']"   "Little Wound - [player_tooltip player_id='2413152' first='Dylen' last='Ferguson']"   PHD: Any last comments about the upcoming season?   "We are excited to get the season started and prove ourselves."   BEST OF LUCK TO THE TATANKA!!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/ClassABasketball.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/ClassABasketball.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2713048" /></a></figure>

The landscape of Class A basketball spans the entire state, and few programs illustrate that range better than Hamlin in the east and Lakota Tech out west. Both enter the new season with compelling storylines, renewed expectations, and plenty of talent ready to make noise.