The Cowboy Way: Killdeer Preview

The Killdeer Cowboys enter the new season with a familiar blend of toughness and high expectations. Led by head coach Greg Pruitt, the Class A squad from rugged Region 4 once again looks poised to be in the thick of the race, even after graduating a massive senior class. Killdeer may look younger on paper, but the standard hasn't budged—this is a program built on defending 84 feet, playing fearlessly, and embracing the “Cowboy Way” that has fueled back-to-back State Tournament appearances.   At the center of it all is [player_tooltip player_id='1765803' first='Jaxon' last='Reese'], one of the most dynamic athletes in Class A. He's the type of competitor who can take over a game, lift a young roster, and flat-out “Cowboy up” when the moment demands it. Around him, the Cowboys feature a promising mix of returning lettermen and a highly talented sophomore group eager to step into bigger roles. The team's identity will lean on relentless defense, a fast-paced attack, and the expectation that five connected players defend every possession like it's the last.   With powerhouse programs across Region 4 providing stiff competition, Killdeer knows the path back to March won't be easy. But the culture is strong, the work ethic is real, and the belief is unwavering. In the Q&A with Coach Pruitt below, we take a closer look at how this group is coming together, what fuels their standard of excellence, and why the Cowboys remain one of the most compelling teams to watch this season.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/image_b5ff49.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/image_b5ff49.png" alt="" class="wp-image-3075102" style="width:190px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Killdeer Cowboys   Top Players   *Comments From Coach Pruitt   [player_tooltip player_id='1765803' first='Jaxon' last='Reese'] 6'5” Senior (F) "Jaxon is a four (4) year starter for us. He has been selected to the All-Region team 2X. He is coming into the season with 869 pts and 456 Rebounds. Jaxon is an extremely talented athlete. He is good around the basket, shoots the outside shot very well, and can finish at the rim with the best of them. Jaxon lifted hard this off-season and has developed a very nice mid-range game. His best strength is his defense; the length he brings to the game makes it tough for players to score on him. This will truly make him one of the top players in the Region. We are looking for Jaxon to have a great season for our program."   [player_tooltip player_id='2634212' first='Chase' last='Kling'] 5'10” Senior (PG) "Chase has spent that last few years playing key roles for us in our program. He has done everything from starting to playing 6th man. Chase played in the State Tournament twice for us and had a phenomenal State 2024 performance. He can shoot the outside shot very well, is our best ball handler, passer, and perimeter defender. We have huge expectations for Chase as our offense will go through him. Chase worked hard at getting stronger and finishing at the rim this summer. His leadership is some of the best I have seen. He is a very athletic player."   [player_tooltip player_id='2525695' first='Trey' last='Larimer'] 6'3” Senior (F) "Trey is coming off a great JV season for the Cowboys. He is long, athletic, and has a very high basketball IQ. Trey can shoot the ball very well and has the potential to take games over. We are looking for Trey to make a great combo with Jaxon for the Cowboys inside game and allow them to work together to create a few mismatches for us. Trey has been waiting for this moment for some time now. He can shoot the three well, run the floor extremely hard, and is an excellent rebounder. We will need Trey to put up some good numbers for us to get where we would like at the end of the season."   <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:160px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   With Greg Pruitt   PHD: How would you sum up last season?   "The Cowboys are coming off a 21-win season and a back-to-back State Class A Tournament appearances. We graduated 10 seniors, so we have some work to do when it comes to building some continuity in our offense and defense. The program has lost some keys players, but we are excited about the players we have coming into our 25-26 Season."   PHD: Does your program/team have any non-negotiables?   "A non-negotiable for us would be lowering our expectation because of the huge number of Seniors we graduated. We have established a standard in our program of striving for excellence on and off the court. We call this the Cowboy Way and will continue to meet those standards."   PHD: What will your defense "hang its hat on"?   "We will continue to guard teams the length of the court, try our best to take the opposing teams' best players out of their comfort zones, and work hard at contesting all shots. Limiting those shots to one per possession."   PHD: How does this year's team differ from last years?   "We are a less experienced at Varsity playing time but had a phenomenal summer. We do bring back some key players. Our team will be very young outside of the returning lettermen."   PHD: Who are a few of your top defensive players?   "Our top defenders in our program will have to be all five guys that step on the court. We have some very explosive offense in Region 4 Class A, and some of the best talent in the state. We tell our players that our offense starts with our defense. This is a must if we want a chance to win some games this year."   PHD: Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for?   "We have a very talented Sophomore class coming up. We have a little of everything in that group of athletes. All these players will be competing for Varsity minutes, and this is exciting for us, as it should bring the best out of our players."   PHD: What style of play can fans expect on both ends of the floor?    "The Cowboys will guard 84 ft and push the ball 84 ft. I guess you could say we want the old UNLV style of run-and-gun."   PHD: Who do you think will be your best rebounders?   "Our best rebounders this year will more than likely be [player_tooltip player_id='1765803' first='Jaxon' last='Reese'], [player_tooltip player_id='2525695' first='Trey' last='Larimer'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2634212' first='Chase' last='Kling']. These individuals have a good sense of where the ball is coming off the rim and have played enough games that positioning comes naturally for them."   PHD: What are your team goals this year?   "We have the same expectations as last year to get to the semifinals of the Region Tournament and give ourselves a chance to make another State Tournament run. We take pride in our athletes being Student/Athletes and when the season comes to an end, we will be better than when we started."   PHD: Who are some of the top teams & players in your Region?   "Top teams in the Region are Beulah (getting [player_tooltip player_id='1355919' first='Bennett' last='Larson'] from Stanley was the missing key to this team possibly being a State Champion). Shiloh and Trinity will always be in the hunt because they are well-established programs with a ton of winnings at all levels. I really like Watford City and the work they did this summer. They are my dark horse."   PHD: Can you tell us about an assistant coach?   "I am blessed to have two of the best assistant coaches a head coach could ask for. John Harris (JV coach) has been in the Cowboy programs for as long as I can remember. His knowledge and experience is what I would consider the glue of this program. He has been through it all. The tough years to a State Tournament appearance. His service to the Killdeer Cowboys Boys/Girls Program is one that all communities should be thankful for. Loyalty, dedication, and hard work describe Coach Harris."   "Ryan Schleppenbach started out in the feeder program here in Killdeer with the 10 Seniors that we just graduated and has done an excellent job developing those athletes. His commitment to the program during the season and in the off-season is up there with the best one could ask for. His drive for excellence is what we preach to our upcoming players. If you see the Cowboys at some camp, you will see Coach Schlep. He would be the definition of commitment."   PHD: Any last comments about the upcoming season?   "The Cowboys expectations have not changed. Regional Champions on the court, State Champions in the classroom, National Champions in life."   BEST OF LUCK TO THE COWBOYS!!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/image_46596b.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/image_46596b.png" alt="" class="wp-image-3075486" /></a></figure>

The Killdeer Cowboys enter the new season with a familiar blend of toughness and high expectations. Led by head coach Greg Pruitt, the Class A squad from rugged Region 4 once again looks poised to be in the thick of the race, even after graduating a massive senior class. Killdeer may look younger on paper, but the standard hasn't budged—this is a program built on defending 84 feet, playing fearlessly, and embracing the “Cowboy Way” that has fueled back-to-back State Tournament appearances.