Viborg-Hurley Cougars: Team Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The Viborg-Hurley Cougars enter the 2025–26 season looking to build on the momentum of last year's impressive 23–3 finish and Class B State Runner-Up finish. Led by head coach Shane Warwick — widely regarded as one of the top basketball minds in South Dakota — the Cougars are once again preparing to compete in a tough and balanced Region 4. Their recent success has set a high bar, and this year's group is eager to rise to the challenge.</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">While the program graduated a significant amount of talent, Viborg-Hurley returns a strong mix of proven contributors, athletic playmakers, hardworking competitors, and role players ready to take on expanded opportunities. With a system that develops players and a staff that gets the most out of its roster, the Cougars are positioned to remain a dangerous opponent in Class B.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"19px","fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"200"}}} --> <p style="font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:200">In this preview, you'll get player breakdowns, key returner insights, and an interesting conversation with Coach Warwick as we look at how Viborg-Hurley plans to stay in the Championship conversation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3045979,"width":"165px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/image_e3fd10.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/image_e3fd10.png" alt="" class="wp-image-3045979" style="width:165px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2632356,"width":"165px","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:165px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The Cougars will return two starters from last season. Although they lost a lot of size, Viborg-Hurley will look to put a competitive team on the court. They have 7 seniors on this year's roster and will lean on their experience and leadership this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"25px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:25px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Players Comments from Coach Warwick</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1832812' first='Brady' last='Schroedermeier'] (6'2 Sr.) – </strong>"<em>Returning All-State guard. He is our best defender, rebounder and can guard all positions. We are looking for him to lead this team.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3046113' first='Jake' last='Austin'] (5'10 Sr.) –</strong> "<em>Returning starter who has a great feel for the game. A leader who we are looking to make a huge impact on both ends of the court.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2258435' first='Braydyn' last='Morrison'] (6'0 Sr.) –</strong> "<em>Legitimate 3 point threat with range, lead the team in 3s last season. We will need his leadership to be successful.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3046115' first='Brenner' last='Gerdes'] (6'0 Sr.) –</strong> "<em>Plays multiple positions – strong athlete and is a great rebounder and defender. Unselfish player, who puts team first.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1961428' first='Nolan' last='Kolthoff'] (6'4 Sr.) –</strong> "<em>Terrific athlete that will be counted on at both ends of the floor. He will have a big role on this team and will be a key to our team's success.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1545639' first='Walker' last='Warwick'] (6'3 Sr.) –</strong> "<em>High basketball IQ. Will do whatever the team needs to win - passing, taking charges, defending and rebounding.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Other players expected to challenge for varsity minutes: <strong>Kayden Lindemann</strong> (Sr.), <strong>Brock Frederickson</strong> (Jr.), <strong>Godwin Johnson</strong> (Jr.), <strong>Noah Werdel</strong> (Jr.) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3046135' first='Lincoln' last='Vannorsdel']</strong> (So.).</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2508303,"width":"261px","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:261px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"25px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:25px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">With Shane Warwick</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Could you write a couple sentences summing up last season?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Cougars had a great year and a great run in the State Tournament with big wins over Freeman and Dell Rapids St Mary. We lost to a great Castlewood Warriors team in the Championship.</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>We are big on team Culture and team-first mentality.</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 will have to be a better defensive team and improve on rebounding because of our lack of size.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who will be a couple of your lead guards?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Brady, Jake, Braydyn – SEE ABOVE</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><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1832812' first='Brady' last='Schroedermeier']</em>, [player_tooltip player_id='3046113' first='Jake' last='Austin'], [player_tooltip player_id='3046115' first='Brenner' last='Gerdes'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1545639' first='Walker' last='Warwick'] – These guys will have to guard at a high level for us to be successful.</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='3046135' first='Lincoln' last='Vannorsdel'] (So.).</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who do you think will be your best rebounders?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>[player_tooltip player_id='1961428' first='Nolan' last='Kolthoff'], [player_tooltip player_id='1832812' first='Brady' last='Schroedermeier'], [player_tooltip player_id='3046115' first='Brenner' last='Gerdes'] – these guys are tough and will battle each night on the boards.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What are your team goals this year?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>To improve each week and play together. Take care of the basketball.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who are the top teams &amp; in your Region?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Our Region and all of Class B is loaded this year.</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 COUGARS THIS SEASON!!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3045979,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/image_e3fd10.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/image_e3fd10.png?w=220" alt="" class="wp-image-3045979" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->