High Stakes in Huron: Tigers Ready to Pounce

The Huron Tigers enter the new season with high expectations and a roster built to contend for a Class AA title. Coached by Tim Buddenhagen, the Tigers return from a strong 16–8 campaign that ended with a sixth-place finish at the State Tournament and an impressive 7–2 mark in the always competitive ESD Conference. Headlined by standout [player_tooltip player_id='1467166' first='Blake' last='Ellwein'] and supported by a deep cast of athletic, long, and skilled teammates, Huron has the pieces to be one of the elite squads in AA. With explosive athletes, knockdown shooters, and multiple tough, gritty competitors, the Tigers have all the ingredients for a serious run at a State Championship.   See below for the Tigers schedule, player comments, and more info on this intriguing Huron squad.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/hurontigers.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/hurontigers.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3176229" style="aspect-ratio:1.0343661687525232;width:251px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   <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:223px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Huron Tigers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/image_0791e7.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/image_0791e7.png?w=872" alt="" class="wp-image-3176235" style="width:690px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Tigers To Watch   *Comments from Coach Buddenhagen   [player_tooltip player_id='1467166' first='Blake' last='Ellwein'] 6'10" guard/forward Senior - "Will expand his role by not only shouldering the burden of scoring the ball but also being a distributor.  He will have to be a game changer not only on the offensive end but also on the defensive side of the court."   [player_tooltip player_id='2348517' first='Davis' last='Chase'] 6'8" forward Junior - "Will have an expanded role in our offense. He is an explosive athlete that can go inside/out this season. He has worked extremely hard in the off-season on his perimeter shooting."   [player_tooltip player_id='2442388' first='Myles' last='Ellwein'] 6'5" guard Sophomore - "Came on strong at the end of last season. He is a prolific shooter and he has vastly improved at all other areas of his game. He will be a player that our opponents will not be able to leave to double the post players."   [player_tooltip player_id='2128932' first='Anderson' last='Porisch'] 6'6" forward Junior - "Will have an expanded role both offensively and defensively. Anderson has the strength and size to play inside and the athleticism to be a good perimeter player. He will be a matchup problem for other teams because of our all-around size. He will be extremely important on the defensive end, where he can guard positions 1-5."   [player_tooltip player_id='1959442' first='Mason' last='Jurgens'] 6'0' guard Senior - "Is expected to guard the most prolific scorers in our league. Mason has improved on the offensive side of the ball as well. He needs to be our toughness and a great communicator on defense."   [player_tooltip player_id='2353670' first='Ty' last='Kleinsasser'] 5'11" guard Junior - "Will need to be one of our floor generals. He will have to get us into our offense and be able to score and distribute. He improved through the year a season ago. He is a dangerous shooter and he has the ability to get to the rim."   [player_tooltip player_id='2427892' first='Carter' last='Porisch'] 6'5" forward Freshman - "He has a unique offensive skill set. He can play inside/out. He is more comfortable with his back to the basket but has the ability to shoot the 3 and take a defender off the bounce. He is able to use his strength to battle down low defensively."   [player_tooltip player_id='3176369' first='Oakley' last='Anderson'] 5'8" guard Senior - "He will cause havoc for our opponents defensively, while he lacks size, he brings energy to the court by diving for loose balls, taking charges, and he anticipates really well. He has the ability to make shots at the offensive end. He will help with our depth."   [player_tooltip player_id='2353188' first='Chase' last='Schuchhardt'] 6'4" guard Junior - "Provides us with scoring off the bench. He is a good shooter, but now has added some craftiness to get to the basket. He is much improved on the defensive end."   [player_tooltip player_id='3176368' first='James' last='Shoultz'] 5'10" guard Junior - "Deceptive on the offensive end. Shifty with the ball and a good passer. Defensively has some toughness to make it hard on our opponents to score."   Team Comments   Defensively, the Huron Tigers plan to lean on their length and athleticism, aiming to stay in man-to-man pressure as long as they can keep drives out of the paint. With their size across the lineup, the Tigers should be able to protect the rim and force opponents into tough, contested jump shots. A year ago, several younger players were thrown into meaningful roles, and that experience has paid off. This season's group returns older, more confident, and readily prepared to handle big moments. Huron has put a strong emphasis on shooting throughout the offseason, and the expectation is that their three-point efficiency will climb. The Tigers stayed active all summer with individual workouts, nightly open gyms, and several players competing on the AAU circuit. This is a group that embraces the grind and puts in the work, and it shows in the way they're preparing for the season.   Defensively, the Huron Tigers have several standout players who give them a real edge on that end of the floor. [player_tooltip player_id='1467166' first='Blake' last='Ellwein']'s wingspan and length alone create major problems for opponents, and he's such a smart, instinctive defender that he always seems a step ahead. [player_tooltip player_id='2348517' first='Davis' last='Chase'] brings size, athleticism, and a quick second jump that makes him disruptive around the rim. [player_tooltip player_id='2128932' first='Anderson' last='Porisch'] adds even more size and length, and he's a student of the game, he studies matchups closely, which gives him a noticeable advantage. [player_tooltip player_id='1959442' first='Mason' last='Jurgens'] defends with speed and determination, making every possession difficult for whoever he's guarding. [player_tooltip player_id='3176369' first='Oakley' last='Anderson'] rounds out the group with his quickness and toughness, refusing to give up easy shots. Together, this core forms one of the more versatile and impactful defensive units in AA.   Offensively, the Huron Tigers have the tools to be one of the most dangerous and dynamic attacks in Class AA. With their length, versatility, and athleticism across multiple positions, this group is built to overwhelm opponents and create mismatches all over the floor. The Tigers space the floor well and thrive when the ball is in the hands of their playmakers, allowing them to push the pace and get easy baskets before defenses can get organized. With so many scoring threats on the court at once, Huron has the firepower to score in bunches, whether it's attacking downhill, finishing over smaller defenders, or knocking down perimeter shots. Combined with their ability to impose their size and force defenses into uncomfortable rotations, this offense has the potential to be one of the most explosive units in the state.   Huron should also be one of the toughest rebounding teams in Class AA, and most opponents will struggle to match their size, length, and physicality on the boards. [player_tooltip player_id='1467166' first='Blake' last='Ellwein']'s combination of height and wingspan immediately gives him a natural advantage, while [player_tooltip player_id='2348517' first='Davis' last='Chase'] brings strength, a powerful frame, and a quick second jump that makes him a force around the rim. [player_tooltip player_id='2128932' first='Anderson' last='Porisch'] brings additional size and length to the mix, paired with a relentless determination to go get the ball. [player_tooltip player_id='2427892' first='Carter' last='Porisch'] rounds out the group with his muscle, great positioning, and impressive instincts—he just has a knack for being in the right place at the right time. This kid has a nose for the ball. Together, this group gives Huron a major edge in one of the most important areas of the game.   The goals for this Huron team are exactly where they should be: lofty! Like every program in South Dakota, the Tigers are aiming to punch their ticket to the State Tournament, but with this roster, the expectations go even higher. This group is built to compete deep into March, and the players fully embrace the daily grind required to keep improving. The standard is set, the bar is high, and Huron plans on chasing it every single day.   Huron's coaching staff is young, energetic, and a perfect fit for the direction of this program. Assistant coaches Spencer Stahly and Tre Henderson, both former Huron standouts, bring a powerful combination of enthusiasm, knowledge, and genuine care for the student-athletes they work with. Their connection to the program and their ability to relate to players make them invaluable pieces of the staff. The Tigers also added Dawson Schmidt, who comes in after earning Region 1 Coach of the Year honors in North Dakota (Barnes County North) last season. His fresh perspective and coaching philosophies blend seamlessly with Huron's approach, and he brings the same energy and passion that defines this staff. Altogether, it's a group that complements each other well and elevates the entire program.   Huron is unquestionably one of the elite teams in Class AA, and their path will run through a stacked field that includes Sioux Falls Lincoln, Sioux Falls Roosevelt, Brandon Valley, Tea Area, O'Gorman, Mitchell, and Spearfish. It's shaping up to be an exhilarating season, and Prep Hoops Dakotas cannot wait to take it all in.   "We are excited about the season and playing the best teams that the state has to offer. We have a competitive schedule that should get us ready for March." -Tim Buddenhagen   BEST OF LUCK TO THE TIGERS!!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/hurontigers.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/hurontigers.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3176229" style="aspect-ratio:1.0343661687525232;width:561px;height:auto" /></a></figure>

The Huron Tigers enter the new season with high expectations and a roster built to contend for a Class AA title. Coached by Tim Buddenhagen, the Tigers return from a strong 16–8 campaign that ended with a sixth-place finish at the State Tournament and an impressive 7–2 mark in the always competitive ESD Conference. Headlined by standout Blake Ellwein Blake Ellwein 6'10" | PF Huron | 2026 State SD and supported by a deep cast of athletic, long, and skilled teammates, Huron has the pieces to be one of the elite squads in AA. With explosive athletes, knockdown shooters, and multiple tough, gritty competitors, the Tigers have all the ingredients for a serious run at a State Championship.