Team Preview: Elkton-Lake Benton Elks

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/elk.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/elk.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3216598" style="aspect-ratio:1.1390599981162286;width:194px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   The Elkton-Lake Benton Elks enter the 2024-25 season with a renewed sense of confidence and an identity rooted in effort, toughness, and relentless tempo. Under longtime head coach Steve Erickson, now in his 19th year leading the Elks and 26th year overall in coaching, this program continues to push forward with steady competitiveness. Erickson, a Dakota State graduate with a 224–173 record at Elkton (260–220 overall), once again has a roster built on athleticism, chemistry, and high expectations.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">A Strong Foundation Returns</h3>   Elkton-Lake Benton graduated several important contributors from last year's 12–9 squad—Tanner Drietz, Riley Nordmeyer, Tanner Stein, and Blake DeVries—but the core returning group gives the Elks plenty of reasons to believe they can elevate their game this winter.   Three key starters are back:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2966834' first='Colt' last='Beck'] (Sr.) – entering his third season as a starter, bringing leadership, poise, and experience.</li>   <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2966835' first='Eliot' last='Erickson'] (Sr.) – another three-year starter who provides consistency on both ends of the floor.</li>   <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2747532' first='Joseph' last='Nibbe'] (Jr.) – the team's second-leading scorer as a sophomore and a player poised to take an even bigger offensive role.</li> </ul>   With that trio leading the way, Elkton-Lake Benton has a mix of veterans and emerging talent capable of taking a step forward.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Style of Play and Team Identity</h3>   The Elks plan to lean heavily on their athleticism and pace. With a roster full of quick, versatile players, Elkton-Lake Benton aims to push in transition, pressure opponents, and create mismatches whenever possible. Expect an up-tempo approach on both ends of the floor, fueled by the team's collective energy and competitive mentality.   As Coach Erickson notes, this group is tight-knit, holds each other accountable, and competes for one another. That chemistry could become one of the defining strengths of their season.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Challenges Ahead</h3>   The main obstacle is one the team knows well: lack of size. Against bigger opponents—especially those who are strong in the post—the Elks will need to be creative defensively and emphasize discipline, rotations, and gang rebounding. They may not have the same physical presence as others, but they have the speed and toughness to compensate when locked in.   Offensively, finding consistent scoring outputs will be crucial. Complementing their high-tempo style with reliable half-court execution will determine how far they climb in the standings.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">A Loaded Dakota Valley Conference</h3>   Competing in the Dakota Valley Conference means nightly battles. Castlewood and St. Mary, both State-Tournament teams a season ago, headline another deep league. Estelline/Hendricks, Deubrook, and DeSmet return strong rosters; Iroquois/Lake Preston should be much improved; and Colman-Egan, Arlington, and ORR all bring capable athletes and difficult matchups.   Simply put, there are no off-nights in the DVC. Every game requires focus, preparation, and the high-level effort Erickson constantly preaches.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Season Outlook</h3>   Last year's 12–9 record and winning mark in conference play give the Elks a solid platform to build on. With experienced leaders, competitive fire, and a style built for today's pace-driven high school game, Elkton-Lake Benton has the tools to make a meaningful jump in 2024-25.   If the Elks can maintain their trademark effort, toughness, and attitude—while solidifying their offense and controlling the glass—they have every opportunity to make this a fun, competitive, and successful season.   <a href="https://gobound.com/sd/sdhsaa/boysbasketball/2025-26/elktonlakebenton/v/schedule">ELKS SCHEDULE</a>   <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:262px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   With Coach Erickson   PHD: How would you sum up last season?   "We had a solid season. Probably dropped a couple we could have won, but learning how to close those out is part of the process. Our guys got better throughout the year and I think it made them hungry to come back this year and take another step toward improvement."   PHD: Does your program/team have any non-negotiables?   "ETA"   "Effort, Toughness, Attitude….This group buys into that and brings it each day."   PHD: What will your defense "hang its hat on"?   "We are going to have to be fundamentally sound, do our jobs as a unit and all 5 guys on the floor be locked in and competing. We will mix up our defenses and give different looks to teams."   PHD: Who will be your primary ballhandler this year?   "We have about 3-4 kids that can play the point, so I don't know that we will have one in particular, but our guys are all capable of handling it."    PHD: How did the offseason go for your team/program?   "We had a good offseason. The kids went through an acceleration program, we did a couple of basketball leagues, and then individual skill work."    PHD: Who are a few of your top players to look out for?   "[player_tooltip player_id='2966834' first='Colt' last='Beck'], [player_tooltip player_id='2966835' first='Eliot' last='Erickson'], [player_tooltip player_id='3028021' first='Myles' last='Poindexter'] are all seniors who have had good summers, and really look for them to lead us as seniors."   "[player_tooltip player_id='2747532' first='Joseph' last='Nibbe'] is a junior…he came off the bench for us last year as a soph and was our 2nd leading scorer. He will be big for us again."   PHD: Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for?   "[player_tooltip player_id='3217490' first='Lane' last='Schindler'], Ethan Wiskur, [player_tooltip player_id='3217492' first='Savion' last='Stephens'] are all seniors that been in the fold the past couple of years and now as seniors, we look forward to them stepping up and being an even bigger role and part of the team."   "Berk Hemmen is a junior that has just gotten better in all area over the last year. He will be an important piece for us and I expect him to have a solid year."   PHD: Who do you think will be your best rebounders?   "I am not sure we have one in particular, we're preaching rebounding and trying to get all our guys to be relentless on the glass."   PHD: What are your team goals this year?   "Play with great effort, toughness, and attitude. If we can do that, the rest will take care of itself."   PHD: Who will be your hardest worker?   "This group, I honestly can say all of them. We don't have to ask them to pick it up or give more effort, they show up and go to work, they know the standard and hold each other accountable every day."    PHD: Who are the top teams in your Region?   "Clark-Willow Lake"   "Hamlin"   BEST OF LUCK TO THE ELKS!!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/elk.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/elk.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3216598" /></a></figure>