De Smet vs. Baltic: Player Notes

Prep Hoops Dakotas took a closer look at the film from the Entringer Classic played on New Year's Eve in Brookings, focusing on two Bulldog squads — one from Class B and one from Class A. De Smet and Baltic, both entering the game undefeated, faced off in a highly anticipated matchup that did not disappoint.   This game had it all: well-coached teams, serious bigs, length across the floor, sharpshooters, smart playmakers, hard workers, and scrappy competitors. See below for scores, stats, and player notes, including a special shoutout to [player_tooltip player_id='2286030' first='Grant' last='Wilkinson'], who earned MVP honors for his standout performance!   The game opened at a measured pace as both teams traded baskets and felt each other out early, knotted at 7–7 midway through the first quarter. Baltic leaned heavily on ball screens, while De Smet moved the ball well, played through [player_tooltip player_id='2286030' first='Grant' last='Wilkinson'], and dominated the offensive glass throughout the night with an unselfish approach. Baltic surged late in the first behind [player_tooltip player_id='1656545' first='Dylan' last='Runestad'], who delivered a rare four-point play and followed it with another triple at the buzzer to give the Bulldogs a five-point edge after one. De Smet responded to start the second quarter as [player_tooltip player_id='2420227' first='Carter' last='Wilkinson'] knocked down a three to tie it at 18, and Grant continued to go to work on the block, helping De Smet briefly take the lead. The teams continued to exchange scores the rest of the half, with a late baseline jumper by [player_tooltip player_id='1641266' first='Ben' last='Erickson'] sending the game into halftime tied 24–24.   The back-and-forth battle carried into the third quarter, with neither team able to create separation. Baltic briefly grabbed momentum with an and-one from [player_tooltip player_id='1656544' first='Kellen' last='Artz'] and a transition finish by [player_tooltip player_id='2637594' first='Cooper' last='Garry'], but De Smet answered right back. [player_tooltip player_id='3274239' first='Noah' last='Luthemers'] hit multiple big threes to swing the lead, and [player_tooltip player_id='2286030' first='Grant' last='Wilkinson'] continued to impose his will inside with another and-one, allowing De Smet to take a slim two-point lead into the fourth. Early in the final quarter, [player_tooltip player_id='3288458' first='Slayten' last='Wilkinson'] buried a big triple, and Grant followed with more tough finishes in the paint as De Smet pushed the lead to seven. Baltic refused to fold, cutting the margin to three behind a clutch three from Garry, but De Smet answered every run. [player_tooltip player_id='2420227' first='Carter' last='Wilkinson'] connected on a corner three, and Slayten sealed it with a contested triple that served as the dagger. De Smet closed out a 10-point win to remain undefeated, handing Baltic its first loss of the season. Both teams proved they are legitimate; they will win many games this season. Each squad will be tough to battle with moving forward. Best of luck to the Bulldogs as the season moves on.   SCORES   1st: De Smet 11 Baltic 16   Half: De Smet 24 Baltic 24   3rd: De Smet 40 Baltic 38   Final: De Smet 58 Baltic 48   STATS   FT's: De Smet 8/15 Baltic 9/14   3FG's: De Smet 8/24 Baltic 3/12   ORB: De Smet 14 Baltic 4   DRB: De Smet 26 Baltic 20   Assists: De Smet 20 Baltic 8   Steals: De Smet 6 Baltic 6   TO's: De Smet 9 Baltic 11   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/PlayerNotes.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/PlayerNotes.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2302277" style="width:276px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   De Smet    -26 points, 22 rebounds, 1 assist   -MVP of the game   -Walking Double-Double   -BIG & strong as an ox   -He is built like a D1 football player   -Holds box-outs, anticipates, high-points the rebound   -Set the pick out top to free up Noah for a deep triple   -Came across in help-side D, rejected shot OOB   -Great passer out of the post   -Offensive rebound on his own miss, fouled on putback, 1/2 FT's   -Smart about passing out of the double teams   -Hit a turnaround J from 12', soft shot   -Catch on the block, soft kiss off the window for 2, Slayten w/ the dime   -Good hands, not dropping passes with those big oven mitts   -I like his outlet passes, gets it out quickly when needed   -Deep post up to start the 2nd quarter, attack middle, scored over 2 defenders   -Love how he looks opposite and skips out of the post when doubled   -Post up, spun away from double in the middle, baby hook off the glass for 2   -Deep post touch, quick left shoulder turn, baby hook off the glass for 2 more   -Dive on the floor for a loose ball possession   -Post move into the middle, 1-handed jump for 2 over the opposition   -O-board putback score over the D   -Fouled on the block in the 3rd, 2/2 from the charity stripe   -Another lob catch & score, finished over multiple defenders   -Post touch, right shoulder turn, slight fadeaway shot for 2 w/ a hand in face   -Post score again in the fourth Q. Deep post touch & finish   -Another O-board, fouled on the putback   -Another offensive rebound, extra possession & chance to burn off more time     -15 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist   -Long/lanky, tough matchup w/ his skill & size   -Impressed with his lefty inside-out move   -Lefty drive on 1st possession, got to the block, gathered, score off window   -Deep college range triple in 1stQ, Grant set the pick & Noah pull-up   -VERY impressed w/ his handles & change of speeds, smooth, cool customer   -Nice looking stroke, I like his jump shot   -Impressive quick crossover, I like his change of speeds   -Smooth with the rock, delivered accurate lefty passes   -3ball from the left wing in the 3rd, catch & shoot   -Corner 3 on a BLOB, big shot   -Pull up 3ball going to his left after a timeout in the 3rd, took the lead   -Lob catch & score on the block, AND1 finish, hit FT for a 3pt play   -FT's with 46.4 on the clock, 1/2 from the line     -9 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists   -Hard drive to the right block, drew contact, fouled, 1/2 FT's   -Snagged a long O-board in the 1stQ for an extra possession   -Catch & shoot triple in the 2ndQ   -O-board in traffic for an extra possession   -Moved his feet well, took an offensive foul from Artz   -Dropped well on D, picked off a backdoor pass   -Sweet touch on a lob pass to Grant for a block score   -O-board for an extra possession   -Swished a corner 3 on a BLOB in the 4   -Easy score to end the game on a press break, smart pass from Coy     -7 assists   -Fast/fiery/quick   -Post feed assist to BIG Grant, fed the beast   -Post entry assist to Grant to start the 2ndQ   -Great hustle to save a ball from going OOB   -Press break assist to Carter for the last score of the game     -3 rebounds, 4 assists   -Extra pass assist to Noah for a triple   -Scrappy O-board for an extra Bulldog possession   -Smart kickout assist for a triple   -Post assist to Grant for another bucket     -8 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists   -Read eyes on the backside of D, picked off a cross-court pass nicely   -O-ball swipe-steal, pesky/sneaky hands   -Baseline drive, underhand dish to Grant for a score, innovative   -Post feed to Grant for a score, smartly fed the beast   -BLOB assist to Noah for a triple   -Post lob assist to Grant for a score   -Big triple in the 4th from the left wing   -O-board in traffic, quick pass to Grant for another score   -Steal in the 4th, transition attack, fouled at the rim, 1/2 FT's   -BLOB play, crisp corner pass to Carter for a triple   -1/2 FT's 1:35 in 4th   -Contested 3ball late in the 4th, cash money, clutch shot    Baltic    -7 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists   -PNR on the wing, freed up Runestad for a drive & score   -Effective PNR w/ Garry, got him open for a middy J, 2 pts   -Talented passer for a 6'9" baller, sees the floor well, selfless   -BS for Garry, got him space for another middy J   -VB swat late 1stQ to cancel a good look   -Swing assist to Runestad for a triple   -Pass ahead assist to Runestad for a triple as the 1stQ buzzer sounded   -Attacked a close out, 2-feet in the paint, step-through, kiss off the glass for 2   -High-low assist to his fellow big man for a score, nice find   -Effective BS for Runestad who hit a middy to take the lead 26-24   -Cashed an elbow J to go back on top Garry with the assist   -Baseline gash, up & over a Bulldog, AND1 finish, hit FT for 3pt play   -Nice work cleaning glass, quick outlet ahead to Garry for a transition score   -Blocked another shot, this one came in the 3rd   -Double in the post, deflected pass, forced TO   -Kickout assist to Garry for a triple in the 4th     -17 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist   -PNR w/ Artz, mid-paint drive, 1-handed J off the square for 1st Baltic pts   -Aggressive downhill, covers a good amount of ground in a hurry   -Quality ball skills, delivered crisp & accurate 1-handed passes off dribble   -Cashed a triple from the left wing in the 1st, good elevation on his J, that was an AND1, hit the FT for a 4-point play   -Pull-up fadeaway 3-point from the right wing as the 1st buzzer sounded, tough shot, SWISH   -FT-line middy pull-up for 2 off the Cuperus BS   -Came off an Artz pick, righty contested baseline J for 2, tough shot   -Left elbow pull-up J in the 3rd to cut the lead to 3 in the 3rd   -FT's late 3rdQ, 1/2   -Tipped pass steal in the 4th   -Dribble drive rack attack in the fourth, fouled, 1/2 FT's w/ 3:00 left     -5 points, 3 rebounds   -Fouled in the firstQ going up in front of the rim, 1/2 FT's   -Fouled in front of the rim again, Art w/ a nice pass, 2/2 FT's   -Point blank score off a high-low pass from Artz, tied score at 20 all   -Good straight up post D, contested & forced a miss by BIG Grant   -Effective BS for Runestad who his the middy for 2   -Fought for favorable positioning, picked off a post entry     -8 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist   -Anticipated well to pick off a pass in halfcourt D   -Right baseline pull-up as the 2ndQ buzzer sounds, tied it up at 24   -Middle attack from the left wing, floater score to cut the lead to 5 in the 4th   -Rip from the left wing, baseline attack, tough reverse layup bucket   -Attack, deep in the paint, nifty twisting-turning shout for 2pts     -11 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist   -Sweet middy pull-up game   -Undersized but quick & speedy guard   -R-wing PNR w/ Artz, lefty drive to mid-paint, pull-up J for 2   -Cashed another middy J, Artz set the pick   -Reacted quickly for a long O-board & an extra possession   -Elbow assist to Artz for the open J   -Transition AND1 score, nice contested score   -Fouled on a triple in the 3rd, 2/3 FT's   -Pickpocket steal, quick hands   -Catch & shoot 3ball from the right wing, Artz with the assist    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><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" /></a></figure>

Prep Hoops Dakotas took a closer look at the film from the Entringer Classic played on New Year's Eve in Brookings, focusing on two Bulldog squads — one from Class B and one from Class A. De Smet and Baltic, both entering the game undefeated, faced off in a highly anticipated matchup that did not disappoint.