Voices of the Dakotas: Last But Not Least

The season keeps moving, the stakes keep rising, and the voices shaping the Dakotas' hoops scene continue to get louder. In Voices of the Dakotas: Last But Not Least, Prep Hoops Dakotas checks back in with ballers from both North Dakota and South Dakota who are living the grind and making their presence felt.   Each hooper answered the same set of questions, offering a glimpse into their mindset, preparation, and growth as the season unfolds. These are competitors who bring more than production—they bring perspective, confidence, and intent every time they step on the floor.   Tap in, hear it straight from the source, and get to know the personalities behind the performances.   Keep it rolling and best swishes!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/image_668223.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/image_668223.png" alt="" class="wp-image-3474077" style="width:287px;height:auto" /></a></figure>    What has been the biggest focus for you personally this season?   "Get everyone involved and have fun in my senior year."   What's one area of your game you've seen the most improvement in?   "I think I've seen a lot of improvement in my post play and being able to pass out of the post."   What does your team do well when you're playing your best basketball?   "We share the ball, hit 3s and play good defense when we're playing well."   Who's a teammate that deserves more recognition?   "I would say [player_tooltip player_id='2838603' first='Jase' last='Utley'] would be my teammate who deserves more recognition. He plays good defense, rebounds the ball well, can drive and shoot well. He kind of just goes unnoticed, but he does a lot for our team."   How do you stay locked in during the grind of the season—especially on tough weeks?   "Just stay hungry and ready for the next day of practice and the next game. Focus on one day at a time and not look too far into the future."   What's something your coaches emphasize that really shows up on game nights?   "Our effort on defense and on the boards shows up almost every night."   What's the biggest lesson basketball has taught you?   "That if you work hard, you can accomplish your goals."   What has been your favorite moment of the season so far?   "Getting the game-winning steal against Our Redeemers or my dunk against Washburn."   Favorite gym to play in (besides home)?   "Flasher. I don't really know why, but I always seem to play well there and shoot well."   What are you hoping to accomplish before postseason play begins?   "I think the biggest thing we want to accomplish is finish the regular season undefeated."     What has been the biggest focus for you personally this season?   "My biggest focus has been becoming a complete player and doing whatever my team needs to win. That means staying disciplined on both ends of the floor, taking care of my body, and bringing consistent energy every day whether it's practice or game night."   What's one area of your game you've seen the most improvement in?   "I've seen the most improvement in my decision-making. I'm reading the game better, knowing when to be aggressive and when to get my teammates involved, and just playing with more confidence overall."   What does your team do well when you're playing your best basketball?   "When we're at our best, we defend at a high level and play fast. We communicate, trust each other, and move the ball, which makes us really tough to guard. Our chemistry is a big strength."   Who's a teammate that deserves more recognition?   "Honestly, one teammate who deserves more recognition is someone who does all the little things that don't always show up in the stat sheet — rebounding, defending, talking on defense, and bringing energy. Every successful team needs guys like that, and we definitely don't take it for granted."   How do you stay locked in during the grind of the season—especially on tough weeks?   "I remind myself why I play and how quickly the season goes by. Staying consistent with my routine, leaning on my teammates, and focusing on getting better every day helps me stay mentally locked in."   What's something your coaches emphasize that really shows up on game nights?   "Our coaches emphasize effort and discipline. They always talk about controlling what we can control, and when we bring toughness and attention to detail, it really translates on game nights."   What's the biggest lesson basketball has taught you?   "Basketball has taught me accountability. You have to be responsible for your preparation, your attitude, and your performance. It's also taught me how important teamwork is — you can't accomplish big goals alone."   What has been your favorite moment of the season so far?   "My favorite moment has been seeing our team come together and battle through adversity. There's nothing better than winning big games with a group that genuinely supports each other."   Favorite gym to play in (besides home)?   "I enjoy playing in tough environments where the crowd is loud and the energy is high. It pushes you to compete at another level and brings out the best in you."   What are you hoping to accomplish before postseason play begins?   "Before postseason, I want us to build as much momentum as possible, keep improving, and be playing our best basketball at the right time. Personally, I just want to help put our team in the strongest position to make a deep run."     What has been the biggest focus for you personally this season?   "The biggest focus personally had been getting better every day and doing the little things right."   What's one area of your game you've seen the most improvement in?   "My area with the most improvement would be ball handling and my outside game."   What does your team do well when you're playing your best basketball?   "We push the ball really well and have good ball movement."   Who's a teammate that deserves more recognition?   "I think a lot of guys deserve more, they are all pushing their limits and getting better every day."   How do you stay locked in during the grind of the season—especially on tough weeks?   "Focus on improving every day and making sure we are healthy."   What's something your coaches emphasize that really shows up on game nights?   "Effort, energy, and playing as a team."   What's the biggest lesson basketball has taught you?   "Trust the people next to you, they will have your back."   What has been your favorite moment of the season so far?   "Playing in the big games and being in gyms that are packed and full of people."   Favorite gym to play in (besides home)?   "West Central, their gym is big and makes for a loud game that is fun to play in."   What are you hoping to accomplish before postseason play begins?   "Win our Conference and get a good place in our Region so we are ready when the time comes."     What has been the biggest focus for you personally this season?   "Providing more for the team or stepping up and playing a bigger role from last year to this year."   What's one area of your game you've seen the most improvement in?   "Shooting. Got lots of shots up this off-season. Still room to improve, though."   What does your team do well when you're playing your best basketball?   "As a team, we just find our rhythm and make shots and play well together. We all know what we want to do, when we are in stride, and how we can make others succeed."   Who's a teammate that deserves more recognition?   "I think entirely as a team, we need to be more recognized. We just lost by 2 to the #1 team in the state and played the best basketball we've played all season. Everyone is really playing super well right now."   How do you stay locked in during the grind of the season—especially on tough weeks?   "Just knowing that coach and teammates got your back. If you need a day off because you're dealing with an injury. We can let our coach know and other teammates will step up because of you needing a day off."   What's something your coaches emphasize that really shows up on game nights?   "Playing with each other and defense. Defense wins Championships and when we are all playing really good defense, that will lead to good offense, which will lead to some W's."   What's the biggest lesson basketball has taught you?   "It's hard. Life's hard. Nothing comes easy. You've got to work for everything."   What has been your favorite moment of the season so far?   "Getting the W at Mitchell. Coach was emphasizing the win and how big it would be in the ESD and we got the W. Coach prepared us super well and got down early. Battled back. Went into overtime and came out with the win."   Favorite gym to play in (besides home)?   "I liked playing in the Roosevelt gym. High energy. Big student sections. Little bit of a rivalry between tea and Roosevelt."   What are you hoping to accomplish before postseason play begins?   "Win the ESD. Not only is it my goal, but a team goal. One of the biggest things coach wants to accomplish is going along with making State and obviously, hopefully making the Championship and winning."    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/08/NDSD.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/08/NDSD.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2950876" /></a></figure>

The season keeps moving, the stakes keep rising, and the voices shaping the Dakotas' hoops scene continue to get louder. In Voices of the Dakotas: Last But Not Least, Prep Hoops Dakotas checks back in with ballers from both North Dakota and South Dakota who are living the grind and making their presence felt.