Voices of the Dakotas: The Next Wave

The best way to understand the season is still by hearing directly from the players living it. This marks the second edition of Voices of the Dakotas, as Prep Hoops Dakotas once again chatted with EIGHT new ballers—4 from North Dakota and 4 from South Dakota—who continue to make their presence felt on the court.   Each hooper answered the same set of questions, giving insight into their mindset, development, and the daily grind as the season hits its stride. These are impact players with real games and real confidence, and their responses offer a deeper look beyond the box score.   Dive in, hear it straight from the source, and as always—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_909ef4.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/image_909ef4.png" alt="" class="wp-image-3462480" style="width:306px;height:auto" /></a></figure>    What has been the biggest focus for you personally this season?   "My biggest focus this year has been becoming a better leader by staying composed through ups and downs."   What's one area of your game you've seen the most improvement in?   "I think my ability to get downhill is the area I've seen the most improvement. Not just scoring when I'm getting downhill but also finding shooters/cutters."   What does your team do well when you're playing your best basketball?   "When we're playing our best basketball, we are playing unselfishly, we have so many scorers, so moving the ball around and passing up good shots for great shots is when we're playing our best ball."   Who's a teammate that deserves more recognition?   "There are a bunch of guys on the team who deserve tons of recognition. I would say one specifically is [player_tooltip player_id='2414460' first='Jaxson' last='Haug']; he is sadly out this season with an injury. Even though he can't play, he's at every practice, every lift, and every film session. He's found a way to help the team despite not being on the court."   How do you stay locked in during the grind of the season—especially on tough weeks?   "During the grind of the season, I like to try and stay calm over getting “locked in,” the best way I've found to do this is by reading my Bible, and praying. These are the things that keep me grounded and calm with games coming up."   What's something your coaches emphasize that really shows up on game nights?   "Something our coaches emphasize a ton is really focusing on our defense. We have a lot of talented scorers, so the points will come. But defense is something the coaches believe can take us one step further."   What's the biggest lesson basketball has taught you?   "The biggest lesson basketball has taught me is the importance of discipline. Consistently showing up and doing the little things will always lead to improvement."   What has been your favorite moment of the season so far?   "My favorite moment of the basketball season so far would have to be the Kindred game. The crowd was wild and it was a super fun atmosphere."   Favorite gym to play in (besides home)?   "I would say Kindred is my favorite gym to play at in our Region. The atmosphere is always wild when we play there. Out of Region, it would have to be Morehead."   What are you hoping to accomplish before postseason play begins?   "Put ourselves in the best possible situation for Regionals."     What has been the biggest focus for you personally this season?   "Working on my free throw shooting."   What's one area of your game you've seen the most improvement in?   "Probably my 3-point shooting."   What does your team do well when you're playing your best basketball?   "Having good ball movement and taking the right shots."   Who's a teammate that deserves more recognition?   "[player_tooltip player_id='2495320' first='Grady' last='Jett'], he does a lot of little things on defense and on the boards that go unnoticed a lot."   How do you stay locked in during the grind of the season—especially on tough weeks?   "Remember that the team is a brotherhood and we are all in this together."   What's something your coaches emphasize that really shows up on game nights?   "Always building our teammates up and believing in everyone, it helps our energy stay high."   What's the biggest lesson basketball has taught you?   "You're not always going to be your best and you need to find a way to still be successful and contribute."   What has been your favorite moment of the season so far?   "Being on the bus after games and seeing everyone so happy after a win."   Favorite gym to play in (besides home)?   "Probably Wachs Arena because it's the biggest stage and the most hype atmosphere."   What are you hoping to accomplish before postseason play begins?   "I hope as a team we continue to play as a team and get better every day, hopefully winning out, but we will have to see where time takes us."     What has been the biggest focus for you personally this season?   "Playing hard and having fun."   What's one area of your game you've seen the most improvement in?   "Attacking the rim."   What does your team do well when you're playing your best basketball?   "Move the ball and move well together."   Who's a teammate that deserves more recognition?   "[player_tooltip player_id='3183867' first='Teytum' last='Bullinger'], he's one of the hardest working guys and one of our best rebounders."   How do you stay locked in during the grind of the season—especially on tough weeks?   "Have fun at practice."   What's something your coaches emphasize that really shows up on game nights?   "Working hard on the defensive end."   What's the biggest lesson basketball has taught you?   "To work with the different strengths and weaknesses of my teammates."   What has been your favorite moment of the season so far?   "Shanley at home when we had everyone contributing together."   Favorite gym to play in (besides home)?   "Minot High. The atmosphere and the history of the gym."   What are you hoping to accomplish before postseason play begins?   "Enjoy the last bits of my senior season with the guys."     What has been the biggest focus for you personally this season?   "My biggest focus this season has been facilitating and defending"   What's one area of your game you've seen the most improvement in?   "An area I've seen a lot of improvement in is my shooting."   What does your team do well when you're playing your best basketball?   "My team pushes the ball well in transition and defends at a high level."   Who's a teammate that deserves more recognition?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1911436' first='Carson' last='Hoines'] - Great passer and screener and knows his spots on the floor."   How do you stay locked in during the grind of the season—especially on tough weeks?   "I remember what our team goals are and what we look to accomplish this season."   What's something your coaches emphasize that really shows up on game nights?   "Ball moment and defense."   What's the biggest lesson basketball has taught you?   "That things aren't always gonna go your way, so it's best to always keep working."   What has been your favorite moment of the season so far?   "Beating our rivals twice."   Favorite gym to play in (besides home)?   "Pentagon, because how nice the court is and the atmosphere."   What are you hoping to accomplish before postseason play begins?   "To stay unbeaten."     What has been the biggest focus for you personally this season?   "Staying in it mentally through difficult situations."   What's one area of your game you've seen the most improvement in?   "Being able to hit the mid-range shot decently well."   What does your team do well when you're playing your best basketball?   "Move the ball and make smart and precise passes."   Who's a teammate that deserves more recognition?   "[player_tooltip player_id='2416561' first='David' last='Kutey'], because he's an electric and twitchy guard who hits the shots when we need them."   How do you stay locked in during the grind of the season—especially on tough weeks?   "Remember that the end goal is winning and that's everyone's common goal."   What's something your coaches emphasize that really shows up on game nights?   "We emphasize rebounding and boxing out."   What's the biggest lesson basketball has taught you?   "Staying mentally tough when people are in your ear trying to make you play bad."   What has been your favorite moment of the season so far?   "Bus trips to away games with the team."   Favorite gym to play in (besides home)?   "OG gym because the atmosphere is always crazy and very loud."   What are you hoping to accomplish before postseason play begins?   "More efficiency within everyone and more team basketball."     What has been the biggest focus for you personally this season?   "The biggest focus for me is doing whatever it takes to win games, so if that's scoring, rebounding, or guarding the best player."   What's one area of your game you've seen the most improvement in?   "Definitely shooting. I was in the gym all summer on the shooting machine, getting my shot right."   What does your team do well when you're playing your best basketball?   "Defense for sure. Or even running our offense, not going 1 on 1 and moving the ball."   Who's a teammate that deserves more recognition?   "[player_tooltip player_id='2309400' first='Jaran' last='Reinhardt']. He has a smooth game very athletic and shoots it very well from the field."   How do you stay locked in during the grind of the season—especially on tough weeks?   "Staying in the gym, always shooting or getting stronger."   What's something your coaches emphasize that really shows up on game nights?   "Defense, we do a lot of defensive drills in practice and I think it really shows on game nights."   What's the biggest lesson basketball has taught you?   "My freshman and sophomore year, I wasn't the best shooter, so I knew I had to work on that, and again I was in the gym all summer shooting, so I would say basketball had taught me what you put in is what you get out."   What has been your favorite moment of the season so far?   "Definitely the night we played Watford, going into double OT and hitting the game-winning free throw and getting that Region win while missing 4 kids who play a lot of minutes."   Favorite gym to play in (besides home)?   "Dickinson Trinity, they have such a nice gym and a good environment when it's packed for Region play."   What are you hoping to accomplish before postseason play begins?   "Get a top 3 seed for Regionals and going in, we are playing our best basketball."     What has been the biggest focus for you personally this season?   "This season has really been a stepping stone for me. I knew coming into this year that I would have to be a huge contributor to the team in almost every way. If it's scoring, crashing the boards, finding teammates great looks. I have to do it all for us to be where we need to be."   What's one area of your game you've seen the most improvement in?   "Definitely my court vision & anticipating passing lanes (IQ). I've seen major improvements in seeing open passing lanes to get the ball through to my teammates. Seeing the court is definitely a big thing at the next level, especially being a PG and the size I am. Defensively, I have improved in all aspects. Especially my ability to read the player's eyes and body when passing the ball. I've had many picks and steals from opposing teams for gimme points."   What does your team do well when you're playing your best basketball?   "I think my team does a great job finding me the ball when I'm on fire. Once I knock down 3-4 consecutive 3pt shots, my team does a great job of creating an open look for me. From coming off a screen, giving me a ball screen, etc."   Who's a teammate that deserves more recognition?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1418031' first='Jack' last='Dieterle'] has really made an impact this year. If I'm not mistaken, he's averaging around 13 rebounds a game for us. Being 6'8”, he is a walking bulldozer; it's always a mismatch. He gained muscle over the summer, and it shows. He's really a player that's under the radar."   How do you stay locked in during the grind of the season—especially on tough weeks?   "I always make sure I get my hydration and nutrition right during long weeks of games. Staying active while also recovering is a big part as well. I always get my mobility done, while also throwing in some jump rope too. Making sure to get up as many shots as possible too, can't afford slumps during my season."   What's something your coaches emphasize that really shows up on game nights?   "If offense is rolling, our defense comes along too. If we can constantly get ourselves buckets, we have all the energy and determination we need to play hard on the defensive end. Really gets us going."   What's the biggest lesson basketball has taught you?   "That nothing can come without putting time into it. I've worked endless hours on my craft, and it has shown in more ways than I could've imagined. Some have nothing to do with the sport itself. Really blessed and grateful to be in the position I am today."   What has been your favorite moment of the season so far?   "Probably playing at Kindred. Their atmosphere and gym are always a great place to play. We also played really well as a team, and myself as well. I also like the DL trips we have throughout the season, love spending overnight trips with the guys and waking up to play the sport we all love to play. Gives flashes of AAU!"   Favorite gym to play in (besides home)?   "Love Kindreds, their lighting, baskets, rims, and layout are always amazing to play on as a player! Northern Cass has great rims to shoot on, so being a shooter, you've got to love those! A sleeper gym that people don't really hype up as much is Beulah, they have a great layout, almost gives like “retro vibes”."   What are you hoping to accomplish before postseason play begins?   "We start playing more into our roles and understanding each others play-style. We have a semi-newish team this year. Some players are stepping into roles they never had, so the chem isn't quite where it needs to be, but we are getting there every day we play with each other."     What has been the biggest focus for you personally this season?   "My biggest focus personally this season is to play defense at a high level, and also the keep scoring and distributing the ball as well."   What's one area of your game you've seen the most improvement in?   "One area I've seen the most improvement in is my ball handling and getting to the rim, and knocking down threes and just understanding what the defense is giving me."   What does your team do well when you're playing your best basketball?   "When our team is playing the best basketball, we are up playing very tough defense and playing fast and under control."   Who's a teammate that deserves more recognition?   "A teammate who deserves more recognition is [player_tooltip player_id='2275483' first='Dawson' last='Handcock']. He always takes on the role of defending the opposing team's best player most of the time, and he does all the right things, and [player_tooltip player_id='2311913' first='Emmet' last='Dinger'] is a sniper from the three-point line."   How do you stay locked in during the grind of the season—especially on tough weeks?   "I stay locked in by knowing our end goal, and how special that would be not only are team but also for the community of Wall to win a State Championship."   What's something your coaches emphasize that really shows up on game nights?   "One thing our coaches emphasize is high intensity at all times and bringing more energy than the opposing team. When we do this, it makes it tough for teams to get into a rhythm."   What's the biggest lesson basketball has taught you?   "One thing basketball has taught me is you can't lose your head when things aren't going your way, no matter what it is, and finding ways to overcome the adversity."   What has been your favorite moment of the season so far?   "My favorite moment of the season so far is when we took down Lyman in their home gym. It was a very big game from us, and it was a super fun game to be a part of."   Favorite gym to play in (besides home)?   "My favorite gym to play in is the Monument during the LNI, it is always packed in there and is a super fun atmosphere to play in."   What are you hoping to accomplish before postseason play begins?   "Before the postseason begins, I want to accomplish is just getting an even closer bond with my teammates and coaches so when the playoffs roll around, we know how to respond the correct way when adversity does hit, and we can keep our cool and do what we need to do to come out with the win."    <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/image_32760a.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/image_32760a.png" alt="" class="wp-image-3462615" /></a></figure>

The best way to understand the season is still by hearing directly from the players living it. This marks the second edition of Voices of the Dakotas, as Prep Hoops Dakotas once again chatted with EIGHT new ballers—4 from North Dakota and 4 from South Dakota—who continue to make their presence felt on the court.