Freeman Flyers: Class B Champions

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The Freeman Flyers capped off a remarkable season with a Class B State Championship, putting together a postseason run that won't be forgotten anytime soon. Coached by Lance Friesen, the Flyers finished with an impressive 24-2 record and saved their best for last.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"100"}},"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:100">Their title run at the Wachs Arena&nbsp;at the Barnett Center in Aberdeen was nothing short of special, as they knocked off Sully Buttes, Wall, and Castlewood to bring home the Championship. From big-time performances to clutch moments, this group proved they were built for the biggest stage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">In <em>Freeman Flyers: Class B Champions</em>, we take a deeper look at the team behind the title. Inside, you'll find player stats, comments, and an in-depth Q&amp;A session that gives insight into the players, the journey, and what made this Championship run so special.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"100"}},"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:100">This team has etched its name into the history books and will never be forgotten in the Freeman community. Congratulations to Coach Friesen, the players, and the die-hard Flyer fans on an incredible season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">A special shoutout goes to [player_tooltip player_id='2253895' first='David' last='Walter'] for earning 1st Team All-State honors and [player_tooltip player_id='2247647' first='Tate' last='Sorensen'] for being named 3rd Team All-State—well-deserved recognition for two key contributors to a Championship season.</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3581215,"width":"334px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.2916920491545005","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/image_aa94de.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/image_aa94de.png" alt="" class="wp-image-3581215" style="aspect-ratio:1.2916920491545005;width:334px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1842251,"width":"318px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/SeaonReview-.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/SeaonReview-.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1842251" style="width:318px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"25px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:25px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Player Stats &amp; Info</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"12px","fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"100"}}} --> <p style="font-size:12px;font-style:normal;font-weight:100"><em>*Comments from Coach Friesen</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2253895' first='David' last='Walter'] (2028) |6'5 G/F| -</strong> 18.3 ppg, 7.8rg, 2.7 Apg, 1.6 spg, .7 bpg&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Dominant player who shot 65% for the year. David was our leader and improved as the year went along because of his relentless work ethic.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2247647' first='Tate' last='Sorensen'] (2026) |6'2 F| -</strong> 10.1ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.7apg, 1.6spg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Leader on our team. Heart and soul of this year's squad. His athleticism defensively really made a difference for our squad, as well as his ability to score inside/outside.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2249972' first='Luke' last='Peters'] (2026) |5'11 G| - </strong>8.9ppg, 3.1rpg, 2.7apg, 1.6spg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Hardest worker I have ever coached. Very unselfish. Good Shooter and Great defender.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2253896' first='Tayden' last='Kerrigan'] (2028) |6'0 G| -</strong> 9.4ppg, 5.0rpg, 3.1apg, 2spg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Led the team from the point guard position. His defense really improved as the year went along. He also rebounds very well for a guard. Played a great State Tournament.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2253894' first='Luke' last='Miller'] (2028) |6'1 G| -</strong> 6.8ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.4apg, 1.1spg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Underrated perimeter player for us. Everybody forgets about [player_tooltip player_id='2253894' first='Luke' last='Miller'], but he just keeps making plays. Very good defender and shooter.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2565904' first='Oliver' last='Waltner'] (2027) |6'4 F| -</strong> 4.7ppg, 3.6rpg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Productive post off the bench.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3040402' first='Taylor' last='Goodwin'] (2026) |5'9 G| -</strong> 2.2ppg, 1.6rpg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Shooter, smart player</em>"&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3581297' first='Tannen' last='Auch'] (2027) |6'1 G/F| -</strong> 1.8ppg, 1.2rpg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Shooter</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2508303,"width":"293px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <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:293px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"25px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:25px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">With Lance Friesen</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: How would you sum up the season for your squad?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Remarkable, a State Championship is something every team dreams about. Players kept their heads on straight all year and just improved day after day.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What are some of your best memories from off the court?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Lots of card games at the State Tournament and just seeing the kids enjoy each other on road trips.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Can you talk about a time when you and the team overcame adversity?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We really battled in the State Semifinal game against Wall. They hit so many shots that were contested. We just kept battling together.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who was your most improved player?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>[player_tooltip player_id='2253896' first='Tayden' last='Kerrigan'] really improved this year as a point guard, shooter, and defensive player.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who were a few of your hardest workers?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>[player_tooltip player_id='2249972' first='Luke' last='Peters']: The guy doesn't stop. He isn't afraid to take charges or dive on the floor at any moment.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Can you talk about your seniors?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Yes, we will miss [player_tooltip player_id='2247647' first='Tate' last='Sorensen'], [player_tooltip player_id='2249972' first='Luke' last='Peters'], and [player_tooltip player_id='3040402' first='Taylor' last='Goodwin'].</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Luke and Tate have played for 5 years and provide amazing leadership for the younger players.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who was your top post player?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>[player_tooltip player_id='2253895' first='David' last='Walter'] can play inside or out. He is really good inside finishing as well as grabbing offensive rebounds.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who was your best defensive player?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All of them. We switched everything so everyone had to be able to guard to get minutes.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PHD: Were there any memorable buzzer-beaters, upsets, or clutch performances?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2253895' first='David' last='Walter'] hit a buzzer-beater 3pter to beat Wessington Springs at the Hanson Classic.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What lessons from this season go beyond basketball?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We learned that a team has to stay together and really stay bonded or cohesive to make a run in the State Tournament.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Can you talk about an assistant coach?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Kyle Weier and Jackson Fiegen are outstanding assistants who are willing to help out in any way that we need.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"italic","fontWeight":"1000"}}} --> <p style="font-style:italic;font-weight:1000">BEST OF LUCK TO THE FLYERS THIS OFF-SEASON!!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3581215,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/image_aa94de.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/image_aa94de.png?w=1023" alt="" class="wp-image-3581215" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->