Team Preview: Pack 16U Blue

We're taking a closer look at Pack 16U Blue—an intriguing and exciting group of ballers out of North Dakota that's already turning heads early in the club season. This squad is primarily made up of 2028 prospects, along with a pair of 2029 players competing up, and they've already shown what they're capable of with a strong 4–0 start in their first tournament.   There's a lot to like about this group. They bring a mix of talent, energy, and up-and-coming pieces that make them a team worth watching. Under the direction of head coach Troy Lillehoff—a basketball enthusiast, invested leader, and effective communicator—Pack 16U Blue is in great hands moving forward.   Prep Hoops Dakotas is especially excited to get eyes on this squad, with multiple opportunities coming up on the Prep Hoops Circuit, including this weekend's Twin Cities Takedown. This is a team that will continue to develop, compete, and make noise as the season progresses.   Be sure to keep Pack 16U Blue on your radar—this group has legit talent and a number of rising players you'll want to see in action. Below, we take a look at the roster, schedule, and an informative Q&A to get to know this team even better.   Roster   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/image_cdc72a.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/image_cdc72a.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3596891" style="aspect-ratio:1.7840025530927237;width:761px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Roster & Schedule   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/image_9e3c8a.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/image_9e3c8a.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3596899" /></a></figure>   <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:225px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   With Coach Lillehoff   PHD: How has the team looked so far?   "Pack Blue posted a 4-0 W/L record last week at the Denver Recruit Looks Invitational. In all games, we led at halftime except one, where we were tied. Second half results were all margin increases, showing their ability to adjust, stay disciplined, and gritty, literally wearing down the opposing team and making top scorers negligible."   [player_tooltip player_id='2408493' first='Jay'Mari' last='Burch'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2953947' first='Finn' last='Lillehoff'] led the efforts getting good transition and early offense rolling, leading to several close hoop opportunities and one-on-one drives for scores."   "[player_tooltip player_id='2906128' first='Liam' last='Chathams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2409449' first='Sonny' last='Alberts'] were mostly unstoppable under the hoop, scoring over and over again on 1st, 2nd, and even 3rd attempt rebounds and putbacks."   "Notables: [player_tooltip player_id='2952565' first='Jude' last='Lillehoff'] hit 2 back-to-back 3's, getting Pack from a 6pt margin to 12pt with 2 min to go against Colorado Next Level Elite. [player_tooltip player_id='2407814' first='Naviah' last='Friday-Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='3596909' first='Jake' last='Miller'] were defensive powerhouses with multiple blocks, putbacks, and defensive stops that led to turnovers or scores."   PHD: What excites you most about this group?   "Coming into the season with a new team and a known group of athletes. Coming off a first tournament 4-0 showing and first time watching the team bond, compete, communicate in game situations while having a great time was something any coach wants. This is a recipe to get better every time we practice and step onto the court. I think the results will speak for themselves."   PHD: What are this team's biggest strengths on the court?   "In the time that we have had, this team's grit and ability to adjust, looking for immediate success, has been a key strength."   PHD: What are your goals or expectations for this team this spring/summer?   "My goal for this team in the next 3 months is to build a top-performing team engine that is leading and coaching each other by hard work and good example. My expectations around each of them are to understand and rely on your strengths, but learn your deficiencies and areas for improvement and work to fill those gaps with daily training, skills development, and increasing mental fortitude."   PHD: What will your defense "hang its hat on"?   "Communication, exploiting weaknesses, winning individual matchups."   PHD: How often will your team meet to practice, and what will the focus be?   "Twice a week."   "1) Skills, 2) Offence and situations, 3) Defense and scenarios, 4) IQ."   PHD: Who will be a few of your top shooters?   "[player_tooltip player_id='2953947' first='Finn' last='Lillehoff'], [player_tooltip player_id='3596916' first='Pistol' last='Bearstail'], (Twins) Liam and [player_tooltip player_id='2952565' first='Jude' last='Lillehoff']."   PHD: What style of play can fans expect on both ends of the floor?    "Early offense, highlights, lots of skills on display."   PHD: Who do you think will be your best rebounders?   "[player_tooltip player_id='3596909' first='Jake' last='Miller'] (Top Athlete), [player_tooltip player_id='2409449' first='Sonny' last='Alberts'] (Top Center), [player_tooltip player_id='2407814' first='Naviah' last='Friday-Johnson'] (True Power Forward who wants to score)."   PHD: What's a strength of this team that might not get noticed right away?   "Maturity evolution from 1st half to 2nd, game to game, tourney to tourney."   PHD: If you had to describe this team in three words?   "LFG!"   PHD: Any last comments about the upcoming season?   "Thanks to the Midwest Prep Hoops team and Prep Hoops network for contributing and creating opportunities for The Pack NPO to foster our next generation of Ballers, Leaders, Contributors, etc. to be the torch carriers for the future."   BEST OF LUCK TO PACK THIS SEASON!!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/image_cdc72a-crop-454x299-1776697529.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/image_cdc72a-crop-454x299-1776697529.png?w=453" alt="" class="wp-image-3597218" /></a></figure>

We're taking a closer look at Pack 16U Blue—an intriguing and exciting group of ballers out of North Dakota that's already turning heads early in the club season. This squad is primarily made up of 2028 prospects, along with a pair of 2029 players competing up, and they've already shown what they're capable of with a strong 4–0 start in their first tournament.