TEAM Warwick 15U Ulvestad: Season Recap

This [program_tooltip program_id='2228190' first='TEAM' last='Warwick'] 15U squad had talent in droves, along with something even harder to find: real chemistry. Coached by Andrew Ulvestad, a coach who knows the game inside and out and does a tremendous job steering the ship for Warwick, this group established itself as one of the best 15U teams in the entire Dakotas region, loaded with upside and talent from top to bottom.   What made this team special wasn't just what happened between the lines, though. It was the relationships built along the way, from road trips and team outings to postgame meals earned through hard-fought defensive efforts. That closeness carried over onto the court, where this group grew from a talented but still-developing team into one that shared the basketball at a high level, trusted one another in big moments, and found ways to close out games they might have let slip away earlier in the season.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/image_5b5d04.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/image_5b5d04.png" alt="" class="wp-image-3712880" style="width:380px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   See below for player comments and an intriguing Q&A session.   <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="aspect-ratio:1.601996257018091;width:251px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   [program_tooltip program_id='2228190' first='TEAM' last='Warwick'] 15U Ulvestad   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/image_319070.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/image_319070.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3712882" style="aspect-ratio:1.8253637626033932;width:378px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Player Comments from Coach Ulvestad    "Tayven joined the [program_tooltip program_id='2228190' first='TEAM' last='Warwick'] program this season and fit into our culture immediately. He has the versatility to play multiple positions, which allowed us to use him in a variety of lineups throughout the summer. Despite often giving up size, he consistently rebounded at a high level because of his toughness, instincts, and willingness to compete every possession. Offensively, he's a true playmaker who can score in a variety of ways—getting downhill, finishing around the rim, or making the right read for a teammate. What I appreciate most about Tayven is that he never backs down from a challenge. He embraces competition and has the confidence to compete against anyone. I think he'll play a significant role in the future of Sioux Falls Jefferson basketball."     "Cohen is one of the nicest young men you'll ever meet, and he's equally as hardworking. Every day he brought a positive attitude and a willingness to improve. He runs the floor extremely well, stretches the defense with his three-point shooting, and his footwork around the basket is as good as you'll find for a player his age. He consistently created second-chance opportunities by attacking the offensive glass. The biggest improvement I saw this season was on the defensive end. His ability to guard on the perimeter, move his feet, and defend multiple positions took a major step forward, making him a much more complete player."     "Camden is the definition of a team-first player. Whatever our team needed, he was willing to do without hesitation. Throughout the season, he literally played all five positions for us, and that versatility is incredibly valuable. His three-point shot improved dramatically as the summer progressed, giving him another weapon offensively, while his on-ball defense remained one of his greatest strengths. Camden takes pride in guarding the other team's best players, and his competitive mindset is contagious. I expect him to be a major force for Dell Rapids over the next three seasons in Class A basketball."     "It's been fun watching Preston return after battling through multiple injuries over the past couple of years. His athleticism immediately jumps out—he has one of the quickest first steps you'll find and is capable of making plays that change the momentum of a game. He delivered some huge moments for us throughout the summer. One area that really impressed me was his growth at the free-throw line. Late in games, when possessions mattered most, he consistently stepped up and knocked down pressure free throws. That confidence and composure were huge for our team."     "Charlie had one of the toughest jobs on our team as our primary point guard, often matching up against some outstanding guards throughout the country. He handled that challenge extremely well. Charlie is capable of catching fire offensively and changing a game in just a few possessions, but what impressed me most was his decision-making. He consistently finished well above a 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, showing how well he controlled the game. Defensively, he's also underrated. Despite not being the biggest guard, he competes every possession, communicates well, and makes opposing guards work."     "Rylan is the type of player every coach loves to have. He does all of the little things that don't always show up in the box score. He knows every position in every set we run, making him one of the smartest players on our team. His decision-making with the basketball was outstanding, finishing the season with only 15 turnovers in 34 games. That's an incredible statistic considering how many touches he gets. He shoots the ball well, competes defensively, and I thought his biggest growth this summer came in becoming more aggressive and more physical. He's an outstanding teammate who always puts the team first."     "Kalen is simply a competitor. He can beat you in multiple ways, whether it's knocking down over 40% of his three-point attempts or taking defenders inside with a polished post game and great touch around the basket. He's also one of the best free-throw shooters I've coached, converting over 90% from the line, which makes him someone you trust late in close games. On top of that, he's an outstanding rebounder who consistently plays bigger than his size because of his effort and instincts."     "Gavin made tremendous strides over the course of the summer. His shooting continued to improve, and by the end of the season he was knocking down shots with a great deal of confidence. The biggest improvement, though, was his movement without the basketball. He became much more intentional about cutting, relocating, and creating opportunities for both himself and his teammates. I also thought he took a significant step defensively by becoming more engaged and consistent on that end of the floor. Gavin has a very bright future and I believe he's going to become a big-time player."     "John has one of the more unique stories on our team. He joined our top team in 2025 after Preston was sidelined with an injury, and from day one he fit seamlessly into our group. This summer, his offensive game really took off. He shot nearly 40% from three-point range, finished around the basket with excellent touch, and consistently made the right play when defenses sent help. His ability to read double teams and create for teammates is something that often goes unnoticed. John also earned his first college basketball offer this summer, the first player on our team to do so, which was exciting for all of us. More than anything, I'm proud of the person he is. His work ethic, humility, and authenticity have made him an incredible teammate."    <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/image_43a217.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/image_43a217.png" alt="" class="wp-image-3712919" style="width:573px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Q&A with Andrew Ulvestad   PHD: Could you tell us about some of the memories off the court?   "Best memories from off the court. Without question, it was the relationships we built away from basketball. We spent countless hours together traveling, eating meals, watching film, and simply enjoying being around one another. We explored downtown Nashville—where a few guys decided they needed cowboy hats—competed at TopGolf, battled through plenty of mini-golf competitions, and shared a lot of laughs along the way. After an outstanding defensive performance in Minneapolis, the team earned a steak dinner that I was happy to treat them to. We also wrapped up the summer with a golf scramble followed by supper and games that many players AND parents participated in. Those moments mattered because they strengthened relationships that eventually showed up on the court. I also can't say enough about our parents. This was one of the closest, most supportive groups of families I've ever been around, and that made coaching this team incredibly rewarding."   PHD: Is there a memorable game you can tell us about?   "Memorable game. The games against Mid Pro Academy stand out more than any others. We played them twice in a seven-day stretch—first in Nashville and then again in Chicago. In Nashville, we lost a heartbreaking overtime game by two points. We had opportunities to win, but we simply didn't execute well enough down the stretch. A week later, we met again in the Round of 16 in Chicago. Our players remembered that feeling, responded the right way, and played one of our best halves of basketball all season. We pulled away in the second half and won by double digits. It wasn't about revenge as much as it was about growth. We trusted one another, shared the basketball, defended at a high level, and proved what we're capable of when we play team basketball."   PHD: Who was your go-to player?   "One of the biggest strengths of this team was that we never relied on just one player. We had so many different skill sets that the "go-to" player often depended on the matchup. If we needed someone to attack the rim, [player_tooltip player_id='2836129' first='Camden' last='Jones'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2442367' first='Cohen' last='Soukup'] consistently found ways to finish through contact. When we needed a big shot, [player_tooltip player_id='2442366' first='Charlie' last='Erickson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2519350' first='Kalen' last='Kvistero'] hit some huge three-pointers throughout the season. [player_tooltip player_id='2442360' first='Preston' last='Gasca'] could create something out of nothing with his athleticism. What made this group special, though, was that nobody cared who scored. They trusted one another enough to make the extra pass and find the best shot instead of forcing a difficult one."   PHD: What did your team improve on this season?   "The biggest improvement wasn't necessarily in our talent—it was in our chemistry and maturity. As the season progressed, the players trusted one another more, and it showed in the way they shared the basketball. We became one of the best passing teams I've coached at this age level. Defensively, we became tougher, more connected, and communicated much better. Perhaps the biggest difference was how we finished games. Early in the season, we came up short in several close contests. By the end of the summer, we were winning those same games because we valued the basketball, made pressure free throws, defended without fouling, and found ways to get the critical stop when we needed it most."   PHD: What lessons from this season go beyond basketball?   "We emphasized three themes throughout the year: toughness, family, and leadership."   "Toughness wasn't just about taking contact. It meant defending with intensity, setting solid screens, playing through adversity, responding the right way after mistakes, and showing mental and emotional resilience. For some of our players, it also meant growing spiritually and learning to play with purpose beyond basketball."   "Family became a huge part of our identity. We traveled thousands of miles together this summer, and our players made it a point after games to thank their parents and families for the sacrifices they made to give them these opportunities. That gratitude helped keep basketball in perspective."   "Finally, we constantly reminded our players that player-led teams are almost always more successful than coach-led teams. We challenged them to hold one another accountable, encourage teammates, and speak up when something wasn't right. Basketball gives young people an incredible opportunity to develop leadership skills that will serve them long after the final buzzer. If our players leave this program as better leaders, teammates, sons, and future husbands and fathers, then we've accomplished something much bigger than wins and losses."   BEST OF LUCK TO ALL THE WARWICK BALLERS THIS WINTER!!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/teamwarwicklogo.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/teamwarwicklogo.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3607973" style="aspect-ratio:2.1741334675679562;width:288px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/image_bfa7a5.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/image_bfa7a5.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3712928" /></a></figure>

This TEAM Warwick 15U squad had talent in droves, along with something even harder to find: real chemistry. Coached by Andrew Ulvestad, a coach who knows the game inside and out and does a tremendous job steering the ship for Warwick, this group established itself as one of the best 15U teams in the entire Dakotas region, loaded with upside and talent from top to bottom.