Talkin’ Ball: Get To Know The Dakotas

The countdown to basketball season is getting shorter, and there's no better time to start getting familiar with the players who will be making an impact across the Dakotas. In <a href="https://x.com/DaksHoops" data-type="link" data-id="https://x.com/DaksHoops">@DaksHoops</a> Talkin' Ball series, we sit down with athletes from North Dakota and South Dakota to talk about their game, their journey, and everything that goes into being a basketball player.   These conversations give us a chance to learn about the players beyond the box score. Every player has a different story, and that's what makes these interviews so much fun.   So while we wait for the first tip, take some time to get to know the Dakotas' ballers and hear what they have to say. The season will be here before we know it!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/image_5a0379.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/image_5a0379.png" alt="" class="wp-image-3773659" style="width:201px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/image_6df4e7.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/image_6df4e7.png" alt="" class="wp-image-3773660" style="width:424px;height:auto" /></a></figure>    PHD: Walk me through your off-season. What did you do to improve your basketball game?   "This off-season, I lifted during the week while also doing basketball workouts on my own and with my team. Our baseball team had a great baseball season that ended with a State Championship. On the weekends, I played for Sanford, which definitely helped me improve my game."   PHD: What's one specific part of your game you focused on improving this offseason, and where do you feel like you've made the most progress?   "I have really been focusing on my defense and being able to create for my teammates. I think I've gotten a lot better at being able to not only be able to create my own shot, but also being able to get my teammates open shots."   PHD: What does your fall look like right now? Are you playing another sport, or is it all basketball focused?   "My fall is all basketball focused. I've been lifting, and doing basketball workouts on my own to prepare for the season."   PHD: What are your goals for the coming season, both individually and for your team?   "Individually, I want to be a lockdown defender this year. I want to be able to shut down who I'm guarding. As a team, our goal is to make it to State and then go from there."   PHD: Can you give some insight on an influential coach you have had? What made them memorable?   "An influential coach that I've had is Coach Kleis. He is always pushing us to get better both in the season and out of it. He always holds everyone accountable. He has just pushed me to be the best I can be."   PHD: Time to give a shout to a teammate...Who do we need to know about from your high school team?   "First, I'd say [player_tooltip player_id='2826298' first='Payton' last='Sorensen']. I played with him this summer. He can really shoot it from anywhere. I would also say [player_tooltip player_id='3718064' first='Hanson' last='Jacobson']. He has improved a lot from last year and he is going to be a big part of our team this year."   PHD: Who is your favorite player to watch in college or the NBA, and why?   "My favorite player to watch is Steph Curry. I've always liked watching him because he is entertaining, but I can always learn a lot from watching how he plays."   PHD: Where do you feel like your game has grown the most in the past year or two?   "I feel like my game has grown the most in my confidence to consistently make shots, whether they are contested or not. I also feel there is growth in running the offense and being an extension of the coaches while on the floor."   PHD: Who pushes you the hardest, whether that's a teammate, a coach, or someone you train with?   "I would say, my teammates. I don't have a single name in mind. When I see how hard they have been working, it makes me want to work as hard as possible to be the best I can be for the team."   PHD: Where is your hot spot on the floor or can you tell us about a "go-to" move you like to use?   "I've always liked pulling up at the elbows. When I work on my jumper, a lot of my reps are from one of the elbows, so in a game I'm confident taking that shot."     PHD: Walk me through your off-season. What did you do to improve your basketball game?   "The off-season has been driven by the heartbreak and feelings that I can't explain of losing in the State Championship. A bunch of teammates and I will go to Athletic Republic in Fargo and play some competitive games of 5 on 5 on 5 or 3 on 3 on 3 to push each other."   PHD: What's one specific part of your game you focused on improving this offseason, and where do you feel like you've made the most progress?   "One specific part of my game I focused on improving was my athleticism and rebounding. We have so many guys that can create offense and space the floor, such as [player_tooltip player_id='2417308' first='Andrew' last='Ziemer'], [player_tooltip player_id='2412094' first='Kole' last='Buhr'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1925132' first='Kash' last='Lorenz'], so I feel like if I can help us out with rebounding and defense, we will be a solid team. I feel like I've made the most progress in rebounding. It was something I took pride in during AAU and look forward to continuing to do."   PHD: What does your fall look like right now? Are you playing another sport, or is it all basketball focused?   "The fall right now is just working on my game with the boys, focusing on basketball. I'm so blessed to have a group of guys that love the game just as much as I do to push me every day to be better."   PHD: What are your goals for the coming season, both individually and for your team?   "My goals for this year as a team are that we can stick together and be resilient in times that are tough, as we are no longer a young team. My goals for myself this year are to stay levelheaded and mentally strong. I also want to improve drastically on the defensive side and rebounding cause that's what I think will help this team the most. We have so many guys that can space the floor very well, such as [player_tooltip player_id='2412094' first='Kole' last='Buhr'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1925132' first='Kash' last='Lorenz'], that I think if I can be an X factor rebounding the basketball that will help us drastically."   PHD: Can you give some insight on an influential coach you have had? What made them memorable?   "Mr. Norman is who comes to mind early. He could easily do the bare minimum, not let us in the gym after hours, or anything like that, but he chooses to go above and beyond for us. On the court, he's a true leader who can read us well. He knows when to get on us; he knows when to calm us down, and he's very good at it. He's also just a great guy to be around off the court and as a teacher."   PHD: Time to give a shout to a teammate...Who do we need to know about from your high school team?   "I could say so many people for this, but I have to go with [player_tooltip player_id='2414460' first='Jaxson' last='Haug']. The way he has inspired us by recovering from an ACL injury is truly remarkable. He didn't say “why me” he just put his head down, did the work to get back and is ready to play the game that he loves. I've also grown closer to him off the court this summer and it's been awesome. He's a great friend and someone you want in your corner. On the court, look for him to spread the floor at a high-level and play lockdown physical defense. He can also attack very well and finish around the rim with great touch."   PHD: Who is your favorite player to watch in college or the NBA, and why?   "My favorite player to watch in the NBA is Cooper Flagg. I like how he uses his length and quickness to get to his spots while also doing multiple things on a basketball court, not just score."   PHD: Where do you feel like your game has grown the most in the past year or two?   "The area where I think my game has grown the most is rebounding and defense. I took pride in rebounding during AAU and look forward to keep doing that. It's also a tough task guarding guys like [player_tooltip player_id='2417308' first='Andrew' last='Ziemer'] every day at the gym and it pushes you to be a much better defender."   PHD: Who pushes you the hardest, whether that's a teammate, a coach, or someone you train with?   "I feel like [player_tooltip player_id='2417308' first='Andrew' last='Ziemer'] pushes me the most. He's a true leader who gives 110% effort no matter what. The amount of hours he puts in the gym is ridiculous. He has turned himself into a knockdown shooter in a matter of months. I truly think he is a big reason why we are in the gym a ton. I also think that he has inspired me to work hard and improve in so many ways."   PHD: Where is your hot spot on the floor or can you tell us about a "go-to" move you like to use?   "A go-to move I have is a Barkley dribble. If I can get into the post and get my back to the basket, I feel like that's where I'm at my best. I can use my length to finish effectively around the rim and also kick out to so many awesome shooters that we have on this team."     PHD: Walk me through your off-season. What did you do to improve your basketball game?   "This offseason was a variety of different types of basketball workouts. Coach Chris Haynes had our Yankton Bucks doing workouts as a team and at basketball camps, while I had individual workouts with my parents and Coach Terrell Newton. Both of my parents played basketball at the college level, but the game has evolved a lot since back then, so it's good to get different instruction and approaches. I worked on all the aspects of my game, focusing on ball handling and different scoring moves to get to the hoop and the midrange areas."   PHD: What's one specific part of your game you focused on improving this offseason, and where do you feel like you've made the most progress?   "This offseason, I have taken more of a European approach, which is putting the focus more on skill development and fundamentals. I really worked on my ball handling and just getting to the hoop with different moves, especially with my left hand. Next spring and summer my focus will transition to AAU approach and I'll play with Warwick's top team."   PHD: What does your fall look like right now? Are you playing another sport, or is it all basketball focused?   "I am a multi-sport athlete. This fall I'm playing football and am the quarterback for the Yankton Bucks. In addition, I have fall baseball practices 1-2 times a week. But I make sure I'm in the gym a couple times a week working on my game. Our family has a gym, so I get in there when my schedule allows."   PHD: What are your goals for the coming season, both individually and for your team?   "Basketball goals for this year include getting the Bucks back to the State Tournament. I want to be a leader and see my teammates love the game as much as I do."   PHD: Can you give some insight on an influential coach you have had? What made them memorable?   "The past couple of years and especially this summer, Coach Terrell Newton really helped me improve my game and has made a huge impact on me as a person. He worked with me to expand my skill set and helped me with getting comfortable with uncomfortable situations."   PHD: Time to give a shout to a teammate...Who do we need to know about from your high school team?   "I don't want to show the cards now, but this upcoming season I think the Yankton Bucks will be a team to look out for this year. My junior class has been playing basketball together for a long time and I'm looking forward to seeing what we can do this season."   PHD: Who is your favorite player to watch in college or the NBA, and why?   "My favorite player to watch is definitely Luka Dončić or Anthony Edwards. I really like to model my game off of how Luka plays and how he gets to his spots and I love how Anthony Edward always has confidence and wants the ball in tight moments."   PHD: Where do you feel like your game has grown the most in the past year or two?   "In the last few seasons, I feel like my ability to get to the rim, and especially just having more confidence, have really came a long ways. I am always looking to improve these things."   PHD: Who pushes you the hardest, whether that's a teammate, a coach, or someone you train with?   "My parents are my #1 fans and are always pushing me to be the best version of myself, whether that's on or off the court."   PHD: Where is your hot spot on the floor or can you tell us about a "go-to" move you like to use?   "A go-to spot for me is anywhere on the three-point line and I really like getting into the midrange area with a dribble move."     PHD: Walk me through your off-season. What did you do to improve your basketball game?   "Open gym all summer to help with playing as a team/ball movement."   PHD: What's one specific part of your game you focused on improving this offseason, and where do you feel like you've made the most progress?   "Getting a quicker release on catch and shoot and I've improved the most at finishing at the rim."   PHD: What does your fall look like right now? Are you playing another sport, or is it all basketball focused?   "I'm playing football, so not too focused on basketball."   PHD: What are your goals for the coming season, both individually and for your team?   "Make All-Region and make the State Tournament."   PHD: Can you give some insight on an influential coach you have had? What made them memorable?   "Coach Jangula pushes me to be better and gives me confidence when I'm down on myself."   PHD: Time to give a shout to a teammate...Who do we need to know about from your high school team?   "[player_tooltip player_id='2429661' first='Justin' last='Bosch']."   PHD: Who is your favorite player to watch in college or the NBA, and why?   "Steph curry I try to improve my game by watching him move off the ball to get open shots."   PHD: Where do you feel like your game has grown the most in the past year or two?   "I am a more consistent shooter and have improved my pull-up game."   PHD: Where is your hot spot on the floor or can you tell us about a "go-to" move you like to use?   "My hot spot is either wings or top of the key and my go-to move is a jab cross step back 3."     PHD: Walk me through your off-season. What did you do to improve your basketball game?   "My offseason was heavily surrounded in the weight room. I did some team summer scrimmages/camps, plus skill work. Summer was also busy because I play baseball."   PHD: What's one specific part of your game you focused on improving this offseason, and where do you feel like you've made the most progress?   "I am currently focusing on improving my finishing, defense, and 3-point shot. I feel I have made the most progress in finishing."   PHD: What does your fall look like right now? Are you playing another sport, or is it all basketball focused?   "Right now, my fall is pretty much all football, with weights 3-4 times a week."   PHD: What are your goals for the coming season, both individually and for your team?   "My goals for the basketball season are to obviously win a State Championship, have 45% or better 3-point percentage, and score 16+ ppg."   PHD: Can you give some insight on an influential coach you have had? What made them memorable?   "One influential coach I've had is Alex Jangula. He is my high school coach, and he pushes me to be the best version of myself."   PHD: Time to give a shout to a teammate...Who do we need to know about from your high school team?   "[player_tooltip player_id='2237766' first='Jayden' last='Jochim'], [player_tooltip player_id='2413967' first='Brody' last='Richter'], and [player_tooltip player_id='3575602' first='Carson' last='Wagner']."   PHD: Who is your favorite player to watch in college or the NBA, and why?   "My favorite player to watch is Steph Curry, because of his play style."   PHD: Where do you feel like your game has grown the most in the past year or two?   "I feel my game has improved in my 3-point shot the past years."   PHD: Who pushes you the hardest, whether that's a teammate, a coach, or someone you train with?   "My coaches and starting teammates push me the hardest."   PHD: Where is your hot spot on the floor or can you tell us about a "go-to" move you like to use?   "I feel my hot spot on the floor is at the top of the key. My go-to move is probably a hesi-pull 3, or get downhill quickly and finish."     PHD: Walk me through your off-season. What did you do to improve your basketball game?   "I really worked on shooting this summer and our coach Jordan Maurer held contests of those in the summer months, which I completed."   PHD: What does your fall look like right now? Are you playing another sport, or is it all basketball focused?   "I am currently playing football right now."   PHD: What are your goals for the coming season, both individually and for your team?   "My goals are to win the District again and try to win our Region."   PHD: Can you give some insight on an influential coach you have had? What made them memorable?   "An influential coach I've had is Jordan Maurer, helping me get better and helping me excel in the sport."   PHD: Time to give a shout to a teammate...Who do we need to know about from your high school team?   "Someone you want to watch this year on our team is [player_tooltip player_id='2689838' first='Connor' last='Mitchell']. He can shoot at a very high clip and see the floor really well, but injuries held him back this last year."   PHD: Who is your favorite player to watch in college or the NBA, and why?   "My favorite player to watch is Cooper Flagg because I love the way he plays."   PHD: Where do you feel like your game has grown the most in the past year or two?   "I've improved in lots of areas, but the shooting aspect of the game has definitely improved the most."   PHD: Where is your hot spot on the floor or can you tell us about a "go-to" move you like to use?   "My hot spot this summer was from the right corner; we ran lots of plays for me in the corner in AAU."

The countdown to basketball season is getting shorter, and there's no better time to start getting familiar with the players who will be making an impact across the Dakotas. In @DaksHoops Talkin' Ball series, we sit down with athletes from North Dakota and South Dakota to talk about their game, their journey, and everything that goes into being a basketball player.