17U Schoolers National Team: Preview

<p dir="auto">This talented Schoolers squad will get their AAU season started next weekend in Louisville. KY. They will be an exciting team to watch with excellent guards, athletic wings, and monster size. They also have a star coach in <em>Buster Vincent</em>. Sioux Valley’s assistant coach was recently named a Region Coach of the Year in South Dakota. Read below for an in-depth look at the <strong>17U Schoolers National Team</strong>!  </p> <p dir="auto">17U Schoolers National Team has put together a real nice mix of college basketball prospects to form one of the top teams in the Sanford Power Basketball family. Interim 17U head coach <em>Buster Vincent</em> of Sioux Valley states it best "<em>We have 10 dudes all in on the sport of basketball, and every one of them wanting to play at the next level after High School. This makes for a fun group to be around and grow with as a coach.</em>"</p> <p dir="auto">This 17U Schoolers squad is once again headlined by two of South Dakota’s best in 6’3 [player_tooltip player_id="963747" first="Joe" last="Sayler"] of White River and 6’1 [player_tooltip player_id="963744" first="Oliver" last="Vincent"] of Sioux Valley both of who are in their fourth summer of forming this dynamic duo. They are joined in the backcourt this year by cross-state fellow superstar and close friend, [player_tooltip player_id="1050249" first="Alex" last="Dvorak"] 6’1, All-Stater from Dickinson North Dakota. [player_tooltip player_id="963750" first="Spencer" last="Barr"] 6’0 Aberdeen Central rounds out the guard slots in his 3rd season. Athletic and standing 6’4 [player_tooltip player_id="963772" first="Ethan" last="Cheeseman"] of Hanson looks to add upgraded depth along with fellow class A player, [player_tooltip player_id="963758" first="Spencer" last="Fernholz"] of Miller. Powering this star-studded group down low is 6’8 [player_tooltip player_id="1227942" first="Jacob" last="Vandeweerd"] of Canton, 6’9 forward [player_tooltip player_id="1204807" first="Aiden" last="Jensen"] (Madison SD), 6’11 newcomer [player_tooltip player_id="1185523" first="Ethan" last="Koltz"] from SF Jefferson, and State Class B Champion, [player_tooltip player_id="963766" first="Damon" last="Wilkinson"] 6’9 De Smet HS. </p> <h4 dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Schooler Roster</strong></span></h4> <div dir="auto"> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center;"> <h5><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="963750" first="Spencer" last="Barr"]</strong></h5> </td> <td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center;"> <h5><strong>6’0 G</strong></h5> </td> <td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center;"> <h5><strong>Aberdeen Central</strong></h5> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center;"> <h5><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1050249" first="Alex" last="Dvorak"]</strong></h5> </td> <td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center;"> <h5><strong>6’1 G</strong></h5> </td> <td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center;"> <h5><strong>Dickinson</strong></h5> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center;"> <h5><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="963744" first="Oliver" last="Vincent"]</strong></h5> </td> <td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center;"> <h5><strong>6’1 G</strong></h5> </td> <td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center;"> <h5><strong>Sioux Valley</strong></h5> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center;"> <h5><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="963747" first="Joe" last="Sayler"]</strong></h5> </td> <td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center;"> <h5><strong>6’3 G</strong></h5> </td> <td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center;"> <h5><strong>White River</strong></h5> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center;"> <h5><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="963758" first="Spencer" last="Fernholz"]</strong></h5> </td> <td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center;"> <h5><strong>6’3 SF</strong></h5> </td> <td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center;"> <h5><strong>Miller</strong></h5> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center;"> <h5><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="963772" first="Ethan" last="Cheeseman"]</strong></h5> </td> <td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center;"> <h5><strong>6’4 SF</strong></h5> </td> <td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center;"> <h5><strong>Hanson</strong></h5> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center;"> <h5><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1227942" first="Jacob" last="Vandeweerd"]</strong></h5> </td> <td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center;"> <h5><strong>6’9 PF</strong></h5> </td> <td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center;"> <h5><strong>Canton</strong></h5> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center;"> <h5><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1204807" first="Aiden" last="Jensen"]</strong></h5> </td> <td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center;"> <h5><strong>6’9 F</strong></h5> </td> <td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center;"> <h5><strong>Madison</strong></h5> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center;"> <h5><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="963766" first="Damon" last="Wilkinson"]</strong></h5> </td> <td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center;"> <h5><strong>6’9 C</strong></h5> </td> <td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center;"> <h5><strong>De Smet</strong></h5> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center;"> <h5><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1185523" first="Ethan" last="Koltz"]</strong></h5> </td> <td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center;"> <h5><strong>6’9 C</strong></h5> </td> <td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center;"> <h5><strong>Sioux Falls Jefferson</strong></h5> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/PentagonSchoolers.jpg"><img class="alignnone wp-image-1427886" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/PentagonSchoolers-300x187.jpg" alt="" width="183" height="114" /></a></p> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Schooler Talk with coach <em>Buster Vincent</em></strong></span></h4> <p dir="auto"><strong>PHD: What style of basketball will your team play?</strong></p> <p dir="auto"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Coach Vincent</span>: "<em>We will be BIG, but we will still play fast, play fun, and play free. We have placed our spacing template on the floor, and we will work at actions/reads and re-spacing while allowing these guys to go and make plays.</em>"</p> <p dir="auto"><strong>PHD: What excites you about your roster?</strong></p> <p dir="auto"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Coach Vincent</span>: "<em>We have three really really good PGs who can create. We have the best player in the State of South Dakota in [player_tooltip player_id="963747" first="Joe" last="Sayler"] who can score from anywhere on the floor and we will close the lid with four guys over 6’8.</em>"</p> <p dir="auto"><strong>PHD: Who are a couple of your underrated players?</strong></p> <p dir="auto"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Coach Vincent</span>: "<em>[player_tooltip player_id="963750" first="Spencer" last="Barr"] of Aberdeen Central HS. He is strong for his size and works his tail off everytime he steps on the basketball court. Spencer has a nice pull up, can shoot the three and he plays team basketball.</em>"</p> <p dir="auto">"<em>[player_tooltip player_id="963772" first="Ethan" last="Cheeseman"] 6’4 Hanson HS. Ethan is crazy athletic, a great teammate and fun to be around. He can bang down low, pass well from the high post and shoot really well from the perimeter. I believe Ethan has his best basketball ahead of him and I can’t wait to see him play with this group.</em>"</p> <p dir="auto"><strong>PHD: Who is your top shooters?</strong></p> <p dir="auto"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Coach Vincent</span>: "<em>They all can shoot it, but [player_tooltip player_id="963747" first="Joe" last="Sayler"] is a special kind of DUDE. SDSU saw this ability at a young age and Joe continues to prove coach Henderson and his staff right, everytime Joe plays a game. He is really something special.</em>"</p> <p dir="auto"><strong>PHD: Who are your best guards?</strong></p> <p dir="auto"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Coach Vincent</span>: "<em>Oli and Alex! They both have a special swagger about them.</em>"</p> <p dir="auto">"<em>[player_tooltip player_id="963744" first="Oliver" last="Vincent"] is just one of the best when it comes to impacting the game at every level. He guards the opposing teams best player, runs the point, getting everyone involved. Leads with unmatched passion, plays bigger than his frame and you just feel like he will find your team a way to win while he is on the court.</em>"</p> <p dir="auto">"<em>[player_tooltip player_id="1050249" first="Alex" last="Dvorak"], Dickinson HS. I am so excited to add Alex to this group. He may be our best dunker even though one of our smaller guys. He finds ways to score no matter how you try to guard him. Athletic, fast, and a game changer! Alex had several programs seeking his talents this summer and we can’t wait to watch him perform and shine within our program.</em>"</p> <p dir="auto"><strong>PHD: Tell us about your BIGS.</strong></p> <p dir="auto"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Coach Vincent</span>: "<em>[player_tooltip player_id="1204807" first="Aiden" last="Jensen"] 6’9 Madison HS. Had a great junior season for the Bulldogs and coach Jeff Larsen. Aiden plays the 4/5 spot in HS but we feel like he can perform and grow his game at the three spot or a stretch four. Aiden can shoot the ball, rebounds well and take smaller guys into the paint.</em>"</p> <p dir="auto">"<em>[player_tooltip player_id="1227942" first="Jacob" last="Vandeweerd"] 6’8 Canton. Plays so hard and physical. Great screener which leads to many slip scoring opportunities for himself. Shot blocker, lid protector on defense and offensively has ability to score against most anyone in the paint and loves the walk-in three ball making him a bit of a matchup problem for oppents.</em>"</p> <p dir="auto">"<em>[player_tooltip player_id="1185523" first="Ethan" last="Koltz"] 6’11 Sioux Falls Jefferson. Ethan has intrigued me for several years now. I have watched him play the past few summers on other teams and this year on his high school team. Ethan has the biggest ceiling of all our guys to continue to improve. His stature makes him a college prospect, his ability to shoot the ball to 20 ft makes him intriguing and his raw post skills and improving foot work make him a must follow basketball player. Did I mention he is 6’11?? I am really looking forward to working with Ethan and getting him ready to join back up with his high school teammates next year.</em>"</p> <p dir="auto">"<em>[player_tooltip player_id="963766" first="Damon" last="Wilkinson"] 6’9 DeSmet HS. Damon is in his 3rd year of Schooler hoops. It has been amazing watching him become the player he is today. Fresh off the State Title game with 19 pts 23 rebs we look for Damon to keep his momentum moving forward and have a big summer and big impact in the paint. Strong, physical, smart, hard working big guy.</em>"</p> <p dir="auto"><strong>Recap</strong></p> <p dir="auto"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Coach Vincent</span>: "<em>Its a real honor to step in this year as interim 17U Schoolers National Team coach. Executive Director of the Sanford Power Basketball Academy, Freddie Coleman has tasked myself with big shoes this year. I believe I can fill this role in the interim, as our future top Coach, Nate Kaeding in his first year builds his programming and builds relationships with our entire Schoolers program before he steps into being our Lead coach going forward.</em>"</p> <p dir="auto">"<em>Taylor Fechner is our Director of Teams and has really put together a great group of coaches to lead our entire program (boys and girls) into a great summer of helping our athletes grow, playing against top level competition, having fun, build lasting relationships and memories while doing our best finding them each a great fit as they transition into college.</em>"</p> <h4 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>17U Schoolers National Team Schedule</strong></span></h4> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 99.9798%; height: 194px;"> <tbody> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 495.1px; text-align: center; height: 21px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Dates</strong></span></td> <td style="width: 495.1px; text-align: center; height: 21px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Location</strong></span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 495.1px; text-align: center; height: 21px;">April 22-24</td> <td style="width: 495.1px; text-align: center; height: 21px;">Louisville, KY</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 495.1px; text-align: center; height: 21px;">April 30- May 1</td> <td style="width: 495.1px; text-align: center; height: 21px;">Minneapolis, MN</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 495.1px; text-align: center; height: 21px;">May 14-15</td> <td style="width: 495.1px; text-align: center; height: 21px;">St. Cloud, MN</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 495.1px; text-align: center; height: 21px;">June 4-5</td> <td style="width: 495.1px; text-align: center; height: 21px;">Sioux Falls, SD</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 495.1px; text-align: center; height: 21px;">June 29-30</td> <td style="width: 495.1px; text-align: center; height: 21px;">St. Cloud, MN</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 495.1px; text-align: center; height: 21px;">July 8-12</td> <td style="width: 495.1px; text-align: center; height: 21px;">Atlanta, GA</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 495.1px; text-align: center; height: 21px;">July TBD</td> <td style="width: 495.1px; text-align: center; height: 21px;">Prep Hoops TBD</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 495.1px; text-align: center; height: 21px;">July 23-24</td> <td style="width: 495.1px; text-align: center; height: 21px;">Sioux Falls, SD</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div>