Dell Rapids St. Mary: Season Recap

<p>The Cardinals from St. Mary are a team that fans will need to keep an eye on next season. The Cardinals had a quality 2021-2022 season where they picked up 15 wins. The Cards lost in the quarterfinals of Region 4. St. Mary had four All-Conference Players and they will bring back some heavy talent next season. I am expecting them to have an excellent offseason and to come into next year ready to compete at a very high level. Read below for a deep dive into the St. Mary Cardinals.</p> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Team Stats</strong></span></h4> <p><strong>PPG:</strong> 56.4 <strong>RPG:</strong> 37.7 <strong>APG:</strong> 10.2 <strong>SPG:</strong> 9.8 <strong>DPG:</strong> 6.2 <strong>BPG:</strong> 53</p> <p><strong>FG%:</strong> 39.7 <strong>2FG%:</strong> 45.9 <strong>3FG%:</strong> 26.6 <strong>FT%:</strong> 60.3 <strong>3FGM:</strong> 93 </p> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Player Stats</strong></span></h4> <p><strong>John Pica (2022) |6’4 F| </strong>- 10.9 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.2 spg, .8 bpg</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1266273" first="Nic" last="Gaspar"] (2024) |6’2 G| </strong>- 11 ppg, 5.7 rpg, .9 apg, 2.2 spg, 30.4 3FG%</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1393219" first="Dylan" last="Mathis"] (2023) |6’1 G| </strong>- 13.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.5 spg</p> <p><strong>CJ Smith (2023) |5’11 G| </strong>- 8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.5 spg, 33.3 FG%</p> <p><strong>Ty Brown (2022) |6’1 G| </strong>- 8.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.3 spg</p> <p><strong>Gabriel Lindeman (2023) |6’3 F| </strong>- 2.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg</p> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>DVC All-Conference Players</strong></span></h4> <p>Second Team - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1393219" first="Dylan" last="Mathis"]</strong>, <strong>John Pica</strong></p> <p>Third Team - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1266273" first="Nic" last="Gaspar"]</strong> </p> <p>Honorable Mention - <strong>Ty Brown</strong> </p> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Team Awards</strong></span></h4> <p>Offense MVP - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1393219" first="Dylan" last="Mathis"]</strong></p> <p>Defense MVP - [player_tooltip player_id="1266273" first="Nic" last="Gaspar"]</p> <p>Most Improved Player - <strong>CJ Smith</strong></p> <p>6th Man - <strong>Gabe Lindeman</strong></p> <p>Cardinal Award - <strong>John Pica</strong></p> <p>Up-&amp;-Coming - <strong>Trimmier Hanson</strong></p> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Cardinals Chat with Coach Colby Fitzgerald</strong></span></h4> <p><strong>PHD: What were some of the highlights of the season?</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Coach Fitzgerald</span>: "<em>Varsity finished 15-6, JV finished 10-8</em>"</p> <p>"<em>We had 23 boys out for basketball in 2021-22 with 8 seniors. We finished 2nd (15-5 record) in Region 3B standings and 2nd (7-2 record) in the DVC conference. The DVC conference is year in &amp; year out a very competitive league as it sent 2 teams (De Smet &amp; Castlewood) to the State Bs this year.</em>"</p> <p><strong>PHD: Which players improved the most for you this season?</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Coach Fitzgerald</span>: We only had 1 returning starter for the 2021-22 season. [player_tooltip player_id="1266273" first="Nic" last="Gaspar"] (So); <strong>CJ Smith</strong> (Jr) were two new players that were inserted into the starting lineup for the Cardinals this year. Each played varsity a season ago with minimal roles. This year Nic averaged 11 ppg and CJ averaged 8ppg respectively and were key contributors to the cardinal’s success. Nic earned 3rd team all DVC conference this season.</p> <p><strong>PHD: Who were your biggest "impact players" this season?</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Coach Fitzgerald</span>: "<em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1393219" first="Dylan" last="Mathis"]</strong> (jr) was our leading scorer with 13.4 ppg &amp; 2.5 apg.</em>"</p> <p>"<em><strong>John Pica</strong> (sr) averaged 10.9 ppg &amp; 8.3 rpg (6 double-doubles)</em>"</p> <p><strong>PHD: Who was your best shooter?</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Coach Fitzgerald</span>: "<em>[player_tooltip player_id="1393219" first="Dylan" last="Mathis"]</em> (jr) shot 48% FG 59% 2FG 25% 3FG"</p> <p><strong>PHD: Who was your best practice player and why?</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Coach Fitzgerald</span>: "<em><strong>John Pica</strong> (Sr) was always a player we could count on to bring energy and leadership. He is someone that the group could look up to and he would always lead by example.</em>"</p> <p><strong>PHD: Who were some of your key bench players?</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Coach Fitzgerald</span>: "<em>We played 6-7 players in our rotation this season. <strong>Gabriel Lindeman</strong> (Jr) was our key reserve this season averaging 2.7 ppg &amp; 3 rpg.</em>"</p> <p><strong>PHD: Can you make a few comments about the seniors that you are losing?</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Coach Fitzgerald</span>: "<em>We will be graduating 2 senior starters and 8 total. This senior group was always willing to show up and put in the work. They were looked up to by the younger members of the team and showed them what it takes to be successful. Each year it is always hard to say goodbye to the senior class but we wish them good luck in the next chapter of their lives.</em>"</p> <p><strong>PHD: Who are some of your top players that will be back next season?</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Coach Fitzgerald</span>: "<em>As we look forward to the 2022-23 season, we will return 3 starters: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1393219" first="Dylan" last="Mathis"]</strong>, <strong>CJ Smith</strong> &amp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1266273" first="Nic" last="Gaspar"]</strong>. All players we hope for them to take the next steps and grow into bigger roles for the cardinals. We have players like <strong>Gabriel Lindeman</strong> who will be asked to compete for the remaining starting positions available. The offseason growth will be key for us this year as we continue to improve as a team and individually going into next season.</em>"</p> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>St. Mary Cardinals Scores/Schedule</strong></span><strong> (15-6)</strong></h4> <p><strong>Mitchell Christian</strong> <em>W</em> 41-34</p> <p><strong>Colman-Egan</strong> <em>W</em> 64-28</p> <p><strong>De Smet</strong> <em>L</em> 42-60</p> <p><strong>Chester Area</strong> <em>W</em> 53-46</p> <p><strong>Deuel</strong> <em>L</em> 56-68</p> <p><strong>Garretson</strong> <em>W</em> 33-25</p> <p><strong>Estelline-Hendrick</strong> <em>W</em> 53-47</p> <p><strong>Elkton-Lake Benton</strong> <em>L</em> 39-45</p> <p><strong>Oldham-Ramona-Rutland</strong> <em>W</em> 75-48</p> <p><strong>Castlewood</strong> <em>W</em> 56-50</p> <p><strong>Mt. Vernon-Plankinton</strong> <em>L</em> 52-63</p> <p><strong>Deubrook Area</strong> <em>W</em> 81-62</p> <p><strong>Alcester-Hudson</strong> <em>W</em> 63-30</p> <p><strong>Viborg-Hurley</strong> <em>W</em> 67-58</p> <p><strong>Lake Preston</strong> <em>W</em> 62-31</p> <p><strong>Arlington</strong> <em>W</em> 70-56</p> <p><strong>Howard</strong> <em>W</em> 54-38</p> <p><strong>Centerville</strong> <em>W</em> 63-51</p> <p><strong>Baltic</strong> <em>W</em> 65-32</p> <p><strong>Bridgewater-Emery</strong> <em>L</em> 48-54</p> <p><strong>Bridgewater-Emery</strong> <em>L</em> 47-61</p>