Lane Tietz: Baller Interview
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In this article, we are taking a close look at a junior from Groton, SD. Lane Tietz Lane Tietz 5'11" | CG Groton | 2024 State SD is a 6’1 combo-guard that has been a big stock riser in the…
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Continue ReadingIn this article, we are taking a close look at a junior from Groton, SD. Lane Tietz Lane Tietz 5'11" | CG Groton | 2024 State SD is a 6’1 combo-guard that has been a big stock riser in the past year. Tietz had a great high school season at Groton Area, and he led the Tigers to the coveted Class A State Tournament. The sharpshooting guard was All-Conference and was named to the All-Tournament Team at State. In high school ball, Tietz averaged 15 ppg and 4 apg. In AAU ball, Tietz ran with Sacred Hoops, and he averaged 21 ppg and 4 apg. He also picked up a scholarship offer from Dakota State this summer. This hardworking player is currently ranked #10 in the SD 2024 prospect rankings. Read below for more information on the rising star from Groton.
Sacred Hoops coach Greg Kahler comments on Lane Tietz Lane Tietz 5'11" | CG Groton | 2024 State SD
WHATS IT LIKE COACHING HIM
“Getting to coach guys like Lane makes you realize why you coach. I’m blessed because I had a team full of guys like that. I think what I enjoyed about coaching Lane was that he held me accountable for things just as much as I held him accountable. He pushed me to be a better coach while I pushed him to be a better player. Honestly though, he would always do something that would boost my energy. Always made that 1 play. I call them locker room plays. The type of play you go back to the locker room and talk about. He always had those. But most importantly what makes him so great to coach is that I don’t have to worry about what happens on the floor so much. His leadership and communication are what every coach wants in a player. He manages the game as a point guard should. He’s constantly trying to get his teammates fired up and engaged. Lane taught me an important thing about leadership and what it means. Leadership isn’t about forcing control, it’s about winning influence. He has a positive influence on everyone around him.“
IMPACT
“Lane impacts the game on so many different levels. I could speak at length about his elite shooting ability or overall playmaking ability and how they tie into the impact he has. But ultimately what sets him apart is his basketball IQ and game management skills. He knows when to change the pace of the game and cater it towards helping our team. He sees those holes to exploit in opposing teams defenses. There were multiple times during dead balls, where he’d look at me and ask to run a play. Not always plays for him but calling a play he’d know would work to get a bucket. There aren’t many who can impact the game from that standard.“
WORK ETHIC
“He’s the definition of a gym rat. There’s nothing fake about it either. We’ve spent countless hours in the gym together working on things that he can now do on his own. He’s very meticulous. He always has to write down everything he’s going to do that workout. We set a focus of the day for him to key on. Examples: Shots off the catch, shots off the bounce, working on ball screen variations, etc… He works to master those basics. Then to top it off he’s always in the weight room. He knows he needs to get bigger for more success. As well as taking care of himself, which kids today don’t take seriously. He watches what he eats and drinks. He’s constantly stretching and going through the recovery process to stay fresh. Long story short, his work ethic and discipline are second to no one.“
EXPECTATIONS
“I started working with Lane the summer going into his freshman year. So far, each summer, I’ve seen extreme growth and development from him. I saw it again this summer. So I’m confident he’s going into this winter a way better player than what he was when his season ended this last March. Obviously, the main expectation is to see him lead his team back to the State Tournament. Team goals always come before the personal ones. Being honest, I expect him to go through what every high level player goes through. I expect him to fail and to learn from it, and I expect him to succeed and to not get caught up in any hype. I expect him to be Lane Tietz Lane Tietz 5'11" | CG Groton | 2024 State SD , he knows what that truly means.
COLLEGE PROSPECT
“I’m obviously biased, but I’m not at all surprised by his stock rising this summer. He gained a lot of attention from surrounding NAIA schools after picking up his offer from Dakota State. A lot of the surrounding school coaches always commented on his overall competitiveness and how hard he worked. Which is a testament to him as a person and player. I foresee his stock to continue to rise this winter.“
“Lane is a sharp shooting, high IQ guard that will give high school defenses fits for the next two years with his ability to shoot from deep but also his feel in the paint where he utilizes a floater and passing ability to get his teammates open looks. He is becoming stronger & quicker to allow him to round out his overall game. Possibly, his greatest asset is his laser focused mentality to become better every single day.”
–Brendon Boomsma, basketball skills trainer
Full Interview with Lane Tietz Lane Tietz 5'11" | CG Groton | 2024 State SD
PHD: I know you are only going to be a junior, but can you talk about how the recruiting process is going for you?
Lane Tietz Lane Tietz 5'11" | CG Groton | 2024 State SD : “The recruiting process for me has been great so far. I have enjoyed coaches texting/calling me and getting to know about them/their programs.”
PHD: What were a few highlights from the AAU season with Sacred Hoops?
Lane Tietz Lane Tietz 5'11" | CG Groton | 2024 State SD : “A few highlights from the AAU season was getting to play with completely different guys, there were struggles at the beginning but it did not take long since we are all such good friends. Playing top teams like ECI and the Schoolers are definitely at the top of the list. At the start of the summer we wanted to play the best and that is what we got, we played right with everyone. Our team started to gel at about the 3rd or 4th tournament. By the last tournament, we played very well together, it was sad to end the AAU season. Once we started to trust each other everything gelled. We started to became better on the court and friends off the court. I would not trade the AAU experience for the world, the new people you meet, play with, and compete against and with is great.“
PHD: Who is going to be the top team in Class A Region 1 this next season?
Lane Tietz Lane Tietz 5'11" | CG Groton | 2024 State SD : “The top teams to beat will be Groton, Milbank, and Sisseton. Those 3 will be contenders to come out of the Region and make it to the SoDak16 game.“
PHD: Can you talk a bit about the State Tournament experience last year?
Lane Tietz Lane Tietz 5'11" | CG Groton | 2024 State SD : “The State Tournament was by far my favorite place that basketball has taken me so far. The atmosphere of the State Tournament was incredible. The games getting there were a battle and that is why I think it was so sweet. I definitely want to get back there my last two years of high school!“
PHD: Who is Groton’s biggest rival?
Lane Tietz Lane Tietz 5'11" | CG Groton | 2024 State SD : “Groton’s biggest rival in the past years has been Milbank. We have played them 3 consecutive years in the second round of the Region tournament. The first 2 years did not go our way, but this past year we were able to beat them and get to the SoDak16 game. It’s always a battle with them, we know we will get their best and they know they will get our best. This year will certainly be the same.“
PHD: What does Lane Tietz Lane Tietz 5'11" | CG Groton | 2024 State SD do for fun outside of hoops?
Lane Tietz Lane Tietz 5'11" | CG Groton | 2024 State SD : “I like to hunt and fish whenever I have free time, living on a farm makes it easy. I play football and run track when it is not basketball season. I’m really looking forward to football after missing all of last year with a football injury. I really enjoy hanging out with my new teammates from summer basketball, our team became really closer over the 6 tournaments we went to and that is what it’s all about. Now that summer basketball is over and most of my teammates are scattered around the state, I hangout with my friends and family from Groton.“
PHD: Where is your “hot-spot” on the floor?
Lane Tietz Lane Tietz 5'11" | CG Groton | 2024 State SD : “I really like the right wing of the floor, that is probably my best shooting spot. If I have to get points, I’m definitely trying to get to the rim to get fouled and score from the line.“
PHD: How do you work on improving your game?
Lane Tietz Lane Tietz 5'11" | CG Groton | 2024 State SD : “To improve my game, I am constantly working out. My Pastor at my church rebounds for me all the time which is awesome. My trainer/coach, Greg Kahler from Sioux Falls is constantly giving me new skills to be working on and things to add to my game. I really saw my game take off when I started taking the weight room and plyometrics seriously. That was my main focus going into the summer.“
PHD: What type of kicks are you currently playing ball in?
Lane Tietz Lane Tietz 5'11" | CG Groton | 2024 State SD : “I really like to play in Kobe’s, they are my favorite shoe right now. Giannis and Paul George also have very comfortable shoes.“
PHD: In South Dakota, where is your favorite venue to play basketball at and why?
Lane Tietz Lane Tietz 5'11" | CG Groton | 2024 State SD : “My favorite place to play other than Groton would be at the Monument in Rapid City. The State Tournament was a great atmosphere, along with the fans and great competition.“
PHD: What is one aspect of your game that you would like to work on?
Lane Tietz Lane Tietz 5'11" | CG Groton | 2024 State SD : “I definitely need to get stronger and more disciplined going to the basket. Also, not letting myself get lazy when shooting late in games. I am really trying to get the mental part of my game down, I think once I truly figure that side of the game out, all the pieces will fall into place.“
PHD: Outside of Lane Tietz Lane Tietz 5'11" | CG Groton | 2024 State SD , who are some of the other top juniors in Class A, SD basketball?
Lane Tietz Lane Tietz 5'11" | CG Groton | 2024 State SD : “Some of the other top players in Class A are Porter Ihnen Porter Ihnen 6'5" | CG Lennox | 2024 State #318 Nation SD from Lennox and Jaxson Wingert Jaxson Wingert 6'7" | PF Dakota Valley | 2024 State SD from Dakota Valley. They are both 6’5+ and have great basketball instincts. I can’t wait to match up with them sometime in the next 2 years.”