17U Schoolers National Team: Recap

<!-- wp:image {"align":"center","id":1544213,"width":166,"height":104,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/08/PentagonSchoolers-1.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/08/PentagonSchoolers-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1544213" width="166" height="104"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 17U Pentagon Schoolers National Team has seen at least one scholarship offer placed in the hands of each member of the squad. Highlighting these offers is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='963747' first='Joe' last='Sayler']'s</strong> commitment to play NCAA Division 1 basketball within the Summit League for South Dakota State University in Brookings SD. Other members already committed to playing basketball at the next level are <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='963750' first='Spencer' last='Barr']</strong> - Jamestown and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1227942' first='Jacob' last='Vandeweerd']</strong> - Morningside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Buster Vincent</em> was the head coach for this star-studded team and he was in his 6th year within the Schoolers program and 3rd season coaching this group known as the National Team. Vincent and his team have had great success going (82-21) over this span while grabbing the 2020 and 2021 SPTS Regular Season titles and getting runner-up in the 2021 SPTS tournament.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This year's 17U Pentagon Schoolers National Team had some new additions with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1050249' first='Alex' last='Dvorak']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='963772' first='Ethan' last='Cheeseman']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1185523' first='Ethan' last='Koltz']</strong> to fill the spots that were vacated by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1266222' first='Porter' last='Ihnen']</strong> (transfer to SD Attack), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='963749' first='Elliot' last='Whitney']</strong> (moved to Schoolers <em>Walker</em>), and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='963755' first='Steele' last='Morgan']</strong> (moved over to Schoolers <em>Maschino</em>). These new faces joined the original core of six to form the 2022 National Team squad. This made for perhaps the tallest team within the Midwest with four guys towering around the 6'9 mark and of course <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1185523' first='Ethan' last='Koltz']</strong> of SF Jefferson just shy of the 7ft mark. Although this team was big they still found ways to score the basketball in bunches while putting up over 100 points in several contests.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1544225,"width":435,"height":435,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/08/vincentsTEAM-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/08/vincentsTEAM-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1544225" width="435" height="435"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Team Comments from coach <em>Buster Vincent</em></span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>This has once again been a fun and enjoyable season getting to coach these guys and be alongside them for a portion of their journey. We definitely had our share of Injured athletes this summer but have been so very fortunate that none of the injuries were season-ending or career-ending. Whenever you are without a guy like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='963747' first='Joe' last='Sayler']</strong> for half of your games that is gonna leave some question marks. Especially, when we did not have much depth at our guard spots. I felt like in Joe's absence we really shifted our focus to getting everyone involved in a pretty equal rotation of playing time to best benefit each individual's growth and for them to showcase themselves. When Joe rejoined our guys it was GO TIME, PLAY TO WIN TIME. I believe we were like 9-2 in this span and averaging in the 90's. I was like YES this is what we are capable of.... FAST, FREE, and FUN just letting basketball guys make basketball plays. It was spectacular to watch for that stretch and then <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1050249' first='Alex' last='Dvorak']</strong> goes down with a fracture in his hand. We just never got to play with a full squad much, but boy did we have fun this summer, after all, it's about having fun and building lasting relationships through a game these guys all love.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>We had some real Notable accomplishments achieved this year</em></span>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='963747' first='Joe' last='Sayler']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='963744' first='Oliver' last='Vincent']</strong> both become the first athletes in program history to eclipse the 2,000 career points scored barrier (15u,16u,17u seasons). They both went over this mark on July 7th in the same exact game vs MN Rise. That was really something to witness, these two guys (best friends) accomplish such a milestone, and to do it on the same night, crazy! Three games later, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='963750' first='Spencer' last='Barr']</strong> eclipsed the 1000 career point mark</em>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1544235,"width":350,"height":350,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/08/joesaylerrr-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/08/joesaylerrr-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1544235" width="350" height="350"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='963747' first='Joe' last='Sayler'] 6'3 White River</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He became the All-Time Career point leader in program history with 2126 points scored. 94 games played with an 84% win percentage (79-15) in his three seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Best of the best in SD, expect another State Tournament appearance, can get his shot off at any time, elite athlete.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Career Schooler stats: 22.7 ppg 4.7 rpg 1.3 apg 93% FTs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1544242,"width":365,"height":365,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/08/olivervinnnnne-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/08/olivervinnnnne-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1544242" width="365" height="365"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='963744' first='Oliver' last='Vincent'] 6'1 Sioux Valley&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He set the record for most assists in program history with 691 total assists ( 6.7apg). He also now holds the record for most charges taken at 104.  He is the 2nd player ever to score over 2k pts at 2075 points scored. 103 games played (82-21) record.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Incredibly efficient scorer. Shot a crazy high shooting % in jr. season. High assist man, amazing eyes &amp; passing skills. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Career Schooler stats: 20.1 ppg 6.7 apg 3.1 rpg 1.7 spg 90.2% FTs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1544333,"width":356,"height":356,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/08/spencerbarr-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/08/spencerbarr-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1544333" width="356" height="356"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='963750' first='Spencer' last='Barr'] 6'0 Aberdeen Central&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He set a program record for most steals at 235 total steals in 103 games of action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the hardest workers in SD. Loves nothing more than dropping a dime. Perfect Jump shot, and has all the skills. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Career Schooler stats: 10 ppg 4.8 apg 2.9 rpg 2.3 spg 91% FTs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1544342,"width":360,"height":360,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/08/damonwilk-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/08/damonwilk-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1544342" width="360" height="360"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='963766' first='Damon' last='Wilkinson'] 6'9 DeSmet</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He set a new standard with 24 Double-Doubles achieved. 103 games played (82-21). Over 700 career points and 650 career rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Best BIG in Class B, dominant in the paint. Guaranteed double-double in HS ball. Can he get the mighty Bulldogs back to State?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Career Schooler Stats: 7.1 ppg 6.2rpg 1.1apg 1.6 bpg 1 spg 84% FTs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1492247,"width":353,"height":232,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/alexdvorak-crop-3024x1986-1655960733.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/alexdvorak-crop-3024x1986-1655960733.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1492247" width="353" height="232"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1050249' first='Alex' last='Dvorak'] 6'0 Dickinson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All-State talent from ND, one of the most electric players in the State, dynamic playmaker. Can he get the Midgets to the State Tournament?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Season Schooler stats: 13.6 ppg 1.1 rpg1.7 apg 1.3 spg 0.8 bpg 90.3% FTs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1468826,"width":354,"height":233,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/74-Jacob-Vande-Weerd-crop-2451x1609-1653933030.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/74-Jacob-Vande-Weerd-crop-2451x1609-1653933030.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1468826" width="354" height="233"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1227942' first='Jacob' last='Vandeweerd'] 6'9 Canton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Big, strong, bull around the basket. Will be a top-tier big in Class A. Scores with a soft touch. His shooting range extends to 3. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Season Schooler Stats: 5.1 ppg 3 rpg 0.3 apg 0.6 spg&nbsp;81.3% FTs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img alt=""/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='963772' first='Ethan' last='Cheeseman'] 6'4 Hanson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A nice athlete that can do it all on the hardwood, he will put up impressive numbers this winter. Ethan has a high ceiling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Season Schooler stats: 6.1 ppg 2.5 rpg 1 apg 1.2 spg 83.6% FTs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img alt=""/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1204807' first='Aiden' last='Jensen'] 6'9 Madison&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A very athletic BIG that has multiple college offers. Very high ceiling with length &amp; mobility. Matchup headache with versatility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Season Schooler stats: 5.9 ppg 4.2 rpg 0.9 spg 0.5 apg 79.7% FTs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1185523' first='Ethan' last='Koltz'] 6'11 SF Jefferson&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anchor on the Cavs defense this winter, expect many altered/blocked shots, X-factor for highly talented Jefferson team</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Season Schooler stats: 2.5 ppg 2.4 rpg 0.7 apg 0.8 bpg 86.1% FTs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='963758' first='Spencer' last='Fernholz'] 6'4 Miller</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Spencer has been on ouriInjured reserve due to an ACL Injury that occurred last season. He is fully healthy, recovered, and ready to attack his senior season this year for Miller.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Expect a big senior season. Can get up and WHAM in impressive fashion, will likely average a double-double. Rustlers could be a darkhorse in Class B Region 2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1544454,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/08/vincentschoolers17u.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/08/vincentschoolers17u.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1544454"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->