White River Tigers (4-1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Before we dive into the White River Tigers of 2022-2023, let's take a quick look back at last season...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2021-2022 Season:</strong> 21 wins and 3rd place at State</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dylan Marshall</strong> is a key player that the Tigers lost to graduation, however, his younger brother should step into the PG role is a seamless manner. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Eldon Marshall has made it to the State Tournament 17 years in a row!! Talk about a LEGEND</span>...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fast forward to this season...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1705003,"width":600,"height":338,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/whitereivertemapic2022.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/whitereivertemapic2022.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1705003" width="600" height="338" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Marc Marshall</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers have already played 5 games. Some teams in SD have yet to get a game in. White River was recently out in Rapid City for the Lakota Nation Invitational (LNI) where they went 3-1 and the Tigers brought home the runner-up trophy. White River had a wild Championship game with Rapid City Christian but came up a bit short. The teams played 4 games in 4 days at the LNI, talk about a tournament atmosphere! The rest of the regular season will seem like a cakewalk compared to the LNI at the start of the year. The Tigers have earned some time off, their next game is not until December 28th @ Corn Palace vs. Bridgewater-Emery</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Scores This Season</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>W</em> @ <strong>Jones County</strong> <em>83-44</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>W</em> @ <span style="text-decoration: underline">LNI</span> vs. <strong>Marty</strong> <em>82-52</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>W</em> @ <span style="text-decoration: underline">LNI</span> vs. <strong>Todd County</strong> <em>59-32</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>W</em> @ <span style="text-decoration: underline">LNI</span> vs. <strong>Lakota Tech</strong> <em>52-43</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>L</em> @ <span style="text-decoration: underline">LNI</span> vs. <strong>Rapid City Christian</strong> <em>77-79</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1705394,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/joeSSSayler-crop-1831x1202-1671511044.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/joeSSSayler-crop-1831x1202-1671511044.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1705394" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Marc Marshall</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Congratulations to [player_tooltip player_id='963747' first='Joe' last='Sayler'] on scoring his 2,000 career point earlier this season! That is quite an accomplishment</span>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1704456,"width":233,"height":153,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/white-river-crop-1124x739-1671476048.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/white-river-crop-1124x739-1671476048.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1704456" width="233" height="153" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Top Tigers to Watch</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='963747' first='Joe' last='Sayler'] (2023) 6'4 G|</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He was White River's leading scorer last year averaging 29.8 ppg, led them in rebounds with 6.3 rpg, and averaged 2.4 assists.&nbsp;Sayler was voted Class B 1st team All-State last year, made the State B All-Tourney team, and the Argus Leader First Five.&nbsp;Joe has signed to play basketball at SDSU.&nbsp; Sayler has put in the time and work to be where he is today and he is still very much improving.&nbsp;Joe is a captain and the Tigers will look to his leadership this year.&nbsp;Sayler will be a major force once again this season and he will certainly be in the running for Player-of-the-Year in South Dakota.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1266275' first='Nic' last='Marshall'] (2024) |6'1 PG| </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He averaged 9.3 ppg last year and was 2^nd in assists at 3.6 apg. Nic had a fantastic AAU season. Look for Nic to score more points this season as he step into a new role. MArshall is very good at taking the ball to the rim and his outside shot has improved. Nic has improved on the defensive end, he is one of the quickest guards on this Tiger roster. The young Marshall is a captain and a leader.   </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1420985' first='Gavin' last='Folkers'] (2023) |6'2 F|</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He averaged 8.1 ppg and 3.5 rpg last season.&nbsp;Gavin will have an even bigger role this year. He has good size/length, will need to play strong post-defense and rebound for the Tigers.&nbsp;&nbsp;Offensively, he can post and knock down triples.&nbsp;Folkers is a captain this year and White River will need him to be a leader.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TJ Beardt (2023) |6'1 F| </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is strong and physical. TJ is a good forward/post-defender for the Tigers.&nbsp;White River will need him to rebound on both ends and score in the paint.&nbsp;Beardt has been working hard to improve his overall game.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1407011' first='Mackenzie' last='Wike'] (2025) |5'8 G|</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is very quick and has niched his role as being one of the hardest working on-ball defenders that the Tigers have. That is a very important role for White River.&nbsp;Wike is very good at taking the ball to the rim and finishing. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Teagen Bouman (2025) |5'11 G|</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He plays solid defense and can knock down an open shot. Teagen is very coachable and eager to get better.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1532308' first='Logan' last='Wright'] (2024) |6'5 F|</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He has grown physically and his size will help him contribute on the court. Logan's ballhandling and shooting have improved because of the effort and time he puts in.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ryatt Wooden Knife (2024) |5'10 G|</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is quick and works hard on every play.&nbsp;Ryatt will be another great on-ball defender for the Tigers. Ryatt does whatever the team needs him to do.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Q&amp;A with "The Legend" <em>Eldon Marshall</em></span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What are your goal for the season</span>?&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Coach Marshall</span>:</strong> "<em>Our team goals are the same every year, get to the State Tournament and give ourselves the chance to be State Champs.&nbsp;We know we have to put in a lot of work in the process and improve every day individually and as a team.</em>"&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What are the strengths of this Tiger team</span>?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>This year we have speed and quickness and we have a lot of guys who can shoot the 3.&nbsp;We have guys that have played together for a long time so we have good chemistry and cohesion.</em>"&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What has you excited about this season?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>I'm always excited to see the guys improve individually and as a team throughout the year.&nbsp;If we commit to playing defense, rebounding, and communicating, this team has a great chance to be one of the best in the state.</em>"&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"75px","fontStyle":"italic","fontWeight":"800"}}} --> <p style="font-size:75px;font-style:italic;font-weight:800">Good Luck Tigers!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1705310,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/joesayler25pic.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/joesayler25pic.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1705310" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Marc Marshall</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->