Pine Ridge Thorpes: Season Review

We are checking out the Thorpes from Pine Ridge in this season review article. Casey Means is the Thorpes head coach and this was his first season in that position. Coach Means led the team to 18 wins and they were a game away from going to the State Tournament. The Thorpes lose some nice players to graduation but they will bring back a ton of talent next season. The Thorpes should be a top 10-type team heading into the 2023-24 season! The future looks bright in Pine Ridge!   Team: Pine Ridge   Mascot: Thorpes   Head Coach: Casey Means   Class: A   Region: 7   Record: 18-4   Playoffs: Lost in SoDak 16 to Mt. Vernon-Plankinton 82-66   Wins Against: Tiospa Zina, Todd County, Wakpala, Solen (ND), St. Francis Indian School, Harding County, Winnebago (NE), Little Wound, Red Cloud, Crow Creek, Lakota Tech, Kimball-White Lake, Todd County, McLaughlin, Cheyenne-Eagle Butte, Marty, St. Francis Indian School, Red Cloud.   See below for stats and some great info from head coach Casey Means in a Q&A session.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/SeaonReview-.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/SeaonReview-.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1842251" /></a></figure>   Team Stats   PPG: 66.8 ORPG: 5.3 RPG: 24.3 APG: 14.3 SPG: 11.8 BPG: 2.6 TOPG: 13.2   FG%: 51 FGM: 529 3FG%: 40 3FGM: 136 FT%: 65 FTM: 208 2FG%: 26 Charges Taken: 15   Stat Leaders   [player_tooltip player_id='1830794' first='Jaylin' last='Rouillard'] (2024) - 14.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2 apg, 47 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='1907971' first='Anthony' last='Steele'] (2025) - 9.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 2.1 apg, 41 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='1907982' first='Kanye' last='Hollow Horn'] (2024) - 9 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.5 apg, 65 FG%   Justin Eagle (2023) - 7.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 4.8 apg, 55 FG%   Bradley Jensen (2023) - 5.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.6 apg, 54 FG%   Clayton Apple (2023) - 4.7 ppg, 1.8 rpg, .2 apg, 59 FG%   Juan Espinosa (2024) - 4.4 ppg, 1.5 rpg, .5 apg, 54 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='1907959' first='Christian' last='Pulliam'] (2026) - 4 ppg, .3 rpg, .3 apg, 48 FG%   Kaden Steele (2024) - 3.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg, .6 apg, 47 FG%   Xavier Little (2024) - 3.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.1 apg, 50 FG%   Zander Lawerence (2023) - 3.1 ppg, .8 rpg, .1 apg, 62 FG%   Q&A w/ head coach Casey Means   PHD: How would you sum up the season for your squad?    Coach Means: "Culture Building, stabilizing a foundation for our program for years to come. I got this Job in October, so what we accomplished in 5 months was from the grind and hard work. The boys believed and bought in and everything took off from there."   PHD: Do you have any fun memories from the season that happened off the court?   Coach Means: "Just the Travel and the growth we had. I think we had off just the dead-zone days, so we spent a lot of time together just being a family. Weekend, mornings, after practice etc. Family atmosphere in Thorpe Country from the Administration and staff, to the parents, to the younger generation."   PHD: What were some of the highlights on the hardwood that stick out?   Coach Means: "From 4 wins last year to going 19-4, being undefeated at home 8-0, and also 6-1 in the Region. We were 1 game away from being at the State Tournament, as much as that loss stung, it will be good for us for next year's run."   PHD: How did your team overcome adversity?   Coach Means: "This team was made off of adversity. We were all starting over from a previous school that didn't think any of us were good enough from the coaches to the players. We loved playing the spoiler and underdog role this year. I didn't mention this too much this year but I think our team went through 8 deaths between November-March, so we were a close tight-knit group. We're a Family!"   PHD: What are a few things your team improved on this season?    Coach Means: "Chemistry, defense, and all the little things it takes to be a champion."   PHD: Who are a couple of role players that stood out to you?   Coach Means: "Kaden Steele, Clayton Apple, Bradley Jensen."   PHD: Can you talk about your seniors and what will be missed?   Coach Means: "Justin Eagle - 2nd in State A in assists with 4.8 a game, a natural born leader, athletic and electric gonna be missed."   "Bradley Jensen - All Around Player, can guard and play 1-5. An awesome young man and a hard worker."   "Clayton Apple - Could have easily started for me. Physical big who can knock down the 3. Led the team in FG%."   "Quinten Rouillard - Instant Offense off the bench."   "Zander Big Crow - Hustle and defense and being a great teammate."   PHD: Who are some up-and-comers to look out for in the future?   Coach Means: "[player_tooltip player_id='1907981' first='Jaylen' last='Rouillard'] (2024) |6'2 G/F| - 14.5 PPG, 44% 3FG (led the State) 3.1 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.4 SPG"   "[player_tooltip player_id='1907982' first='Kanye' last='Hollow Horn'] (2024) |6'7 G/F| - 9.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.0 BPG (led the state) 1.5 APG, .7 SPG"   "[player_tooltip player_id='1907971' first='Anthony' last='Steele'] (2025) |6'4 F| -  9.2 PPG, 2.2 APG, 2.1 APG, 3.7 SPG (Led Class A)"   "Xavier Little (2024) |6'3 PG| - Didn't get eligible until 2nd semester, very high IQ and a gym rat, will be playing PG for us next year."   "Kaden Steele (2024) |6'4 F| - Bruiser, tough, grinder. Always in the weight room and gym trying to get better. Expecting big things for him next year."   "[player_tooltip player_id='1907959' first='Christian' last='Pulliam'] (2026) |6'1 G| - Straight sniper and bucket getter. Prolly one of the most improved players this season from beginning to the end. Athletic, can get to the rim also."   "Juan Espinosa Jr. (2024) |6'4 F| - Injured off and on most of the year. Can shoot, dribble, pass, high IQ. Working hard to put it all together and staying healthy for his senior year."   "[player_tooltip player_id='1907972' first='Michael' last='Caille'] (2025) |5'9 G| - Athletically gifted and fast. Started 2nd semester and dealt with some injuries all year. Gonna be a big part of the Thorpes program in the future."   "Anthony Little & Alex Bissonette both freshmen - Could have easily been contributors. Both are in the gym every day and will be looking for them to be part of the rotation next year."   PHD: What are the plans for the offseason?   Coach Means: "Thinking we had 3 days off after the loss to MVP, we started our speed and agility program which will go for 14 weeks. We plan on getting over to the East River for Summer Leagues hopefully at the Pentagon. Get our 4 visits at Team Camps and Leagues and honestly get better day by day."   Best of luck to the Thorpes in the offseason!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/03/SD-1.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/03/SD-1.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1399487" /></a></figure>

We are checking out the Thorpes from Pine Ridge in this season review article. Casey Means is the Thorpes head coach and this was his first season in that position. Coach Means led the team to 18 wins and they were a game away from going to the State Tournament. The Thorpes lose some nice players to graduation but they will bring back a ton of talent next season. The Thorpes should be a top 10-type team heading into the 2023-24 season! The future looks bright in Pine Ridge!