Elk Point-Jefferson: Season Rewind

Wow, what a season it was for the Huskies! They came out of Region 4, that in itself is super tough to do. Next, they take down Waubay-Summit in the SoDak 16 game. In the opening round of State, Devon Schmitz hits the crazy buzzer-beater to upset #2 seed, St. Thomas More!   At the start of the season, if you told people that EPJ would be in the Semifinal game of the State Tournament, most people would not have believed you. Well, well well, that is exactly what happened!   Calling it a magical season would be an understatement. This group of Huskies made memories that will last a lifetime!   Team: Elk Point-Jefferson   Mascot: Huskies   Head Coach: Jake Otkin   Class: A   Region: 4   Record: 18-7   Playoffs: 4th Place at State   Wins Against: Madison, Parker, Viborg-Hurley, Irene-Wakonda, Waconia (MN), Alcester-Hudson, Canistota, Ponca (NE), Vermillion (x2), Tri-Valley, Groton Area, Canton (x2), Beresford, West Central, Waubay-Summit, St. Thomas More.   See below for stat leaders, player comments, and Q&A with coach Otkin.   <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>   Stat Leaders   [player_tooltip player_id='1376582' first='Easton' last='Kempf'] - 13.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.8 apg, 51.7 ppg   [player_tooltip player_id='1925692' first='Jakob' last='Scarmon'] - 9 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.7 apg, 47.5 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='1336177' first='Evan' last='Fornia'] - 8.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.5 apg, 48.5 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='1671358' first='Chace' last='Fornia'] - 7.9 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.7 apg, 56.9 FG%   Devon Schmitz - 7.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.3 apg, 44.2 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='1489781' first='Garrett' last='Merkley'] - 5.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.6 apg, 36.8 FG%   Alex Scarmon - 4.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.1 apg, 41.8 FG%   Reed Sayler - 1.4 ppg, .9 rpg, .3 apg, 31.3 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='1925700' first='Kayden' last='Moore'] - 1.3 ppg, .8 rpg, .5 apg, 26.5 FG%   Carson Timmins - .9 ppg, .8 rpg, .2 apg, 44.4 FG%   Levi Miller - .5 ppg, .5 rpg, .3 apg, 9.1 FG%   Player Comments from Coach Otkin   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> [player_tooltip player_id='1671358' first='Chace' last='Fornia'] (2023) |6'4 PF|   "Can score, can rebound, can pass, can defend the post and the perimeter. Usually the strongest kid on the floor."   Devon Schmitz (2023) |5'11 G/F|   "Great defender, usually guards the other teams best player, underrated rebounder and passer, good shooter and hustle player."   [player_tooltip player_id='1489781' first='Garrett' last='Merkley'] (2024) |5'11 G|   "Great athlete that can do everything. Defends, shoots, passes, rebounds, runs the floor with great vision."   Carson Timmins (2024) |5'10 G|   "Good role player that comes in and gives us great minutes defensively and runs the floor well."   [player_tooltip player_id='1925692' first='Jakob' last='Scarmon'] (2023) |6'1 SG|   "Very good transition player and athlete. Finishes well around the rim and is a good shooter and a lengthy defender that can alter a lot of shots."   Alex Scarmon (2023) |6'1 G/F|   "Extremely tough player that finds holes in the defense by constantly moving. Finishes well around the rim and is a good shooter and rebounder."   [player_tooltip player_id='1925700' first='Kayden' last='Moore'] (2024) |5'11 G|   "Good ball handler and great defender that gives us quality minutes off the bench. Capable passer with a very good motor and energy."   Levi Miller (2023) |5'10 G|   "Good shooter that gives us quality minutes off the bench. Plays hard and gives great energy and is the epitome of a team player."   Reed Sayler (2024) |6'1 G/F|   "Good role player that can come in and scored for us from mid-range and 3 and has really improved his post-game. Lengthy kid that can get in passing lanes and deflect passes."   [player_tooltip player_id='1336177' first='Evan' last='Fornia'] (2024) |6'6 PF|   "Good scorer and defender that alters a lot of shots. He is extremely underrated at running the floor and finishing on the run and long-distance shooting. Great length defending the perimeter and post and a good rebounder."   [player_tooltip player_id='1376582' first='Easton' last='Kempf'] (2023) |6'5 PF|   "Can score from inside or out. Very good at deflecting passes and altering shots and very underrated court vision and passing abilities. Great post presence and post moves with a nice touch around the rim."   Grayson Girard, Ashton Fairbanks, Landon Johnsen, Hudson Kempf   "These guys don't see a lot of time on the floor but are just as an important part of our team with the energy they bring every day in practice and on the bench They are constantly engaged and involved in the game and keep our sideline hyped and energetic and bring great intensity to our team." </blockquote>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/huskie-crop-1125x739-1682008695.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/huskie-crop-1125x739-1682008695.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1925478" /></a></figure>   Q&A with Jake Otkin   PHD: How would you sum up the season for your squad?   Coach Otkin: "Amazing and earned! Our guys put in the work and the time and invested into this program throughout the years to bring it to the position it is currently in. They never doubted themselves for a minute, just stepped on the floor to play and prove the doubters wrong. It was an amazing run with a lot of amazing memories made with a great group of guys."   PHD: Do you have any fun memories from the season that happened off the court?   Coach Otkin: "Our guys are great guys and are constantly hanging out and making memories off the court. We had numerous dinners hosted by our parents this year and each one of them was enjoyable and fun. We also did a team bowling outing at the State Tournament that was exciting, and our guys are putting together a summer 3 on 3 League for themselves. They are going to play on a 9-foot hoop to have fun and maybe do a little trash-talking in the process :)!"   PHD: What were some of the highlights on the hardwood that stick out?   Coach Otkin: "We pushed Dakota Valley to the brink and that was kind of the turning point of our season where we knew we had a real chance to accomplish what we wanted. We also had an exciting run through the postseason hosting 2 home games for the first time in over 10 years and having our highest finish in Elk Point-Jefferson school history. Obviously beating the number 2 team in the State on a last-second shot was exciting and memorable as well."   PHD: How did your team overcome adversity?   Coach Otkin: "We stuck together and took everything on the chin as one unit. There was never any blame passed on by our players for losses or poor performances. We take those as coaches and our guys know that, regroup, and move on getting ready to compete for the next game. The fact that we are one unit and one group and our guys played together and supported each other through any adversity played a big role in our success this year."   PHD: What are a few things your team improved on over the course of the season?   Coach Otkin: "Free throw shooting, 3 point-shooting, rebounding, defense. Our defense throughout the postseason was impressive and we played a hardnosed, aggressive style that helped us get to the point we wanted to be, only giving up 55 points a game in the postseason. We also shot almost 75% from the line, 33 percent from 3, and tied the single-season record for defensive rebounds in a season."   PHD: Who are a couple of role players that stood out to you?   Coach Otkin: "[player_tooltip player_id='1925700' first='Kayden' last='Moore'] was a constant defensive guru for us during the year and could always go in and cause havoc on the other team's best player. He doesn't back down from anyone and always stepped up to the challenges we threw at him as a guy off the bench. [player_tooltip player_id='1336177' first='Evan' last='Fornia'] could've easily been a starter for us but constantly stepped up and contributed in big ways and moments throughout the season when we needed him most. He has a bright future ahead of him and I truly believe he can make a college team a better squad in a couple of years. Alex Scarmon always came into the game and gave us key minutes off the bench. Another kid that could've started numerous games for us this year but came in with high energy and made plays cutting to the basket and offensive rebound-wise, he was huge in our success. Our bench was also always hyped and loud and whether they got in the game or not, without them we would not have been to the point we made it this year."   PHD: Can you talk about your seniors?   Coach Otkin: "Our seniors were vital to this program's growth and success. 4 years ago, when we got here, they were freshmen and young and kind of had that fear of the unknown. They really bought into what we were trying to do and build here and took it to new heights. They faced any fears head-on and completely outperformed our expectations and helped groom the younger guys to prepare for great things as well. As great as they were on the floor, they were even better off of it as they are all members of the NHS and all of them are Academic All-State kids. Many of them also TA in our elementary school and help out with numerous youth programs throughout the year."   PHD: Who are some up-and-comers to look out for in the future?   Coach Atkin: "Reed Sayler, Carson Timmins, [player_tooltip player_id='1925700' first='Kayden' last='Moore'], [player_tooltip player_id='1336177' first='Evan' last='Fornia'], [player_tooltip player_id='1489781' first='Garrett' last='Merkley'], Ashton Fairbanks, Grayson Girard, Landon Johnsen, Hudson Kempf, Nick Schmitz, Wyatt Herrity, Luke Schmitz, Anthony Tatro, Jayce Shatswell."   PHD: What are the plans for the offseason?   Coach Otkin: "We will play in the Sanford Pentagon Summer League and attend a couple of team camps along with local open gyms and skills sessions in preparation to help ourselves grow next year."   PHD: Did any of your players review postseason awards?   Coach Otkin: "[player_tooltip player_id='1376582' first='Easton' last='Kempf'] - All-State A Tournament Team, 3rd Team All-State, 2nd Team All-Dak XII"   "[player_tooltip player_id='1671358' first='Chace' last='Fornia'] - Honorable Mention - All-Dak XII"   "[player_tooltip player_id='1925692' first='Jakob' last='Scarmon'] - Honorable Mention - All-Dak XII"   PHD: Did any of your seniors play in any All-Star games?   Coach Otkin: "I put a couple in for the All-Class shootout, but true to our TEAM form all year we didn't get an invite. I think that just shows you how well-rounded and unselfish of a team we were, we didn't have the flashy stats to make things like All-Star games, but we had enough great players and unselfish players to take our team and program to new heights!"   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><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" alt="" class="wp-image-1399487" /></a></figure>

Wow, what a season it was for the Huskies! They came out of Region 4, that in itself is super tough to do. Next, they take down Waubay-Summit in the SoDak 16 game. In the opening round of State, Devon Schmitz hits the crazy buzzer-beater to upset #2 seed, St. Thomas More!