Kimball-White Lake WildKats: Season Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PHD was some great information for you to look at in this Preview Article. Take a gander at the information below, it is sure to grab your attention. The WildKats also have a legit college prospect that coaches will want to see, [player_tooltip player_id='1687635' first='Blake' last='Leiferman']. At 6'7" and with great mobility, you will want to see this WildKat play!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>See below for player comments and a Q&amp;A session with coach <em>Gottlob</em>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1634111,"width":"320px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.6018518518518519","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/TeamPreview.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/TeamPreview.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1634111" style="aspect-ratio:1.6018518518518519;width:320px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Class:</strong> A <strong>Region:</strong> 5 <strong>Head Coach: </strong><em>Will Gottlob</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2256301,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/IMG_6276.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/IMG_6276.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2256301" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Player Info from coach <em>Gottlob</em></span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687635' first='Blake' last='Leiferman'] 6-7 senior</strong> - "<em>Strong post player who dominates the board and has a</em> <em>smooth outside shot.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lantz Bass 5-8 senior</strong> - "<em>Quick guard with good ball handling skills and a good mid-range jump shot.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hudson Heath 6-0 senior</strong> - "<em>Will find a role as he has not been out for several seasons.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Martin Josserand 5-7 senior</strong> - "<em>Foreign exchange student with great ball handling skills and a good 3-pt shot.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nathan Mohnen 6-0 junior</strong> - "<em>Quick physical defender who can guard all five positions.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1535883' first='Park' last='Sinclair'] 5-11 junior</strong> - "<em>Great defender and takes it to the rim strong offensively.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>JayDee Gough 6-0 junior</strong> - "<em>Crafty inside player who has developed an outside shot.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Graden Holan 5-11 junior </strong>- "<em>Good athlete who shows flashes of playmaking skills.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cooper Leiferman 5-10 junior</strong> - "<em>Great shooter and is in the right position on defense.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ashton Krumvieda 5-11 junior</strong> - "<em>Relentless defender and strong rebounder for his size.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Daniel Leiferman 5-9 junior</strong> - "<em>Hardworking kid recovering from an injury from last season.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2256337' first='Keaton' last='Christensen'] 5-10 freshman</strong> - "<em>Great instincts and awareness as a freshman. Show signs of being a strong point guard.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Q&amp;A with <em>Will Gottlob</em></span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Could you write a couple sentences&nbsp;summing up last season?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Last season's team went 9-11 and lost in the first round of regions to Parkston as the 5 seed in the 4-5 matchup. We were not a deep team, only going 6 in most games. We graduated four starters who will be missed, but we have new blood looking to make great contributions this year.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: How did the offseason go for your team/program?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We had a great offseason. The team went to their first varsity and JV team camp in a handful of years. We had a great turnout at all team activities and our biggest improvement was our team comradery.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who are a few of your top players to look out for?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>As mentioned above, [player_tooltip player_id='1687635' first='Blake' last='Leiferman'] will be a force this season. I anticipate big things from him. After him, we look to be a very balanced team. Not many players will stand out in the box score as we have so many guys who specialize in defense, rebounding, etc. Our depth will be our strength. I anticipate us having varsity contributions from about 10-12 guys this year.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for in the near future?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2256337' first='Keaton' last='Christensen'] will most likely be earning a varsity jersey and will be a staple of this team for the next four years.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What style of basketball will your team play?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>I look for us to be a fast team with a high-intensity defense that can play the full length of the court at any time.</em>" </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What are a couple of your team goals this year?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>I think the sky is the limit for this team. We have a good Region, but one filled with teams that we have competed with. While our lofty goal is to be a team that plays in the State Tournament in March, I will emphasize to the kids to live in the moment and focus on the task at hand. We know if we do what we need to we will be in contention for a SoDak 16 game, and like all levels of basketball, in a one-game playoff anything can happen.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who are some of the top teams in your Region?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Mount Vernon-Plankinton is always competitive and represented our Region in the State Tournament last year. Though they graduated a strong core, they will be reloading like usual. Platte-Geddes will remain strong, along with Hanson and Parkston as well.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">WildKats Schedule</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2256299,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/IMG_6277.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/IMG_6277.jpeg?w=825" alt="" class="wp-image-2256299" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->