Rapid City Christian: Season Review

It might be a little late, but we are looking back at the Comets successful season!   PHD believes that West River does not get attention and these players deserve the recognition!   Kyle Courtney is a great coach and his team had a historic season with a trip to State...Let's take a look!   Shoutouts to the All-State Players!   [player_tooltip player_id='1761812' first='Julius' last='Frog'] (2nd Team)   [player_tooltip player_id='1503881' first='Benson' last='Kieffer'] (3rd Team)   [player_tooltip player_id='2075359' first='Simon' last='Kieffer'] (Honorable Mention)   The Comets will be one of the best in SD next season, they bring back some major talent!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/image_8d6ead.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/image_8d6ead.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2440608" style="width:384px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Team: Rapid City Christian   Mascot: Comet   Head Coach: Kyle Courtney   Class: B   Record: 21-5   Finish: 4th Place at State   See below for, stats, player comments, and an in-depth Q&A session with coach Courtney.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/RC-Comets-Logo-Gold-.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/RC-Comets-Logo-Gold-.jpg?w=643" alt="" class="wp-image-2440706" style="width:162px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><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" style="width:151px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Team Stats   GP: 26 PPG: 74.5 OPPG: 53 RPG: 36 APG: 19.4 SPG: 13 BPG: 3.8 Charges Taken: 43   2FGM: 524 2FG%: 52.1 3FGM: 198 3FG%: 33 FGM: 716 FG%: 45.2 FTM: 296 FT%: 66.8   Player Stats   [player_tooltip player_id='2132570' first='Sullivan' last='Kieffer'] ('27) |5'11 G| - GP: 18 PPG: 1.7 RPG: .9 APG: .4 FG%: 43.3 3FG%: 20 3FGM: 2   [player_tooltip player_id='2075355' first='Lars' last='Kieffer'] ('26) |5'9 G| - GP: 22 PPG: 1.2 RPG: 1.5 APG: .4 FG%: 27.8 3FG%: 20.8 3FGM: 5 Chrgs: 1   [player_tooltip player_id='2075359' first='Simon' last='Kieffer'] ('25) |5'11 G| - GP: 26 PPG: 16 RPG: 4.6 APG: 4.7 FG%: 51.4 3FG%: 38.4 3FGM: 61 Chrgs: 9   [player_tooltip player_id='2316502' first='Aiden' last='Roberts'] ('25) |5'10 G| - GP: 26 PPG: 7.1 RPG: 3 APG: 2.9 FG%: 38 3FG%: 34.9 3FGM: 30 Chrgs: 4   [player_tooltip player_id='1503881' first='Benson' last='Kieffer'] ('25) |5'10 G| - GP: 19 PPG: 16.7 RPG: 4.3 APG: 4.2 FG%: 39.2 3FG%: 39.5 3FGM: 36 Chrgs: 4   Jack Bybee ('24) |6'2 F| - GP: 26 PPG: 2 RPG: 2.5 APG: .6 FG%: 55.8 3FG%: 100 3FGM: 1 Chrgs: 5   [player_tooltip player_id='2255238' first='Wes' last='Schlabach'] ('25) |6'1 G| - GP: 26 PPG: 7.1 RPG: 4.1 APG: 1.8 FG%: 47.1 3FG%: 29.2 3FGM: 7 Chrgs: 3   [player_tooltip player_id='1394430' first='Wilson' last='Kieffer'] ('24) |6'2 F| - GP: 26 PPG: 6.5 RPG: 6.4 APG: 1.4 FG%: 50.7 3FG%: 26.1 3FGM: 6 Chrgs: 13   [player_tooltip player_id='1761812' first='Julius' last='Frog'] ('25) |6'5 F| - GP: 26 PPG: 15.3 RPG: 6.5 APG: 1.5 FG%: 47.2 3FG%: 35.5 3FGM: 27 Chrgs: 2   Cayden Von Eye ('24) |5'10 G| - GP: 19 PPG: 3.3 RPG: 2.4 APG: 2.1 FG%: 35.2 3FG%: 40 3FGM: 14 Chrgs: 2   [player_tooltip player_id='2338064' first='Julius' last='Duran'] ('26) |6'3 F| - GP: 17 PPG: 3.2 RPG: 1.5 APG: .6 FG%: 48 3FG%: 16.7 3FGM: 2   Player Comments from Kyle Courtney   [player_tooltip player_id='1503881' first='Benson' last='Kieffer'] - "A 2-year captain for us already as a junior. Really had to battle injuries this year. Very proud of him and how he persevered and was a leader for our team the whole year, even when he was sitting on the bench with injuries. He averaged 16.7 points per game for us. He has a super high motor and is a relentless competitor. Known as a scorer, he is also a dogged defender. Can shoot it or drive it. Very good rebounder for a guard."   [player_tooltip player_id='1761812' first='Julius' last='Frog'] - "A post player who really stretches the floor. Julius has always had a real smooth stroke from the field and is just a fluid smooth player. He really increased his range this year shooting 35% from 3 pt land. He also became a much more consistent rebounder this year, leading us in rebounds per game. Julius had some big games for us this year and also served as team captain. Averaged 15.3 pts per game."   [player_tooltip player_id='2075359' first='Simon' last='Kieffer'] - "A smooth shooting guard who led us with 61 3 pt makes this year. He averaged an even 16 pts a game. Very heady player who shot 51.4 % from the field this year. He is a quarterback on the floor for us and one of our best playmakers and passers. Not very many weaknesses in his game. Great competitor. Very good leader for our team as another of our captains." Voted Team MVP!   [player_tooltip player_id='1394430' first='Wilson' last='Kieffer'] - "A Division 1 baseball recruit who is heading to Northern Colorado next season. He was our banger in the post and usually drew the assignment of guarding the best post player. Very physical and a very good rebounder. He did the dirty work for us and was a vocal leader and one of our captains. Tough-minded kid who helped us win."   [player_tooltip player_id='2316502' first='Aiden' last='Roberts'] - "Exceptional on-ball defender. Very quick and a tough kid. Excellent rebounder for a guard. Had some big games for us this year, especially when [player_tooltip player_id='1503881' first='Benson' last='Kieffer'] was injured. Came into the starting lineup in early January and never left the rest of the season. Very competitive kid."   [player_tooltip player_id='2255238' first='Wes' last='Schlabach'] - "He started off and on during the season. Settled into the 6th man role down the stretch for us. Solid all-around player. Good defender and rebounder. Can guard players 1-5 on the floor. Very good offensive rebounder. A winner."   Jack Bybee - "Senior post player. He really knew his role and played much bigger than he is. Usually guarded the biggest post player when he was on the floor. Great teammate. Really improved as a rebounder and defender this year. Went from a JV player last year to a key contributor as a senior."   Cayden Von Eye - "Senior guard who battled injuries this year. He is one of our most athletic kids. Really improved as a defender this year. Excellent rebounder for a guard. Could shoot and handle the ball. Very important player off the bench for us."   [player_tooltip player_id='2075355' first='Lars' last='Kieffer'] - "Came in and played some good minutes for us, especially when we had other guards out with injuries. Tough kid who is a solid defender and rebounder. Makes good decisions on the floor and played his role."   [player_tooltip player_id='2132570' first='Sullivan' last='Kieffer'] -"Did not play a lot of consistent varsity minutes this year as he had a lot of Senior and Junior guards ahead of him in the rotation. We expect big things out of him in the future. Athletic and has some length. He can handle the ball and attack the rim well. Good rebounder. Has improved his defense this season."   Q&A with Coach Courtney   PHD: How would you sum up the season for your squad?   "We had a very blessed season. The best season in our boys' program history. We finished 21-5 and set the school record for victories. We had only the 2nd ever State Tourney appearance in program history (and first time ever in Class A) and had the highest finish we've ever had at State - 4th place. We won the Black Hills Conference for the first time (our 3rd year in the conference). It was a fun ride and was a fun group to coach!"   PHD: Do you have any fun memories you want to share with us from the season?   "Quite a few - making it to the Class A State Tournament was an absolute thrill. Defeating Sioux Valley in Double OT in the first-round game at State was fun, a game that we will remember for a long time. Winning the Black Hills Conference was exciting as well!"   PHD: How did your team overcome adversity?   "We battled injuries throughout the year. Our leading scorer and point guard, [player_tooltip player_id='1503881' first='Benson' last='Kieffer'], had to miss 7 games this year, as did Cayden Von Eye, a key reserve. We had some guys really step up and contribute in big ways while they were out. I was really proud of how our guys stayed together all year and never let themselves get too high or too low. We had great leadership from our captains this year and our kids just stayed determined all year."   PHD: What are a few things your team improved on throughout the season?   "Defensively we improved. Our rebounding was something we really improved on as well. I also thought our half-court execution got better as the year went on."   PHD: Who are some role players that stood out to you?   "We had a number of them. [player_tooltip player_id='1394430' first='Wilson' last='Kieffer'] and Jack Bybee were both outstanding a post defenders for us. They routinely battled much bigger post players, including 6'10" [player_tooltip player_id='1266223' first='Alec' last='Squires'] of Sioux Valley. They both played much bigger than they are. [player_tooltip player_id='2316502' first='Aiden' last='Roberts']' ability to play pressure defense on the opposing point guard from baseline to baseline was a real weapon for us. [player_tooltip player_id='2255238' first='Wes' last='Schlabach'] and Cayden Von Eye were both bursts of energy off the bench and were dynamic in our run and jump press. They both were also exceptional rebounders for guards."   PHD: Can you talk about your seniors and what will be missed?   [player_tooltip player_id='1394430' first='Wilson' last='Kieffer'] - "We will greatly miss his leadership and his vocal leadership, and will to win. Very good overall athlete and competitor."   Jack Bybee - "Great teammate. Tough and gritty. Did a lot of dirty work and never complained. Excellent defender."   Cayden Von Eye - "Natural athlete. Played his role well. Battled injuries this year, but came back and was a key contributor down the stretch of playoffs for us. Tough and hard-nosed kid."   PHD: Who are some up-and-comers to look out for in the future?   "Our big 3 will return - [player_tooltip player_id='1503881' first='Benson' last='Kieffer'], [player_tooltip player_id='1761812' first='Julius' last='Frog'], [player_tooltip player_id='2075359' first='Simon' last='Kieffer']. [player_tooltip player_id='2255238' first='Wes' last='Schlabach'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2316502' first='Aiden' last='Roberts'] will also return and look to take the next step in their development."   [player_tooltip player_id='2132570' first='Sullivan' last='Kieffer'] - "Very high upside. Lots of talent."   [player_tooltip player_id='2250563' first='Henry' last='Koppmann'] - "6'6" freshman who is skilled and has a high upside. Had a nice JV season and looks to be a factor for varsity next year."   [player_tooltip player_id='2387867' first='Peyton' last='Glenn'] - "Freshman who can really shoot it. Very nice player. A player to keep your eye on. I feel he along with Sully Kieffer and [player_tooltip player_id='2250563' first='Henry' last='Koppmann'] will form a talented class of 2027 for us."   Joaquin Petrik - "Sophomore who can also shoot it."   PHD: Who was your best defensive player?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1394430' first='Wilson' last='Kieffer'] - Difference maker for us with his post defense. He shut down [player_tooltip player_id='1372160' first='Atticus' last='Wilkinson'] of Shiloh Christian and also played tremendous defensive games in the playoffs against [player_tooltip player_id='1843052' first='Lee' last='Neugebauer'] of STM and [player_tooltip player_id='1266223' first='Alec' last='Squires'] of Sioux Valley."   PHD: Any last comments/thoughts on the season?   "As I mentioned before it was a very blessed season for the Comets, and it was a historical one. We hope we can carry that momentum into next year and build off of it."   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/RC-Comets-Logo-Gold-.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/RC-Comets-Logo-Gold-.jpg?w=643" alt="" class="wp-image-2440706" /></a></figure>

It might be a little late, but we are looking back at the Comets successful season!