Preview: SSA 16U Black

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">In this piece, PHD is focusing on&nbsp;<strong>[program_tooltip program_id='2222672' first='Sanford' last='Sports Academy'] 16U Black</strong>&nbsp;out of <strong>Fargo, ND</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px">The season has tipped off for SSA 16U Black. They are currently playing in the Comets Shootout in St. Cloud and are 2-0. So far, SSA has beaten the [program_tooltip program_id='2075310' first='Northstar' last='Titans'] and MN Comets. Tomorrow (4/13/25), SSA will face MN Fury in the first game of the day. This is a talented group of ball players. PHD is expecting a high-quality season from this squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>SSA 16U Black is coached by&nbsp;<strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">Colton Lund.</span></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"200"}},"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:200">See below for SSA's schedule, roster, and a Q&amp;A session...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2838191,"width":"295px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/SanfordSportsAcademyPreview_b83a91.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/SanfordSportsAcademyPreview_b83a91.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2838191" style="width:295px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Schedule</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>April 12th-13th&nbsp;</strong>Comets Shootout St. Cloud, MN<br><strong>April 26th</strong>&nbsp;Pentagon Spring Jam Sioux Falls, SD<br><strong>May 3rd-4th&nbsp;</strong>Scheels League I Minneapolis, MN<br><strong>May 9th-11th&nbsp;</strong>Prep Hoops Battle at the Lakes Minneapolis, MN<br><strong>May 16th-18th</strong>&nbsp;Prep Hoops Stomping Grounds Sioux Falls, SD<br><strong>June 27th-28th</strong>&nbsp;Comets Great Plains Alliance St. Cloud, MN<br><strong>July 11th-13th</strong>&nbsp;Prep Hoops 2K25 Minneapolis, MN<br><strong>July 18th-20th</strong>&nbsp;Recruit Looks Chicago, IL</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Roster</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1680906' first='Aiden' last='Green'] - Horace High School</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aiden sees the floor exceptionally well for a high school PG. Great at making reads off of ball screens and has a great change-of-pace offensively. Defensively he can move his feet and keep anyone in front.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2617555' first='Aidan' last='Sanchez'] - Breckinridge High School</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sanchez is a long wing that does a great job on the defensive end not only in using his length to guard, but is able to rebound with the best of them. Offensively Aiden can post-up on mismatches and get O-boards/Second chance shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1651918' first='Brett' last='Livingston'] - Horace High School</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brett is a long and athletic wing. His ability to Offensive rebound and get to the rim make him dangerous on the offensive end. Defensively he can guard 1-5 which makes him a great asset for this team to have.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2237807' first='James' last='Schindler'] - Red River High School</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>James is a great point guard. He does exceptionally well at executing&nbsp;offensively, can hit 3s space the floor. Defensively he works his tail off on the ball defense, this has always been a staple in his game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2132777' first='Kyson' last='Keller'] - WF Sheyenne High School</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kyson is a long win that had a successful season at Sheyenne. His ability to shoot the 3 and drive hard closeouts make him a great offensive player. Defensively&nbsp;his length can bother shots and he rebounds well for a guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Nathan Stevenson - Dickinson High School</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nate brings a toughness to our team. His ability to score on second-chance shots and post-up smaller guards make him a tough matchup&nbsp;offensively. His strength and rebounding ability also make him a great asset on the defensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1539676' first='Reese' last='Walters'] - Red River High School</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reese was very impressive at tryouts. He shoots the three ball exceptionally well and is able to space the floor. Defensively he is very active on the ball and is one of the best helpside defenders on the team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2237722' first='Tanner' last='Kratcha'] - WF Sheyenne High School</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tanner is our one true 5-man this year. His offensive skill and ability to space the floor will help us relieve ball pressure this year. Defensively he will draw the task of guarding&nbsp;every 5-man we play and his ability to guard and rebound will be a great strength for us.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2237753' first='Wyatt' last='Weekley'] - ORCS High School</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wyatt had a great sophomore year. He is a pure scorer and ball-handler for this team. He shoots the 3 exceptionally well and is great at attacking the rim. Defensively&nbsp;he is good on ball and will draw some of the tougher D assignments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2511663,"width":"198px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/QA.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/QA.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2511663" style="width:198px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">With Coach Lund</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>PHD: What excites&nbsp;you excited about this team/roster?</strong></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>This team and roster is talented and balanced. When they work hard we will be extremely tough to beat. Just being able to see how competitive&nbsp;we can be this summer excites me the most.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>PHD: How often will your team practice/work out?</strong></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We will have weekly skill workouts and will practice occasionally on off weekends this summer.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>PHD: What are your goals for this team?</strong></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>High goals for this team. Being competitive&nbsp;in every game and being one of the best 16U teams in the Region are among those goals.</em>"&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>PHD: What are a couple of your strengths as a team?</strong></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>This team is great on the defensive&nbsp;side and can shoot the ball&nbsp;well. Look for rebounding and execution to be strengths that we will get better at as the year progresses.</em>"&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What style of basketball will you play on the offensive end?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We will play a free-flowing motion with ball screens&nbsp;including a Primary/Secondary break leading into the halfcourt motion.</em>"&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>PHD: What brand of defense do you&nbsp;foresee&nbsp;your team playing?</strong></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>This is where we hope to take pride this summer. Many of these kids return from a 15U team that rarely gave up over 60 in games last year. We will only be playing man-2-man defense this summer and building on those concepts.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>PHD: Is there an event/tournament you are most looking forward to?</strong>&nbsp;</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>I look forward to any tournament where we get a chance to compete.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>PHD: Who are a couple of underrated players on your team?</strong></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Hard to say there are&nbsp;any underrated players on this team. We added 3 new faces to this year's team and they will be great additions.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>PHD: What do you foresee&nbsp;being the&nbsp;identity of your team?</strong></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>This team will be built on effort, intensity, and communication. If we can be good at that then the basketball side will take care of itself.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2838190,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/image_54e1d1.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/image_54e1d1.png?w=818" alt="" class="wp-image-2838190" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->