Season Reviews: Baltic & Pine Ridge

The South Dakota high school basketball season is in the books, but we are taking a look back! Prep Hoops Dakotas is publishing a series of Season Reviews to help recap and celebrate the season.   PHD has two Season Reviews for basketball fans to read and both squads are Class A. We are highlighting the Bulldogs & Thorpes!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/image_09c733.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/image_09c733.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2841531" style="width:274px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/balticbulld.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/balticbulld.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2841532" style="width:275px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Head Coach: Alex Langner   Class: A   Region: 3   Record: 12-10   BALTIC BULLDOGS   Player Comments   [player_tooltip player_id='1656544' first='Kellen' last='Artz'] – 6'9 JR Forward – "Kellen really came on as the season progressed on the offensive end of the floor. He showed his ability to play in the paint but was still able to step out and shoot the three. Defensively, he was the anchor for our team defense. His rim protection allowed our guys on the perimeter to play aggressively and create turnovers."   [player_tooltip player_id='1656545' first='Dylan' last='Runestad'] – 6'0 JR Guard – "Dylan was the general on the floor for us this year. He was the one who ran our offense, got us into the sets we wanted, and was able to handle the ball for us against pressure. Dylan also shot the ball extremely well from the 3pt line. Defensively, Dylan's role evolved into one of our closers on the perimeter. He would guard a lot of the team's best perimeter players and did a great job of shutting down some solid scorers."   [player_tooltip player_id='1641266' first='Ben' last='Erickson'] – 6'1 JR Guard – "Ben was our athlete who was able to make something out of nothing a lot of the time on both ends of the floor. His length caused problems on the defensive end of the floor, leading us in steals. Offensively, he has really good footwork in traffic and has the ability to make something out of nothing when he gets in trouble on the offensive end of the floor."   [player_tooltip player_id='2410633' first='Trevor' last='Cuperus'] – 6'6 JR Forward – "Trevor really came along as the year went on. He was one of our starters that didn't have as much experience for us coming back, but Trevor became a force in the middle for us."   [player_tooltip player_id='2637594' first='Cooper' last='Garry'] – 5'10 JR Guard – "Cooper was a great defensive end of the floor player for us. He did a really nice job on the ball defensively. Unfortunately for us Cooper was injured ¾ a way through the season and battled back to play in the Region."   [player_tooltip player_id='2475686' first='Benjamin' last='Berg'] – 5'9 FR Guard – "Ben did a really good job of getting starts in the last half of the tournament and making the most of them. He played his role effectively, didn't turn the ball over, played solid defense and knocked down an open shot when the opportunity was there."   Stats   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/image_6700cf.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/image_6700cf.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2841626" /></a></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/image_6161ae.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/image_6161ae.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2841628" /></a></figure>   <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:307px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   With Alex Langner   PHD: How would you sum up the season for your squad?   "I think we learned a lot about what our identity was as a team this year. Our guys really bought into giving the effort necessary on the defensive end of the floor to be successful this season. We also saw how we fared against some of the better teams in the state this year, and our kids are using that for fuel going into their off-season. They have big goals and expectations of themselves and each other going forward into the offseason and into next year."   "I was happy with the way our guys competed consistently and think that we are ready to take that next step toward the goal of competing at the state level."   PHD: Do you have any fun memories you want to share with us?   "I really enjoyed watching our kids grow up this year. Some of the fun competitive atmospheres that our guys got to play in, and some of the quality opponents we got to play against are what this group is going to have stick with them. Really, it's the moments in between the contests that I am going to appreciate the most. The practices, the road trips, the team activities, these are the things that are going to make this group unique."   PHD: How did your team overcome adversity?   "We dealt with the sickness and injury bugs in the middle of the year and our young guys really stepped in well to be able to contribute. I thought even in our last region game, being down 13 going into the last quarter and having it come down to the last possession really showed a lot of grit in our kids. These kids play with a ton of heart and don't ever quit for us."   PHD: What are a few things your team improved on throughout the season?   "I think offensively, we found a better flow as the year went on. We got more consistency on the offensive end of the floor, and our defense became our rock to stand on night in and night out. I can't say enough about how hard our kids played on the defensive end of the floor to give ourselves a chance to be in games and go out and win in the 4th quarter a lot of times."   PHD: Who are some role players that stood out to you?   "I think guys like [player_tooltip player_id='2410633' first='Trevor' last='Cuperus'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2475686' first='Benjamin' last='Berg'] really bought into what their roles were for us as the year went on. Trevor became our presence in the paint, and Ben really did a nice job of playing within himself and understanding what he was capable of."   PHD: Can you talk about your seniors?   "The best (and worst) part of this group is that we didn't have any seniors on our team. We get another year with this group, and we said going into this year that it was going to be a growing process.  This year, we took a big step with what we wanted to accomplish as a group."   PHD: Who are some up-and-comers to look out for?   "[player_tooltip player_id='2475686' first='Benjamin' last='Berg'] gave us really good minutes when guys went down with injuries. Ben is athletic as a Freshman, and really gained a lot of good experience at the varsity level with his contributions throughout the year."   PHD: Who was your best defensive player?   "I'm not sure I would identify any one particular guy as our lockdown guy. [player_tooltip player_id='1656545' first='Dylan' last='Runestad'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1641266' first='Ben' last='Erickson'] really played well on the perimeter and [player_tooltip player_id='1656544' first='Kellen' last='Artz'] was a stonewall for us in the paint as a rim protector."   PHD: Who was your top interior player?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1656544' first='Kellen' last='Artz'] (6'9) and [player_tooltip player_id='2410633' first='Trevor' last='Cuperus'] (6'6) really were a two-headed monster for us in the paint this year. They play so well off of each other and share the ball so well, they also have the ability to play off the screen and catch the ball really well for their size."   PHD: Any last comments/thoughts on the season?   "When you look at our group there isn't one kid that stands out as the “the guy” but our guys collectively support each other, play for each other and enjoy the game of basketball. That is probably the thing that I enjoy most about this group. Their love of the game, and how much they give towards it."   BEST OF LUCK TO THE BULLDOGS THIS OFFSEASON!!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/image_5f9ddf.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/image_5f9ddf.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2841658" style="width:318px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Head Coach: Casey Means   Class: A   Region: 7    Record: 13-9    Shout-out to [player_tooltip player_id='1384718' first='Marvin' last='Richard III'] for being named 1st Team All-State!   PINE RIDGE THORPE   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> The team had to grow and mature this year, with 13 players gone from seniors graduating, transfers,  and other reasons, it was hard to get chemistry going all season. We had the toughest schedule in the state in all Classes from AA, A and B. So that really helped speed up our growth. Very proud of how we competed and left it all out on the floor. Lost a lot of close games that affected where we were at the end of the year. The strength of our team was our speed, heart and grit. I think we really improved on the thinking of the game, getting use to state speed. Our younger guys matured well from the schedule, our older guys really set the tone for us and showed them how to be ball players and speeded up their process and growth. -Casey Means </blockquote>   Team Stats   PPG: 64.2 RPG: 23.1 APG: 14.7 SPG: 9.8 BPG: 1.3 TOPG: 9.9 FG%: 43 3FG%: 34   Stat Leaders   [player_tooltip player_id='1384718' first='Marvin' last='Richard III'] '26 - 34.7 ppg, 6 rpg, 3.8 apg, 48 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='1907971' first='Anthony' last='Steele'] '25 - 13.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 5.7 apg, 39 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='2821343' first='Caleb' last='Black Feather'] '28 - 6.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1 apg, 47 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='1907972' first='Michael' last='Caille'] '25 - 1.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.1 apg, 26 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='2264291' first='Anthony' last='Little'] '26 - 1.9 ppg, .9 rpg, .8 apg, 48 FG%   Kenny Pulliam '25 - 2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.5 apg, 25 FG%   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/image_778328.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/image_778328.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2841717" style="width:291px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   With Casey Means   PHD: How would you sum up the season for your squad?   "Tough & Gritty"   PHD: Do you have any fun memories you want to share with us?    "Just the traveling of the season and being with the guys, I think we covered over 4,000 miles just trying to get better, so too many to count lol."   PHD: How did your team overcome adversity?   "We battled adversity all year, coming in ranked and then dropping out of the rankings, then to bounce back and compete the way we did, very proud of this group."   PHD: What are a few things your team improved on?   "Maturity, chemistry, the younger ones really rose to the occasion, and leadership got better from the older guys."   PHD: Who are some of the role players that stood out to you?   "Kenny Pulliam - Undersize big, that plays like he's 6'6. Played the 5 for us, knows the game and worked hard from JV the year before, and learning from the V bench to being a vital piece for us."   "Michael Callie - Super athletic bowling ball! Great on defense and leadership. Hardly missed anything, from shoot around, practice, and weight room. Usually guarding the opposing team's fast players, playing his best ball at the end of the year."   PHD: Can you talk about your seniors?   "I just talked about two of them, so I will talk about [player_tooltip player_id='1907971' first='Anthony' last='Steele']."   "[player_tooltip player_id='1907971' first='Anthony' last='Steele'] - Straight wolf, and leader. I've had the luxury of coaching Ant for most of his HS career. One of the best defenders I ever coached, think he led State in assists this year, top 3 in steals last 3 year also. Stepped up his scoring this year along with guarding the opposing team's best player."    "Carlos Ramos  - Never missed anything, always supporting the boys and always working hard, If you had 10 of these guys, your program would be one of the best."   "GONNA MISS THESE SENIORS!"   PHD: Who are some up-and-comers to look out for?    "This guy is not an up-and-comer, he's arguably the best player in the state, he's my GPOY! [player_tooltip player_id='1384718' first='Marvin' last='Richard III'] led the state in scoring with 34.7 ppg, along with 6 rpg, and 3.8 apg, 3.5 spg. Multiple 40-point games, a 50-point game, and record record-breaking 62-point game. All well facing double team, triple teams, box &1, diamond & 1, the whole 9. Along with that, he pushed his team and made us all better. His best basketball is ahead of him, he will be on a mission next year for the 3 things he doesn't have!"   "[player_tooltip player_id='2821343' first='Caleb' last='Black Feather']  - Freshman got thrown into the fire after LNI, and answered the bell, was the 3rd guy on offense, and lit it up from the 3and got better and defense as the season went on. Expecting big things from him next year, as he's already in the gym working on his game."   "[player_tooltip player_id='2829287' first='Zaedyn' last='Winters'] - Sophomore with stick defense and fast hands, worked his way up from JV to be the 6th man. Decision making ball handling and offense got better as the season went on. He too is in the gym lifting, working on getting better."   "William Tymes Jr. - Sophomore big, who was coming into his own and playing his best basketball before a knee injury took his season. Been grinding to get healthy, and excited to have him back, a big who can shoot the 3 and put the ball on the floor."   PHD: Who was your best defensive player?    "[player_tooltip player_id='1384718' first='Marvin' last='Richard III'] - Guarded out of position because of lack of size. Guarded 1-5 and most of the time, the most physical presence on the other team. High IQ, top 5 in steals, and rebounds."   "[player_tooltip player_id='1907971' first='Anthony' last='Steele'] - Guarded the best perimeter player on the other team, IQ quick hands, top 5 in steals in state last 3 years, and floor general on court putting people in the right spots."   PHD: Who was your top interior player?   "Kenny Pulliam - His motor, physicality, and knowledge of the game."   "William Tymes Jr. - Big who rebounds, shoots the 3. 1st year in the program, so he had to play catch up a little bit. Excited for him and next year as it will be his 2nd year here and he will be healthy.    PHD: Any last comments/thoughts on the season?   "Just thankful for the lessons that will make us better for next year. We will have a bad taste in our mouth and grind with a chip on our shoulders because of how our season ended. Last but not least, thank you to our players, parents, and assistant coaches for the support and the time spent with all of you. Thankful for everyone in the Thorpe Family! AHO"   BEST OF LUCK TO THE THORPES THIS 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>

The South Dakota high school basketball season is in the books, but we are taking a look back! Prep Hoops Dakotas is publishing a series of Season Reviews to help recap and celebrate the season.