Hanson and Timber Lake: East Meets West

Prep Hoops Dakotas is in full-blown preseason mode, will football is wrapping up soon, hoops is heavy on our minds! The optimism and excitement level in the Dakotas is at an all-time high. Today, we highlight the Beavers and the Panthers.   A new basketball season brings fresh energy, renewed optimism, and excitement across South Dakota — and both the Hanson Beavers and Timber Lake Panthers are eager to get things rolling. Representing Region 5 in Class A, Hanson looks to build momentum early and make its mark in a competitive field. Out west, Timber Lake continues to uphold its strong basketball tradition, with hopes of another successful season as one of the premier programs in Region 8.   Though separated by miles and classifications, both the Beavers and Panthers share the same passion for the game and the same drive to compete at a high level. With the east and west well represented, this PHD Season Preview highlights two programs poised to make plenty of noise in 2025–26.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><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" style="width:255px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Hanson Beavers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/hansonLogo.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/hansonLogo.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3066600" style="width:236px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/image_e4f15e.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/image_e4f15e.png" alt="" class="wp-image-3066603" style="width:225px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   School: Hanson   Mascot: Beaver   Head Coach: Tyler Tappe   Assistant Coach: Jacob Giles   Athletic Director: Tyler Payer   Class: A   Region: 5   24-2025 Record: 14-8   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/QA.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/QA.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2508303" style="width:237px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   With Coach Tappe   PHD: Could you write a couple sentences summing up last season?   "The Hanson Beavers finished the season 14-8 last year. They won Region 5A last and made it to the Sweet 16 where they lost to a tough West Central team. The Beavers had 5 senior starters, so replacing them will be tough."   PHD: Does your program/team have any non-negotiables?   "Our non-negotiables are effort and commitment."   PHD: What will your defense "hang its hat on"?   "Our defense will hang its hat on ball pressure, deflections, and rebounding."   PHD: Who will be a couple of your lead guards?   "[player_tooltip player_id='3066704' first='Cole' last='Dewald'] - Great athlete who is very good on defense. His competitive spirit will help lead us this season. He is a reliable shooter and has a nice touch around the rim."   "[player_tooltip player_id='3066705' first='Nate' last='Wilber'] - Very good shooter. He is long and lengthy, helping him succeed on both sides of the floor."   PHD: How did the offseason go for your team/program?   "We have a very good culture here at Hanson and it showed in the offseason. We had great numbers at our open gyms and skill developments while also mixing in some team camps."   PHD: Who are a few of your top defensive players?   "I think we have several elite defenders this year. [player_tooltip player_id='3066704' first='Cole' last='Dewald'], [player_tooltip player_id='3066713' first='Conner' last='Endorf'], [player_tooltip player_id='3066705' first='Nate' last='Wilber'], Radek Jarding, [player_tooltip player_id='3066710' first='Pierce' last='Kayser'], [player_tooltip player_id='3066711' first='Jett' last='Jager'], and Carson Kampshoff. I think these guys are good defenders because they place high importance on defending their guy and are always giving relentless effort."   PHD: Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for?   "[player_tooltip player_id='3066710' first='Pierce' last='Kayser'], [player_tooltip player_id='3066711' first='Jett' last='Jager'], Radek Jarding, Carson Kampshoff."   PHD: Who do you think will be your best rebounders?   "[player_tooltip player_id='3066710' first='Pierce' last='Kayser'], [player_tooltip player_id='3066705' first='Nate' last='Wilber'], and [player_tooltip player_id='3066713' first='Conner' last='Endorf']. I think they will be in a good position a lot of times to get a rebound. I also think they buy in on the importance of not allowing second chance opportunities."   PHD: What are your team goals this year?   "Team Goals are to make it to State."    "Win the region."   PHD: Who are some of the top players in your Region?   "McCook Montrose - [player_tooltip player_id='2860153' first='Ben' last='Wiebersick']"   "Parker - [player_tooltip player_id='3066728' first='Landon' last='Wieman']"   "Wagner - [player_tooltip player_id='2132820' first='Jesse' last='Zephier']"   PHD: Any last comments about the upcoming season?   "I think we have a really good squad this year. We lost 5 senior starters, so it could take a while to find our identity and figure out the team we want to be. I really like the groups of kids that are coming up. I think they are bought in and looking to accomplish some of the goals we have as a team."   BEST OF LUCK TO THE BEAVERS!!   TIMBER LAKE   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/image_3169b3.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/image_3169b3.png" alt="" class="wp-image-3066767" style="width:253px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/image_14fea9.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/image_14fea9.png" alt="" class="wp-image-3066769" style="width:252px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   School: Timber Lake   Mascot: Panther   Head Coach: Cody Lawrence   Athletic Director: Mary Farlee   Class: B   Region: 8   24-2025 Record: 15-8   Panthers To Watch   [player_tooltip player_id='3067004' first='Kanton' last='Hunt'] - 6'3 F (2027) - Shoots the ball well inside and out, very good rebounder.   [player_tooltip player_id='3067009' first='Treyden' last='Beer'] - 5'10 G (2027) - Very good outside shooter with ability to drive.   [player_tooltip player_id='3067015' first='Braden' last='Lawrence'] - 5'9 G (2027) - Floor general and defensive leader (26 charges last year).   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/image_9970de.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/image_9970de.png" alt="" class="wp-image-3066920" style="width:267px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   With Coach Lawrence   PHD: Could you write a couple sentences summing up last season?   "Beat Dupree to advance to the SoDak 16 and lost to Wessington Springs."   PHD: What will your defense "hang its hat on"?   "Defense and rebounding - We have to be able to hold teams to one shot per possession and keep them below 45 points."   PHD: Who will be a couple of your lead guards?   "[player_tooltip player_id='3067015' first='Braden' last='Lawrence'] and [player_tooltip player_id='3067009' first='Treyden' last='Beer'] are returning starters who do a great job of facilitating and shooting the ball."   PHD: How did the offseason go for your team/program?   "We went to the Webster and Rapid City Christian Team Camps (2 days) and then did an individual camp with Sarge Camps."   PHD: Who are a few of your top defensive players?   "[player_tooltip player_id='3067015' first='Braden' last='Lawrence'] took over 40 charges last year and 26 were called. [player_tooltip player_id='3067004' first='Kanton' last='Hunt'] led us in steals and deflections and reads the floor well. Jackson Bigger is lengthy and really does a great job of anticipating and jumping passes."   PHD: Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for?   "Jackson Bigger plays well on both ends of the floor, [player_tooltip player_id='2857612' first='Broc' last='Bauer'] brings speed and has the ability to shoot it well from the outside, Pete Maher has a high IQ for the game and plays really hard."   PHD: Who do you think will be your best rebounders?   "[player_tooltip player_id='3067004' first='Kanton' last='Hunt'] and Jackson Bigger because of their size and willingness to go get a rebound."   PHD: What are your team goals this year?   "Win the LMC Regular Season, win the LMC Tournament, qualify for the SoDak16, and win the SoDak16 game."   PHD: Who are some of the top teams & players in your Region?   "Dupree - [player_tooltip player_id='3066962' first='Tre' last='White Wolf'], [player_tooltip player_id='2362982' first='Dayson' last='Kennedy'], Cruz Birkeland, Jayden Marshall"   "Faith - [player_tooltip player_id='3067003' first='Cooper' last='Schuelke']"   PHD: Any last comments about the upcoming season?   "Need to compete and get better with every practice and game we play. Doing the little things will dictate how far this team can go."   BEST OF LUCK TO THE PANTHERS!!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/image_4c5bb2.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/image_4c5bb2.png" alt="" class="wp-image-3066925" /></a></figure>

Prep Hoops Dakotas is in full-blown preseason mode, will football is wrapping up soon, hoops is heavy on our minds! The optimism and excitement level in the Dakotas is at an all-time high. Today, we highlight the Beavers and the Panthers.