Lennox Preview: Orioles Deep Dive

The Lennox Orioles enter the new season with as much buzz as any program in Class A, and for good reason. Under head coach Jacob Hinker, the Orioles have built a roster loaded with depth, athleticism, and the kind of competitive edge that makes them a legitimate title contender. Few teams in the class can match their combination of length, speed, and versatility, and even fewer can survive the grind of Region 4—one of the toughest, most unforgiving groups of teams in the state.   As the Orioles gear up for another high-expectation campaign, the focus is on sharpening roles, tightening chemistry, and embracing the challenge ahead. In this Q&A with Coach Hinker, we dive deeper into what drives this group, how their depth shapes their identity, and what it will take for Lennox to navigate a brutal region and make a run at the ultimate prize.   See below for player comments and an in-depth Q&A session.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/06/Preview-crop-823x540-1688699564-crop-719x472-1763386614.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/06/Preview-crop-823x540-1688699564-crop-719x472-1763386614.jpg?w=718" alt="" class="wp-image-3070651" style="width:210px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/image_26e7ca.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/image_26e7ca.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3074522" style="width:202px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Player Comments   *Info from Coach Hinker   [player_tooltip player_id='1467165' first='Tate' last='Gerdes'] (6'3" SR PG): "Returning All-State player. Great 3-level scorer, rebounder, passer. Defends at a high level."   [player_tooltip player_id='2078157' first='Aiden' last='Hanssen'] (6'0 JR Combo-Guard): "Returning starter. Will play a huge role in the Orioles' offense with his ability to shoot and finish around the ball. Plays well with the ball in his hands and off ball."   [player_tooltip player_id='1641163' first='Teegan' last='Musser'] (6'5" SR Forward): "Player that plays with endless energy. He is a great finisher around the rim, great offensive rebounder, and has developed a 3-point jumper in the offseason. He is a high-level defender and will be counted on to guard the other team's best player."   [player_tooltip player_id='2054983' first='Drake' last='Mikkelsen'] (6'5" JR Forward): "One of the best athletes in the state. He plays with a high motor and is a great rebounder on both ends. He plays above the rim and will bring energy to us with some dunks this year. He can guard multiple positions."   [player_tooltip player_id='1641165' first='Cole' last='Spieler'] (6'1" SR guard): "Great role player that does everything a coach asks. He can guard at a high level and knock down shots when called upon."   [player_tooltip player_id='1641164' first='Talen' last='Eich'] (6'0" SR Forward): "Great shooter that plays with a high motor. He is a great screener that gets himself open shots by setting good screens."   [player_tooltip player_id='2250490' first='Eli' last='Plank'] (6'0" JR Guard): "Had a great summer for the Orioles and has continually improved on his shooting and expects to be a big shot maker for the Orioles this year. He has a high basketball IQ and loves the game of basketball."   [player_tooltip player_id='2429967' first='Brennen' last='Juffer'] (6'6" JR Forward): "Had a great summer of AAU and summer ball with Lennox. Brennen uses his length to defend at a high level and clean up rebounds on both ends. He expects to play a big role for the Orioles this season."   <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:226px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   With Jacob Hinker   PHD: How would you sum up last season?   "We finished the season 20-6 with a 4th place finish in the State Tournament. We were happy with how the season and continually got better as the season went on. We got a lot of experience from underclassmen last year, which we hope builds onto this season."   PHD: Does your program/team have any non-negotiables?   "Being willing to sacrifice for the betterment of the team. When you are on a team that expects to have success, every single player on the team has to be willing to sacrifice something."   PHD: What will your defense "hang its hat on"?   "Taking charges and no offensive rebounds."   PHD: Who will be a couple of your lead guards?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1467165' first='Tate' last='Gerdes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2078157' first='Aiden' last='Hanssen']. They both score the ball very well and bring different things to the table that help our offense score points. Aiden can stretch out the defense and make shots at a high level. Tate can get to the rim and score as well as knock down pull-up and three-point jumpers."   PHD: How did the offseason go for your team/program?   "We had a great offseason. We allowed our players to work out kinks on their own and help create an offensive identity with what they felt comfortable with. They started really rolling by the end of the summer."   PHD: Who are a few of your top defensive players?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1641163' first='Teegan' last='Musser']: Can guard any position 1-5. His length causes offensive players issues."   "[player_tooltip player_id='2054983' first='Drake' last='Mikkelsen']: Plays with a high motor. He is constantly communicating on the defensive end and outworks everyone he guards."   "[player_tooltip player_id='2429967' first='Brennen' last='Juffer']: One of the lengthiest players in Class A. His length causes offensive players issues."   "[player_tooltip player_id='1641165' first='Cole' last='Spieler']: High IQ defender that is willing to take charges."   PHD: Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for?   "[player_tooltip player_id='2250490' first='Eli' last='Plank'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2429967' first='Brennen' last='Juffer'] are two juniors who did not see minutes last year that will be expected to see the floor this year. [player_tooltip player_id='2442367' first='Cohen' last='Soukup'] is a Freshman who people should look out for in the future."   PHD: Who do you think will be your best rebounders?   "[player_tooltip player_id='2054983' first='Drake' last='Mikkelsen'], [player_tooltip player_id='1641163' first='Teegan' last='Musser'], [player_tooltip player_id='1467165' first='Tate' last='Gerdes'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2429967' first='Brennen' last='Juffer']. They are all freak athletes that get rebounds because they have a high IQ and get themselves in the right positions to use their athleticism to get rebounds."   PHD: What are your team goals this year?   "We expect to compete for a State Title. To do that, we have to buy into the idea of showing continual improvement throughout the season."   PHD: Who are some of the top teams & players in your Region?   "Sioux Falls Christian and Vermillion will be two top contenders for our Region 4 in Class A."   "[player_tooltip player_id='2128940' first='Brant' last='Wassenaar'] (SFC), [player_tooltip player_id='1545638' first='Cooper' last='Goodbary'] (SFC), [player_tooltip player_id='1467167' first='Carson' last='Nickles'] (SFC), [player_tooltip player_id='1929459' first='Trey' last='Hansen'] (Vermillion), [player_tooltip player_id='2132824' first='Luke' last='Jensen'] (Vermillion)."   BEST OF LUCK TO THE ORIOLES!!   <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 Lennox Orioles enter the new season with as much buzz as any program in Class A, and for good reason. Under head coach Jacob Hinker, the Orioles have built a roster loaded with depth, athleticism, and the kind of competitive edge that makes them a legitimate title contender. Few teams in the class can match their combination of length, speed, and versatility, and even fewer can survive the grind of Region 4—one of the toughest, most unforgiving groups of teams in the state.