Pine Ridge and Watford City: Previews

It is officially high school basketball season!! Before we get too deep into games, Prep Hoops Dakotas has two more Team Previews. One from North Dakota and one from South Dakota. We are highlighting the Thorpes from Pine Ridge and the Wolves from Watford City.   The big name for Pine Ridge is [player_tooltip player_id='1384718' first='Marvin' last='Richard III'], an elite talent and one of the top offensive players in South Dakota history. Will MR3 and t he Thorpes get back to the State Tournament?   Watford City has a new coach this season, Justin Hager. It will be fun to see the new system and how the squad comes together over the course of the season.   Pine Ridge opens up the season tonight (12/11) in Wyoming vs. Campbell County.   Watford City's first game is tomorrow 12/12 vs. Sidney, MT at home.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/image_dc19cb.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/image_dc19cb.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3198351" style="aspect-ratio:1.1118524545701112;width:192px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/TeamPreview.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/TeamPreview.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2632356" style="width:190px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   <a href="https://gobound.com/sd/sdhsaa/boysbasketball/2025-26/pineridge/v/schedule">Pine Ridge Schedule</a>   School: Pine Ridge   Mascot: Thorpes   Head Coach: Casey Means   Class: A   Region: 7   Q&A with Casey Means   PHD: How would you sum up last season?   "Underachieved, the upset at the end of the year in our Region left a bad taste in our mouths."   PHD: Does your program/team have any non-negotiables?   "Accountability, bring energy, discipline, have a great work ethic, and be coachable."   PHD: What will your defense "hang its hat on"?   "Pressure, making the game fast, uncomfortable conversation."   PHD: Who will be your lead guards?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1384718' first='Marvin' last='Richard III'], [player_tooltip player_id='1912862' first='Donnie' last='Ghost Dog'], [player_tooltip player_id='2821343' first='Caleb' last='Black Feather']."   How did the offseason go for your team/program? What did you do to improve?   "Most of the games we lost in the last few years were because we were getting out-physicaled on the block and boards. We did a speed program, followed by a thing I call EVA (Elite Vertical Academy). We focused on ourselves and getting bigger, stronger, faster; that was a total of 28 weeks. We also participated in a Basketball clinic led by Bismarck Century. Other schools involved were Spearfish, CEB Braves. Then we ended the summer taking 2nd place in the top division at the Pentagon Summer league, losing to Vermillion in OT, in the Championship. In addition to that, we placed in the top 4 at NABI, which had over 100 teams playing."   PHD: Who are a few of your top defensive players?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1384718' first='Marvin' last='Richard III']: Can guard 1-5 and the smartest defender on our team. [player_tooltip player_id='1912862' first='Donnie' last='Ghost Dog']: Will be our primary on-ball defender, quick hand fast and physical. [player_tooltip player_id='2829287' first='Zaedyn' last='Winters']: One of our most athletic and best perimeter defenders, brings that IT factor. [player_tooltip player_id='2264293' first='Daniel' last='Weston']: is our best defender on the block, strong and can move for a big."   PHD: Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for?   "[player_tooltip player_id='2821343' first='Caleb' last='Black Feather'] - 10th grade: I don't know if he's a newcomer cause he started for us as a freshman, he will be a big part of our team this year, can shoot with the best of them and worked hard on his body/speed, finishing game, and ball handling. [player_tooltip player_id='3196990' first='Clouden' last='Apple'] - 9th grade: Most composed freshman I've seen since MR3, can shoot, finish, plays defense, and doesn't back down from nothing. Also, [player_tooltip player_id='2848944' first='Talton' last='Hawk'] at 6'6", he will be one of the best shooting BIGs in the state. He worked really hard in the off-season."   PHD: Who do you think will be your best rebounders?   "We are looking to rebound as a team, so all of them will be great at it."   PHD: What are your team goals this year?   "STATE CHAMPIONSHIP!"   PHD: Who are some of the top teams & players in your Region?   "Mahpiya Luta - [player_tooltip player_id='2916081' first='Riley' last='Brave'], [player_tooltip player_id='1842419' first='Braylon' last='Little'], [player_tooltip player_id='2827866' first='Okte' last='Spotted Eagle'], [player_tooltip player_id='2480867' first='Memphis' last='Brewer']. Little Wound - [player_tooltip player_id='2342750' first='Riley' last='Casey'], [player_tooltip player_id='3198472' first='Dylan' last='Ferguson']."   PHD: Any last comments about the upcoming season?   "Good luck to all coaches and players across SD! LET'S GET DOWN FOR THE CROWN!!"   BEST OF LUCK TO THE THORPES!!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/watfordwolves.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/watfordwolves.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3198347" style="aspect-ratio:1.412417309812569;width:300px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/TeamPreview.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/TeamPreview.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2632356" style="width:303px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   <a href="https://www.westerndakotaassociation.org/g5-bin/client.cgi?cwellOnly=1&G5statusflag=view&schoolname=&school_id=1397&G5button=13&G5genie=190&vw_schoolyear=1&vw_agl=25-2-7,&manual_access=1">Watford City Schedule</a>   School: Watford City   Mascot: Wolves   Head Coach: Justin Hager   Class: A   Region: 4   Players to Watch from Coach Hager   "We have some kids coming back that played a lot of minutes last year. Our two seniors, [player_tooltip player_id='2635169' first='Thaydan' last='Arnold'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2635174' first='Xavier' last='McGorman']. Thaydan will give us an inside threat and physical presence and Xavier with this athleticism and being able to score on all three levels, will be important for us. We have a large junior group that is a core part of this program. [player_tooltip player_id='2635183' first='Carter' last='Breitbach'], [player_tooltip player_id='2635185' first='Trysten' last='DeVries'], [player_tooltip player_id='2635446' first='Kyle' last='Best'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2635292' first='Dominic' last='Latray'] will be a big part of how we do on both ends of the floor.  Every player in this group is going to play a lot of minutes and has put in a ton of time in the offseason. These guys are all multi-sport athletes and have set a foundation for the work that was done in the summer. It will start on the defensive end with us."   Q&A with Justin Hager   PHD: How would you sum up last season?   "This is my first year leading this program and I am excited to get started. We have a great coaching staff that is invested in the kids and their development. Their commitment in the offseason showed that they wanted to improve on last year and have a good season."   PHD: Does your program/team have any non-negotiables?   "Always play for what's on the front of the jersey, not what's on the back."   PHD: What will your defense "hang its hat on"?   "Defensive efficiency and playing hard."    PHD: How does this year's team differ from last year's?   "They committed to the offseason program in which I hope allows us to compete at a high level. Offseason commitment is non-negotiable if you want any shot at having success."   PHD: How did the offseason go for your team/program?   "Our kids played in multiple team camps and summer leagues and helped run our youth camps, as well as investing in the weight room. They did a great job committing to the offseason program. We played 25-30 games in the summer, which we hope helps us during the season."   PHD: Who are some players you expect to take on expanded roles this season?   "Everyone will have a role to play and be great in that role. We will have 7 or 8 guys who will play the majority of the minutes."   PHD: Who are a few of your top defensive players?   "[player_tooltip player_id='2635183' first='Carter' last='Breitbach'], [player_tooltip player_id='2635174' first='Xavier' last='McGorman'] [player_tooltip player_id='2635185' first='Trysten' last='DeVries'], [player_tooltip player_id='2635446' first='Kyle' last='Best'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2635292' first='Dominic' last='Latray'] will be asked to defend opposing players post and perimeter players based on their length and athleticism and length."   PHD: Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for?   "Troy Smith, [player_tooltip player_id='3198478' first='Kyler' last='Smith'], Adrian Jean, Griff Tschetter."   PHD: What style of play can fans expect on both ends of the floor?   "We definitely want to put pressure on opposing teams in all three phases, offense, defense, and in the full court."   PHD: Who do you think will be your best rebounders?   "[player_tooltip player_id='2635185' first='Trysten' last='DeVries'], [player_tooltip player_id='2635169' first='Thaydan' last='Arnold'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2635292' first='Dominic' last='Latray']. Their length and physicality make them our best guys on the boards."   PHD: What are your team goals this year?   "We will have standards, not goals, daily. We want to focus on the day and getting better daily. The way we train and prepare will be what we focus on daily and be intentional in everything that we do."   PHD: Who are some of the top teams in your Region?   "We play in one of, if not the best, Region in the state. Beulah, Shiloh, Dickinson Trinity, and Killdeer are all solid teams that have a long history of success. We are trying to get to that level. We had 3 teams out of our Region in the State Tournament last year. It's definitely a great opportunity to compete with some of the best teams, which makes it fun and a great opportunity."   PHD: Can you tell us your coaching staff?   "All of my assistant coaches bring a different element that they are great at and have a lot of years of experience. I am lucky to have a great group of guys. You are only as good as the people you surround yourself with."   PHD: Any last comments about the upcoming season?   "We are excited to compete in one of the top Regions in the state."   BEST OF LUCK TO THE WOLVES!!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/HoopsPreview.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/HoopsPreview.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-3072386" /></a></figure>

It is officially high school basketball season!! Before we get too deep into games, Prep Hoops Dakotas has two more Team Previews. One from North Dakota and one from South Dakota. We are highlighting the Thorpes from Pine Ridge and the Wolves from Watford City.