Sacred Hoops 16U Dwight: AAU Summary
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I had the privilege of watching this team play a couple of times at the Prep Hoops-Hard Work Region Finals in Minnesota at the end of July. I was overly impressed with their teamwork and how they shared the ball.…
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Continue ReadingI had the privilege of watching this team play a couple of times at the Prep Hoops-Hard Work Region Finals in Minnesota at the end of July. I was overly impressed with their teamwork and how they shared the ball. It is easy to see that this team is well-coached. They play gritty and disciplined. I expect these players to be studs on their high school teams. I am excited to cover their development and success in the upcoming school year. If this group sticks together next spring/summer, they will be a scary squad!
TEAM COMMENTS FROM COACH DWIGHT WALKER
“Great summer season. We traveled and played some of the best teams around our region in the midwest area. We did very well compiling a 27-5 record over the summer. Only played the same team once all summer. We feel playing different teams that provide different levels of competition is extremely important in player growth and development. By far one of the most fun groups I’ve had the privilege to coach.”
ROSTER
6’4 AJ Akot AJ Akot 6'4" | SF Sioux Falls Washington | 2023 State SD – O’Gorman – Sioux Falls
A very talented player with an extremely high upside. We feel he was the steal of the summer for our group. AJ provides playmaking, rebounding, and on-ball defensive intensity with rim ultra protection. Offensively, provides interior offense (offensive rebounding, dump-offs, etc) also does a great job seeing the floor and creating good spacing for the team. Very unselfish and the ultimate team player.
5’11 Ayden Klein Ayden Klein 5'11" | SG MOC-Floyd Valley | 2023 State IA – MOC (Iowa)
Ayden is as tough as they come. Physically intimidating with his style of play on offense and defense. Ayden lives in the paint and is NOT afraid of contact. An all-around player that seems to understand exactly what the team needs during any game.
6-2 Brock Fisher – Boyden-Hull (Iowa)
Brock has been the main source of energy for our group. Always positive and encouraging to his teammates. He’s been a player that every coach should be so lucky to have. Works his butt off in everything that he does. Always known as a “Football” guy but I truly believe he also has an opportunity to really be a solid contributor for the Comets this fall.
6-1 Cole Peterson Cole Peterson 6'2" | PG Sioux Falls Washington | 2023 State SD – Washington HS – Sioux Falls
Cole has been a great leader for our group the last two summers. CP is the true definition of a gym rat. Extremely high basketball IQ, really understands the game from a couple of passes ahead.
6-2 Gavin Benck Gavin Benck 6'2" | PF Deuel | 2023 State SD – Deuel HS – Clear Lake
One of our best defensive players. Puts on his hard hat every time it comes to competition. Super unselfish and really has a thirst for knowledge to continue to grow and develop as a player.
6-0 Matt Eng Matt Eng 6'0" | PG O’gorman | 2023 State SD – O’Gorman – Sioux Falls
Instant offense! Matt has to be the most confident shooter I’ve ever coached. Watching him play you wouldn’t ever be able to tell if he’s made 5 in a row or missed. This summer Matt has also developed into more than just a shooter, he’s been able to take guys off the dribble and most importantly, Matt has committed to lockdown defense.
6-5 Reis Kirschenman Reis Kirschenman 6'5" | C Tea Area | 2023 State SD – Tea Area – Tea
Reis has continued to be a BEAST in the paint. Probably the best rebounder in his class. Really reads the ball right off of the rim, has great timing, and phenomenal hands. Reis moves really laterally and is an absolute ox down low. One of Reis’s biggest areas of improvement has been his mid-range jumper, we’re hoping he continues to grow in that area.
6-5 Tate VanOtterloo Tate VanOtterloo 6'5" | SF Beresford | 2023 SD – Beresford
Tate is our most versatile player. He can be a “big” and do things we require or he could be a guard. He sees the floor really well and is one of our playmakers. Tate can score at all three levels of the floor on offense. I think one of Tate’s biggest qualities that get overlooked is his defensive IQ and skill set. Lastly, he keeps our team mood light, he’s the one keeping everyone laughing.
6-2 Tryg Auten Tryg Auten 5'10" | PG SF Washington | 2023 SD – Washington HS – Sioux Falls
Tryg is our defensive stopper, one of my favorite kinds of players. He always wants to guard the other team’s best player even if it means sacrificing his own offense at times. That’s a rarity in today’s landscape of players. But don’t think for one second he’s a one-dimensional player whatsoever. A really good shooter that can also get downhill and finish in the paint.
6-3 Zharic Sheppard Zharic Sheppard 6'5" | SF Sioux Falls Washington | 2023 State SD – Washington HS – Sioux Falls
Swiss army knife. Z can shoot, rebound, facilitate and provide toughness. He’s a guy you don’t want to leave open. Catch and shoot is pretty close to automatic. Can also post you up and play with his back to the basket, extremely high upside!
6-1 Jonah Kocer Jonah Kocer 6'1" | PG Tea Area | 2023 State SD – Tea Area – Tea
Jonah was hurt most of the summer with a broken hand but he was at every practice and tournament and served as an assistant coach. I deferred to him at times as far as lineups, strategy because he has such a brilliant basketball mind. We’re excited about getting back next summer. Jonah is probably one of the smoothest players in his class and when you watch him play it’s easy to see why. Makes the game look very easy, high basketball IQ, and is a leader by example.
TEAM SCHEDULE
April 23-25 Prep Hoops Live – Kansas City, KS
May 7-9 OSA -Omaha, NE
June 18-20 MAYB Summer Series – Sioux Falls, SD
June 24-26 Great Plains Alliance – St. Cloud, MN
July 9-11 Summer Slam – Sioux Falls, SD
July 16-18 Midwest Collision (Prep Hoops) – Appleton, WI
July 24-25 Gateway to the West Classic (Prep Hoops) – Omaha. NE
July 31-August 1 Hard Work Region Finals (Prep Hoops) – Plymouth, MN
RECOGNITIONS
Best Rebounder: Reis Kirschenman Reis Kirschenman 6'5" | C Tea Area | 2023 State SD
3-Point Sniper: Matt Eng Matt Eng 6'0" | PG O’gorman | 2023 State SD
Versatile: Zharic Sheppard Zharic Sheppard 6'5" | SF Sioux Falls Washington | 2023 State SD
Defensive Stopper: Tryg Auten Tryg Auten 5'10" | PG SF Washington | 2023 SD
Most Improved: Brock Fisher
Hardest Worker: Cole Peterson Cole Peterson 6'2" | PG Sioux Falls Washington | 2023 State SD
Most Unselfish: Gavin Benck Gavin Benck 6'2" | PF Deuel | 2023 State SD
Mr. Positive: Reis Kirschenman Reis Kirschenman 6'5" | C Tea Area | 2023 State SD
Mr. Grit: Ayden Klein Ayden Klein 5'11" | SG MOC-Floyd Valley | 2023 State IA
Best Rim Protector: AJ Akot AJ Akot 6'4" | SF Sioux Falls Washington | 2023 State SD
Mr. Creative: Tate VanOtterloo Tate VanOtterloo 6'5" | SF Beresford | 2023 SD