Horace Hawks: Team Preview
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West Fargo Horace will be playing a JV schedule this year and they will also play a couple of Class B varsity teams. Sophomores are the oldest players in the program right now. Next season Horace will be playing in…
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Continue ReadingWest Fargo Horace will be playing a JV schedule this year and they will also play a couple of Class B varsity teams. Sophomores are the oldest players in the program right now. Next season Horace will be playing in the EDC at the varsity level. They are very excited out in Horace. The Hawks will have a brand new gym and they are ready to get started. In this article, we look at some comments from coach Derek Hutchinson and we will take a look at some of the top players for the Hawks. Take a look at the roster below, the Hawks have some very talented players.
Coach Derek Hutchinson comments on building the Horace program:
“It’s been an amazing experience building this program. I’m very fortunate to have the opportunity to build this thing from the ground up. My favorite part has been the cultural piece. It’s exciting to have a hand in creating the things that will make this program what it is for years to come. Seeing it all come together and having the support that we have received from this community has been a special experience.”
Coach Hutchinson comments on joining the EDC:
“Joining the EDC is something that our whole program looks forward to. It is a great basketball conference, and we are just excited to get in and start being a part that. I think our guys have a lot to prove and they are just chomping at the bit to get the opportunity to show this conference what they’re made of. There is a special vibe out in Horace and you can definitely feel it.“
HAWK PLAYERS
Mike Siffoi Mike Siffoi 5'8" | PG Horace | 2024 State ND (2024) |5-8 G|
He has incredible quickness that will cause trouble for opponents on both sides of the ball. Mike is great at attacking the rim but also has touch from beyond the arc which makes him a tough guard for anyone. Defensively he will harass ball handlers and force them into mistakes with a surprising level of physicality.
Carvin Fish Carvin Fish 6'8" | PF Tiospa Zina | 2024 State SD (2024) |6-5 F|
He operates with fantastic footwork and subtle quickness. At 6’5” Carvin can stroke the three and has demonstrated the strength to do damage in the paint as well. Fish has the ability to stretch the defense out and take advantage of mismatches. Carvin has a great basketball IQ and he could have a huge leadership impact with this young and inexperienced team.
Isaiah Williams Isaiah Williams 5'10" | PG Lutheran | 2024 CO (2024) |5-10 G|
Zay is as smooth as they come with the ball in his hands. He is extremely athletic with a very well-rounded skill set. His ability to pull up off the dribble makes him dangerous as he is also a great finisher at the rim. Zay has remarkable court vision and he can distribute the ball with the best of them. His natural feel for the game and sound fundamentals are a perfect combination with his explosive ability.
Zach Velure Zach Velure 6'0" | SF Horace | 2024 ND (2024) |6-0 G/F|
He is a returning Co-MVP for the Hawks from last season. Zach is blessed with great length and athleticism. Zach can score from inside or outside and has the ability to take games over. Velure’s mid-range game is deadly, and he is constantly moving without the ball. Zach could potentially be a huge matchup problem for opposing defenders.
Gavin Olson Gavin Olson 5'10" | CG Horace | 2024 ND (2024) |5-8 G|
He is an electrifying player that brings a special type of energy to the floor. Gavin can get hot from the outside and is very shifty with the ball in his hands. Olson will battle for every loose ball and rebound with tenacious effort. He has the potential to singlehandedly change the momentum in any game.
Brady Westphal Brady Westphal 6'2" | SG West Fargo Horace | 2025 State ND (2025) |5-9 G|
There are not many freshmen out there that understand the game as well as Brady. His knowledge of the game of basketball is a testament to his relentless work ethic. He is a knockdown shooter that can hit several shots before the defense even realizes what is happening. His basketball intelligence seems to always put him in spots to be able to make plays.
Isaac Christensen (2024) |5-6 G|
Every team needs a lockdown defender, and Isaac is that guy for Horace. What he lacks in size he makes up for in his relentless presence on the defensive end of the floor. Isaac is a much-improved shooter and has shown the ability to distribute the ball very well. Isaac is also a surprisingly good rebounder that seems to always find a way to the ball.
Lucas Holsing (2024) |5-10 G|
You can trust this player with the ball, Lucas is ball strong. Holsing is sure-handed and he does not try to do too much. He plays very well within his abilities and could very well be the best passer on the floor. His court vision is phenomenal and his cool, calm demeanor allows him to make some big-time plays in big-time situations.
Deng Dut (2024) |6-0 F|
This kid is a gamer. Deng is always in the gym working to improve his game. Dut has proven to be a great outside shooter and has really worked to develop his dribble-drive skills. Deng is another kid that will constantly move without the ball and keep his defender chasing him all over the floor. He has a solid build which makes him a lot to handle on the glass.
Moose Diomande (2024) |6-0 F|
He is full of raw talent and athleticism. Moose has unbelievable length and a smooth first step. Diomande is a slippery ball handler that can snake his way through defenders for impressive finishes at the rim. Moose can wreak havoc on defense with his length. He can poke the ball away from the ball handlers and he can get his hands in the passing lanes.
Coach Hutchinson remarks about team goals:
“This season we are going to focus on building our identity as a program. We will put a lot of work and emphasis on becoming the Horace Basketball Program. In doing that, we hope to get our players, school, and community to buy into the three pillars of our program. Attitude. Effort. Love.“