Pentagon Schoolers 16U Larsen: AAU Rewind
This Schoolers team was coached by Jeff Larsen who is also the head boys basketball coach Madison (SD). This 16U squad had some nice wins over the course of the AAU season. These players all have a bright future ahead…
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Continue ReadingThis Schoolers team was coached by Jeff Larsen who is also the head boys basketball coach Madison (SD). This 16U squad had some nice wins over the course of the AAU season. These players all have a bright future ahead of them and they should have productive high school seasons in a handful of months. Read below for more information on Pentagon Schoolers 16U Larsen.
Q & A with coach Jeff Larsen
PHD: What is your best memory from this AAU season?
Coach Larsen: “Being around the boys and making great memories while seeing all the boys love the game of basketball. Winning the Sanford Pentagon Hardwood Challenge was also a big highlight.“
PHD: Can you talk about a time your team overcame adversity?
Coach Larsen: “We were up against stiff competition all season and never backed down. Towards the end of the summer season, we dealt with injury and sickness and competed and never made excuses.“
PHD: Who were a few of your hardest workers and what did they do to stick out?
Coach Larsen: “ Parker Bailey Parker Bailey 5'8" | SG Platte-Geddes | 2024 State SD – Great Defender, Chuck Callahan Chuck Callahan 6'2" | SF Madison | 2024 State SD – Great commitment. Andrew Comes Andrew Comes 5'11" | SG Madison | 2024 State SD – Great Energy“
PHD: Can you talk about some of your best offensive weapons?
Coach Larsen: “ Garrett Mertens Garrett Mertens 6'3" | SG Milbank | 2024 State SD , Nic Gaspar Nic Gaspar 6'2" | SG Dell Rapids St. Mary | 2024 State SD , Hudsyn Ruesink Hudsyn Ruesink 6'5" | SF Sioux Valley | 2024 State SD . They attacked the basketball with authority and shot it well. Jayce Slaba Jayce Slaba 6'0" | CG Hanson | 2024 State SD – Controlled tempo well.“
PHD: Who was your best rebounder and why?
Coach Larsen: “ Cole Edberg Cole Edberg 6'1" | SF Centerville | 2024 State SD , Went after every rebound and grabbed it with two hands. Isayah Price Isayah Price 6'6" | PF Hanson | 2024 State SD – Used his body well. Nic Gaspar Nic Gaspar 6'2" | SG Dell Rapids St. Mary | 2024 State SD – Very athletic.“
PHD: Who improved the most over the season?
Coach Larsen: “Everyone improved who put the time and effort in.“
PHD: When you needed a big bucket, who was your “go-to” player?
Coach Larsen: “ Nic Gaspar Nic Gaspar 6'2" | SG Dell Rapids St. Mary | 2024 State SD “
PHD: What would you say was your signature win this season?
Coach Larsen: “Beating Pentagon Schoolers Vincent 16U on a last-second shot.“
Pentagon Schoolers 16U Larsen – ROSTER
PLAYER NAME | SCHOOL | HEIGHT |
Nic Gaspar Nic Gaspar 6'2" | SG Dell Rapids St. Mary | 2024 State SD | Dell Rapids St. Mary | 6’2″ |
Parker Bailey Parker Bailey 5'8" | SG Platte-Geddes | 2024 State SD | Platte-Geddes | 5’7″ |
Garrett Mertens Garrett Mertens 6'3" | SG Milbank | 2024 State SD | Milbank | 6’2″ |
Blake Rich Blake Rich 6'5" | SF Ipswich | 2024 State SD | Aberdeen Christian | 6’5″ |
Jayce Slaba Jayce Slaba 6'0" | CG Hanson | 2024 State SD | Hanson | 5’9″ |
Isayah Price Isayah Price 6'6" | PF Hanson | 2024 State SD | Hanson | 6’3″ |
Cole Edberg Cole Edberg 6'1" | SF Centerville | 2024 State SD | Centerville | 6’0″ |
Hudsyn Ruesink Hudsyn Ruesink 6'5" | SF Sioux Valley | 2024 State SD | Sioux Valley | 6’3″ |
Chuck Callahan Chuck Callahan 6'2" | SF Madison | 2024 State SD | Madison | 5’11” |
Andrew Comes Andrew Comes 5'11" | SG Madison | 2024 State SD | Madison | 5’10” |
Pentagon Schoolers 16U Larsen – SCHEDULE
EVENT | DATES | LOCATION |
Pentagon Summer Jam | April 23-24 | Sioux Falls, SD |
SPTS #1 | April 30-May 1 | Minneapolis, MN |
SPTS #2 | May 14-15 | St. Cloud, MN |
Pentagon Harwood Classic | June 4-5 | Sioux Falls, SD |
Great Plains Alliance | June 29-30 | St. Cloud, MN |
Pentagon Summer Slam | July 8-10 | Sioux Falls, SD |
Pentagon Dakota Challenge | July 15-17 | Sioux Falls, SD |
SPTS Finals | July 22-24 | Sioux Falls, SD |