New School Preview: The Horace Hawks
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There is a lot of excitement buzzing around the small town of Horace, ND 8 miles South of West Fargo. Horace recently built a beautiful new High School to take on the increasing amount of students that have become apart…
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Continue ReadingThere is a lot of excitement buzzing around the small town of Horace, ND 8 miles South of West Fargo. Horace recently built a beautiful new High School to take on the increasing amount of students that have become apart of their district. I was fortunate enough to sit down and talk with new Head Coach Kyle Cummings on his new team and the expectations he as for the new program.
First and foremost I want to extend my thank you to Coach Cummings for taking his time to speak with me about his new opportunity of being the Head Coach for the Hawks. Furthermore, it’s even a little more rare that one takes a new role as a Coach, but also for a entirely new High School in any state. One thing that I realized after talking to Coach Cummings, he has expectations, and a relentless mindset to succeed.
The Horace Hawks are coming into the 2022-2023 Varsity season with a brand new squad, that is looking to make an impact in the EDC. Their roster consists of young players, the oldest being a Junior and their youngest an 8th Grader, but neverless it’s a young team filled with talent that I have seen personally. If you take a look at the roster they have a little bit of everything. Size, Speed, Shooters, ball Handlers and a young lady by the name of Kellie Sunde that will for sure catch some eyes this year, not to mention the #3 prospect in the Class of 2025 Forward/Center Jaiden Haile Jaiden Haile 6'2" | C Horace | 2025 State ND who recently picked up her first D1 offer from The University of North Dakota.
They may be young and new, but if you see the prospects they have it is exciting. Keelie Sunde Keelie Sunde 5'8" | PG Horace | 2025 State ND Guard (2025) is a pure player, she is one that sees the floor very fluidly, and can hit from all over the floor, and has that “team first” mentality to her. She will be a big leader this year, and the years to come.
Backed with her is Jaiden Haile Jaiden Haile 6'2" | C Horace | 2025 State ND a 6’1 Sophomore who has great size and has proven in the AAU Season she can make some noise. She is athletic as they come, and can wreck havoc in the paint. If it’s is pulling down boards or putting up second chance points, she is there and she makes it happen. Did I mention she already has a D1 offer before her first Varsity Tip-off?
Along with them keep a close eye on Lilia Donnelly Lilia Donnelly 5'6" | SG Horace | 2026 State ND as she will be making her debut this season as well. I can’t say enough good things about her young talent, she has a little bit of everything in her book. She can shoot, dribble like a pro left or right handed, and defensively she’s is tough. Don’t let her size fool you…she will make you pay for it. Needless to say, she puts the time in the gym, and you can see it.
There is no doubt they have talent on the floor, and Coach Cummings rightfully so sees that. Like he said “We are young yes, we are raw..but everyone has a great work ethic, and we all have the same goal. We may get beat by experienced teams such as West Fargo and Sheyenne but it’s all apart of the process and we will learn from every game. These girls are ready to step up on the big stage, and we have been in the Gym 2 years working towards this. It’s exciting and we are ready”.
Catch the Horace Hawks this Fall/Winter as they embark on their first Varsity Season. They may be new to the EDC and North Dakota, but don’t let that fool you. This team is loaded with talent, and they are eager to win and make sure their name is known. Horace Hawks, get ready to fly!