Previews: Lisbon & South Prairie-Max

We are getting close to the high school hoops season in North Dakota! Class A practices start November 25th, and the first games can be played on December 6th.   At Prep Girls Hoops Dakotas (PGHD), we call this time of year “Preview Season” and/or “The Season of Optimism”. Everyone should be positive/optimistic and hoping for the best as we lead up to the start of the season. In this article, we are previewing/profiling two class A North Dakota squads via Q&A with the head coaches.   We are highlighting the Lisbon Broncos and the South Prairie-Max Royals!   See below for info on the Broncos and Royals...   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/11/PGHTeamPreview-crop-658x432-1701105104.jpg?w=657" alt="" class="wp-image-813158" style="width:340px;height:auto" /></figure>   The Lisbon Broncos are entering a new era with their girl's basketball program. They have a new head coach, Kara Tuhy, the Broncos worked hard in the off-season, and they are excited to get the season started.   School: Lisbon   Mascot: Bronco   Head Coach: Kara Tuhy   Class: A   Region: 1   2023-24 Record: 4-18   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/image_c66f1d.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1054172" style="width:276px;height:auto" /></figure>   With Coach Kara Tuhy   PGHD: How would you sum up last season?   "Last year was our first year in the transition to 3 classes. Our talent level wasn't quite ready for that, plus we were hampered with injuries and illnesses amongst our veteran players."   PGHD: How did the offseason go for your team/program?   "Our girls worked hard this summer with weekly skill workouts plus summer strength and conditioning. Several players attended area college camps and our team played in some Breakdown tournaments and attended team camp at UMary."   PGHD: Who are a few of your top players to look out for?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1054308' first='Ryatt' last='Wertman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1054272' first='Tarynn' last='Gilbert'] were our top reserves last year and will hope to give us offense. [player_tooltip player_id='1054309' first='Brea' last='Sweet'] will give us speed on defense and transition. Brynley Differding, Brynn Wiltse, and Kam Hoff are sophomores who will look to play major roles, as well as juniors Mara Kempel and Carly Mairs. Juniors Maylee Welton and Jaylin Baumgartner are back after a couple of years off, so maybe rusty, but give us some size and athleticism. Jaida Kunze is a senior who has a brain for basketball and we will need her IQ."   PGHD: Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for?   "Lailie Dick and [player_tooltip player_id='1054311' first='Ava' last='Adair'] are freshmen who looked good this summer. Our 8th grade class is athletic and excited so I will be watching closely to see if Jada Nims, Kennady Hartl, and a handful of others look ready to handle a faster and more physical class A."   PGHD: What style of basketball will your team play?   "We have 2 of the fastest girls in the state in class B track on our team plus other scrappers, so we will hope to make that translate to the BB court with pesky full-court defense and transition basketball."   PGHD: Who do you think will be your top defender?   "I anticipate looking to [player_tooltip player_id='1054270' first='Brynley' last='Differding'] as one of our top defenders at guard because of her speed and body control. [player_tooltip player_id='1054272' first='Tarynn' last='Gilbert'] will be our main post-defender.  She's an undersized post, but is also a barrel racer and isn't afraid to get physical."   PGHD: What are your team goals this year?   "We will look to build experience and confidence on the court as a young team with a new head coach."   PGHD: Who are a couple of your top shooters?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1054308' first='Ryatt' last='Wertman'], Brynn Wiltse, and Carly Mairs will be our top scorers from the outside. They've spent a lot of time in the gym putting up shots."   PGHD: Who are the top teams in Region 1?    "Wahpeton and Northern Cass are my top picks, but Central Cass and Kindred are always competitors that figure out how to win."   PGHD: Any last comments about the upcoming season?    "I'm excited to inherit the program and work with a great group of girls who are excited and eager. We worked hard this summer implementing new teaching techniques and skill development and will continue that.  Hoping to see it pay off in the next few years."   BEST OF LUCK TO THE BRONCOS!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/image_627fb0.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1054263" style="width:373px;height:auto" /></figure>   The Royals had a great first season in the new 3-Class System. They took 2nd Place at the State Tournament. The scary part is, they bring back a large amount of talent! Do not be surprised if they end up back at State. South Prairue-Max went 24-4 last season and they bring back all of the top talent. The expectations are high for the Royals!   School: South Prairie-Max   Mascot: Royal   Head Coach: Tanner Moser   Class: A   Region: 3   2023-24 Record: 24-4 (Runner-Up at State)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/image_84d2fe.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1054350" style="width:329px;height:auto" /></figure>   With Coach Tanner Moser   PGHD: How would you sum up last season?   "Last season was a tremendous year for my group of girls. As the season went along, we shared the ball more, believing in our teammates, and really came together as one unit which propelled us all the way to the State Championship Game!"   PGHD: How did the offseason go for your team/program?   "A lot of our girls are on AAU teams around the area that travel the country, as well as work at Earnest Academy, and as a team we participated in the YMCA summer league games."   PGHD: Who are a few of your top players to look out for?   "Our top players to look out for include [player_tooltip player_id='593657' first='Rylee' last='Routledge'], [player_tooltip player_id='782585' first='Skotti' last='Beck'], [player_tooltip player_id='1054371' first='Azjiah' last='Trader'], [player_tooltip player_id='1054372' first='Bre' last='Rose'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1054361' first='Abby' last='Mikkelson']. Rylee is an All-State caliber type player and is already being talked to by some well-known colleges. She has a very quick first step, can shoot and make it from anywhere, and is always looking and trying to find ways to get better. Not many girls have her work ethic. [player_tooltip player_id='782585' first='Skotti' last='Beck'] can shoot and make it from anywhere as well, will take defenders off the drive, and her height is what really makes her versatile. She as well is being talked to by colleges. Azjiah and Bre have crazy athleticism, which makes it hard to keep them off the offensive and defensive boards. They as well will try and take any defender to the hoop off of the drive and are constantly working on a jump shot to boot. [player_tooltip player_id='1054361' first='Abby' last='Mikkelson'] is our 5, standing a little under 6 ft tall, but plays way bigger than she is. We have a few bulky, tall posts in our Region, and let me tell you, Abby held her own. She knows how to play smart and is another player who is always looking to get better. She can also stretch the floor, which really helps us in spreading the defense out and then attacking the rim."   PGHD: Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for?   "Our up-and-comers to look out for this year and in the future include [player_tooltip player_id='1054402' first='Mya' last='Gunville'], [player_tooltip player_id='782584' first='Myah' last='Rau'], [player_tooltip player_id='1054373' first='Reagan' last='Trudell'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1054374' first='Kinley' last='Schilla']."   PGHD: What style of basketball will your team play?   "The style of basketball that our team will play will be up-tempo."   PGHD: Who do you think will be your top defender?   "Our top defender can honestly vary from game to game depending on our opponent and the match-up, but if I had to pick one, I would go with [player_tooltip player_id='1054372' first='Bre' last='Rose']."   PGHD: What are a couple of your team goals this year?   "Our team goals are getting our first Class A Region 3 Championship, making it back to State, and winning that elusive State Championship."   PGHD: Who are a couple of your top shooters?   "Our top shooters are [player_tooltip player_id='593657' first='Rylee' last='Routledge'], [player_tooltip player_id='782585' first='Skotti' last='Beck'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1054402' first='Mya' last='Gunville']. Rylee's quick first step, ability to stop on a dime, and dribble moves really make it hard to guard her. If you press up, she'll go by you. If you give her just enough space, she'll take and make it. [player_tooltip player_id='782585' first='Skotti' last='Beck']'s height really makes it hard for the defense. She's a guard, but almost 6 ft tall so it's a challenge for anyone who has to guard her. She has a quick first step like Rylee, and if you come out too far to contest, she's going to go right by you. [player_tooltip player_id='1054402' first='Mya' last='Gunville'] is just a pure shooter. If you give her any space, she's going to look to put the ball in the basket. Her consistent shooting form and always being catch-and-shoot ready is what really bodes well for her."   PGHD: Who are the top teams & players in your Region?   "Top teams in our Region would include Bottineau, Turtle Mountain, and South Prairie/Max in no particular order. The top players in the region include [player_tooltip player_id='380222' first='Kyra' last='Beckman'], Hallie Nero, and [player_tooltip player_id='579531' first='Quinn' last='Laducer']."   PGHD: Any last comments about the upcoming season?   "I am super excited for this upcoming year. We only had one graduate, and all of the girls that got reasonable minutes last year are back, so I hope we start right where we left off last year and keep it rolling from there!"   BEST OF LUCK TO THE ROYALS!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/image_84d4a3.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1054352" /></figure>

We are getting close to the high school hoops season in North Dakota! Class A practices start November 25th, and the first games can be played on December 6th.