Q&A: Shanley & South

We are getting close to the high school hoops season, AA starts practice on 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". In this article, we have previews/profiles on two Eastern Dakota Conference (EDC) teams.   We are highlighting the Shanley Deacons and the Fargo South Bruins!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/image.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1053848" style="width:373px;height:auto" /></figure>   School: Fargo South   Mascot: Bruin   Head Coach: Trevor Olson   Class: AA   Region: EDC   2023-24 Record: 3-19   Team Stats 2023-24   GP: 22 PPG: 47.8 RPG: 42.5 APG: 8.6 SPG: 8.1 FG%: 31 3FG%: 18.1 FT%: 57.8 3FGM: 69 FTM: 207   Players To Watch   Seniors   [player_tooltip player_id='459955' first='Emma' last='Osborn'] 6'   Mea Nylander 5'6   Juniors   [player_tooltip player_id='629950' first='Elsie' last='Becker'] 6'2   [player_tooltip player_id='629947' first='Jaeda' last='Zimmerman'] 5'5   [player_tooltip player_id='629949' first='Talyn' last='Hoffert'] 5'10   [player_tooltip player_id='629948' first='Tameka' last='Limvere'] 5'10   Sophomores   Neila Sabanovic 5'9   [player_tooltip player_id='1091366' first='Sophie' last='Carriveau'] 5'5   Returning Statistical Leaders   Senior [player_tooltip player_id='459955' first='Emma' last='Osborn']: 6 ppg, 4 rpg,   Junior [player_tooltip player_id='629949' first='Talyn' last='Hoffert']: 9.7 ppg, 7.2 rpg (8th in EDC), 1.5 bpg (3rd in EDC) 2.3 spg   Junior [player_tooltip player_id='629948' first='Tameka' last='Limvere']: 3.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.6 spg   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/image_540a33.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1053860" style="width:314px;height:auto" /></figure>   With Coach Trevor Olson   PGHD: Could you write a couple sentences summing up last season?   "We were a young team, with veteran seniors, that won 3 more games than the previous season."   PGHD: How did the offseason go for your team/program?   "We had a great summer, working skills and overall speed and strength. We had skills sessions twice a week and went to 5 team camps overall, while also having several players playing with local spring/summer AAU teams."   PGHD: Who are a few of your top players to look out for?   "Senior [player_tooltip player_id='459955' first='Emma' last='Osborn'] is coming back as a 3rd year starter for us, she brings a strong inside game. She complimented our seniors last year and is excited to be the “go-to” inside presence that we need. In addition, she has a smooth shot from anywhere on the court including three-point shots. She is our banger inside on defense and is a vital piece of our squad. As one of our two seniors, she brings leadership that will help our younger squad adapt to the speed of the game."   "Junior [player_tooltip player_id='629949' first='Talyn' last='Hoffert'] is also coming back as a 3rd year starter, last year having to fill many different roles for us, handling the ball, running our offense, backing kids down on the block, taking the ball to the hoop, while also being one of our most versatile defenders, being able to guard most of the guards in the EDC as well as most of the post players as needed."   "Junior [player_tooltip player_id='629948' first='Tameka' last='Limvere'] did most of the “dirty work” that most people don't get to see, taking some of the toughest defensive assignments/matchups. She's a confident spot-up shooter, and over the summer has developed a strong drive to the basket as well as the ability to back down smaller defenders."   PGHD: Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for?   "Senior Mea Nylander will be counted on for her strong defense and good spot-up shooting, stepping into the role that graduated senior Nora Becker left."   "Junior [player_tooltip player_id='629950' first='Elsie' last='Becker'] will be taking a massive leap for us this year, we'll need her to be strong inside for us as a complement to [player_tooltip player_id='459955' first='Emma' last='Osborn']."   "Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='1091366' first='Sophie' last='Carriveau'] and Neila Sabanovic will both be key components in our systems, both offensively and defensively. Two kids with high energy and a higher motor, both having played significant time last season as both starters and off the bench."   PGHD: What style of basketball will your team play?   "This year we're hoping to be forcing tempo more, forcing teams into mistakes on defense, and pushing the ball when able."   PGHD: Who do you think will be your top defender?   "[player_tooltip player_id='629948' first='Tameka' last='Limvere'], she really embraces that assignment of guarding the best player."   PGHD: What are a couple of your team goals this year?   "For two years the goal has been getting 1% better each day/practice/game, and that message has not and will not change. Controlling our controllables."   PGHD: Who are a couple of your top shooters?   "[player_tooltip player_id='459955' first='Emma' last='Osborn'], [player_tooltip player_id='629949' first='Talyn' last='Hoffert'], [player_tooltip player_id='629948' first='Tameka' last='Limvere'], they are usually some of the first ones on the court before practice spending time on their form shooting and almost always the last ones on the court shooting after practice."   PGHD: Who are some of the top teams & players in your Region?   "Horace and their trio of [player_tooltip player_id='331508' first='Jaiden' last='Haile'], [player_tooltip player_id='555487' first='Jordan' last='Christofferson'], [player_tooltip player_id='555488' first='Lakyn' last='Donnelly'], and Davies with [player_tooltip player_id='461314' first='Fallon' last='Passanante']."   PGHD: Any last comments about the upcoming season?   "Excited to get back to work and continue the process!"   BEST OF LUCK TO THE BRUINS THIS SEASON!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/image_3ef789.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1053863" style="width:350px;height:auto" /></figure>   School: Shanley   Mascot: Deacon   Head Coach: Elizabeth Maher   Class: AA   Region: EDC   2023-24 Record: 8-16   Team Stats 2023-24   GP: 24 PPG: 52.2 RPG: 36.2 APG: 13.2 SPG: 11.5 FG%: 34.2 3FG%: 25.9 FT%: 58.3 3FGM: 90 FTM: 224   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/image_cae8eb.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1053864" style="width:365px;height:auto" /></figure>   With Coach Elizabeth Maher   PGHD: Could you write a couple sentences summing up last season?   "Last season was a rebuilding year for the Deacon Ladies. It was the first season with an entirely new coaching staff, what comes with that is new procedures, rules, routines, and expectations. Along with a new coaching staff, it was North Dakota's first year moving to a three class system in Basketball. What that meant for shanley is it added some challenges with our school being one of the smaller populated schools in the top division. Every game we went into last season was a battle. The girls learned a lot. Our girls had great attitudes about the coaching change and division change, but like any new system, there were a few kinks that needed to be worked out. We will miss our talented seniors tremendously, but we are very excited about our returning players and young talent coming up in our program."   PGHD: How did the offseason go for your team/program?   "We saw tremendous growth with our team this offseason. Our team competed in 3 team camps. We started the summer off at the SDSU team camp, we saw tough competition and our Varsity went 3 and 3, with two of those losses by only 1 or 2 points. Next up we attended the NDSU team camp and our team went 5 and 1. Lastly, we were excited to attend the Breakdown Camp in Fergus Falls, matching up against some talented Minnesota teams, our Varsity won the Championship. It was very exciting to see the growth the girls not only made in their skill development this summer, but also the improvement in leadership skills from our veteran players."   PGHD: Who are a few of your top players to look out for?   "Senior Guard - [player_tooltip player_id='525627' first='Nora' last='Roney'] - She has multiple offers and plans to play basketball in college. I think it is no secret she is one of the toughest defending point guards in the EDC let alone the state. We will be looking to Nora as our Senior leader this season."    "6'1" Freshman Forward - [player_tooltip player_id='1004420' first='Rylee' last='Seavert'] - Has made a name for herself. She will be starting for her 3rd year as a varsity player. Rylee was voted team captain along with Nora. Rylee has become one of the top D1 Summit League recruits, with multiple offers as a Freshman. Rylee's skill level and drive is well beyond her years. Rylee works very hard in the off-season on her game. Rylee has a tremendous basketball IQ. You will see Rylee playing both perimeter and block play this season."   "6'1" Junior Guard - [player_tooltip player_id='641200' first='Megan' last='Dietz'] - Will return for us this season and was also voted team captain. Megan has put a lot of time in this summer to improve her shot and skill level. If Megan gets locked in she has the potential to be one of the bigger scoring threats in the EDC as well. You will see Megan playing both perimeter and block play this season. Megan's height will also add to scoring many boards for us this upcoming season."   "6'0" Junior Post- [player_tooltip player_id='641199' first='Peace' last='Hakim'] - Peace's sophomore season ended early with a knee injury, but she has rehabbed and is looking very strong for our upcoming season. Peace is one of the strongest players in the EDC. She has put the time in to improve her defense and block play. Peace is able to find the holes and drive to the basket. She is difficult to guard with her strength. We are looking for her leadership. She plays with a lot of passion."   PGHD: Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for?   "6'0" 8th grader -[player_tooltip player_id='924323' first='Vanessa' last='Borr'] - had a fantastic summer with us. Vanessa works very hard on her game in the off-season. She has one of the most fundamentally sound and consistent shots I have seen in a long time. Vanessa understands the game very well, works hard, and has a great attitude. Vanessa is already catching the attention of many D1 Summit League coaches. We are excited to watch her contributions this season."   "5'11" Freshmen Forward [player_tooltip player_id='1048736' first='Addyson' last='Gust'] - Addyson provided solid and consistent block play for us this summer. Addyson has very sound fundamentals, natural talent, and great work ethic. Addyson is a player you will see playing on the blocks or out on the perimeter. She worked very hard on her game this season. We are also looking forward to seeing what she does on varsity this season."   PGHD: What style of basketball will your team play?   "Like last season our team will focus on being one of the top defending teams in the conference. We will focus on our defense and rebounding, alongside our defense, also have been working on running the floor faster and pushing the ball up the court."   PGHD: Who do you think will be your top defender?   "This is a tough question for me to answer, I truly believe we have very good defenders all around on our team. Each player takes pride in playing defense, but we will look to our two senior guards, [player_tooltip player_id='525627' first='Nora' last='Roney'] and [player_tooltip player_id='956251' first='Odura' last='Isaac'] to set the pace for us. Nora and Odura are two of the fastest guards in the EDC and take a lot of pride in their defensive work."   PGHD: What are your team goals this year?   "As of now our #1 team goal is to become a better outside-shooting team. We have been lacking consistency and practice on our outside shooting. The girls have put a lot of time in the off-season at our Sharp Shooter Camps and various skills sessions. I think we will see the hard work pay off this season. We will also look to reduce our turnovers and take care of the ball."   PGHD: Who are a couple of your top shooters?   "8th graders [player_tooltip player_id='924323' first='Vanessa' last='Borr'] proves to be one of our top shooters in our program. Vanessa consistently wins shooting contests amongst teammates at practice and skills sessions. What makes Vanessa a great shooter is her consistent fundamentals. Her shot is the same every time she shoots the ball. That type of discipline comes with consistent repetition through practice."   "9th grader [player_tooltip player_id='1004420' first='Rylee' last='Seavert'] will be a major scoring threat this season. Rylee has the ability to shoot the three, drive to the hoop, pull up off the dribble, and post up on the blocks. At 6"1 she will be difficult to defend."   "Senior Guard [player_tooltip player_id='525627' first='Nora' last='Roney'] - Nora has the quickest shooting release on the team. Her shot is also very consistent and at times she led the EDC in shooting percentages last season. We are looking to get Nora more opportunities to score this season."    PGHD: Who are some of the top teams & players in your Region?   "The teams in the EDC will consistently be tough. We will need to be ready to play every game this upcoming season."   "Top Teams: Horace - top players [player_tooltip player_id='331508' first='Jaiden' last='Haile'] (Gonzaga), [player_tooltip player_id='555488' first='Lakyn' last='Donnelly'], [player_tooltip player_id='555487' first='Jordan' last='Christofferson']."   "Sheyenne - Top Players - [player_tooltip player_id='658263' first='Zoe' last='Keene'] and [player_tooltip player_id='487016' first='Cora' last='Metcalf']."   "Davies - [player_tooltip player_id='461314' first='Fallon' last='Passanante'] and [player_tooltip player_id='629942' first='Quinn' last='Skari']."   "North - [player_tooltip player_id='378889' first='Grace' last='Thiel'] and [player_tooltip player_id='378891' first='Olivia' last='Hammes']."   "Other Top Players: [player_tooltip player_id='385163' first='Lauren' last='Reardon'] & [player_tooltip player_id='410352' first='Ellee' last='McIntosh']."   PGHD: Any last comments about the upcoming season?   "Our girls put a lot of hard work in the season both team and individually. The reflection of this hard work and consistency was seen this summer and will ripple over into our upcoming season. I think we have a great combination of veteran players coming back to lead the way, as well as very talented underclassmen making their way up in our program. This combination should make for a successful and fun season for the Shanley Deacons."   BEST OF LUCK TO THE BRUINS THIS SEASON!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/PGH-NDSD.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1053870" /></figure>

We are getting close to the high school hoops season, AA starts practice on November 25th and the first games can be played on December 6th!