Intros: Bishop Ryan & Rapid City Stevens

Prep Girls Hoops Dakotas (PGHD) has two Season Introductions for basketball fans to check out in this piece.   PHD has a combo platter with a team from NoDak and a squad from SoDak.   We are looking at the Bishop Ryan Lions and the Rapid City Stevens Raiders.   The Lions are 0-3 on the young season. Next up, they play 12/14/24 at Powers Lake-Burke Central.   The Raiders tip off the season on Monday (12/9/24) at Douglas.   Introduction: Bishop Ryan Lions   Program: Bishop Ryan   Mascot: Lion   Head Coach: Cole Edwards   Class: B   Region: 3   District: 6   Noteworthy Stats from Last Season   Highlighted stats led the category   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/image_3e0193.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1098861" /></figure>   Players to Watch   Comments from Coach Edwards   #2 [player_tooltip player_id='1098877' first='Tochi' last='Udekwe'], 5'6 Guard (Jr.) - "Tochi is the heart and soul of our defense. She is one of the fastest girls I have seen on a basketball court. Her ability to pressure the ball and guard multiple positions makes her a vital part of our program. She had over 100 steals last season and picked up her offensive production late. She typically guards the best player on the opposing team. This season we are relying on her to produce for us on the offensive end more than we did last year. She is off to a great start, averaging 21.5 ppg through our first two games."   #5 [player_tooltip player_id='1098879' first='Alena' last='Johannsen'], 5 '11 Forward (Sr.) - "Alena is another player who was key in us making a late tournament run to get into Regionals last year. Through the District Tournament, she averaged 12 ppg and 10 rpg. She is a leader in every sense of the word, she holds teammates accountable, leads by example, is our best communicator, and loves to compete. She is out to start the season, due to a shoulder injury she suffered during volleyball. Outside of her we lack height, her role on the team has been missed during her absence, we played two teams with athletic forwards and struggled to slow them down. We hope to have her back sometime this season, we are a different team without her."   #1 [player_tooltip player_id='1098881' first='Olivia' last='Demars'], 5'5 Guard (Sr.) - "Olivia handled our point guard duties last season and is our coach on the floor. She knows where everyone needs to be for every set and manages the offense well. We will split point guard duties between her and Tochi this season, allowing both of them to play off the ball at times. She improved as a defender as the season went on and I expect her to keep making strides to improve defensively this season. She does all the little things that don't show up on the stat sheet."   #2 [player_tooltip player_id='1098882' first='Violet' last='Demars'], 5'5 Guard (Sr.) - "Twin sister to Olivia, Violet is our best catch-and-shoot shooter. Violet can heat up in a hurry from 3, she had multiple games last season with 5+ threes made. Improving her rebounding late in the season helped us tremendously. She is looking to become more consistent this season from 3 and add the next layer to her offensive game. She has improved her ball handling and finishing off the bounce and we are excited to see how she progresses through the season."   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/image_9d6969.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1098868" style="width:174px;height:auto" /></figure>   With Cole Edwards   PGHD: What can you tell us about last season?   "Last season was a learning experience for us all. It was my first year as a Head Coach and it took a while to get on the same page as the girls. We got off to a slow start, with the girls learning a new system and myself learning how to best lead them. We started hitting our stride a little past the halfway point in the season. We ended up in the District Tournament play-in games as the 7 seed. We went on to win that one and upset the #2 seed, Surrey Mustangs in the first round of tournament play. We fell 5 points short to a tough TGU team, that beat us by more than 20 points in the regular season. We were able to knock off MLS in the Region Qualifier Game and earned a birth in the Region Tournament. We ran into a very talented Kenmare Honkers team in the first round of Regions. We played them in our 3rd game of the regular season and took a blowout loss by 30+. We battled to the end with them in the Region Tournament but came up 5 points short."   PGHD: Do you have any non-negotiables?   "Non Negotiables: Respect every opponent, no matter the record. Up 30 or down 30, our attitude and effort don't waver. N.O.W. (Never Out Worked). Leave it better than we found it (locker room, the bench, the program, etc.)."   PGHD: What will your defense "hang its hat on"?   "We will hang our hat on ball pressure and causing turnovers. We are an undersized team and rely on our guards to pressure the ball at a high level and make opposing teams uncomfortable."   PGHD: Who will be your primary ballhandler this year?   "We will split this duty between [player_tooltip player_id='1098877' first='Tochi' last='Udekwe'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1098881' first='Olivia' last='Demars']. Tochi is more of a speed demon who looks to attack down hill and get to the rim, but has improved her jump shot a ton this offseason. Olivia isn't going to wow you with her speed like Tochi but controls the pace of the game well and makes sure everyone is where they need to be on the offensive end."   PGHD: How did the offseason go for your team/program?   "We had a great offseason, we worked to improve our outside shooting and improve our overall basketball IQ. Learning to make reads and getting into scoring positions out of motion rather than relying on set plays every possession."   PGHD: Who are a few of your top players to look out for?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1098877' first='Tochi' last='Udekwe'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1098879' first='Alena' last='Johannsen']. They led the charge during our run in the postseason, they play well together in a pick and roll, and are our top two defenders. Both love to compete and work hard in every game and practice. When they are both healthy we can compete at a high level, when we are missing them we struggle to generate offense and lose our edge defensively."   PGHD: Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1098883' first='Cambree' last='Zwak'] - 5'4 Freshman - Cambree is a lot like Tochi defensively. She played some minutes as an 8th grader, due to her ability to pressure the ball, and rattle opposing guards. She is another one who just loves to compete. Cambree has worked hard in the off-season to improve offensively and will play a big role on the team this season."   "Shilow Christianson - 5'3 7th Grader - Shiloh was recently elevated from the junior high team to be the primary ball handler of our JV team. She is young but she is very skilled and has a high IQ. During her short time with the high school team, she has brought a lot of value to the program. She can do a little bit of everything offensively, she handles it well, can stretch the floor with her shooting, has the ability to finish over bigger defenders, and is a good passer. We are excited to see how she develops as a player as she gets more experience and could see some varsity minutes in the near future."   PGHD: Who do you think will be your best rebounder?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1098879' first='Alena' last='Johannsen'] - She led us in rebounding last year. She is strong and athletic and rebounds outside her zone often."   PGHD: What are your team goals this year?   "Our goal as a team this year is to make it back to the Region Tournament and make another run, hopefully, a little deeper this year. We believe, when we are healthy, we can compete with the best teams in a very talented region."   PGHD: Who will be your hardest worker?   "Too hard to choose one. We have a group of girls who understand we are undersized and have to outwork other teams to make up for the lack of height. The older girls have done a great job of setting that standard and the younger girls have picked up on it quickly. They all work so hard."   PGHD: Who are some of the top teams & players in your Region?   "We have a tough Region and there are a lot of teams that can play at a high level. Kenmare is the favorite to come out of the Region, they return everyone from a talented team a season ago. They are led by [player_tooltip player_id='245138' first='Mashae' last='Miller'] and [player_tooltip player_id='415002' first='Taya' last='Aufforth']."   "Berthold with the addition of All-Region Freshman Addison Nesham (TGU last season) will also be a tough out."   "Tioga was young last year but they have a ton of size and are skilled. Cheryl Hayes will lead the charge for them."   "Other Notable Players:[player_tooltip player_id='493728' first='Emma' last='Jones'] (Glenburn), Ashley Martodam (TGU), Kacey Simmons (Berthold) Kaydn Braun (ORCS), Mikayla Altringer (ORCS)   PGHD: Any last comments about the upcoming season?   "It will be a highly competitive region and we look forward to competing on a nightly basis."   BEST OF LUCK TO THE LIONS!!   Introduction: Rapid City Stevens Raiders   Program: Rapid City Stevens   Mascot: Raider   Head Coach: Adam Dannenbring   Class: AA   Coach Dannenbring has a career record of 95-173. He is assisted by Tanner Waage, Quintrell Porter, Travis Swartz, and Seth Keene.   Last season the Raiders finished the year with a 13-11 record. They took 8th Place at the State AA Tournament.   Players to Watch   Comments from Coach Dannenbring   [player_tooltip player_id='324044' first='Taaliyah' last='Porter'] 5'10 Senior Guard/Forward- Last season 19.3ppg 6.5rpg 2.3apg 2.0spg "First Team AA All-State, passed the 1000 point career mark and she has a chance to catch Becky Hammon as career points leader at Stevens. Taaliyah had another great offseason working on her game and she is ready for a big year."   [player_tooltip player_id='417229' first='Brittany' last='Jones'] 5'7 Senior Guard- 5.4 ppg 2.9rpb 2.0asp "This will be Brittany's third year as a starter for the Raiders. She will run the point guard position most games and provides steady leadership for the team."   [player_tooltip player_id='1048756' first='Finley' last='Love'] 5'6 Junior Guard- 6.9ppg 2.0rpg 2.0 asp "This will be Finley's second year as a starter for the Raiders. She is extremely quick and a great individual defender who the Raiders believe will have a scoring bump this season."   [player_tooltip player_id='678426' first='Halle' last='Peterson'] 5'9 Junior Guard- 3.6ppg 2.0rpg 2.0asp "Halle is another returning starter for the Raiders. She sees the floor very well and is a great team defender. She made 3 three-pointers in the last minute and a half of our first-round State Tournament game with SFOG to help our team go to overtime with the eventual State Champions."   [player_tooltip player_id='678425' first='Jessa' last='Griswold']- 5'7 Junior Guard- 3.0ppg 1.0rpg 1.0apg "Jessa contributed off the bench last season for the Raiders and is looking to have a greater role for the team this season. She is exceptionally quick and an outstanding individual defender."   Hayden Thornton- 5'9 Junior Guard- "Hayden is new to the Raiders this season. She sees the floor well and is a very capable driver and scorer."   [player_tooltip player_id='525672' first='Mackenzie' last='Schreiber']- 5'7Junior Guard- "Mackenzie is another returning contributor from last season. She is a great outside shooter for the Raiders."   Hailey Falcon- 5'4 Sophomore Guard- "Hailey led the JV in scoring last season as a freshman. She is a fantastic shooter and is looking to compete for time at the varsity level this season."   [player_tooltip player_id='934581' first='Lexi' last='Portlock']- 5'9 Sophomore Forward- "Lexi does a lot of the little things that make teams successful. She sees the floor well, runs the floor, plays defense, and is a selfless teammate."   [player_tooltip player_id='1101051' first='Marley' last='Seumanutafa']- 5'10 7th grade Forward- "Marley is the youngest member of the Raider varsity team this season. She is extremely strong, athletic, and skilled. She is looking forward to contributing to the Raider team this season."   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/image_773e9e.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1099565" style="width:244px;height:auto" /></figure>   With Adam Dannenbring   PGHD: What type of defense will the Raiders play?   "The Raiders will play different types of pressure defenses throughout the season, but their main defense will still be full court man to man."   PGHD: What are the keys to the season?   "Keys to the season will be limiting turnovers, staying even on boards, staying out of foul trouble, and shooting a high percentage from the three-point arc."   PGHD: Who are the top teams in AA?   "Brandon Valley, Sioux Falls O'Gorman, Sioux Falls Jefferson, Rapid City Stevens, Brookings, Spearfish, Aberdeen."   PGHD: Who are some of the top players in AA?   "Taayliyah Porter- Rapid City Stevens, Lauren Burkhardt- Aberdeen Central, [player_tooltip player_id='528170' first='Brinley' last='Altenburg']- Sioux Falls Jefferson, [player_tooltip player_id='1048764' first='Lennix' last='Dupris']- Pierre, [player_tooltip player_id='421636' first='Alyvia' last='Padgett']- Brandon Valley, [player_tooltip player_id='375879' first='Taryn' last='Hermansen']- Aberdeen Central, [player_tooltip player_id='375940' first='Logan' last='Smidt']- Brookings, Addison Siemsen- Mitchell, Leah Landrey- Rapid City Central, [player_tooltip player_id='404951' first='Grace' last='Peterson']- Sioux Falls Washington, [player_tooltip player_id='527479' first='Mya' last='Kochuten']- Spearfish."   BEST OF LUCK TO THE RAIDERS!!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/prepGIRLShoopsdakotas.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1056252" /></figure>

Prep Girls Hoops Dakotas (PGHD) has two Season Introductions for basketball fans to check out in this piece.