Valley City Hi-Liners - State Champions

It is time to look at the State Champions from Class A!   The ND GBB season is in the books. To help put a bow on the year, Prep Girls Hoops Dakotas is publishing a series of Season Reviews.   Let's take a look at Coach Howard's Hi-Liners, the State Champs!   Head Coach: Jimmy Howard   Class: A   Region: 1   Record: 24-2   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/03/image_fb7502.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1220456" style="width:319px;height:auto" /></figure>   Valley City Hi-Liners   Team Stats   PPG: 61 OPPG: 44 RPG: 37 APG: 15.7 A/TO: .9 FG%: 44.9 eFG%: 49.2 3FG%: 30.9 FT%: 58.6   Individual Statistical Leaders   Madison Anderson - 9.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.2 apg, 37 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='1056624' first='Dacota' last='Potratz'] - 10.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.7 apg, 42.2 FG%   Kinlee Sufficool - 2.4 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 1.2 apg, 37.5 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='1056706' first='Skye' last='Nielson'] - 11.9 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.9 apg, 46.6 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='1056618' first='Greta' last='Goven'] - 2.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.7 apg, 33.7 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='933463' first='Katie' last='Burchill'] - 20.5 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 1.5 apg, 62.1 FG%   Kadie Kocka - 1.6 ppg, 1.3 rpg, .8 apg, 34.3 FG%   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/QA.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1057756" style="width:295px;height:auto" /></figure>   With Jimmy Howard   PGHD: Can you share some comments about your players?   "The girls really bought into our style of play this year. They worked hard on the defensive end and committed to playing in the paint on offense. Our length on defense was an advantage for us this season."   PGHD: How would you sum up the season for your squad?   "It was a huge success for us this season. We had two main goals and were able to accomplish both of them."   PGHD: How did your team overcome adversity?   "We had learned throughout the season how to play in close games, physical games, blowouts, and back-and-forth games. Each game presented a different type of challenge, and we would work through those together."   PGHD: What are a few things your team improved on throughout the season?   "We continued to improve on the defensive end, outside shooting, and ball movement. These were things that we knew we needed to win games."   PGHD: Who are some role players that stood out to you?   "Kinlee Sufficool – I call her the spark plug of the team, she brings energy every time she is on the floor and that was infectious. Kadie Kocka – Great athlete who can defend just about anyone. [player_tooltip player_id='1126118' first='Kinslee' last='Glandt'], Mariah Frieze, Bailey Leroux, Rylyn Johnson, Nora Pederson, Brynn Lueck, [player_tooltip player_id='1056620' first='Kailee' last='Nielson'], Sara Beierle – These were the players that we used every day to be the scout team. Without them, we would not have been able to make it as far as we did. These players came every day to practice to push the starters to get better."   PGHD: Can you talk about your seniors?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1056618' first='Greta' last='Goven'] – Her leadership and selflessness will be missed. She understood what she was good at and starred in that role. Bailey Leroux – Her energy and work ethic is what we will miss the most. She came every day and pushed out post players to work hard."   PGHD: Who are some up-and-comers to look out for in the future?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1126118' first='Kinslee' last='Glandt'], Mariah Frieze, Brynn Lueck, Nora Pederson. [player_tooltip player_id='1056620' first='Kailee' last='Nielson'] (not sure she is an up-and-comer since she will be a senior, but she missed the whole season this year with an injury, we expect her to come back healthy and be a big part of what we do next year).   PGHD: Who was your best defensive player?   "I have two and I can't choose between the two of them. Dacota Portratz. Her length and quickness allow her to stay in front of a lot of players and challenge shots [player_tooltip player_id='1056618' first='Greta' last='Goven']. We asked her usually to guard the other team's best player. Her length and stamina allowed her to stay with most players."   PGHD: Who was your interior player?   "[player_tooltip player_id='933463' first='Katie' last='Burchill'] – Her strength and basketball IQ. She has really good footwork and is able to finish on contact. She makes baskets sometimes that have you wondering how did she do that."   "[player_tooltip player_id='1056706' first='Skye' last='Nielson'] – Her tenacity and physicality. She has good post moves and touch around the rim."   PGHD: Any last comments/thoughts on the season?   "Really proud of this group and how they met the challenges of this season. They were able to come together and put the team above themselves and accomplish something that has never been accomplished before in Valley City Girls Basketball history, our first State Title!"   BEST OF LUCK TO THE HI-LINERS THIS OFFSEASON!!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/03/valleycitygbb-crop-1762x1157-1742666114.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1220441" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: VC Hi-Liners</figcaption></figure>

It is time to look at the State Champions from Class A!