Bennett County: State Champions

We are looking at the State Champs from Class B, the Warriors from Bennett County!!   To help put a bow on the completed year of high school basketball, Prep Girls Hoops Dakotas (PGHD) is looking back at the season and publishing Season Review articles.   PGHD is highlighting the best of the best in this piece.   See below for player comments, stats, and a Q&A session.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/04/image_7b1481.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1229004" style="width:224px;height:auto" /></figure>   Head Coach: Shawna Evans   Class: B   Region: 7   Record: 24-2   Shoutout to Reagan O'Neill & Peyson O'Neill for being named All-State Players!!   Bennet County Warriors   Player Comments from Coach Evans   [player_tooltip player_id='613976' first='Thomiah' last='Poor Bear'] (2025) 5'10" - "Thomiah played a huge role in our success. She is a playmaker. She can see the court very well, we had full trust in her ability to bring the ball up the court, make moves in the paint, and knock down a three."   Madi Waln (2027) 5'4" - "Madi is small-bodied but fearless. She is a top-notch defender who applies heavy pressure. She brings the ball up the court and is a threat on the perimeter."   Harley Harris (2028) 5'7" - "Harley makes plays on both sides of the court offensively she can attack the rim hard but step back and knock down the outside shots. Defensively, she is strong - she can guard the paint and is fast to guard the outside as well."   Reagan O'Neill (2028) 5'9" - "Reagan is very competitive, her game has grown so much this season. She can knock down outside shots and attack the rim hard. She has a vertical that allows her to shoot over the top of defenders. Defensively, she is the fastest girl in the state, and her ability to jump allows her to lead the team in rebounds."   Peyson O'Neill (2029) 5'10" - "Peyson brings intensity on both sides of the court her speed, length, and vertical make it hard for both people guarding her as well as people she is guarding. Her confidence in herself has grown so much this season, her game will only get better from here on out with her work ethic and commitment."   Sophia May (2025) 5'4" - "Sophia gave great minutes this season, she is a small guard but applies heavy pressure, being able to create turnovers."   Jayden Standing Soldier (2027) 5'9" - "Jayden came late into the season due to injury. However, she worked her way back up and is a threat both outside with a nice smooth shot as well as her shiftiness to get to the rim down low."   Kaylee Byrne (2026) 5'10" - "Kaylee is a very physical player who is hard to get by defensively. Her game has grown this season by stepping up to create stops and grab rebounds, and put-backs in the paint."   Raven Heathershaw (2027) 5'6" - "Raven is a spot-up shooter. In a moment when we need a quick bucket, she is a go-to!"   Olivia McMillan (2027) 5'6" - "She is the voice on the court. Her communication makes our defense sync together and create turnovers."   Ally Salomon (2025) 5'7" - "Ally came off an injury late in the season but she brought positive encouragement and drive. She works hard and is able to pull down big rebounds for the team."   Team Stats   PPG: 61 OPPG: RPG: 41.5 APG: 17.9 SPG: 19.7 FG%: 39.1 eFG%: 41.5 3FG%: 21 FT%: 46.7 FTM: 151 3FGM: 73   Individual Statistical Leaders   Harley Harris - 23 GP, 6.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.8 apg, 29.6 FG%   Peyson O'Neill - 23 GP, 15.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 2.3 apg, 48.4 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='613976' first='Thomiah' last='Poor Bear'] - 23 PG, 9.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 4 apg, 41.3 FG%   Sophia May - 23 GP, 1.1 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1 apg, 20.5 FG%   Kaylee Byrne - 23 GP 1.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg, .4 apg, 31.7 FG%   Madi Waln - 23 GP, 9 ppg, 3 rpg, 2.5 apg, 33.6 FG%   Reagan O'Neill - 23 GP, 12.6 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 1.9 apg, 47.1 FG%   Raven Heathershaw - 18 GP, 2.4 ppg, .6 rpg, .7 apg, 35.4 FG%   Olivia McMillan - 18 GP, .9 ppg, .9 rpg, .7 apg, 34.8 FG%   Jadyn Standing Soldier - 12 GP, 4 ppg, 2.3 rpg, .3 apg, 33.3 FG%   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/04/image_16bdd7.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1229006" style="width:245px;height:auto" /></figure>   With Shawna Evans   PGHD: How would you sum up the season for your squad?   "This season was an unforgettable season. The girls bought into the changes made to create a culture of hard work, pride, and perseverance. They compete every time they step on the court, and I have yet to see them get outworked. This team created a bond of selflessness, unity, and teamwork, these girls always look for the open teammate and make the extra pass. It is a beautiful thing to see. I am proud of everything they have and have yet to accomplish."   PGHD: Do you have any fun memories you want to share with us?   "This whole season was a highlight. However, getting to the state tournament and watching the girls' excitement and drive take over was one for the books. At the tournament, these girls made friends with all the teams, and besides being good basketball players, they are amazing humans. On our way home, we stopped for lunch, the girls were laughing and having fun. Harley Harris a freshman, said guys why are you laughing lock in we have a state tournament to prepare for next year. Joking obviously, but that is the mentality of this group they rise to the challenge always and they are a fun group to coach and be a part of."   PGHD: How did your team overcome adversity?   "Our girls were overlooked this year. They did not get the recognition they deserved all season until we got to the state tournament. That is something we preached is people don't know who you are or what you can do - so take pride in that and go out there and compete and show your best ALWAYS. We don't need the media or fans to tell us that we are worthy; we knew it from the get-go. Self-confidence and creating our own energy played a huge role in overcoming that adversity this year."   PGHD: What are a few things your team improved on throughout the season?   "Our team improved throughout the season with their basketball IQ. They always wanted to be told where to go and what play to run, towards the end of the season they started reading and reacting to the game. It was beautiful for them to create their own options."   PGHD: Who are some role players that stood out to you?   Peyson O'Neill - "Her length, vertical, and speed create so many opportunities offensively and defensively. She can step back and knock down outside shots while attacking the rim and posting people up underneath."   Reagan O'Neill - "Reagan plays with passion with her speed, length, and vertical, making her a threat offensively and defensively."   Madi Waln - "Madi Waln is a leader on the court. She plays heavy pressure defense and has a beautiful outside shot."   Harley Harris - "Harley can get to the rim on the dribble, and if they leave her open, she can knock down an open shot."   Jayden Standing Soldier - "She came off the bench after an injury and with her height and shiftiness can make moves down low while being able to knock down open shots."   [player_tooltip player_id='613976' first='Thomiah' last='Poor Bear'] - "Thomiah is a leader on and off the court. Thomiah has great court vision that creates offensive opportunities and defensive turnovers."   PGHD: Can you talk about your seniors?   "[player_tooltip player_id='613976' first='Thomiah' last='Poor Bear'] will be missed with the leadership and drive she brings to the team. She was able to lead and guide our young players to composure and learning how to read defenses."   "Sophia May will be missed as she is a great communicator and team player. She helped guide the team and always gave 100%."   "Ally Salomon will be missed. She had a great spirit who brought joy and calmness to the team. She worked hard and was a great teammate."   PGHD: Who are some up-and-comers to look out for in the future?   "Macy Claussen has a nice outside game."   "Chloe Louden a defensive specialist."   PGHD: Who was your best defensive player?   "On ball pressure, defensive pressure would be Madi Waln she is able to stay between her defender and the basket while causing turnovers due to the pressure. All around defensive player Reagan O'Neill and Peyson O'Neill as they can guard both guards and posts inside. Their ability to jump and block shots, and grab rebounds is phenomenal. Their speed made them effective, they are able to secure quick steals and get to the other end."   PGHD: Who was your interior player?   "[player_tooltip player_id='613976' first='Thomiah' last='Poor Bear'] was our interior player as she had finessed her game. She had moves to use on different types of defenders. She can get to the rim but also step back and make the open shots. She was very versatile and talented inside the paint."   PGHD: Any last comments/thoughts on the season?   "Every girl on our team has a role, and every player is putting in the work to make their game stronger in the off-season. The whole team will be a force to be reckoned with. I am excited for the future of Bennett County Athletics."   BEST OF LUCK TO THE WARRIORS THIS OFFSEASON!!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/03/PGHSD-ClassB.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-612012" /></figure>

We are looking at the State Champs from Class B, the Warriors from Bennett County!!