MOPO Tigers: Season Review - Prep Hoops (2024)

PHD is aware that we are in June, however, we want to turn the calenders back and highlight the Mobridge-Pollock Tigers!

See below for stats, player comments, and a Q&A session with coach TJ Knudson.

Team:Mobridge-Pollock

Mascot:Tiger

Head Coach:Thomas Knudson

Class:A

Conference: Northeast Conference

Record:13-9

Finish:Lost in SoDak Qualifier

Team Stats

PPG: 58.3 OPPG: 55.9 FG%: 41.9 eFG%: 47 FGM: 479 3FG%: 27.3 3FGM: 117

FT%: 60.6 FTM: 208RPG: 30.4 APG: 11.6 A/TO: .81 SPG: 10.2 BPG: 2.3

Stat Leaders

Simon Fried – 5.1 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.4 spg, 39.6 FG%, 9 3FGM, 23.1 3FG%

Michael Wald – 12 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.2 apg, 2.4 spg, 33.5 FG%, 29 3FGM, 27.4 3FG%

Player comments from Coach Knudson

“Played tough on defense.We ran our offense with him involved in many ways.He led us in scoring but also set many screens for teammates to score.He led us in Blocks (25), rebounds (195), points scored (277), and dunks(5). Second in VPS.As a junior, we will look for him to improve for his senior season. He is playing on a Pentagon team this summer and is running track this spring.4.0 in the classroom.Big Dakota All-Conference player.“

“Point guard that made lots of good things happen on offense.Leader on the floor who led our team in assists (79).Second in scoring (228) and usually guarded a top opponent on the floor.He was our go-to player when we needed to make something happen.He really understands that plays are ran for the team to score, not an individual player.Very competitive and ran track this spring.Big Dakota Honorable Mention.“

“Led us in VPS, FG%, Deflections (54), Steals (53), and was second in rebounds (89)and third in scoring (218).Kale made a ton of good decisions this year.He moved well without the ball and could also finish with either hand.He played unselfishly and had some big games. This summer we will look for him to be more consistent from game to game.Kale ran track this spring and plays for James Valley Thunder in the summer.4.0 in the classroom.“

Michael Wald (2024) |6’0 G|

“Led us in free throw % and 4^thin scoring (204).Second in steals (40) and deflections (41).Big Dakota All-Conference player who helped us win many games.Leader on the floor who could get it done on both ends of the floor.“

Simon Fried (2024) |5’9 G|

“Always guarded the other team’s point guard.A great defender that guarded quickly and can play fast. Simon was a team player that could execute on offense.He ran track this spring. Talented runner.”

“Improved tremendously from the beginning of the season to the end.Easton played big minutes for us and could come in and hit 3’s.Excited to see him get to work this offseason and keep improving.Easton also ran track this spring.“

“Played tough in the paint for us and usually guarded the other team’s best forward.He can score inside and outside.Team player that always made the right decisions.Smart on and off the court.He threw discus this spring in track and field.“

Q&A with TJ Knudson

PHD: How would you sum up the season for your squad?

“Finished 13-9 but we weren’t happy with not making it to the Sweet Sixteen or to State.We lost at least 3-5 games in which we felt we could have won.We played well at times but needed more consistency from each player to win more games.Overall we didn’t shoot the 3 ball better than our opponents 29.5% to 27.3%.We did win in Turnovers 375 to 317. Win in steals 224 to 163.Win is assists 256 to 234.Win in field goal percentage 41.9% to 40.4 %.Points per game 58.3 to 55.9.“

PHD: Do you have any fun memories to share with us from the season?

“We improved our overall record this year to 13 wins.The last time we had more than 13 wins was in 2019-20 and 2020-21 in which we won 15 each of those years. Winning those 13 games was great!We will look to improve next year.The fun memories are when we win we celebrate in the locker room and those are the fun memories.“

PHD: How did your team overcome adversity?

“We lost 3 in a row 2 times this year and with that adversity, we found out who our most influential leaders were.Our players love to win. When we lost games our practices became better and we improved. In late January/early February we played 11 games in 22 days.Many players realized the importance of not only physical strength but also how hard that is on the mental side of preparing for games.“

PHD: What are a few things yourteam improved on throughout the season?

“I witnessed our guys improve their determination and confidence.We had players who figured out that to be a valuable player on the court, you don’t have to score every time you touch the ball.We had four guys that averaged at least 10+ PPG and overall, I feel like our guys played unselfish.“

PHD: Who are some role players that stood out?

“Simon Fried, Kellen Pfitzer Kellen Pfitzer 6'1" | SF Mobridge-Pollock | 2027 SD , and Easton Eisemann Easton Eisemann 5'11" | CG Mobridge-Pollock | 2027 State SD .Each of these guys had a unique way of scoring and playing defense in a great way. Simon was fast, made plays on defense, and had a ton of transition points.Kellen plays taller than his 6’1″ height and plays aggressively. Easton can hit shots and can get around people with his drive.“

PHD: Can you talk about your seniors and what will be missed?

“We had four seniors and will miss each one.Michael Wald put in hours of practice over the years and was a great shooter.Simon made huge improvements in leadership and overall basketball ability this season.Deuce Fischer and Jairus Beier played all 4 years and helped our team in many ways.They were both great scout team players at practice and had great attitudes.I can’t tell you how much that means to have a couple of guys be role models for the younger players.“

PHD: Who are some up-and-comers to look out for?

“We have a great class of 8thgraders coming up this summer and we are excited to see how they can help our program grow.Freshman Wyatt Henderson didn’t get to finish the season due to a broken wrist, but we are excited to see how he develops this summer.We have lots of players who will be competing for spots this summer, so it should be interesting to see who puts in the time and improves their basketball skills.“

PHD: Who was your best defensive player?

“Our best defensive player on guards wasSimon Fried.He guarded some top guys in the state very well.Our best post-defensive player was Shane Henderson Shane Henderson 6'6" | PF Mobridge-Pollock | 2025 State SD .He could keep other players in front of him and had the athleticism to defend the basket from all angles.“

PHD: Any last comments/thoughts on the season?

“We have seven things we are really going to focus on this offseason.Those are things that we need to improve upon in order to make the jump to playing in the State Tournament next year.I feel we have a great group coming back that can and will do what it takes to play at a high level. Our future is bright!“

Best of luck to MOPO this summer!