Knight Coach Kraig Hunter thinks this new group is up for the challenge.  “Ryder Staples is the one returning player we have that was one of our go to guys on those teams.  Juniors Cole Anderson and Jacob Strunk also return having contributed significant minutes. We have a very young group but we feel they are ready for it to be their turn to continue our success.  We will be a hardworking, unselfish group that fans will love to watch. We are excited to see what they can do.”

Lost to graduation last year were Grant Beuckens, Tate Christenson, Brady Reeve,  Xander Bontjes, and Nathaniel Junker.

The Knights only have two seniors on our roster in Staples and Tyler Biss, who will serve as team captains this year.

Hunter said, “We have the potential to have some depth this year as the sophomore and junior classes have good numbers which will create some good competition for earning spots in the rotation.”

Key players looking for spots in the junior class will be Brett Amundson, Cole Anderson, Peyton Hanson, Isaac Kreft, Roman Mihailovschi, Damon Sanstead, Brayden Stark, and Jacob Strunk.  Players the coaches feel can contribute from the sophomore class are Cam Anderson, Dane Anderson, Mitch Dewey, Nasir Dotts, Bryce Kjesbo, and Brady Lindquist.

“Our expectation every year is to compete extremely hard night in and night out and to play unselfish team basketball. Our strengths will be our work ethic and unselfishness, along with this groups high basketball IQ.”

Hunter feels Morris is the favorite in Section 3AA and that New London-Spicer, Eden Valley-Watkins, Litchfield, and Redwood Valley are state powers year in and year out.  In the pheasant conference, Hunter sees Hancock, Wheaton, and Hillcrest as their biggest competition with Brandon-Evansville also in the mix.

Brian Kjesbo, Jon Nelson and Brad Westrom will serve as assistants to Coach Hunter.