Search
Graduation hit Pelican Rapids hard as their boys’ basketball team lost Ian Fahje (playing basketball at UM- Moris), Hunter Williams, Brady Petznick, Tanner Tollerud and Peyton Blakeway. “We lost most of our interior size to graduation, but we do return good depth on the perimeter,” stated tenth-year head coach John Gullingsrud. Dave Rund (Varsity Assistant), Adam Johnson (JV) and Derrick Nelson (9th Grade) round out an experienced coaching staff.
Returning starters include Timmy Guler (SR, Guard, Captain), Luke Sjolie (SR, Wing, Captain), Treyvon Benson (JR, Guard) and Charlie Larson (JR, Wing). Other letter winners coming back are Ethan Sjostrom (SR, Wing), Esteban Garza (SR, Wing), Brody Seter (SR, Guard), Josh Bakken (SR, Wing), Brody Syverson (JR, Wing) and Miguel Torres (SO, Guard).
Lance VerDorn (JR, Wing), Willem Pesch (JR, Forward), Jack Welch (SO, Forward), Grady Larson (FR, Forward) and Ethan Isaman (FR, Forward) will be battling for varsity playing time.
“Figuring out how we can score and defend in the paint will be a big key for us this season,” added Coach Gullingsrud. “We will also need to rebound well as a team in order to finish possessions on the defensive end. As with most other teams, we will be looking to improve as the season progresses and to be playing our best basketball when we get to March.”
Gullingsrud point to Hawley and Perham as the top teams in the Heart O’ Lakes Conference, with East Grand Forks and Wadena-Deer Creek joining the Nuggets and Yellowjackets as favorites in a tough Section 8AA.