Stars Shine at 2025 Pentagon Spring Jam
SW Minnesota Stars Shine at Pentagon Spring Jam
This past weekend, the SW Minnesota Stars AAU basketball program continued their strong start to the season at the 2025 Pentagon Spring Jam in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. All teams competed with grit, skill, and sportsmanship, building on the momentum from the season's first tournament in St. Cloud, MN.
15U Team Recap
The SW Minnesota Stars 15U team, coached by Derek Ashbaugh and assisted by Rysley Borman, put together an impressive undefeated run. The team finished the weekend 4-0, capped by a thrilling 55-52 victory over Sanford Sports ND 15U Black in the championship game. Caleb Asake hit a crucial go-ahead three-pointer with under two minutes remaining to help seal the victory. The 15U Stars also benefited from strong guard play by Henry Stavnes and Brady Reinertson, along with a commanding interior presence from Karson Metzger. Along the way, the 15U Stars secured wins against Sanford Sports Academy 15U Boys White, Sanford Sports ND 15U Grey, and Sanford Sports ND 15U White, showcasing a balanced attack and resilient defense throughout the tournament.
14U Orange Team Recap
The 14U Orange team, led by Coach Damon Walhof, delivered a consistent performance, finishing the tournament with a perfect 5-0 record. The Orange squad displayed excellent team chemistry and toughness, culminating in a 49-42 championship win over MN Comets Swarthout. Sam Gerdes and Aiden Jerzak provided steady performances throughout the weekend, while Zane Schroeder erupted for an outstanding scoring outburst in the championship game. With strong efforts on both ends of the court, the 14U Orange continued to build momentum heading into a busy stretch of the season.
14U Blue Team Recap
Coached by Brock Bruns, the 14U Blue team faced a challenging task playing up an age division in the 15U bracket. The team battled hard all weekend, finishing 2-2 against older competition. A highlight of the weekend came when Nickoli Vogel hit a game-winning three-point shot to lift the Stars to a thrilling 58-56 victory over Sanford Sports Academy 15U Boys Grey. Landon Taatjes provided a physical presence down low all weekend. Their competitive showing highlighted the team's development and willingness to embrace challenges early in the season.
16U Team Recap
The SW Minnesota Stars 16U team, coached by Jonte Flowers, competed in the Prep Hoops TC Takedown tournament at Hopkins High School in Plymouth, Minnesota. The team opened the weekend with a 60-50 win over WOTN Philips. In their second game, the Stars built a strong lead against MSP Central but had to hold off a late surge to secure a 57-53 victory. In their third matchup, the team overcame a slow start to defeat SD Impact, 75-63. Their final game of the weekend came against Minnesota Select Fuerte, a talented and high-energy opponent. The Stars fell short in that contest, finishing the tournament with a 3-1 record.
Coach Flowers noted that while the team continues to grow, there is an opportunity to improve mental focus from the opening tip and to make better decisions under pressure. Standout performances over the weekend included strong contributions from Kaydon Firchau, a 6'3" freshman guard, along with solid efforts from Asher, Caleb, and Elliot.
17U Team Update
The SW Minnesota Stars 17U team did not compete this past weekend due to scheduling conflicts and player availability.
Looking Ahead
Next weekend, the 14U Orange team will travel to Watertown, South Dakota, to compete in the Dakota Niners May Day Tournament. Meanwhile, the 14U Blue team, alongside the Stars' 15U, 16U, and 17U teams, will head to Minneapolis, Minnesota, for the Scheels Tournament.
Tag(s): News
