Multi-Sport SD Studs: Football & Basketball

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who is standing out in football but is also a stud basketball player? We have the answers below! South Dakota has a ton of successful multi-sport stars. See below for comments on who has been hot this fall!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1496316,"linkDestination":"custom"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/NDSDStandouts-crop-752x494-1656375136.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/NDSDStandouts-crop-752x494-1656375136.jpg?w=751" alt="" class="wp-image-1496316" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='174182' first='Brayden' last='Sumption']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/brayden-sumption/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;(2024) |5'11 G| Leola-Frederick</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brayden is a lefty that had a solid junior year and he had an excellent off-season in hoops. He is a versatile offensive weapon, Sumption can put up points from every level. He is a quick and skilled player. In football, Sumption is a talented player as a QB &amp; DB. The Titans are 3-1 on the season and they have a big showdown on Friday against Hamlin. Sumption is difficult to gameplan for because of his speed and quickness, when plays break down, he can make something out of nothing. As the QB, he throws a pretty ball!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='848974' first='Brenner' last='Konrad']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/brenner-konrad/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;(2026) |6'2 F| Tea</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He had a standout grassroots season with SSA. Coach&nbsp;<em>Dwight Walker</em>&nbsp;was always quick to brag up and praise Konrad when I asked about his players! Brenner is an athlete, a leader, and a grinder. He is outstanding around the rim and is a stingy defender. In football, the Titans are 2-1 on the year. Konrad is the starting QB for Tea, he stands out with his strong arm. Brenner is an incredible athlete, leader, and his talents show up on the football field just as much as on the basketball court. He is having a strong start to the season &amp; will continue to prove that he is one of the best dual-sport athletes in his class!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='533112' first='Carson' last='Griffith']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/carson-griffith/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;(2024) |6'5 PF| Elkton-Lake Benton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He will start as a post player on the basketball team and he is a standout on the football field as a TE and DE. Griffith is a strong, physical, and athletic kid.&nbsp;Carson has a great understanding of both sports and is almost like another coach on the field/court.&nbsp;He does a great job on the football field of communicating with his teammates and getting the Elks set in the right formations, blocking schemes, etc.&nbsp;Likewise, on the basketball floor, Carson provides that leadership and ability to see the game as a coach would.&nbsp;He helps get his teammates motivated, leading by example with his work ethic and drive to make himself and his teammates better. Do not forget, the Elks are 4-0 and ranked #4 in AA! Elkton-Lake-Benton takes on Canistota in a huge matchup on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Evan Fornia<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/evan-fornia/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;(2024) |6'6 PF| Elk-Point-Jefferson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is a versatile and multi-talented BIG man. Evan and the Huskies had an epic playoff run this past hoops season. Look for Fornia to be one of the toughest forwards in Class A this season. In football, Fornia and the Huskies are 2-1 on the season and ranked #4 in 11B. They host McCook Central-Montrose tomorrow night. Evan plays on the offensive and defensive line for EPJ.&nbsp;Evan controls the line of scrimmage on the football field and he has been a phenomenal leader with both his work ethic and effort!&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Garrett Merkley<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/garrett-merkley/"><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;(2024) |6'1 G| Elk-Point-Jefferson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He was a key role player for the Huskies last season on their State Tournament run. Look for Garrett to have an increased role this season. Merkley is a gifted athlete who can do it all on the hardwood, he has a versatile game. In football, EPJ is 2-1 and ranked #4. Garrett is a talented playmaker as a receiver, defensive back, and a kick return specialist.&nbsp;Merkley had a kick return touchdown and had a sensational 1^st&nbsp;game.&nbsp;He got hurt at the end of game 1 but will be back this week and the Huskies expect some huge things from him going forward! Be on the lookout for Merkley tomorrow night vs. the Fighting Cougars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jackson Wadsworth<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jackson-wadsworth/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;(2026) |6'1 G| Hamlin</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In hoops, Wadsworth is a skilled, smart, and well-rounded baller who plays effectively on both sides of the ball. Wadsworth balled with Team Warwick this spring/summer and had a ton of success. Look for Jackson to be a key role player this winter for the Chargers. The Hamlin football team is off to a hot 4-0 start and they are ranked #2 in 9AA. Wadsworth is having a great year on the gridiron. He is a two-way starter at linebacker and fullback. Jackson currently leads the team in tackles with 28.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='174189' first='Tate' last='Schafer']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tate-schafer/"><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;(2024) |6'1 G| Lincoln</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is committed to USF for football. In basketball, Schafer is a big-time shooter and a SNIPER. He can also put up points off the dribble. PHD is expecting a major season from Tate on the hardwood. In football, he has also been a STUD as a QB. The Patriots are 3-0 and ranked #1 in Class 11AAA. Lincoln has a potent offense and they are averaging 50 points per game! Last week, the Pats dismantled Jefferson 48-0. In that game, Schafer was was 16/23 passing the ball and he went for 255 yards and 2 TD's! Lincoln plays #4 ranked Harrisburg on Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tyson Stevenson<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tyson-stevenson/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;(2024) |6'2 G| Hamlin</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is one of the best bucket-getters in South Dakota. Stevenson had a miraculous junior season and an excellent offseason. He and the Chargers will be one of the top teams in Class A this winter, expect that back at the State Tournament. This fall, Hamlin is 4-0 and ranked #2 in 9AA. They take on a solid Leola-Frederick team this Friday. Tyson is a talented two-way starter in football. He runs the show as QB and is also a tough defensive back.&nbsp;Stevenson has 10 passing touchdowns and 6 rushing TDs. Tyson puts up big numbers in both basketball and football!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":984488,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/09/IMG-3535.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-984488" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->