The Sioux Valley High School boys basketball team has produced some quality big men in recent years. 

The Cossacks have churned out all-staters and future college basketball post players like Ryan Burggraff, Dwight Pederson, Collin Kramer and Trevor Hanson. 

The next Cossack big man is Alec Squires, a 6-foot-10, 245-pound senior that’s in the same vein as previous Cossack bigs. But he’s also got his own style and Sioux Valley coach Bill Vincent said Squires’ relentless energy sets him apart. 

“He’s in a long list of guys inside and is as talented as them,” Vincent said. “The thing that makes him special and go for a big is the motor he has on him and the way he can run the floor.”

Squires said his motor and competitiveness were developed growing up with his older brother Brayden, who ironically was a wrestler in high school. Squires dabbled in wrestling when he was younger, but height took over and the rest was history. 

“I did when I was younger, but since I grew so fast playing basketball, it really gave me an advantage ever since I was a young,” Squires said. “So I just fell in love with basketball and it just took over from there.”

But it didn’t come without some trials and tribulations. As a freshman, Squires was growing too fast and had double knee surgery.

“I think the state championship was his first game back in uniform as a freshman,” Vincent said. “So what an introduction to varsity basketball and he’s kind of never looked back since then.”

Sioux Valley's Alec Squires (35) run down the court against Thunder Basin (Wyo.) on Dec. 28 at the Hoop City Classic. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

Squires has steadily developed each season, including last season’s junior campaign, averaging 15 points and 11 rebounds per game. He already holds Sioux Valley's field goal records, for both a career and season, as well as dunks.

This season, the bouncy and athletic Squires is averaging 22.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 78.4% from the field. 

“From last year, I really developed in the weight room and put on some muscle,” Squires said. “That really helps out there on the court, especially being a post player.”

Squires has been the vocal point for Sioux Valley’s offensive attack. The Cossacks graduated all-stater Oli Vincent, a current Dakota Wesleyan University men’s basketball player. 

“Oli was a big hit for our team,” Squires said. “Shoutout to him. I took a more leadership role for our team because Oli was a big leader. I guess leading these guys out on the court has really been an attribute of mine that I am very thankful for. Because I feel like I am a good leader out there on the court.”

Next season, Squires will go seven miles down the road to play for South Dakota State University. For Squires, it was an easy decision to pick SDSU, which is where his parents (David and Tara) attended college. 

“I always grew up being a Jackrabbit fan and coach (Eric) Henderson for him to be able to offer me a scholarship, it’s such a dream come true for me,” Squires said. “It was such an easy decision for me to make.”

And next season, he plans on bringing his same relentless energy to the Jackrabbits.  

“I feel I am going to bring a lot of motor to the team and a lot of drive,” Squires said. “I am very competitive out there and I work my butt off on the offense boards, defensive boards, getting people open and with the studs they have on SDSU, being able to get them open off screens. I think that will be my best thing to offer.”