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605 Sports
Potter County Battlers are finding their potential at midseason
Potter County's Grant Luikens grabs a rebound against Hanson on Jan. 22 at the Hanson Classic.
(Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)

Potter County Battlers are finding their potential at midseason

Jan 26, 2022
  

By Ryan Deal 

605 Sports

Potter County is getting battle tested for the postseason. 

The Potter County boys basketball team has pieced together a 9-1 season, including a pair of quality wins over Class A Hanson (69-59) at the Hanson Classic and Faith (73-72) on Tuesday. The Battlers’ win over Hanson was fueled by a 22-13 fourth-quarter margin, while they built a 30-13 lead against Faith before hanging on for the victory. 

“We are finding our potential,” Potter County coach Bryce Hall said. “We are opening that door and seeing that we have the ability, but now we have to consistently work on it and fine tune it now.”

The Battlers boast four starters that are 6-foot-1 or taller: Cooper Logan (6-1), Colin Arbach (6-2), Seth Sharp (6-2) and Grant Luikens (6-3). Five-foot-10 Drake Bassett rounds out the starters. In addition to their size, the starting core is versatile and balanced. 

“Usually Grant and Cooper are our leading scorers and I think when Cooper is rolling, we are pretty good because I think other guys coming off the bench play their roles and get their four to six,” Hall said. “Like Seth tonight (against Hanson), his job is to clean up our boards and get finishes. He’s done a really good job finishing the last three games.” 


Against the Beavers, the Battlers displayed their balance as four players scored nine or more points. Logan led Potter County with 23 points and eight rebounds, while Sharp added 18 points and eight rebounds. Luikens logged 16 pints, six rebounds and four assists. Bassett contributed nine points and seven rebounds. 

“It’s pretty good,” Luikens said about the balance. “Cooper had a great game. I am definitely drawing a little bit more attention to myself and it’s allowed him to score and other teammates to score.”

Luikens, Logan, Arbach, Sharp, Bassett and Logan Decker are Potter County’s five seniors this season. They were all instrumental in last year’s 19-4 season, which ended in a loss to Lower Brule in the SoDak 16. 

They’ve been the driving force to this season’s team, while all were contributors to the Class 9B state runner-up finish during the football season. 

“These guys were used to having those four seniors we had last year in front of them and now they are out in front and this is a different pressure, different view,” Hall said. “They are understanding that role and they are accepting that now.”

The Battlers are receiving votes in the latest Class B South Dakota Prep Media Basketball Poll. Potter County’s lone defeat was a 61-56 loss against No. 4 Aberdeen Christian on Jan. 15. On the horizon, the Battlers’ schedule is highlighted by games against Class B foes Faulkton Area, Viborg-Hurley (at the DWU/Culver’s Classic) and Timber Lake. They will also play Class A Stanley County in early February. 

“We are trying to find our identity right now and what kind of team we are,” Luikens said. “It’s midway through the season and we have to keep rolling.”