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Pashen, Neuendorf, Larson win Coach of the Year honors

Leola-Frederick boys basketball coach Brock Pashen, right, talks to his team in a time out during a Class B SoDak 16 game this past season at Northwestern School in Mellette. Pashen was selected the Boys' Region 1 Coach of the Year. Photo by John Davis taken 3/5/2024

The South Dakota Basketball Coaches Association has announced its Region Coach of the Year awards.

Among the area Boys’ Coach of the Year recipients are Brock Pashen of Leola-Frederick in Region 1, Todd Neuendorf of Hamlin in Region 2; Assistant Coach of the Year: Kyle Gerlach of Groton in Region 1, Travis Wadsworth of Hamlin in Region 2, and Brice Cunningham of Faulkton in Region 3; and Region 1-4 Lower Level Coach of the Year: Bill Clemens of Northwestern.

Among the area Girls’ Coach of the Year winners are Derek Larson of Aberdeen Roncalli in Region 1; and Assistant Coach of the Year: Trent Traphagen of Groton in Region 1.

Here is a look at each of the award winners:

BOYS’ DIVISION

Region 1

Head Coach: Brock Pashen, Leola-Frederick; Assistant: Kyle Gerlach, Groton

Region 2

Head Coach: Todd Neuendorf, Hamlin; Assistant: (tie) Travis Wadsworth, Hamlin, and David Carmon, Sioux Valley

Region 3

Head Coach: Tim Buddenhagen, Huron; Assistant: Brice Cunningham, Faulkton

Region 4

Head Coach: Travis Grueb, Faith; Assistant: Adam Courtney, Rapid City Christian

Region 1-4

Lower Level Coach of the Year: Bill Clemens, Northwestern

Region 5

Head Coach: Nick Koepsell, Howard; Assistant: Ryan Spader, Howard

Region 6

Head Coach: Scott Langerock, Harrisburg; Assistant: (tie) Dave Nour, Harrisburg, and Jacob Hinker, Lennox

Region 7

Head Coach: Jeff Determan, Gregory; Assistant: Lonnie Klundt, Gregory

Region 8

Head Coach: Casey Means, Pine Ridge; Assistant: Ben Connot, Winner

Region 5-8

Lower Level Coach of the Year: Kenedy Koepsell, Howard

GIRLS’ DIVISION

Aberdeen Roncalli girls head coach Derek Larson, right, talks to his second half starters before they take the floor during a game against Redfield this past season at the Roncalli High School gym. Larson was chosen as the Girls’ Region 1 Coach of the Year. Photo by John Davis taken 12/7/2023

Region 1

Head Coach: Derek Larson, Aberdeen Roncalli; Assistant: Trent Traphagen, Groton

Region 2

Head Coach: Tara King, Arlington; Assistant: Brian Relf, Flandreau

Region 3

Head Coach: Krista Robinson, James Valley Christian; Assistant: Eric Hasart, James Valley Christian

Region 4

Head Coach: Dakota Johnson, Spearfish; Assistant: (tie) Jaime Bentley, Spearfish, and Josie Dirksen Sturgis

Region 1-4

Lower Level Coach of the Year: three-way tie, LeAnn Bartholow, James Valley Christian, Wade Stobbs, Huron, and Cooper Heiser, Arlington

Region 5

Head Coach: Jim Bridge, Hanson; Assistant: Barry Matthies, O’Gorman

Region 6

Head Coach: Jon Brooks, Vermillion; Assistant: Dana Bigge, Harrisburg

Region 7

Head Coach: Preston Kristensen, Mount Vernon-Plankinton; Assistant: Becky Haenfler, Avon

Region 8

Head Coach: Matt Rama, Maȟ pi’a Lu’ta; Assistant: Amanda Carlow, Maȟ pi’a Lu’ta

Region 5-8

Lower Level Coach of the Year: Tera Koupal, Wagner

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