KMS has lots of potential

Despite losing four starters, Fighting Saints plan to improve upon last season's 17-10 record

BY JOE BROWN | West Central Tribune

KERKHOVEN — While light on starting experience, there is plenty of physical potential in the Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg lineup this season.

Three standouts are gone from last season’s Fighting Saints:AllArea first teamer Alex Call along with Gage Thorson and Drew Johnson. And, KMS was thrown a curveball during the football season when a projected starter, junior Jared Cortez, was lost due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Still, the excitement hasn’t been deterred for the Saints.

“We are excited to get started,” said head coach Matt Fragodt, who enters year 10 on the bench. “We do not return a lot of starters from last year but do return a lot of players with lots of varsity experience.”

KMS sophomore DeAndre Holloway puts up a jumper against CMCS on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, in Prinsburg.

West Central Tribune file photo

In 2021-22, KMS went 17-10, including 10-6 in the Camden Conference North Division. They lost to eventual state finalist Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa in the second round of the Section 6A-South tournament.

Senior Isaac Rudningen is back as a starter. A 6-foot-2 guard, Rudningen was KMS’ defensive MVP in ‘21-’22. He averaged 7.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.1 steals per game.

“Isaac is a very good defender, and offensively, he is great at passing the ball to open shooters,” Fragodt said. “He also is very good at getting to the basket and finishing. We expect him to have a good year on both sides of the ball.”

KMS junior Isaac Rudningen, right, attempts to push into the paint against CMCS senior Ben Van Eps on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, in Prinsburg.

West Central Tribune file photo

Two junior forwards look to add a strong presence for the Saints.

At 6-4 and 190 pounds, Hunter Kallstrom returns after putting up averages of 6.7 points and 6.7 rebounds.

“Hunter has a knack of knowing where the ball is going to go,” Fragodt said. “He is a very good rebounder and can finish underneath the basket. He is a very hard worker and that helps him on defense. He is also very strong so he is hard to stop.”

Adding a scoring touch is fellow junior Deandre Holloway. A 6-7, 180-pound forward, Holloway averaged 8.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks last season.

“Deandre is a true scorer; he can score from inside and outside,” Fragodt said. “His length helps him defensively. He can be used defensively outside on smaller guards but can also guard the basket. We will look for him to be a major offensive weapon.” ◀