Young Thunder Hawks are optimistic

Montevideo returns inexperienced talent after 11-12 season

BY JOE BROWN | West Central Tribune

MONTEVIDEO — Down three starters from a season ago, most teams would expect a lapse in success.

Montevideo head boys basketball coach Derek Webb doesn’t see the Thunder Hawks taking that kind of dip. After going 11-12 in 202122, Webb expects his group to be a challenge for any opposing team.

“A lot of times when programs graduate a class like we did, people expect a rebuilding year,” said Webb, who’s going into his sixth season at the helm. “That’s not the case for the Thunder Hawks this year. Our team has a stable of outside shooters and really nice athletes and I think we are going to be a surprise to a lot of folks.

“This team is hungry and I think you are going to see that every single night from Montevideo.”

Montevideo’s Mason Jerve (33) defends a shot during the 2021-22 season for the Thunder Hawks.

Joe Brown / West Central Tribune

Gone from last season are standouts Landon Stock, Kaden Boike and Andrew VanBinsbergen. Stock was an All-West Central Conference pick last season after averaging 12.6 points on 52% shooting along with 5.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. Boike averaged 10.7 points, and VanBinsbergen was good for 11.3 ppg. Hoping to pick up the scoring slack are a trio of players.

Mason Jerve, a 6-foot-2 senior forward, was the sixth man on last season’s squad.

“We look for Mason to really lead us as our lone senior both on and off the court,” Webb said.

Cooper Dack is a 5-11 junior guard. After working his way into the rotation last year, he earned a reputation on the team as a defensive disruptor.

“His outside shot has really developed nicely,” Webb said. “We look for Cooper to provide a punch on both ends of the court.”

Montevideo boys basketball coach Derek Webb is optimistic about the Thunder Hawks’ chances in 2022-23.

Joe Brown / West Central Tribune

Devin Ashling is a 6-2 guard/ forward that looks to offer Montevideo some versatility.

“Devin played sparingly last year on varsity but when he did, he was fearless,” Webb said. “Devin is the definition of becoming a great shooter because of putting in the work. We look for Devin to play a variety of positions for us offensively and be one of our elite shooters.”◀