Pictured above is the Clark-Willow Lake boys' basketball team for the upcoming season. The seniors leading the 2025-2026 Cyclones boys' basketball season are Levi Atkins, Ky Vandersnick, Emmerson Larson, Masyn Knock and Will Hovde. Photo by Heather Jordan.
By Heather Jordan
The Clark-Willow Lake Cyclones boys' basketball team is entering the 2025-2026 season with newfound confidence and championship aspirations after qualifying for the State A tournament last year for the first time since winning the Class B title in 2019. Head Coach Jerome Nesheim believes last season's eighth-place finish at state provided invaluable experience for his returning players as they set their sights on an even deeper postseason run.
"Getting to the state tournament is a great experience for the boys, because they now know what it takes to get there and what it feels like to get there," Coach Nesheim explained. "The excitment of everything around it. we were able to put in a very high quality offseason as well mainly because the kids are excited for the opportunities that lie ahead."
The Cyclones are quickly finding a new identity. The graduated seniors Griffin Musser and Zach Ambrose from last year's squad and return a talented core led by senior captain Emmerson Larson, who enters his third year as a starter.
"Emmerson is in his 3rd year as a starter and he is very good at getting guys on the right path and to play hard and compete all the time," Coach Nesheim added. "Even though we return a lot of guys from last year, this team still needs to find its own identity. We have multiple guys that are capable of stepping up nigh tin and night out and it might be a different guy each game. Our subbing will come down to what we need based on match-ups."
One player Coach Nesheim is particularly excited about is Jakob Steen, a 5'10" guard who plays much bigger than his stature suggests. "Jakob is a guy that is a dark horse and most teams will take for granted," Nesheim stated. "He is only 5'10" maybe, but plays like he is 6'6" and is extremely competitive."
Don't forget about the Bo Begeman factor. Begeman, a junior this season, returns as one of the team's most versatile weapons after an impressive sophomore campaign that saw him contribute across teh board in scoring, rebounding, passing and defense.
"Bo does everything very well and will do whatever is asked of him in order for our team to be successful," Coach Nesheim shared. "We are hoping that Bo will be more consistent on the offensive side just because is capable of so many things. Bo is a huge mismatch for teams trying to guard him."
Junior Chris Bevers showed tremendous growth as a point guard last season with the ability to score, distribute and defend and Coach Nesheim has seen significant improvement in his game heading into year two as the floor general.
"Chris has taken his weakness from last season and made them his strengths this year," Nesheim said. "He is bigger and stronger. He will definitely be able to handle his own this year. Our success is always somewhat dependent on the point guard. We historically have run our offense through the point guard but he has a lot of weapons around him that he will be able to use."
Sophomore Sullivan Felberg provides the Cyclones with an inside-out threat as a unique 6'8" guard who can score inside and stretch the floor with his shooting ability.
"Sully gets better and better every day," Coach Nesheim noted. "he is a 6'8" guard that doesn't mind going to the paint to get us two for sure points. Sully is a tremendous shooter and we need to find ways for him to just stand there and shoot it. Defensively, he is able to help out a lot when we get beat off the dribble to the basket."
Clark-Willow Lake's defensive intensity and hustle mentality remains intact with the return of Joey Ries and Steen, joined by Ky Vandersnick, Talen Huber and Masyn Knock providing that same gritty energy. Watch out for the return of the Cyclone wrecking crew for defensive stops that translate into wins.
"Toughness Wins. We need to play with that mentality," Nesheim affirmed. "Not only physical toughness but mental toughness as well. Sometimes last year we got a little soft and teams took advantage of that."
The Cyclones have added the Midwest Miracles Classic to their schedule on January 3rd and they will face Vermillion, expected to be one of the top teams in Region 4. They will also compete in the Huron Classic, Hanson Classic and the Dak12/NEC Challenge.
"That competition throughout the season should prepare us for the post season," Coach Nesheim added.
While Coach Nesheim's goals remain consistent year-to-year, there's no doubt this team has higher expectations after getting a taste of state tournament basketball.
"Our expectations don't really ever change. I expect these players to play at a very high level with great effort," Coach Nesheim stated. "I know these guys want to play deeper into the post season, so it is my job to make sure they are playing at the level that might give them the best opportunity to achieve those goals."
With a talented returning core, improved depth and the experience of last year's state tournament run, the Cyclones appear poised to make another deep run in March.
2025-2026 Varsity Roster: Joey Ries, Ky Vandersnick, Emmerson Larson, William Hovde, Chris Bevers, Talen Huber, Miles Olson, Max Bratland, Jakob Steen, Bo Begeman, Levi Atkins, Sullivan Felberg, Masyn Knock, Trigg Felberg, Jackson Stormo.
Read the full edition here:
