Dec. 9—MONTEVIDEO — The 2024-25 season was a memorable one for the Montevideo boys basketball team.

The Thunder Hawks are coming off a 27-5 record and were West Central Conference champs with a 10-2 mark. They won the Section 3AA championship and took fifth in the Class AA state tournament. It was the first state trip for Montevideo since 2009.

Now, the Thunder Hawks want to add on to the memories with another deep postseason run.

"Last year was a year to remember for our program and team," said Montevideo head coach Derek Webb. Webb, in his ninth season, is helped on the bench by Brandon Raymo, Brady Kienitz and Mark Reidinger.

"We broke many records, including most wins and a season and had our best program finish with a Class AA consolation championship," Webb said. "However, it is a new year and we will have a target on our back each night. We need to embrace that target and just stay humble and hungry."

Four of the Thunder Hawks' five starters are back, including a pair of All-West Central Conference performers in Griffin Epema and Brody Dack.

Epema averaged 19.0 points, 6.0 assists, 5.9 rebounds and 3.6 steals per game. The 6-foot-1 junior guard set single-season records for assists and steals in a season.

Dack, a 6-2 senior forward, rejoins the starting lineup alongside 6-1 senior guard Jackson Koenen and 6-0 junior guard Adam VanBinsbergen. Koenen was an All-West Central honorable mention last season.

Four seniors look to play vital roles for the Thunder Hawks.

Offering some size is 6-7 center Nels Baukol and 6-2 forward Tosten Christenson.

"Nels gives us some major post presence," Webb said. "His activity around the rim is going to help us tremendously on both ends. He's really improved and worked on his game and I'm excited for him to show it this year."

"Tosten is an energy guy through and through," Webb said. "He is one of our best defenders and has a tremendous motor. He was a huge player off the bench for us at the end of last year."

Offering some backcourt depth are Landon Killibarda and Brendan Koosmann.

"(Landon) has really worked hard in the offseason and I think he will play a major role on the floor," Webb said. "(Brendan) can really shoot it and has improved big time on the defensive end."

Another player to keep an eye on is 6-5 freshman forward Caleb Koenen.

"Caleb is a dynamic scorer and has great length and athleticism," Webb said. "He will post a major threat on both ends for us in a variety of ways."

All these players will help replace a pair of graduates in Gabe Lindeman and Gannon Reidinger. Reidinger was named to the All-West Central and Class AA All-Tournament teams after averaging 16.2 points, 10.6 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.3 steals per game.

"Our guys had an awesome summer and offseason and I think our team will be deeper than last year," Webb said. "If we continue to rebound, defend at a high level and play fast, I think we will be very competitive in our conference and section."