VOLGA When Alec Squires committed to play basketball at South Dakota State last fall there were a few things that he felt he needed to improve on as he headed into his final two years of high school basketball. Now, three weeks into his senior season, he not only improved on those things, but is showing why he is a Division I talent.
The 6-foot-10 Sioux Valley center has helped lead the Cossacks to a 3-0 start this season and is averaging 22.3 points and 7.6 rebounds while shooting 78.4% from the field. He has also recorded a block in every game. Squires had 30 points on 14-of-16 shooting against Baltic in the second game of the season.
When he committed to SDSU one of the things he wanted to improve on was spacing the floor, and that included being a better perimeter shooter. In Sioux Valleys season opener he went 1-of-2 from three and Squires said he thinks shooting is something that has improved the most for him.
I feel like my shooting and my patience in the post has improved. I kind of worked on my shooting so that they have to come out and guard me up top and then I can just rip by. Thats what Im trying to do with being a threat on the entire court and thats where Ive improved, Squires said.
Squires did not play his freshman season due to injury, but the past two seasons hes averaged 12.7 points and 11.3 rebounds. Heading into this season Sioux Valley head coach Bill Vincent knew that Squires would have to be the focal point of the offense after point guard Oilver Vincent graduated. The head coach said it was time to allow Squires to have more freedom on offense and move throughout the whole court.
Hes just put in so much time, both in season and out of season, that his game has developed to the level where were confident in anything that he wants to do on the floor and his teammates do a good job of playing off of that, Vincent said.
One of the other things Squires wanted to do after committing to play at SDSU was put on more muscle. Hes done just that and whether its going up and dunking the ball or grabbing rebounds in a crowd, Squires said he can feel the difference in his strength this season.
I can definitely tell the difference on the court. I put on some muscle mass. Quite a bit actually from being in the weight room. It comes easier and easier in the post [when youre stronger], Squires said.
His head coach has noticed the difference in strength as well, but hes also noticed that Squires has taken on the leadership role that comes along with being the go-to guy.
The biggest thing is hes bigger, faster and stronger. Hes checked those boxes going into his senior year and hes really amped up his leadership. He really loves his teammates and is there for everyone. Hes got one objective and thats to find a way to win the ball game each night. Were just really blessed to have a guy like that, Vincent said.
Sioux Valley has made the State Tournament each of the past two seasons with Squires starting at center. The Cossacks were the Runner-Up finishers in 2022 and last season they won the consolation championship. Squires said the goal for his team is to finally get to the top of the mountain and win it all in his final season at Sioux Valley.
It would mean a lot [to win a state title], he said. I mean, weve been working at it for three or four years now and were so hungry and so desperate for the State Tournament this year. We have a pretty good squad and I think were going to do something this year. I think when we get to late in the season, well be ready and well be sharp, Squires said.
Squires will join the likes of Kalen Garry and Damon Wilkenson of De Smet, Joe Sayler of White River and Matthew Mors of Yankton, who were all high school standouts in South Dakota and now play at SDSU. Vincent said he thinks Squires could be a player that makes an impact right away because of his athleticism and mobility.
I think the biggest thing that people are going to see right away when he gets to the next level is that he has a good motor. For a big, he can really move and run the floor. That makes him so versatile because you can use him in pick and roll situations and he can guard those situations. Thats a lot of todays game, especially at the next level, and thats going to be the biggest thing that people see, Vincent said.
Sioux Valley has a big week coming up as the Cossacks play Thunder Basin (Wyoming) at the Hoop City Classic at the Corn Palace in Mitchell on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. Theyll then play undefeated Dell Rapids St. Mary at the Entringer Classic in Brookings on Saturday at 6 p.m.
Leave a Reply