The South Dakota State University women’s basketball team has established one of the top programs in the country, winning 21 straight games this season before falling in the first round of the NCAA tournament, and a Langford Area graduate played a role in this year’s success.
No, there was not a former Lion on the official roster, but former LA standout and 2022 grad Ben Gustafson, the son of Joe and Jenn Gustafson of Claremont, was on the practice squad. The Jackrabbit women have used men in their practices for a number of years, and former LA coach Paul Raasch was instrumental in connecting his former player to the opportunity.
“I had a good friend that was on the practice team last year, so I kind of knew what was going on,” said Gustafson, “and last summer I got a call out of the blue from Coach Raasch asking me if I wanted to be part of the practice squad. SDSU had asked a number of high school coaches if any of their alumni would be interested and he gave them my name.”
Gustafson contacted the SDSU director of operations, he met with the athletic trainer for a physical, signed a bunch of paperwork, and he became one of 15 men on the practice squad.
“I didn’t know any of the guys before the season but it was pretty cool getting a chance to play with some outstanding former high school players that were no longer playing except to be on the women’s practice team.”
All 15 men to not attend every practice. They are scheduled based on availability, and Gustafson said he would typically practice once or twice a week. Although this year, due to a rash of injuries on the women’s squad, some of the men were called upon more often.
The primary role of the men is to simulate what the Jacks will come up against with their next opponent and to play with some physicality.
“We run through some of the plays the other team would run, along with the defensive sets, and do situational drills when the girls would have to guard us in a certain way. Our job was pretty much to get them ready for whatever the upcoming opponent would do.”
The experience definitely opened Gustafson’s eyes as to how good those women players are.
“I think if the college women’s team would play a boys high school team the girls would smoke them,” predicted Gustafson. “They are so strong, and you don’t realize that until you get on the court with them. Those girls are really tough.
“We’re kind of taught to be physical and bang up against them, and that’s how we probably help them the most,” Gustafson added. “It’s hard for them to simulate how physical the other girls teams are unless you have a 6-3 guy going against them. And even when the guys are going full strength we get wrecked every time by the big post (Brooklyn Meyer), and even though we have a couple of fast guards they still can’t keep up with Paige Meyer. When they give assignments on who we are going to guard, nobody really wants to guard Paige. She’s been known to put some guys on their can a few times.”
Then there’s 6-2 forward Mesa Byom. She has left a particular impression on the former Lion.
“We’re always afraid of catching an elbow from her. I’ve gotten a couple in the neck and face region, and it doesn’t feel too good.”
Despite a few bruises, Gustafson said his time on the practice squad has been a memorable experience.
“It was a great experience and if anyone ever gets the chance they should definitely do it. You are never going to get another chance to play at that level and you learn so much about the game. And women’s college hoops is way different than high school – almost a night and day difference.”
Gustafson also has a lot of respect for how the women play the game.
“I think the women play more sound, fundamental basketball and definitely play more team basketball. It seems like in the men’s game there is a lot more individual isolation type play vs. the women using a lot of offensive sets.”
The Claremont native also witnessed why SDSU coach Aaron Johnston has developed such a strong program.
“Just watching how AJ and his assistant coaches go about things was impressive. AJ’s understanding of the game is so great, and the way he can teach each player individually was impressive. If somebody makes a mistake he stops the whole practice and makes sure everyone sees the mistake and that they don’t do it again. He’s not too harsh, but he makes sure the players know he means business, and I think that’s a big part of his success.”
The Jacks’ coach also gets after the practice team once in a while.
“I think what I enjoyed most was meeting a bunch of athletes, coaches, and staff, and they were all super friendly and welcoming. And AJ kind of gave us practice guys a hard time here and there, but all in good fun. In our last practice I was wearing some old shoes and one of them blew out with a clean six-inch line right through the shoe. AJ said he had to check it out and said, ‘I have been watching you all year and no way you can move that fast!’”
Gustafson, who is majoring in ag business and hopes to be back in the Marshall County Area after graduation in some crop-related job, is definitely open to signing up for another hitch on the practice squad next season.
“I will have to see how involved I may be with my job as a part-time crop adjustor next fall but it’s something that I would like to stay a part of,” Gustafson concluded. “It was just such a great experience.”
