VALLEY CITY, N.D. (VCSUVikings.com) – The Valley City State University men’s basketball team has added three new student-athletes for the 2021-22 season.
Head coach Ryan Montgomery announced the signing of Duoth Gach, Uhana Ochan and Peyton Zaun. All three have signed letters of intent to continue their basketball and education at Valley City State this fall.
Both Gach and Ochan are from Minnesota and played previously at North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, N.D. Zaun is a Valley City native, completing his Hi-Liner playing career last spring.
The trio will join a deep and talented VCSU roster for the 2021-22 season. The Vikings return all their key players from last year’s squad that went 19-7 and finished second in the North Star Athletic Association standings.
Valley City State is scheduled to open the 2021-22 season on Oct. 26 with a home exhibition game against Minot State University.
Duoth Gach
6’5″ Junior Guard – North Dakota State College of Science – Austin, Minn.
Gach was a two-time Honorable Mention All-American during his two years playing at North Dakota State College of Science. A native of Austin, Minn., Gach was named the Mon-Dak Conference Player of the Year in 2020, averaging 15.4 points per game while shooting 45 percent from 3-point range. He made 190 3-pointers during his two seasons at NDSCS.
“Duoth is a very talented basketball player,” said Montgomery. “He has played at a very high junior college level at NDSCS and his resume speaks for itself. He played in a similar system to ours at Austin High School so he should fit in quickly. Not only is Duoth a good basketball player, I believe he is a good person also. I look forward to coaching him this season.”
Uhana Ochan
6’7″ Junior Forward – Francis Marion University – North Dakota State College of Science – Mankato, Minn.
Uhana joins the Vikings after playing last year at NCAA Division II school Francis Marion University. He averaged four points and four rebounds per game at Francis Marion last season. He previously played at North Dakota State College of Science and is a native of Mankato, Minn.
“We wanted to add some athleticism to our forward position in this class,” said Montgomery. “Uhana supplies that and then some. He is one of the best athletes we have recruited here. He will provide some much-needed depth and rebounding this upcoming season.”
Peyton Zaun
6’3″ Freshman Guard – Valley City High School – Valley City, N.D.
Zaun averaged 17.6 points and three assists per game for the Valley City Hi-Liners last season. The 6-foot-3 guard was named to the EDC All-Conference team as a senior and will continue his basketball career in his hometown at Valley City State.
“Worker. That’s what I have to say about Peyton,” said Montgomery. “I have no doubt he will put in the work. I also believe he loves the game and VCSU Basketball. In terms of his game, he has only scratched the surface. I have watched Peyton since he was young and he has gotten better every year, and we believe this trend will continue at VCSU.”