First Look: Class A
Top Contenders Sioux Falls Christian. Our pre-season pick. How could it not be with all that talent? Chad Barkema is the do everything leader of the senior class that also includes beef inside in Austin Schreur, a lead guard in…
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Continue ReadingTop Contenders
Sioux Falls Christian. Our pre-season pick. How could it not be with all that talent? Chad Barkema is the do everything leader of the senior class that also includes beef inside in Austin Schreur, a lead guard in Jackson Schipper and one of the state’s best senior shooters Keegan Van Egdom. Dejay Fykstra is one of the top workers out there and don’t forget about the wealth of sophomores that could push for a spot. We are really big on power forward Joel Dehaai plus the guards in the group could push for time. Love the potential of this line-up.
St. Thomas More. Went to state a year ago and bring back the top pieces. Isaac Kortmeyer is still inside, Jake Sutter has the potential to explode on the scene and PJ Friedel is a nice guard to handle. After the year they did with so much returning to the line-up there is only room for improvement. And maybe trophies.
Sioux Valley. I’m not exactly sure where Tayton Vincent is as health wise but if he gets healthy, you add him to Collin Kramer and Zach Puetz, and if they get something from a tremendous sophomore group led by Trevor Hanson and Trevor Olson, look out. So potentially explosive.
Dell Rapids. We are really high on what Dell Rapids could be. Not only is Ty Hoglund one of the top candidates for player of the year this winter, but they have so much depth for him to use at wing and forward. Sheldon Siemonsma is one of several that impressed PHD this summer.
Lennox. They were 7th place finishers a year ago and bring back Jacob Hinker to lead a strong senior group that also includes Collin McEntee, Tyler Leisnger, and John Oldenkamp. They will get help form Marshall McLaren as well from the junior group.
Clark/Willow Lake. The inside out combo of Braxton Hartley and Noah Huber will give them an edge plus Rory Forest also returns. The seniors also have sophomores they can lean on in Ntai Stevens and Brayden Rusher. A definite squad to look out for. They went 1-2 at state last year.
Madison. We are all in with Madison being a contender. This team could be exceptional. Tanner DenHoed as the shooter, love the Janke brothers in the sophomore class, Austin Lohsandt gives them size at 6-foot-7 inside Mason Leighton and Riley Janke led the junior class, and Brodie Frederiksen is a scrappy guard. So many pieces, if it comes together look out.
Aberdeen Roncalli. The defending state champs had a tiny junior class year ago (two guys) but there are current juniors ready to go and young Gus Reede has a chance to be exceptional. May be a bridge year, but the Cavs will defend with pride.
Spearfish. They bring back their entire team that includes three guys that have been starting for two years already. Chet Samuelson is the big name and he was a player that really impressed PHD over the summer with the Heat. Cole Richards has good size and is athletic, Devin Braun is a big and intelligent post at 6-foot-7, and Jaxson Hinch is another excellent athlete. The team is also very deep with experienced players.
Potential Contenders
Tea Area. Team is about a year away. Big fans of Ethan Friedel who leads the banner junior class but we also really like the sophomores led by Jake Friedrich. Cole Sabers is a nice lead guard captain.
Winner. With Gailbraith and Harter graduated from the third place team in state a step back can be expected but this is Devon Leiferman’s team now and he had an excellent summer.
Elk Point-Jefferson. If you saw South Dakota Heat West this summer you noticed the active big Connor Henze as well as a nice wing in Michael Murphy. Solid high school basketball seniors to lead their program.
Beresford. Logan Busch is a skilled, talented guy and few at this level can defend him. How far he can take the team is up in the air but it’s a time to watch for.
Tri Valley. Will Steineke is a post to be dealt with and Jayden Burggraff is an underrated talent. Two very good players in their junior class will get them moving to the future.
Flandreau. They are likely a year away but definitely like some of the young talent. Could slide in as a back end top ten this season.
Little Wound. When you lose the massive amount of production inside that they do, things are going to be different. How different? Tough to know right now. They have to adjust to not having a D1 center in the middle.
Parkston. Senior forwards Wes Genany and Dilan Thuringer are back, they could be all right. A back end potential contender.
Correction
****I was combining Lead-Deadwood and Spearfish into the same paragraph. No they are not the same team now. No they did not combine. No we did not think they combined. I did learn more about Spearfish in the process which I am thankful for as they are a more viable contender than I first thought.