Games to Watch: Week 5
Here are the games to watch and pay attention to for Week 5 spanning from January 2 – January 8. This week boasts Top Ten match-ups all over the state as well as some interesting match-ups featuring top players in the state.
January 2:
Top Game: AA #3 Sioux Falls O’Gorman @ A #3 Sioux Falls Christian
This pits the #3 ranked team from Class AA vs the #3 ranked team from Class A. The only losses combined is OG’s loss to #1 ranked Sioux Falls Lincoln and this past weekend against Wauwatosa West (WI). SFC has been boat racing teams early on this season and OG has had some nice wins as well. OG is the defending Class AA champ from last year and so far has had nice contributions from senior Jaron Zwagerman and Sophomore Akoi Akoi. SFC has been led by Dakota Wesleyan commit Koln Oppold and senior Lincoln Unruh. I expect a packed house at SFC tonight!
Other games to to watch:
Platte-Geddes @ Mount Vernon-Plankinton – Two teams that I know are very well coached should face off in a gritty Region 5 game in Class A
Sanborn Central/Woonsocket @ B #2 Bridgewater-Emery – The Huskies look to bounce back after two losses this past weekend. SCW is off to a 4-1 start and will have some nice athlete on the floor.
January 4:
Top Game: AA #8 Yankton @ AA #2 Harrisburg
Top ten matchup of two teams that each have different strengths. Harrisburg boasts an experienced group that has been really good so far to start the season. Dakota State commit Brady Van Holland and Mount Marty commit Chase Altenburg have bee great for the Tigers so far. Yankton is led by the best Freshman in the state, Matthew Mors. He is a walking double-double and Yankton almost had a huge upset this past weekend vs Minnesota powerhouse DeLaSalle.
Other games to watch:
Pine Ridge @ A #8 Red Cloud – Red Cloud’s Alejandro Rama can really fill it up and Pine Ridge always has kids who can put it in the hole. Expect lots of points!
B #9 Warner @ Ipswich – Both teams have had solid starts and they are close enough where you can expect a great small town atmosphere.
January 5:
Top Game: A #1 Tea @ A #2 Madison
Rematch of last year’s Class A title game, this one will be fun. Noah Freidel has led the Titans this year to an undefeated start and Tea was impressive in their last win vs Bridgewater-Emery. Madison is led by SDSU commit Aaron Fiegen and he, along with the Janke twins, has the Bulldogs playing very well early. Don’t expect an empty seat and get their early if you want to sit and watch this one #StandingRoomOnly
Other games to watch:
AA #4 Rapid City Central @ AA #10 Aberdeen Central – A great top ten matchup for Friday night. Aberdeen needs to get on the right track and are led by Northern State commit Cole Bergan. Meanwhile, RCC is undefeated and this will be their biggest test to date but they should be ready for the challenge behind seniors Kailleb Walton-Balnden and Dylan Hay.
Big East Tourney – Lots of match-ups here and there should be some great games; go watch any of them if you live between Sioux Falls and Watertown.
January 6:
Top Game: B #6 Irene-Wakonda vs Dakota Valley
If you like guard play then this will be a good one. I-W is led by junior Trey King and senior Tate Gale and the Eagles are soaring right now after wins this past weekend. Dakota Valley has played very well to start the year and they will continue to look to do so being led by senior Jack McCabe. This will be one of the afternoon games at the Samaritan’s Feet Barefoot Classic at the Sanford Pentagon.
Other games to watch:
AA #5 Rapid City Stevens @ AA #10 Aberdeen Central – Similar notes to Friday’s matchup between Aberdeen Central and RCC. Stevens has been good so far led by Dawson Paulsen and company.
B #7 Langford vs Lower Brule – Another game at the Sanford Pentagon in the afternoon. Should be an interesting matchup… If not, go anyway and watch Dakota Wesleyan commit Mason Larson who has put up video game numbers so far this year.