Previewing the Top Matchups at the Hanson Classic
It’s not March Madness yet, but the Hanson Classic this weekend gives us a good taste of top-ranked teams from both Class A and Class B going head to head.
Here’s a breakdown of our top games of the Classic to watch:
Canistota (8-1, No. 5 in B) vs. Langford Area (8-2) 2:30 p.m
Here’s the rundown: Langford Area’s head coach racked up his 500th win at the Pentagon in not one, but two overtimes earlier this year. Someone that has helped get a couple of those W’s is 6’7 forward Mason Larson who signed to play for Dakota Wesleyan next year. They will have a tough test in No. 5 Canistota who’s only loss of the year was to then No. 1 Bridgewater-Emery.
Key Players to Watch: Langford’s 6’7 DWU signee forward Mason Larson and Canistota’s 6’3 forward Connor Carlson. These two have been on fire of late, with Carlson accumulating 77 points over three games Larson has also been putting up some jaw-dropping numbers with games of 39, 30 and 44 points.
Prediction: Langford
Aberdeen Roncalli (7-2) vs. White River (11-0, No. 4 in B) 5:30 p.m.
Here’s the rundown: Aberdeen Roncalli is ranked fifth in some polls and receives votes in others, while White River is enjoying an undefeated season up to this point. Roncalli has lost the last two games by a total of seven points, while White River has had a couple overtime scares, but otherwise, have rolled through the season with ease.
Key Players to watch: Brady Morgan is a 5’11 junior guard who can light up the stat sheet on any given night. White River’s Tyson Lyotte is a 6’1 sophomore guard who earlier in the season at the Lakota Nation Invitational had 21 first-half points.
Prediction: White River
Tea Area (6-2, No. 4 in A) vs. Flandreau (7-3) 7 p.m.
Here’s the rundown: Noah Freidel is back from an injury that sidelined him for a couple games. He dropped 38 in his return against Western Christian Hull, the No. 1 team in Class 2A in Iowa on Friday night. With him back in the lineup the Titans become that more of a dangerous team. They will be going against 6’6 senior forward Dylan LeBrun of Flandreau who has been lighting it up, but Sioux Valley showed that he could be stopped. Which star will outshine the other?
Players to Watch: Dylan LeBrun a 6’6 forward for the Fliers who’s averaging about 23 points and 11 rebounds. Chris Morales is another player to watch out for the Titans, in the three games that Freidel was out with an injury the 5’10 senior guard has averaged around 18 points a game. Justin Hohn doesn’t always blow up the stat sheet but he is crucial to the Titans successes as well.
Prediction: Tea Area
Sioux Valley (12-1, No. 3 in A) vs. Bridgewater-Emery (9-2, No. 2 in B) 8:30 p.m.
Here’s the rundown: It’s the most anticipated matchup of the day, pitting two of the top-five teams in their respective classes against each other. The Huskies had their 29-game win streak snapped earlier this year at the Mike Miller Classic to a Minnesota powerhouse Prior Lake. Sioux Valley didn’t skip a beat after Tayton Vincent graduated last year. They have won 11 straight since losing to class B Clark/Willow Lake earlier this season.
Players to Watch: 6’3 junior guard Sawyer Schultz has been tearing it up so far this season averaging about 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. On the other side of the ball 6’7 forward and Augustana signee Trevor Hanson continues his dominance so far this year. You’ll see him step out on the perimeter and hit a couple three balls with ease.
Prediction: Sioux Valley