Class AA/A: “Don’t Sleep” Teams (SD)
As the season winds down, we take a look at a couple of the teams that might not have the best record right now but are definitely not to be taken lightly come playoff time.
Tea Area
The defending State A Champs have a good portion of their team returning from last year. They aren’t quite having the season everyone thought they would have, but at 13-5 Tea isn’t exactly having a bad season. They’ve had to play several top teams, including power-house Minneapolis North who is looking for a three-peat this season in Class AA in Minnesota. They had a three-game stretch where they played three top teams and lost by a combined amount of 9 points. Don’t count out the Titans because of their record, they still have the top-prospect in 2019 in Noah Freidel who recently set the school record with 47 points and went over 1,000 career points. They only lost one starter in Ethan Freidel from last year so when it comes down to playoff time this team will be dangerous with all the experience it has this year.
Dell Rapids
After maybe the game of the year against Tea Area earlier in the season, the Quarriers have had kind of a quiet year. They recently have had two impressive wins against Vermillion and another OT thriller versus Dakota Valley, but this time the Quarriers came out on top. Senior Mason Schmidt had 18 in a win against St. Thomas More at the DWU Culvers Classic in Mitchell last Saturday. Six-foot-nine junior Logan Heim is a big threat on the boards down low and will also step out and nail a jumper. Running the point is senior Carson Rentz who has the ability to score in a hurry, he had 15 points and 4 assists in Mitchell over the weekend.
Flandreau
With five losses, don’t count out the Fliers come postseason time. They are a very deadly team to be playing in March. Senior Dylan LeBrun has had a monster season this year he had 35 points and 15 rebounds against the No. 3 team in Class B. They are in our “Most Surprising Teams”
Vermillion
With arguably one of the most prolific scorers in South Dakota history, A.J. Plitzuweit makes the Tanagers an extremely dangerous team come March. He recently scored his 1,000th point in only a year and a half in SD. Check out our “Most Surprising Teams” for more about Vermillion.
Dakota Valley
In our “Most Surprising Teams” article the Panthers have definitely one of the most surprising teams. As long as Jason Kleis is the coach of the Panthers will be a dangerous team come March.
Bon Homme
The Cavaliers have turned around their season after going 14-8 last season. The Cavaliers are one of few teams to shut down star guard from Vermillion Plitzuweit. Their stellar defense has been a huge part of their success this season, they will be tough to play in the postseason. They have been holding teams to an average of 44.5 points per game, playing in your face man-to-man defense. Two-sport standout Bryce Scieszinski, a 6-foot-4 senior, and 6-foot-3 junior, Joey Slama handle the scoring duties on offense.
Sisseton
The Redmen are led by playmaker senior point guard Dion Iyarpeya who was impressive in their win against St. Thomas More at the Pentagon. He made the plays happen and when St. Thomas More tried to start a comeback he made the right plays to quiet the run. They have height at their advantage also with six-foot-eight senior Spencer Weatherstone and six-foot-seven sophomore Ramsey Heinecke.
Parker
The Pheasants have been bouncing back and forth from class to class and are looking like they are having some success in Class A this year. The Pheasants have been led by a pair of juniors in six-foot-eight Camden Bialas and six-foot-three Trey Christensen. They have been a surprise this year and don’t expect them to go down without a fight.
St. Thomas More
They are a really young team this year, but they haven’t let them stop them this season. Six-foot-five senior Kale Landguth provides the slow-tempo scoring. They like to slow the game down and run a half-court offense, they make it hard for run-and-gun teams to get out in the fastbreak.
Sioux Falls O’Gorman
The defending State AA Champs haven’t had the greatest season record-wise, but I wouldn’t count them out just yet. With Derek Robey at the helm, the Knights are in good hands. Senior Jack Zwagerman has been leading the team so far, he had 18 points with 15 in the second half including two clutch three’s against Roosevelt a couple a days ago. They are still eyeing that repeat.
Sioux Falls Washington
The Warriors just came off another state football championship so you know they have an abundance of athletes. They are a fast and PHYSICAL team. The Warriors have height down low and will fight hard for rebounds and loose balls. They are a tough team to play even though their record doesn’t show it. Senior guard Topher Zahn is a force to be reckoned with, at the Pentagon Classic he had 18 points in the win against Sioux City East.