Top Ten: Friday Night Things to Watch (SD)
What are the key points entering this Friday night in high school basketball? We run it down before tip-off.
One. Stevens vs Washington. The #1 team in Class A against #4. The only losses that Stevens has this year are against Sioux Falls teams (lost to Roosevelt and O’Gorman but also wins over those same teams). Stevens is number one but losses to the lower ranked Sioux Falls teams has people statewide starting to question if they can make the push to a title. This weekend playing against #5 Lincoln and #4 Washington will give the state a better answer.
Two. RC Central Stretch Run. The Cobblers just dropped a game to rival Stevens and now they get to play Washington and Lincoln. After losing to O’Gorman, people are wondering the same thing about Central. Can they beat the best of the Sioux Falls teams (Washington and Lincoln)? This weekend they have their chance starting with a top five match-up of #3 Central taking on #4 Lincoln this evening.
Three. Top Class A Game. Dakota Valley and Dell Rapids which is #5 against #6 in Class A. Dell Rapids has began to prove that they are among the best. Wins against Vermillion, Flandreau, and MVP. Now it’s time for the Quarriers to take another step by defeating a top five squad, which is DV. Dakota Valley has something to prove as well as they’ve beaten some of the same teams but they need a big win as well. Who brings it home?
Four. Sleeper Game of the Night. Parker and Viborg-Hurley. Non ranked teams that don’t loss much. Parker has lost three games and Viborg-Hurley has lost twice. They both have something to prove and this is a game that they can try and get the state to take notice. Parker has beaten some of the best in the state at the Class B level (Irene-Wakonda and Canistota) and this needs to be another win in at that level. Viborg-Hurley feels a win over Parker could give them a big push into the end of the season.
Five. Central Back on Track? The preseason number on Aberdeen Central is .500 right now. Central has won three of four – although the wins were against under .500 teams – but to take the step they want to they need to avenge an earlier season loss to Brandon Valley (63-60 loss). Central has beat one team all year that has a winning record (Sturgis) so they need this win tonight. Brandon Valley has won 10 of 12 but they themselves have only beat two teams with a winning record (Watertown and O’Gorman). Important game for both.
And of course Saturday there is the DWU Classic at the Corn Palace which will grab the focus of the South Dakota basketball world.