Class A State: First Takeaway’s
Before the action begins, we go through our initial thoughts, the favorites and more. Check back later as we preview Thursday’s first-round matchups in Class A.
READ: State A Tournament Preview
First Thoughts: No one has an easy path to the title this year. Whether you are in the top half of the bracket or the bottom half. Tea Area looks to defend their title but would have to get past No. 4 seed Crow Creek in the first round. Then potentially play No. 1 seed Sioux Falls Christian and then whoever makes it out of the bottom half.
Favorites: Sioux Falls Christian is easily one of the favorites to cap off their undefeated season. If things go chalk, it would be a rematch of Sioux Falls Christian vs. Madison from earlier this season in which Sioux Falls Christian gave Madison their only loss of the season on Saturday night for the title. But in this tournament you can’t take any team lightly or else you will find your self on the other side of the bracket.
Cinderella: Dakota Valley has been flying under the radar the whole season, just like Tea Area last year when they surprised everyone by defeating Madison to win the title. Watch out for the first round upset of Sioux Valley and then a rematch of Madison vs. Dakota Valley. Tea Area at the fifth seed could be another surprise even though they are defending state champs. They would have to play two really good teams before even getting to the Saturday night matchup.
Names To Know: There have been some high scorers this season in Class A. Joey Sazue III from Crow Creek averages 24, Madison’s Aaron Fiegen averages 18, the Janke twins from Madison combine to average 27.5 points, Red Cloud’s Alejandro Rama averages 23, Sioux Valley’s Trevor Hanson averages 22, and Tea Area’s Noah Friedel averages about 25. If any of those teams want to make a run those guys have to be on their game.
Need To See Matchup: Dakota Valley vs. Sioux Valley. The rematch from last year’s Round of 16 where Dakota Valley upset Sioux Valley who was the No. 1 seed. The whole tournament is full of great potential matchups and rematch’s it’ll be fun to watch.
PICKS:
First Round: SF Christian, Tea Area, Madison, Dakota Valley
Semi-Finals: SF Christian, Madison
Finals: SF Christian