2019 South Dakota State Tournament: The Midday Player Notes
It’s State Tournament Time in South Dakota and PHD took in several games early in the day. Here is our midday player notes.
Kobe Busch of Huron. When Kobe Busch exploded for the first 17 points of the game for Huron everybody got a look at that scoring explosion that has made him the top junior prospect in the state. His combo of soft touch with range along with a strong basket attack with quickness in a big body leads to big scoring potential.
Cooper Cornemann of Yankton. The 6-foot-1 junior woke up this morning with hot hands, he walked into the gym with burnt sleeves, made shots in warm-ups, made big shots all game, and scored 28 big points for the Bucks in their win over Huron. If he keeps shooting like this the words back to back are going to be talked about often.
Mitchell Goodbary of SF Christian. Mitch Goodbary walked where he wanted to today in the state tournament. The Sioux Falls Christian senior combined some soft short jumpers with a physical low post hammering to balanced position for 31 points and 12 boards. A 30 spot on the big stage is why Goodbary is one of the state’s big time players. What I love is that Mitchell scores as many of his points with the ball as he does moving actively without the ball.
Justin Hohn of Tea Area. The UC-Irvine signed PG is Mr. I Got It. As in Justin will take on whatever task he is given and work towards it to the extreme. Justin Hohn had 19 points, eight assists, seven boards, and seven steals in the Tea Area beating up of Dell Rapids.
Nick Hoyt of Harrisburg. You need a big time shot from a player in South Dakota? Nick Hoyt is on the short list of players you want taking that shot. His late game make countering Lincoln getting the lead late was most likely the biggest play of the game. A crucial make that only the tough minded shooters make.
Chase Mason of Viborg-Hurley. Chase is going to represent the Viborg-Hurley sophomores on this list because of his 6-foot-3 frame that led to four baskets including a late game two-hand dunk off a nasty two-foot leap that resulted in stares from the retreating opposition. Add in Gradee Sherman and Grant Mikkelsen and this is a team that is in good position now, and in the future.
Matthew Mors of Yankton. In half one Mors had 3 foul shots and no field goals. Half two was a different story with dribble separations becoming threes and open floor plays finished a foot and a half higher than the defenders from Huron. 18 points and win. Matthew will take it.
Brodee Sherman of Viborg-Hurley. The Viborg-Hurley senior put a Euro step finish on a White River player that I still can’t get over. It froze the defender to the point of concrete shoes. Sherman scored 31 points overall with five boards and five assists.
Blair Slaughter of Harrisburg. It’s hard to pick players out for Harrisburg because their halfcourt execution working together as a five man machine was why they beat Lincoln. But Slaughter’s skilled size was a key reason this offense works. He hit a key three early in the game that was the momentum builder and his passing, cuts, and big frame making those plays stood out.
Zach Witte of SF Christian. The 6-foot-7 junior big has caught the eyes of a lot of college scouts. This is a big guy that is light on his feet, runs well, and has some developing handles as well.