The Dakota Valley Preview
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Some of the top Class B talent is in the Dakota Valley Conference. Today we preview the league in detail. Conference Commentary Arlington – With an all league player returning in Ryker Erstad Ryker Erstad 6'1" | PG Arlington…
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Continue ReadingSome of the top Class B talent is in the Dakota Valley Conference. Today we preview the league in detail.
Conference Commentary
Arlington – With an all league player returning in Ryker Erstad Ryker Erstad 6'1" | PG Arlington | 2022 State SD plus last year’s role playing juniors stepping into bigger roles as seniors, Arlington should still be good. 20-win good again? We shall see.
Colman-Egan – The Hawks sere a senior dominated squad a season ago that went .500. They are now a very young team that will need time to fill the roles and be as competitive as they need to be.
Dell Rapids St. Mary – The Cards lost some games last year that ate at them all off-season long. With all of their top pieces back and another one transferring in, the Cards have big dreams this winter. They are off to a good start crushing Mitchell Christian in game one.
De Smet – The Bulldogs were 22-2 in 20219-20 and they have biggest impact guys back for another run at the state title. They’ve blown out Deubrook and Clark/Willow Lake already and will be looking to avenge last year’s two losses. This is the best team in Class B basketball entering the season.
Deubrook Area – The Dolphins won 7 games last season and bring back their best two players. Another step forward is expected and this is a team without a senior on the roster.
Elkton-Lake Benton – The Elks have four starters back from a 16 win club and two of those players were all league talents including first team all Dakota Valley player Matthew Nibbe Matthew Nibbe 6'4" | PF Elkton-Lake Benton | 2021 State SD .
Estelline/Hendricks – Won just six games last season. Picked up a nice win to start the season but with few key guys to replace they will be right around the same spot.
Lake Preston – The Divers went 11-13 last year and have their best players back for their senior season. Tough start losing to ORR by 20 in the opener but they should be better than last year.
Oldham-Ramona/Rutland – A full court pressuring squad that has two of their best players back from last season and they are off to a 2-0 start with a pair of 20 win area victories.
Dakota Valley Predictions
- De Smet
- Dell Rapids St. Mary
- Arlington
- Elkton-Lake Benton
- Oldham-Ramona/Rutland
- Lake Preston
- Deubrook Area
- Colman-Egan
- Estelline/Hendricks
Dakota Valley Preseason All Conference
First Team
Ryker Erstad Ryker Erstad 6'1" | PG Arlington | 2022 State SD of Arlington (Jr)
Kalen Garry Kalen Garry 6'3" | SG De Smet | 2022 State SD of DeSmet (Jr)
Connor Libis Connor Libis 5'9" | PG Dell Rapids-St. Mary | 2021 State SD of Dell Rapids St. Mary (Sr)
Matthew Nibbe Matthew Nibbe 6'4" | PF Elkton-Lake Benton | 2021 State SD of Elkton-Lake Benton (Sr)
Rett Osthus Rett Osthus 6'0" | PG DeSmet | 2022 State SD of DeSmet (Jr)
Second Team
Mason Bunker of Arlington (Sr)
Jasper Denison Jasper Denison 6'3" | SF Lake Preston | 2021 State SD of Lake Preston (Sr)
Max Herber Max Herber 6'4" | PF Dell Rapids-St. Mary | 2021 State SD of Dell Rapids St. Mary (Sr)
Tory Holland Tory Holland 6'2" | SF De Smet | 2022 State SD of DeSmet (Jr)
Sam Palmer of Dell Rapids St. Mary (Sr)
Third Team
Nick Bowne Nick Bowne 6'2" | SF Deubrook | 2022 State SD of Deubrook (Jr)
Marcus Harming Marcus Harming 6'0" | SG Elkton-Lake Benton | 2021 State SD of Elkton-Lake Benton (Sr)
Will Matson Will Matson 6'2" | SG Oldham-Ramona/Rutland | 2022 State SD of Oldham-Ramona/Rutland (Jr)
Ethan McCune Ethan McCune 6'1" | SF De Smet | 2021 State SD of De Smet (Sr)
Ashaun Roach-Valandra Ashaun Roach-Valandra 6'3" | PF Todd County | 2021 State SD of Dell Rapids St. Mary (Sr)
Fourth Team
Orion Albertson of Oldham-Ramona/Rutland (Jr)
Riley Benning Riley Benning 6'0" | PG Estellline/Hendricks | 2021 State SD of Estelline/Hendricks
Cody Cavanaugh of De Smet (Sr)
Mason Gaumer of Elkton-Lake Benton (Sr)
Austin Gullickson of Colman-Egan (Sr)
Fifth Team
Aiden Erickson of Elkton-Lake Benton (Sr)
Carter Malone of Lake Preston (Sr)
Andrew Tooien of Deubrook Area (Jr)
Isaac Trygstad of Oldham-Ramona/Rutland (Jr)