The Weekend Menu – Hanson Classic is a Monster

It’s a big weekend of high school basketball in South Dakota. What are the top match-ups? We break it down in The Weekend Menu! Tasty Appetizer. It doesn’t get any better than the 4pm tip for Aberdeen Christian vs Waubay/Summit, a 4pm Friday clash! The Knights are a two loss squad looking to stay at the top of the Region 1 standings while the Mustangs are a one-loss squad looking to add a win over Aberdeen Christian to a resume that includes wins over Langford Area and Waverly-South Shore. Jackson Isakson Jackson Isakson 6'3" | SG Aberdeen Christian | 2023 State SD and Ethan Russell Ethan Russell 6'6" | PF Aberdeen Christian | 2023 State SD make up what could arguably be called the most dangerous sophomore duo in the state. Isakson is a 6-foot-3 wing while Russell is a 6-foot-5 big. Waubay/Summit has an impressive sophomore of their own in 6-foot-2 wing Jonathan Johnston Jonathan Johnston 6'2" | SF Waubay/Summit | 2023 State SD . Specials.  The Hanson Classic takes center stage this weekend and it’s a monster day of games. The contests of course are at the Corn Palace and all eyes – that like basketball – will be focused on what happens. Here is the line-up with our PHD team ranking attached. Corsica-Stickney vs. Clark/Willow Lake, 10am Hanson vs. Lyman, 11:30am (#10A) Chamberlain vs. (#2B) Viborg-Hurley, 1pm (#6A) St. Thomas More vs. (#7A) Tea Area, 2:30pm (#8B) White River vs. (#4B) Canistota, 4pm (#10B) Aberdeen Christian vs. (#3B) Howard, 5:30pm (#1B) De Smet vs. (#5B) Platte-Geddes, 7pm (#3A) Sioux Valley vs. (#1A) Dakota Valley, 8:30pm   Main Course. The main course this weekend is the six match-ups of ranked teams highlighted by the top teams in the state getting strong challenges. The match-ups for undefeated Platte-Geddes vs top ranked De Smet are excellent. Up front sophomore Damon Wilkinson Damon Wilkinson 6'9" | C De Smet | 2023 State SD will throw elbows in the paint with 6’5 Caden Foxley Caden Foxley 6'5" | PF Platte-Geddes | 2022 State SD . Tory Holland Tory Holland 6'2" | SF DeSmet | 2022 State SD and Ethan McCune Ethan McCune 6'1" | SF De Smet | 2021 State SD will team with Wilkinson in trying to limit Kelby VanDerWerff Kelby VanDerWerff 6'5" | PF Platte-Geddes | 2021 State SD while Panther guard Will Miller Will Miller 6'1" | SG Platte-Geddes | 2021 State SD will do his beast to lead the guard/wing defense of All State talent Kalen Garry Kalen Garry 6'3" | SG DeSmet | 2022 State SD . Throw in Rett Osthus Rett Osthus 6'0" | PG DeSmet | 2022 State SD for the Bulldogs and Brody Boltjes for Platte-Geddes and you have a court full of talent. Then you have undefeated Sioux Valley taking on undefeated Dakota Valley in what could be a game of the year candidate for the regular season. As a basketball fan this match-up has to make you giddy, just look at these match-ups! Kelton Vincent Kelton Vincent 6'0" | PG Sioux Valley | 2021 State SD (6’0 Sr, SV) vs Alex Zephier Alex Zephier 6'0" | PG Dakota Valley | 2021 State SD (6’0 Sr, DV) Colby Gatzke Colby Gatzke 6'0" | PG Sioux Valley | 2021 State SD (6’0 Sr, SV) vs Chayce Montagne Chayce Montagne 5'7" | PG Dakota Valley | 2021 State SD (5’7 Jr, DV) Oliver Vincent Oliver Vincent 6'1" | PG Sioux Valley | 2023 State SD (6’1 Soph SV) vs Isaac Bruns Isaac Bruns 6'5" | SG Dakota Valley | 2023 State SD (6’3 Soph, DV) Parker Puetz Parker Puetz 6'3" | SF Sioux Valley | 2022 State SD (6’3 Jr, SV) vs Paul Bruns Paul Bruns 6'4" | SG Dakota Valley | 2021 State SD (6’4 Sr, DV) Hayden Ruesink Hayden Ruesink 6'5" | SF Sioux Valley | 2022 State SD (6’5 Jr, SV) vs Jaxson Wingert (6’5 Fr, DV) This list is entertainment, competitive gold. You have two of the elite sophomores in the state who likely will have a chance to go against one another (O Vincent and I Bruns). Then you have their older brothers (K Vincent, and P Bruns) who are two of the best seniors in the state. Both will be challenged but both will lead their teams. There is also youth in the frontcourt both at 6-foot-5 but both are getting better. My ex-factors are Parker Puetz Parker Puetz 6'3" | SF Sioux Valley | 2022 State SD and what he can do on both ends.   Love this game for a lot of reasons.     Dessert. The Rapid City Central vs Sioux Falls Roosevelt game is one of the most important games of the weekend as well. After two losses to Washington and the upset loss to Huron, Roosevelt is starting to find their footing. In the last week they’ve beaten Brandon Valley and Harrisburg climbing to 5-3. On Friday they have Stevens and then on Saturday it’s the very tough Central squad. Central is also looking to build their resume. They are 7-2 but they only have one win over teams with a winning record (Stevens). Having lost to Mitchell and Aberdeen Central, RC Central has something to prove as well.