SD Class A Power Rankings – A Bit Too Early
In this article:
Here we have the first Power Rankings for Class A in SD. We have a loaded group and there are some great teams that did not make the list. Two months from now basketball will be the only thing hoop…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingHere we have the first Power Rankings for Class A in SD. We have a loaded group and there are some great teams that did not make the list. Two months from now basketball will be the only thing hoop lovers will be thinking about. Let’s look at the South Dakota Class A Power Rankings.
1. Tea Area
They will be a very battled-tested team as they play a difficult schedule. Tea will play multiple AA schools. The Titans have a 3-headed monster with Lundin, Worth, and Thompson. All three of these guards can drill dagger 3-pointers. Lundin is one of the best offensive players in all of South Dakota. The Titans have the size and athletes to match up with anyone. They are also a well-coached team.
Top Players
Cael Lundin Cael Lundin 6'3" | SG Tea Area | 2022 State SD (2022) |6-3 G|
Jeff Worth Jeff Worth 5'11" | PG Tea | 2022 State SD (2022) |6-0 G|
Alex Pies Alex Pies 6'0" | SF Tea | 2022 SD (2022) |6-3 F|
Cole Schilling Cole Schilling 6'9" | PF Tea Area | 2022 State SD (2022) |6-8 F|
Blake Thompson Blake Thompson 5'11" | PG Tea Area | 2023 State SD (2023) |6-0 G|
Reis Kirschenman Reis Kirschenman 6'5" | C Tea Area | 2023 State SD (2023) |6-3 F|
Jonah Kocer Jonah Kocer 6'1" | PG Tea Area | 2023 State SD (2023) |6-1 G|
2. Sioux Valley
Vincent is a complete stud with Division-1 talent. They also have rim protectors, rebounders, and scoring inside with Ruesink and Squires. Carey is the Cossacks 3-point sniper who will stretch the floor. Puetz is their do-it-all work-horse athlete. Christopherson and Danzien will provide depth and senior leadership. SV will be a very tough team.
Top Players
Hayden Ruesink Hayden Ruesink 6'5" | SF Sioux Valley | 2022 State SD (2022) |6-5 F|
Parker Puetz Parker Puetz 6'3" | SF Sioux Valley | 2022 State SD (2022) |6-4 F|
Oliver Vincent Oliver Vincent 6'1" | PG Sioux Valley | 2023 State SD (2023) |6-1 G|
Patrick Carey Patrick Carey 6'0" | SG Sioux Valley | 2023 State SD (2023) |5-10 G|
Alec Squires Alec Squires 6'10" | C Sioux Valley | 2024 State #280 Nation SD (2024) |6-10 F|
Hudsyn Ruesink Hudsyn Ruesink 6'5" | SF Sioux Valley | 2024 State SD (2024) |6-1 G|
3. Dakota Valley
Bruns is an unreal talent for the Panthers. He is a very gifted player that will put up eye-popping numbers, he also makes everyone around him better. Rosenquist is another key player for DV. He will be a difference-maker on the defensive end. Look for the Panther’s young talent to make a splash as well.
Top Players
Isaac Bruns Isaac Bruns 6'4" | SG Dakota Valley | 2023 State SD (2023) |6-3 G|
Randy Rosenquist Randy Rosenquist 6'0" | PG Dakota Valley | 2023 State SD (2023) |5-11 G|
Jaxson Wingert Jaxson Wingert 6'7" | PF Dakota Valley | 2024 State SD (2024) |6-6 F|
4. Sioux Falls Christian
They are the reigning champs. The Chargers do not rebuild, they reload every year. Nelson will be their bell cow and most talented player. Koole will contest shots and board up with his length. He can also score around the basket and hit the outside jumper.
Top Players
Brooks Nelson Brooks Nelson 6'3" | SF SF Christian | 2022 State SD (2022) |6-3 F|
Nathan Koole Nathan Koole 6'8" | C SF Christian | 2022 State SD (2022) |6-8 C|
Tate Snyder Tate Snyder 6'0" | PG Sioux Falls Christian | 2023 State SD (2023) |5-11 G|
5. St. Thomas More
The Cavaliers will be able to put up plenty of points with their talented shooters. They also play tough team defense. Hollenbeck will be the star player for STM. Green will be an important piece of the puzzle for the Cavaliers as well.
Top Players
Cade Kandolin Cade Kandolin 5'10" | PG St. Thomas Moore | 2022 State SD (2022) |5-11 G|
Caleb Hollenbeck Caleb Hollenbeck 6'3" | PG St. Thomas More | 2023 State SD (2023) |6-2 G|
Will Green Will Green 6'1" | PG St. Thomas More | 2023 State SD (2023) |6-0 G|
Matt Larson Matt Larson 6'0" | SF St. Thomas More | 2023 State SD (2023) |6-1 F|
6. Flandreau
Lunday is the big name and big man for the Fliers. He is a beast inside that will produce big numbers night in and night out. LeBrun is another force to be reckoned with. Expect this one-two punch to be a tough matchup for everybody.
Top Players
Tash Lunday Tash Lunday 6'5" | PF Flandreau | 2022 State SD (2022) |6-6 F|
Chase LeBrun Chase LeBrun 6'5" | SG Flandreau | 2022 State SD (2022) |6-3 G|
7. West Central
They are a stout team defensively that will bring it every night. WC is a very deep team that can rotate 9-10 players and wear down opposing teams.
8. Vermillion
They may be the best defensive team in Class A. The Tanagers have one of the best coaches in South Dakota. Jensen will be a great player and offensive threat for Vermillion. Ward should be back from injury and will provide a nice scoring option.
Top Players
Jake Jensen Jake Jensen 6'1" | SG Vermillion | 2022 State SD (2022) |6-2 G|
9. Hanson
They may come into the season a bit under some people’s radar, but the Beavers will be a gritty and skilled team. Price and Cheeseman will be the players that get the most attention. The Beavers will be a hard-working and frightening team.
Top Players
Noah Price Noah Price 6'6" | PF Hanson | 2022 State SD (2022) |6-4 F|
Ethan Cheeseman Ethan Cheeseman 6'4" | SF Hanson | 2023 State SD (2023) |6-4 F|
Jayce Slaba Jayce Slaba 6'0" | CG Hanson | 2024 State SD (2024) |5-7 G|
Isayah Price Isayah Price 6'6" | PF Hanson | 2024 State SD (2024) |6-3 F|
10. Beresford
A team that will play with great energy and is full of hard-nosed players. VanOtterloo is a dynamic playmaker that can produce buckets in a hurry. Tjaden will be a solid post presence and a double-double guy. Richards will keep the defense honest by nailing triples. The Watchdogs will be a team to keep an eye on all season.
Top Players
Isaiah Richards Isaiah Richards 5'11" | PG Beresford | 2022 State SD (2022) |5-11 G|
Ashton Tjaden Ashton Tjaden 6'4" | SF Beresford | 2022 State SD (2022) |6-5 F|
Tate VanOtterloo Tate VanOtterloo 6'5" | SF Beresford | 2023 SD (2023) |6-4 F|
10. Tiospa Zina
They will be an active and electric team. The Wambdi should score points fast and furious. TZ has a loaded sophomore class.