Season Preview: South Dakota Class A Predictions
A few weeks back we gave you a quick look at Class A in the state of South Dakota. Now here are my preseason Top 10 and predictions for all-state and state playoffs:
PRESEASON TOP 10:
1.) Tea – top player in the 2019 class plus a load of other juniors that all played last year on the way to the state title
2.) Madison – three very good players, runs-up finish last year
3.) SF Christian – Athletic and talented all along the perimeter
4.) Sioux Valley – Experience, talented and well balanced
5.) Aberdeen Roncalli – Experience and solid guard play
6.) Tri-Valley – State playoff qualifier last year and has good guard play
7.) Vermillion – one of the best guards in the entire state makes them tough
8.) St. Thomas More – very young but talented; will be there at the end
9.) Red Cloud – athletic, scoring backcourt; they’ll win games
10.) Dell Rapids – good post play and athletes on the perimeter
Class AA All-State Predictions:
1st team:
Noah Freidel – Tea
Zach Hanson – Sioux Valley
Aaron Fiegen – Madison
AJ Plitzuweit – Vermillion
Koln Oppold – SF Christian
2nd Team:
Dylan LeBrun – Flandreau
Justin Hohn – Tea
Gus Reede – Aberdeen Roncalli
Trevor Olson – Sioux Valley
Jaxon Janke – Madison
3rd Team:
Camden Bialas – Parker
Noah Jewett – Tri-Valley
Jeffrey Schuch – Dell Rapids
Aiden Bizarre – Red Cloud
Steven Fernholz – Miller
State Championship Prediction:
There will be great games in the sweet 16 round and some teams with good power points will have tough match-ups with teams from tougher regions. The favorites need to stay healthy and play well for them to advance. I think the defending champs, Tea, get knocked off before the final game. In the final I have Madison squaring off with Sioux Valley. I think Madison’s tempo and athleticism takes it in the end and is your 2018 Class A state champion.