Season Preview: South Dakota Class B Predictions
A few weeks back we gave you a quick look at Class B 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.) Bridgewater-Emery – two top 10 ranked players in 2019 class plus lots of experience back as defending champ
2.) Sully Buttes – good experience back from the team who finished 3rd at state last year
3.) Langford– Solid players and a good big that will build on a 5th place finish last season
4.) Clark/Willow Lake – Moves from Class A down to Class B with a couple of solid players and experience
5.) White River – Good guard play and tempo that will favor them as the 35 sec shot clock gets introduced this year
6.) Irene-Wakonda – Two very solid players and good athletes can help them in a tough region that includes B-E & Canistota
7.) Canistota– solid guard play and a transfer in from Parker will help them compete in a tough region (see above)
8.) Arlington – athletic, scoring backcourt; they’ll win games
9.) Colman-Egan – lots of younger players are a year older and have improved
10.) Corsica-Stickney – Solid players and good shooters will help
Class AA All-State Predictions:
1st team:
Sawyer Schultz – Bridgewater-Emery
Mason Larson – Langford
Lincoln Jordre – Sully Buttes
Devin Eppard – Chester Area
Jacob Prouty – Clark/Willow Lake
2nd Team:
Jharett Bloomenrader – Highmore-Harrold
Donnie Yackley – White River
Trey King – Irene-Wakonda
Jayd VanDerWerff – Gregory
Jamin Arend – Bridgewater-Emery
3rd Team:
Cordell Menning – Corsica-Stickney
Gage Gruenhagen – DeSmet
Jordan Lee – Canistota
Jacob Howard – Sully Buttes
Will Parry – Arlington
State Championship Prediction:
The 35 sec shot clock will favor some up-tempo and more experienced teams early on in the season which will help them gain power points for seeding later in the year. A couple regions are tougher than others and someone is going to be left out unfortunately (Regions 1, 2, 4, 5). Who ever does make it to the sweet 16, I think that a true “top 8” will be left in Aberdeen for the state tourney bracket. Bridgewater-Emery will have to overcome an injury already to start this season however their depth and talent should carry them to the final. I think that another guard oriented team manages to get to the final, which will be Clark/Willow Lake in their first season at Class B. Bridgwater-Emery wins it in the end behind Schultz and Arend and is your 2018 Class B Champion.