Class AA: First Look

Ryan James September 15, 2015 @ 05:30 PM

Class AA basketball in South Dakota is now at 17 teams with Sioux Falls Lincoln coming into December as the defending state champion. Who are the favorites this year? Who the top contenders? The teams on the outside looking in? PHD continues the First Look series with South Dakota’s big class of talent.<h2>Favorites</h2>SF O’Gorman. The favorite of many because they were so close to knocking off last years champions in that classic section semi-final not to mention the long list of returning talent. The seniors include three returning starters in Antonio Casiello, Ben Lauer, and Jack Peery plus Ethan French and Jimmy Burma have key roles. Let’s not forget D2 offered Matt Cartwright and JP Costello who will also have key roles. Definitely a deep team. SF Washington. Deng and Benson are gone Washington is like O’Gorman in that they have so much senior talent in big roles this year. Sam Siganos, Carter Keller, Ty Smith, and Matt Farniok all had big roles plus seniors Robert Speeks and Sam Gezehagne should be able to help as well as a few juniors. Between them and O’Gorman, it’s a tough pick for preseason number one. <h2>Top Contenders</h2>Pierre TF Riggs. Watch out for the combination of Erin Severyn and Brevin Kaiser. They have state experience, they played very well together this summer, and both are ready for big roles on a top team. Also like what Bradley Dean can bring this team. Watertown. Many consider Nate Davis to be the best player in the state coming into the year and it’s tough to disagree with that after a junior year of 19/4/3 and a strong spring and summer with the Schoolers. He is the leader and there are experienced players returning with him plus a solid junior class. Aberdeen Central. Central is our sleeper team to be in the title game. Why? They have players at every position with experience. Guards returning like Anthony Bachmeier and Cannon Hannigan plus Nathan Rook on the way up, talented bigs in TJ Allam and Cole Bergan, experienced role players, and a nice young forward named Jonah Dohrer. We are very high on Central with good reason. Huron. A state team with six experienced guys coming back, few teams can say that. Peyton Carr, Sam Carr, Trey Moeding, Greg Conrad, Hyland Heinz (all state tournament player), and one of our summer favorites, Tye Evers. That’s six deep that only three others in the state can match coming into the year. Yankton. They are short but the Bucks return three solid pieces from a year ago (Tanner Frick, Keenan LaCroix, and Brady Sorenson) and three guys who were injured a year ago including the team’s best player Reid Sawatzke. Reid is prepared to have a huge senior year and having Blake Sevey and Alex Withrow back helps a lot. SF Roosevelt. Tristan Techmeier and Tyler Van Voost are excellent forwards to lead the team while Jack Talley has the potential to have an excellent year. The frontcourt is very good, but the backcourt has question marks. There are veterans that have waited their turn and young players with a big future. <h2>They Have a Chance</h2>Brookings. Like the 1-2 punch of Isaac Brandt and Zach Treiber plus a junior group that is very good. Carter Holm and Josh Mohs are going junior guards. Good players that may eventually be able to match up with teams at most positions. Rapid City Stevens. Mason Archambault is one of the top players in state. Can he carry the team back to state? Depends on the development around him but if that does happen, Mason can put forth a big time season. SF Lincoln. The future for Dillon Barrow is very bright, Tommy Jensen is a decent senior post, and Carson Coulter as a junior guard will make them feel better. How good can they be? Tough to know because none of them played in the rotation for last year’s title team.