Eastern SD Conferece Preview

Aberdeen CentralReturning Starters. Anthony Bachmeier (G, 12), T.J. Allam (PF, 12), Nick Goeman (PG, 12) Returning Bench Players. Cannon Hannigan (G, 11), Gabe Swanson (PG, 12), Cole Bergan (PF, 10) New Talent. Nathan Rook (PG, 10), Jonah Dohrer (SF, 10) Trending. Up Thoughts. This is a more talented team than we thought when we put up our initial top 10 for Class AA. You have an excellent backcourt in Bachmeier, Hannigan, and Goeman, talent up front in Bergan and Allam, experience, quality youth, and it looks like depth. We ranked them fourth coming into the year but they could be even better than that. Brandon Valley Returning Starters. Spencer Grage (6-5, F, 11), Alex Waltner (6-1, G, 11) Returning Bench Players. Carter Klatt (5-10, PG, 11), Riley Bennett (5-11, G, 12), Walter Kolbeck (6-0, SG, 11) New Talent. Zach Scholten (PF, 11), Brandon Larson (6-3, F, 11), Cooper Olthoff (6-5, F, 11) Trending. Down Thoughts. Very good sophomore class of players and they will win games with the group but being around .500 will be tough with few seniors and the top scorers graduating. Grage and Waltner do have a lot of game experience though. Brookings Returning Starters. Zach Treiber (5-10, PF, 12), Devin Coughlin (6-2, SG, 11), Isaac Brandt (6-5, PF/C, 12) Returning Bench Players. None New Talent. Carter Holm (6’0, PG, 11), Brennan Carlson (6’2, SF, 11), Josh Mohs (5’8, PG, 11) Trending. Up Thoughts. If we goofed on Central, then we really goofed on knowing the talent at Brookings. They bring back three of their starters and while the bench has graduated, the junior class brings even better replacements. After Brandt they aren’t the biggest group but we really like Treiber, Coughlin and Holm. Harrisburg Returning Starters. Wil Johnson (6-0, PG, 11), Justis Clayton (6-2, SF, 11), Returning Bench Players. Kain Kittleson (5-10, PG, 12), Conner Erickson (G, 12) New Talent. Justin Kolb (6'0, F, 10), Ethan Roth (6'4, C, 12) Trending. Up Thoughts. The Tigers had a tough winter but that is behind them and many returning players received experience. There are two or three returning talents that startered several games, others that started some, and PhD was a big fan of how Wil Johnson ran a team this summer especially when we saw him at the Hardwood Classic. Johnson an Justis Clayton are an excellent pair while Connor Erickson and Kain Kittleson are also experience guards/wings that will make them a better team. Huron Returning Starters. Sam Carr (6’2, SF, 12), Peyton Carr (6’0, PG, 12), Trey Moeding (PG, 12), Returning Bench Players. Greg Conrad (SF, 12), Tye Evers (6’5, PF, 11), Hyland Heinz (5’11, PG, 11) New Talent. Cole Korkow (6’0, SG, 11) Trending. Up Thoughts. Yes they made state last year but this was still a nine win team. With three starters back and two key reserves returning they should definitely be improved. Evers has a nice summer, Heinz laid the ground work for a big year, and of course the Carrs are key talents to what they do. Mitchell Returning Starters. None. Returning Bench Players. Jed Schmidt (5-11, PG, 11), Connor Morgan (6’2, SF, 11), Elijah Pommer (5-10, Pg, 11), Gray Determan (6’2, SF, 12), Wyatt Smith (6-6, C, 12) New Talent. Reed Overweg (6-1, PG, 11) Trending. Down Thoughts. The loss of Beau Brown is big, not to mention the team’s entire starting line-up has graduated. There are some guys that played last year off the bench including Wyatt Smith who is growing as a potential prospect. But with only a few seniors to lean on this could be a bridge year. Pierre TF Riggs Returning Starters. Erin Severyn (6’1, PG, 12), Brevin Kaiser (6’5, PF, 12), Returning Bench Players. Brad Dean (6’0, PG, 11), Trey Livermont (SF, 12), Clay Bush (12) New Talent. Peyton Zabel (6’2, SG, 10) Trending. Same Thoughts. They won 17 games a year ago and made a big impression led by the Severyn and Kaiser pair. We expect about the same amount of wins but for them to really take off they will need the role players from a year ago to step in and handle big roles. Watertown Returning Starters. Nate Davis (6’0, PG, 12). Alex Gauer (5’10, PG, 11) , Returning Bench Players. Bryce Leblanc (6-2, PF, 12), Spencer Waege (C, 12) New Talent. Corbin Chilson (6’5, PF, 10) Trending. Same Thoughts. They were around a .500 team last year and Nate Davis, considered by many to be the best player in state, he’s back but so many seniors have graduated. We expect them to improve by some games and likely get to state but in terms of making a serious run for, that to happen guys really need to step up around Davis. Yankton Returning Starters. Reid Sawatzke (6’0, PG, 12), Tanner Frick (5’11, SG, 12), Keenan LaCroix (6’3, F, 12) Returning Bench Players. Brady Sorenson (6’2, SF, 12), Nate Stephenson (6’1, G, 11) New Talent. Blake Savey (6’3, F, 12), Alex Withrow (6’2, F, 12) Trending. Same, maybe Up Thoughts. Tough to know the trend considering ths team had three guys fall to knee injuries last year that are back this season including Sawatzke who is their best player. Add in Frick, LaCroix, and Sorenson who had great years and Yankton could be very good this year. They were 14-9 and that record is definitely doable. They are a smaller team though.