The ESD Preview

<p>The Eastern South Dakota Conference takes center stage in the conference previews here on opening day.  What does the ESD look like this season?  PHD breaks it down. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Conference Commentary</strong></p> <p>Aberdeen Central - The program turns to the juniors after losing a talented frontcourt.  It will take some time to gel but by the end of the 2022 group could have them playing everybody tough. </p> <p>Brandon Valley – Two years ago the Lynx won a state title two years ago, they were a top five squad last year looking for a repeat, and now they have three of their top six back looking for more gold. </p> <p>Brookings - Only two wins a season ago and expectations for this season are centered [player_tooltip player_id="975541" first="Nick" last="Schefers"] and a few others ready to make their impact. </p> <p>Harrisburg - With four starters back, an impact transfer, a bigger line-up, and a few starting level guys likely to come off the bench, Harrisburg is deep with talent. Last year was up and down but they had some key wins like the victories over Brandon Valley and O’Gorman.</p> <p>Huron - It wouldn’t be fair to have the same expectations as a team that was stacked with future college basketball players leading the team to the #1 spot in the state before play was shut down.  Give them some time. </p> <p>Mitchell - This is a year they take another step and it could be a big step.  Guard play is solid while the frontcourt of [player_tooltip player_id="812199" first="Caden" last="Hinker"] and [player_tooltip player_id="975543" first="Zane" last="Alm"] could be special.  </p> <p>Pierre T.F. Riggs - A one win team from last year they should improve but the question is, how much?  They are still relatively young with only five upperclassmen. </p> <p>Yankton - Two senior starters were lost but there are sophomores ready to step right into their spots while the three junior starters are now senior starters.  And that of course includes [player_tooltip player_id="732175" first="Matthew" last="Mors"].  Everybody is watching to see if he ends his career with a state title we think there’s a good chance that happens. </p> <p>Watertown - Lost four starters from a 9-12 team.  I think they will be competitive but I don’t think they will win as many games this season. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>ESD Predictions</strong></p> <ol> <li>Yankton</li> <li>Brandon Valley</li> <li>Harrisburg</li> <li>Mitchell</li> <li>Aberdeen Central</li> <li>Huron</li> <li>Watertown</li> <li>Pierre</li> <li>Brookings</li> </ol> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>ESD Preseason All Conference</strong></p> <p><em>First Team</em></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="975505" first="Conner" last="Geddes"] of Harrisburg (Sr)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="975499" first="Jackson" last="Hilton"] of Brandon Valley (Sr)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="812199" first="Caden" last="Hinker"] of Mitchell (Jr)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="732175" first="Matthew" last="Mors"] of Yankton (Sr).</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="975537" first="Hayden" last="Muirhead"] of Harrisburg (Sr)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Second Team</em></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="975543" first="Zane" last="Alm"] of Mitchell (Sr)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="975511" first="Jay" last="Jurgens"] of Brandon Valley (Sr)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="975513" first="Joe" last="Kolbeck"] of Brandon Valley (Sr)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="975581" first="Blaze" last="Lubbers"] of Harrisburg (Sr)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="812217" first="Andrew" last="Walter"] of Harrisburg (Jr)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Third Team</em></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="968156" first="Noah" last="Behrends"] of Aberdeen Central (Jr)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="963751" first="Lincoln" last="Kienholz"] of Pierre (Soph)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="963743" first="Michael" last="Mors"] of Yankton (Soph)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="975538" first="Brayden" last="Phipps"] of Harrisburg (Sr)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="879124" first="Derick" last="Siemonsma"] of Huron (Sr)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Fourth Team</em></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="975548" first="Aidan" last="Feser"] of Yankton (Sr)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="975527" first="Aydin" last="Lloyd"] of Brandon Valley (Sr)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="968173" first="Drew" last="Norberg"] of Watertown (Jr)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="968162" first="Alec" last="Voegele"] of Aberdeen Central (Jr)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="975551" first="Dawson" last="Schmidt"] of Watertown (SR)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>