The South Dakota Tuesday Night Match-Up!

<p>What are South Dakota’s top games and who are the top players/prospects to know in this games? PHD gives you are a rundown before tip off.</p> <p><strong>#5 Howard at #1 De Smet</strong> (7:30c).  The gauntlet of a schedule that De Smet has put together continues with 5th ranked Howard coming to town for a top five showdown.  Both teams are battle tested with Howard having beaten White River and Chester Area, and De Smet knocking off St. Mary, Viborg-Hurley, and more.  Last year Howard and De Smet played a two score nail-bitter with the Bulldogs earning a 52-48 win.  [player_tooltip player_id="812196" first="Kalen" last="Garry"] was the difference in the game scoring 23.  De Smet also can use [player_tooltip player_id="963766" first="Damon" last="Wilkinson"]’s size up front to put length on Jace Sifore and maybe [player_tooltip player_id="975518" first="Sam" last="Aslesen"] as well. Not many teams can do that.  </p> <p>Featured Prospect Match-Up:<b> [player_tooltip player_id="975531" first="Tisyn" last="Spader"]</b> (6’4 Sr C of Howard) vs <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="812196" first="Kalen" last="Garry"]</strong> (6’3 Jr Guard of De Smet).</p> <p><strong>#5 Dell Rapids at #4 Sioux Falls Christian</strong> (7:30c).  One spot ahead.  We have had the Chargers a spot ahead all year starting with the Dak XII Preview and now continuing with that in the Class A rankings.  It’s a tiny margin and both teams are on a great path having beaten all of their Class A opponents so far.  We thought the Chargers had a slight edge in terms of depth and experience entering the season and we will hold to that, although this should be a close game.  Both squads have three impressive wins and a loss to a bigger school team.  </p> <p>Featured Prospect Match-Up:<b> [player_tooltip player_id="732203" first="Colin" last="Rentz"] </b>(6’0 Sr Guard of DR) vs <b>[player_tooltip player_id="975512" first="Xavier" last="Van Beek"]</b> (6’0 Sr Guard of SFC).</p> <p><strong>#6 Del Rapids-St. Mary at #7 Elkton-Lake Benton</strong> (6:00c).   The ranked team battles continue!  Love the guard match-up between Marcus Haming and [player_tooltip player_id="757827" first="Connor" last="Libis"] as playmakers for their teams.  Also, [player_tooltip player_id="975540" first="Matthew" last="Nibbe"] has led the Elks with his high percentage finishing but the Cards will send [player_tooltip player_id="975515" first="Max" last="Herber"] and [player_tooltip player_id="975607" first="Ashaun" last="Roach-Valandra"] to him meaning that high percentage double figure scoring will be tougher.  St. Mary won the game last year by a dozen and we think they earn the win again tonight. </p> <p>Featured Prospect Match-Up:<b> [player_tooltip player_id="975579" first="Marcus" last="Harming"] </b>(6’0 Sr Guard of ELB) vs <b>[player_tooltip player_id="757827" first="Connor" last="Libis"] </b>(5’9 Sr Guard of DR-SM).</p> <p><strong>#1 Dakota Valley at #9 West Central</strong> (7:45c).  West Central hasn’t played a close game yet.  Their 3-2 schedule shows the Trojans beating teams up, or getting bruised themselves.  Last year [player_tooltip player_id="732179" first="Paul" last="Bruns"] went for 35 on 15 of 21 shooting in this game and based on the run the Panthers are on now - beating South Dakota teams by an average of 30 points a game - this should be another big night for Bruns.  That said, West Central has a hard work, tough player in [player_tooltip player_id="975561" first="Derek" last="Eidsness"] who could keep this game interesting. </p> <p>Featured Prospect Match-Up:<b> [player_tooltip player_id="732179" first="Paul" last="Bruns"]</b> (6’4 Sr Guard of DV) vs <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="975561" first="Derek" last="Eidsness"]</strong> (6’2 Sr Guard of DV).</p> <p><strong>Lower Brule at #8 White River</strong> (5:00m).  The Tigers and Sioux have put together a fairly tough schedule to start their seasons.  Challenging themselves is big, respected, and needed.  They are challenging themselves again tonight and both squads could really use a victory.  With five losses combined a win tonight would be big for either squad.  This could be the most explosive offensive scoring game of the night. </p> <p>Featured Prospect Match-Up:<b> [player_tooltip player_id="968152" first="Keshaume" last="Thigh"]</b> (6’3 Jr Forward of LB) vs <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="963747" first="Joe" last="Sayler"]</strong> (6’3 Soph Guard of WR).</p>