Region 3B – The Summer Breakdown (21-22)

<p>Next up in the Summer Breakdown, Region 3 in Class B.  Our very early predictions, preseason summary, and All Region Preseason Team. </p> <p><strong>Region 3 Predictions</strong></p> <ol> <li>De Smet</li> <li>Deubrook Area</li> <li>Wessington Springs</li> <li>Castlewood</li> <li>Arlington</li> <li>Wolsey-Wessington</li> <li>Estelline/Hendricks</li> <li>Hitchcock-Tulare </li> <li>James Valley Christian</li> <li>Lake Preston</li> <li>Wilmot</li> </ol> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Preseason All Region First Team</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="812196" first="Kalen" last="Garry"] (Sr.) of De Smet</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="812211" first="Rett" last="Osthus"] (Sr.) of De Smet</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="968167" first="Ryker" last="Erstad"] (Sr.) of Arlington</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="968169" first="Mason" last="Schelske"] (Sr.) of Wessington Springs</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="963785" first="Carson" last="Kirwan"] (Jr.) of Castlewood</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Preseason All Region Second Team</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="963766" first="Damon" last="Wilkinson"] (Jr.) of De Smet</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="968174" first="Tory" last="Holland"] (Sr.) of De Smet</p> <p>Andrew Trooien (Sr.) of Deubrook Area</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="968181" first="Nick" last="Bowne"] (Sr.) of Deubrook Area</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="968158" first="Tristan" last="Nielsen"] (Sr.) of Castlewood</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Preseason All Region Third Team</strong></p> <p>Braxton Saathoff (Jr.) of Estelline/Hendricks</p> <p>Blake Larson (Soph.) of Wessington Springs</p> <p>Lane Tvedt (Soph.) of Castlewood</p> <p>Sutton Fritz (Sr.) of Deubrook Area</p> <p>Carson Zomer (Sr.) of Wolsey-Wessington</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Preseason All Region Fourth Team</strong></p> <p>Jack Boomsma (Sr.) of Hitchcock-Tulare </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="963797" first="TJ" last="Salmen"] (Jr.) of Hitchcock-Tulare </p> <p>Landon Wagner (Jr.) of James Valley Christian</p> <p>Trey Jurgens (Sr.) of Wilmot</p> <p>Mason Shaw (Jr.) of Deubrook Area</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Preview</strong></p> <p>De Smet won a state title in 2021 and all eyes are on a repeat in 2022.  Is that too much pressure?  We don’t think so.  The Bulldogs went 25-1 on the year and they return the Class B Player of the Year ([player_tooltip player_id="812196" first="Kalen" last="Garry"]), two first team all league players (Garry and Rhett Osthus), and three starters overall (Garry, Osthus, [player_tooltip player_id="968174" first="Tory" last="Holland"]).  Throw in a great coaching staff and you can surely expect De Smet to be thinking about another title. </p> <p>The battle for second?  First we look at Wessington Springs, an 18-game winner last year.  Six of the top eight graduated but the two returning guys are starters: big man [player_tooltip player_id="968169" first="Mason" last="Schelske"], and outstanding young guard Blake Larson. The team on the Springs heels, is Deubrook Area.  The Dolphins won 15 games last year without a senior on their roster.  Deubrook Area took Wessington Springs to the wire in the playoffs (lost 39-42) and now will have the experience edge entering the season. </p> <p>Who may take a step back? Some will say Wessington Springs although if they don’t we don’t think much.  Wolsey-Wessington went 12-8 last year and lost five of their top six guys to graduation.  They could slip a bit.  Lake Preston won seven games last year and lost their best two players to graduation.  With limited upperclassmen experience on the roster this winter the Divers may have a lot of youth on the floor. </p> <p>Take a step forward?  Castlewood.  Guard [player_tooltip player_id="968158" first="Tristan" last="Nielsen"] and big [player_tooltip player_id="963785" first="Carson" last="Kirwan"] had great seasons in 2020-21 and will be even better this winter.  Add in four more Warriors returning from the line-up and Castlewood is on the up. Arlington should also be better with All League first teamer [player_tooltip player_id="968167" first="Ryker" last="Erstad"] returning to lead the team again. Estelline/Hendricks should also improve some. Hitchcock-Tulare should be better with most of their rotation back including size and a playmaker. JVC will also be better after their two best players were underclassmen last year. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>