SD Class A Power Rankings – A Bit Too Early

<p>Here we have the first Power Rankings for Class A in SD. We have a loaded group and there are some great teams that did not make the list. Two months from now basketball will be the only thing hoop lovers will be thinking about. Let’s look at the South Dakota Class A Power Rankings. </p> <h2><strong>1. Tea Area</strong></h2> <p>They will be a very battled-tested team as they play a difficult schedule. Tea will play multiple AA schools. The Titans have a 3-headed monster with Lundin, Worth, and Thompson. All three of these guards can drill dagger 3-pointers. Lundin is one of the best offensive players in all of South Dakota. The Titans have the size and athletes to match up with anyone. They are also a well-coached team. </p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Top Players</strong></span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="812209" first="Cael" last="Lundin"] (2022) |6-3 G|</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="968157" first="Jeff" last="Worth"] (2022) |6-0 G|</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="968219" first="Alex" last="Pies"] (2022) |6-3 F|</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1142658" first="Cole" last="Schilling"] (2022) |6-8 F|</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="963779" first="Blake" last="Thompson"] (2023) |6-0 G|</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1227966" first="Reis" last="Kirschenmen"] (2023) |6-3 F|</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1265485" first="Jonah" last="Kocer"] (2023) |6-1 G|</strong></p> <h2><strong>2. Sioux Valley</strong></h2> <p>Vincent is a complete stud with Division-1 talent. They also have rim protectors, rebounders, and scoring inside with Ruesink and Squires. Carey is the Cossacks 3-point sniper who will stretch the floor. Puetz is their do-it-all work-horse athlete. Christopherson and Danzien will provide depth and senior leadership. SV will be a very tough team. </p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Top Players</strong></span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="812212" first="Hayden" last="Ruesink"] (2022) |6-5 F|</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="968190" first="Parker" last="Puetz"] (2022) |6-4 F|</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="963744" first="Oliver" last="Vincent"] (2023) |6-1 G|</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1280262" first="Patrick" last="Carey"] (2023) |5-10 G|</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1266223" first="Alec" last="Squires"] (2024) |6-10 F|</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1266229" first="Hudsyn" last="Ruesink"] (2024) |6-1 G|</strong></p> <h2><strong>3. Dakota Valley</strong></h2> <p>Bruns is an unreal talent for the Panthers. He is a very gifted player that will put up eye-popping numbers, he also makes everyone around him better. Rosenquist is another key player for DV. He will be a difference-maker on the defensive end. Look for the Panther’s young talent to make a splash as well. </p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Top Players</strong></span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="963742" first="Isaac" last="Bruns"] (2023) |6-3 G|</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="963787" first="Randy" last="Rosenquist"] (2023) |5-11 G|</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1270366" first="Jaxson" last="Wingert"] (2024) |6-6 F|</strong></p> <h2><strong>4. Sioux Falls Christian</strong></h2> <p>They are the reigning champs. The Chargers do not rebuild, they reload every year. Nelson will be their bell cow and most talented player. Koole will contest shots and board up with his length. He can also score around the basket and hit the outside jumper.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Top Players </strong></span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="968155" first="Brooks" last="Nelson"] (2022) |6-3 F|</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="812203" first="Nathan" last="Koole"] (2022) |6-8 C|</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="963777" first="Tate" last="Snyder"] (2023) |5-11 G|</strong></p> <h2><strong>5. St. Thomas More</strong></h2> <p>The Cavaliers will be able to put up plenty of points with their talented shooters. They also play tough team defense. Hollenbeck will be the star player for STM. Green will be an important piece of the puzzle for the Cavaliers as well.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Top Players</strong></span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="812202" first="Cade" last="Kandolin"] (2022) |5-11 G|</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="963754" first="Caleb" last="Hollenbeck"] (2023) |6-2 G|</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="963753" first="Will" last="Green"] (2023) |6-0 G|</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="963802" first="Matt" last="Larson"] (2023) |6-1 F|</strong></p> <h2><strong>6. Flandreau</strong></h2> <p>Lunday is the big name and big man for the Fliers. He is a beast inside that will produce big numbers night in and night out. LeBrun is another force to be reckoned with. Expect this one-two punch to be a tough matchup for everybody.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Top Players</strong></span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="812206" first="Tash" last="Lunday"] (2022) |6-6 F|</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="968217" first="Chase" last="LeBrun"] (2022) |6-3 G|</strong></p> <h2><strong>7. West Central</strong></h2> <p>They are a stout team defensively that will bring it every night. WC is a very deep team that can rotate 9-10 players and wear down opposing teams. </p> <h2><strong>8. Vermillion</strong></h2> <p>They may be the best defensive team in Class A. The Tanagers have one of the best coaches in South Dakota. Jensen will be a great player and offensive threat for Vermillion. Ward should be back from injury and will provide a nice scoring option. </p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Top Players</strong></span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="968197" first="Jake" last="Jensen"] (2022) |6-2 G|</strong></p> <h2><strong>9. Hanson</strong></h2> <p>They may come into the season a bit under some people's radar, but the Beavers will be a gritty and skilled team. Price and Cheeseman will be the players that get the most attention. The Beavers will be a hard-working and frightening team.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Top Players</strong></span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1273980" first="Noah" last="Price"] (2022) |6-4 F|</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="963772" first="Ethan" last="Cheeseman"] (2023) |6-4 F|</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1266235" first="Jayce" last="Slaba"] (2024) |5-7 G|</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1266236" first="Isayah" last="Price"] (2024) |6-3 F|</strong></p> <h2><strong>10. Beresford</strong></h2> <p>A team that will play with great energy and is full of hard-nosed players. VanOtterloo is a dynamic playmaker that can produce buckets in a hurry. Tjaden will be a solid post presence and a double-double guy. Richards will keep the defense honest by nailing triples. The Watchdogs will be a team to keep an eye on all season. </p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Top Players</strong></span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="968203" first="Isaiah" last="Richards"] (2022) |5-11 G|</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="812215" first="Ashton" last="Tjaden"] (2022) |6-5 F|</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1265477" first="Tate" last="VanOtterloo"] (2023) |6-4 F|</strong></p> <h2><strong>10. Tiospa Zina</strong></h2> <p>They will be an active and electric team. The Wambdi should score points fast and furious. TZ has a loaded sophomore class.</p>