SD Region 2B: Player Watchlist

Here we go again, we have another player watchlist! In this article, we are looking at Region 2B in South Dakota. This Region has 10 teams and Miller is new this year as they just came down from A. It looks to be a 3 horse race for the top of Region 2B. Lower Brule, Potter County, and Ipswich are who I predict to be at the top. I give the slight edge to Lower Brule as the preseason favorite for 2B. Potter County and Ipswich could be fighting for the #2 spot. However, there are many other talented teams and it will be fun to see who steps up. Read below to see which players are on the watchlist... <h3>Region 2B Teams</h3> Faulkton Area Trojans, Herreid/Selby Area Wolverines, Highmore-Harrold Pirates, Ipswich Tigers, Lower Brule Sioux, Miller Rustlers, North Central Thunder, Potter County Battlers, Sully Buttes Chargers, Sunshine Bible Academy Crusaders. The Top Player in the Region? My prediction is [player_tooltip player_id="812205" first="Grant" last="Luikens"] or [player_tooltip player_id="968152" first="Keshaume" last="Thigh"]. <h3>2B Player Watchlist</h3> (alphabetically ordered) [player_tooltip player_id="1313354" first="Alex" last="Schumacher"] (2024) |5-10 G| Miller He is a pure shooter that can fill it up. Alex is always "on". His consistency allows him to score from nearly anywhere on the court. He might be young, but Alex already has a year of starting under his belt. The Rustlers are expecting him to boost his production in a big way this season. Look for his game to continue to evolve and improve. Bennett Cassens (2022) |5-7 G| Faulkton Area He might be under 6 feet, but he plays much bigger. Expect Bennett to put up impressive numbers in his senior year. He should have the green light to let it fly. Cassens can drain the deep ball and opposing teams will not want to leave him with much room to breathe. If they do, Bennett will make them pay. [player_tooltip player_id="963762" first="Brian" last="LaRoche Jr"] (2023) |6-0 G| Lower Brule He has to be considered one of the top PG’s in the Region. Brian looked good this summer with SD Attack and he competed against great competition. LaRoche is at his best when the game is going fast and he can push the tempo. His finishing against contact improved over the AAU campaign. Brian can score in a variety of ways and he has all the skills. He is also a coach and leader on the hardwood. [player_tooltip player_id="968179" first="Bryce" last="Beitelspacher"] (2022) |5-10 SF| North Central He will be one of the most physically strong players in all of Region 2B. Besides being a beast, Bryce can also shoot it effectively from the outside. Bryce does a nice job of attacking the basket with aggressiveness. When Beitelspacher boxes out, the opposing player will know it! He gets into them and is physical. That part of the game is a lost art in my opinion. Caden Gortmaker (2022) |5-10 G| Miller He sees the floor well and has good ball skills. Caden’s first step is quick and effective, this helps him get by defenders. When in the paint, Gortmaker can set up teammates or finish at the rim. He will have a strong senior season if he can control the ball and avoid turnovers. It will be interesting to see how the Rustlers fit into Class B ball. [player_tooltip player_id="968176" first="Cooper" last="Logan"] (2022) |6-1 G/F| Potter County An intense player that never slows down. Copper plays with confidence and intensity. He shoots it well and he gets hot in a hurry. Logan can score inside against the BIGS because of his discipline, positioning, and strength. His quickness and strength allow him to match up on defense with guards or forwards. Logan and Luikens will be a dynamic duo for the Battlers this year. [player_tooltip player_id="1311878" first="Gentry" last="Harrell"] (2025) |5-10 G| Miller This summer Gentry showed that he knows the game of basketball and he has a natural feel for the game. He fit in well with the upperclassman. Harrell may be raw this year, but most freshmen are. Gentry has a desire to get better and he has the passion, energy, and effort to improve. Expect Harrell to improve swiftly throughout the season. [player_tooltip player_id="812205" first="Grant" last="Luikens"] (2022) |6-3 G/F| Potter County He is a returning All-State Player for the Battlers. Grant is a pure scorer that produces consistently and he has the ability to go off for 30+ on any given night. Luikens gets it done at all 3 levels on the offensive end. He had a nice summer with the Schoolers and he should come into the season ready to tear it up. Can Luikens perform like an All-State Player again and propel Potter County into a late post-season run? Make sure you tune in this season to find out. [player_tooltip player_id="963794" first="Ian" last="Beyers"] (2023) |5-11 G| Ipswich He is equally effective at scoring from long range or from attacking and getting to the rim. In the last year, Ian has lived in the weight room and he has become stronger. This will no doubt help his finishing when in the paint. The Tigers love his competitiveness. Kadlec and Beyers will be a great one-two punch for Ipswich. [player_tooltip player_id="968152" first="Keshaume" last="Thigh"] 2022 |6-4 G| Lower Brule He is one of the more underrated players in SD and he will be a top player in Region 2B. He is a smooth kid that can score in a hurry. Keshaume had a nice summer with SD Attack and he is primed for a monster season with the Sioux. He is an even-keeled player that knows how to take care of business. Thigh will be an excellent rebounder and a crafty scorer. Lower Brule will be a fast-paced, fun, and exciting team to watch this season. [player_tooltip player_id="963811" first="Nolan" last="Triebwasser"] (2023) |6-0 G| Sunshine Bible Academy This junior will be the Captain for the Crusaders. Look for Nolan to be a leader on and off the court. He does everything asked of him and more. Last season Triebwasser led the Crusaders in points, rebounds, and assists. I would not expect that to change this season. Nolan’s numbers should only improve. Owen Fritzsche (2022) |6’5| Highmore-Harrold You know what he will bring every night, he is "Mr. Steady Eddie". Owen is a very reliable frontcourt player. His footwork and soft touch around the basket are two of his best attributes. Fritzsche is flexible and versatile, which allows him to play inside or outside. For a big man, he sees the floor well. He is also tough on the boards. Peyton McDonnel (2022) |5’ 10 G| Highmore-Harrold He will run the show for the Pirates. McDonnel is a true leader. Expect Peyton to get everyone involved in the offensive and to also provide a nice scoring punch of his own. When people look at his defense, they will be impressed. Peyton is a tenacious and quick on-ball defender. McDonnel can wreak havoc and give opposing guards a headache in a hurry. [player_tooltip player_id="1313426" first="Raynor" last="Sprague"] (2024) |6-0 G| North Central This young buck will run the point for the Thunder. He may be young, but Raynor’s passing ability and court vision are constantly improving. Sprague may run the point, but he is also a high-octane shooter from 3-point land. As his confidence grows, he has the potential to be an All-Region type player. [player_tooltip player_id="1313428" first="Tim" last="Rucker"] (2024) |6-5 F| North Central He is a lanky and lengthy player that can score in a variety of ways. Tim is good at creating his own shot and he has the potential to score in waves. Much like his fellow sophomore teammate, Tim will be a scary player as his confidence builds. Rucker is full of potential. [player_tooltip player_id="963842" first="Tray" last="Hettick"] (2023) |6-2 G| Herreid/Selby This kid is under the radar for sure. As a sophomore Tray averaged 16 ppg and 4 apg. I would expect those numbers to shoot up this year. Hettick has all the tools and skills. He can score from all over and Tray is a very good 3-point shooter. Make sure you get out and watch this junior play this winter. [player_tooltip player_id="963812" first="Trevor" last="Werdel"] (2023) |6-3 G/F| Miller This Rustler has the potential to be a matchup nightmare for opposing teams. Trevor has excellent all-around skills and a flexible game. He can do work in or out and score from the middle. Defenders will have to chase Trevor all over the court. Werdel will fill the stat sheets. However, what stands out is his hustle, physicality, grit, and leadership. Trey Knox (2023) |6-4 F| Highmore-Harrold He can get it done on both ends of the floor and also clean the glass. His length and athleticism will cause problems for opposing offenses. Knox has the potential to be a great rebounder. On offense, Trey can score from deep, hit pull-ups, and score around the basket. [player_tooltip player_id="968196" first="Ty" last="Kadlec"] (2022) |6-0 G| Ipswich He is a backcourt player that distributes and creates for others. Ty plays very unselfishly and he likes nothing more than setting his teammates up for a basket. He excels at on-ball defense. Since he has been in high school Ty has improved his shooting from beyond the 3-point arc every year. He has loads of varsity experience under his belt. It will be fun to see what this Tiger can do in his senior season.