A Bit Too Early SD Class A Power Rankings
In this article:
It’s football season, but we talk hoops all year long! Let’s look at the Power Rankings for the always tough Class A in South Dakota. This is our first sort-through of Class A basketball in SD for the 2022-23 season.…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingIt’s football season, but we talk hoops all year long! Let’s look at the Power Rankings for the always tough Class A in South Dakota.
This is our first sort-through of Class A basketball in SD for the 2022-23 season. We will have another Power Ranking update late in the fall before the season beings. See below for the Top 10 in A. Further below, we made a list of teams that are on the bubble from being in the Top 10.
POWER RANKINGS
#1. Dakota Valley
2021-2022 Record: 26-0 (State Champions)
Team Comments: They will be coming off the perfect season w/ the majority of the team back. A very well-coached team.
They have a D1 player with Bruns and one of the best PG’s in SD with Rosenquist. Those two are as good as it gets.
Wingert will be one of the toughest BIGs in Class A and Hennies is the BEST 4th option in Class A.
Hennies and Faldmo are not the big names but they will be crucial to another deep playoff run for DV.
The Panthers move the ball well, play smart defense, and execute on offense like neurosurgeons.
Key Players: Isaac Bruns Isaac Bruns 6'4" | SG Dakota Valley | 2023 State SD , Randy Rosenquist Randy Rosenquist 6'0" | PG Dakota Valley | 2023 State SD , Jaxson Wingert Jaxson Wingert 6'7" | PF Dakota Valley | 2024 State SD , Jaxon Hennies Jaxon Hennies 6'1" | SG Dakota Valley | 2023 State SD , Sam Faldmo Sam Faldmo 6'4" | SF Dakota Valley | 2023 State SD , Logan Collette Logan Collette 5'11" | SG Dakota Valley | 2025 State SD , Luke Bruns Luke Bruns 6'2" | SG Dakota Valley | 2025 State SD .
#2. St. Thomas More
2021-2022 Record: 23-3 (3rd place at State)
Team Comments: They are led by one of the best coaches in SD, David Hollenbeck.
The Cavaliers are likely the most disciplined team in SD. When they win a 4pt game it is like a 10pt win for other teams.
STM plays stout, stiff, and persistent defense. Easy buckets do not come very often against the resilient Cavs.
Hollenbeck is one of the top guards in SD regardless of class. Everything will run through him on the offensive end.
Key Players: Caleb Hollenbeck Caleb Hollenbeck 6'3" | PG St. Thomas More | 2023 State SD , Will Green Will Green 6'1" | PG St. Thomas More | 2023 State SD , Matt Larson Matt Larson 6'0" | SF St. Thomas More | 2023 State SD , Jordan Uhlir Jordan Uhlir 6'6" | PF White River | 2024 State SD , JD Green JD Green 6'0" | PG Rapid City Stevens | 2025 State SD
#3. Sioux Valley
2021-2022 Record: 20-6 (2nd place at State)
Team Comments: Led by the legendary Bill Vincent who has forgotten more about basketball than most hope to know.
Vincent is one of the elite PG’s in the Dakotas, a tough shot maker, takes a ton of charges, an artist w/ the ball & a winner.
Squires is likely the best 5-man in Class A and a potential D1 player. Carey is a lights-out shooter & gamechanger from 3.
The Cossacks lose a good amount of talent but Sioux Valley does not rebuild, they reload!
Key Players: Oliver Vincent Oliver Vincent 6'1" | PG Sioux Valley | 2023 State SD , Alec Squires Alec Squires 6'10" | C Sioux Valley | 2024 State #280 Nation SD , Patrick Carey Patrick Carey 6'0" | SG Sioux Valley | 2023 State SD , Maverick Nelson Maverick Nelson 6'3" | SG Sioux Valley | 2025 State SD , Hudsyn Ruesink Hudsyn Ruesink 6'5" | SF Sioux Valley | 2024 State SD , Connor Gross, Kyler Bezdichek, Brock Christopherson.
4. Lennox
2021-2022 Record: 16-6 (Lost in Region semi)
Team Comments: Ihnen is obviously a special player, he has an offer on the table from SDSU for hoops.
Ihnen will be one of the most dangerous offensive players in SD. He can flat-out score the rock, also a great rebounder.
Eich is an excellent 3pt shooter. Plank is a catalyst and a creative slasher. Diercks is a jack-of-all-trades. Scary team!
Key Players: Porter Ihnen Porter Ihnen 6'5" | CG Lennox | 2024 State #318 Nation SD , Conner Eich Conner Eich 6'3" | SF Lennox | 2023 State SD , Jaxon Plank Jaxon Plank 6'1" | SG Lennox | 2023 State SD , Talan Diercks Talan Diercks 5'10" | CG Lennox | 2024 SD
#5. Dell Rapids
2021-2022 Record: 15-8 (Lost in Region semi)
Team Comments: The Quarriers have a 1st-year head coach with Ty Hoglund.
Pankonen is one of the most entertaining players to watch in SD. Sharp-shooting lefty spark plug, pesky defender, special!
Kloth transferred in, he will be an X-factor. Rim-protector, rebounder, physical around the basket. Had a nice summer.
This squad is certainly one of the most talented in Class A!
Key Players: Brayden Pankonen Brayden Pankonen 5'11" | PG Dell Rapids | 2023 State SD , Camden Justice Camden Justice 6'4" | SF Dell Rapids | 2023 State SD , Jack Henry, Rhett Kloth Rhett Kloth 6'9" | C Dell Rapids | 2024 State SD , Tad Tjaden Tad Tjaden 6'6" | SF Dell Rapids | 2025 State SD
#6. Sioux Falls Christian
2021-2022 Record: 16-10 (5th place at State)
Team Comments: They seem to be another team that does not rebuild, they just reload and do it all over again.
This program knows how to get to the State Tournamnet, they win in March when it really matters.
Bruns is one of the more underrated players in SD. He is a long athlete that will do big things this season.
Snyder is a solid PG that will run the show. SFC has talented young shooters that will make some noise.
Key Players: Tate Snyder Tate Snyder 6'0" | PG Sioux Falls Christian | 2023 State SD , Ethan Bruns Ethan Bruns 6'5" | SF Sioux Falls Christian | 2023 State SD , Cole Snyder Cole Snyder 6'0" | CG Sioux Falls Christian | 2025 State SD , Griffen Goodbary Griffen Goodbary 6'10" | PF Sioux Falls Christian | 2025 State SD , Britton Mulder Britton Mulder 6'2" | SG Sioux Falls Christian | 2025 State SD
#7. Winner
2021-2022 Record: 23-3 (6th place at State)
Team Comments: They lost plenty of talent but they bring back a really nice core as well.
Volmer is going to be a complete stud again. He was First Team All-State last season.
Hammerbeck is a big strong athlete and he will be a man-child around the basket.
The Warriors play team basketball, share the rock, and play a quality brand of basketball.
They will have athletes, size, experience, and an unselfish group of players.
Key Players: Blake Volmer Blake Volmer 6'0" | CG Winner | 2023 State SD , Ethan Bartels Ethan Bartels 6'2" | PF Winner | 2023 State SD , Shawn Hammerbeck Shawn Hammerbeck 6'7" | PF Winner | 2025 State SD , Aiden Barfuss, Ryder Halligan, Chaz Blotsky, Pierce Nelson.
#8. Lakota Tech
2021-2022 Record: 15-9 (8th place at State)
Team Comments: They bring back a nice group of ballers. The Tatanka will have size and shooters.
After last season, they know what it takes to get to the Big Dance. Get ready for a repeat!
Whirlwind Horse has good size & he can score from all levels. Expect them to play a fast & entertaining brand of hoops.
The Tatanka will have a nice backcourt with skill all over the place. Means and Richard can really shoot it from deep.
Key Players: Quincy Means Quincy Means 5'9" | PG Red Cloud | 2023 SD , Jordan Whirlwind Horse Jordan Whirlwind Horse 6'4" | SF Lakota Tech | 2023 State SD , Jamiah Bianis, Marvin Richard III Marvin Richard III 6'2" | CG Pine Ridge | 2026 State SD .
#9. Hamlin
2021-2022 Record: 15-7 (Lost in Region semi)
Team Comments: They are led by one of the best in the business, Todd Neuendorf.
The Chargers bring almost everyone back, they only lost 1 player from last year’s squad.
They will still be a youthful team but these young bloods got plenty of experience last season.
Neuendorf & Stevenson will be a constant headache for opposing teams. It will be a daunting task to slow those 2.
Key Players: Tyson Stevenson Tyson Stevenson 6'2" | SG Hamlin | 2024 State SD , Easton Neuendorf Easton Neuendorf 5'11" | PG Hamlin | 2025 State SD , Brennan Keszler Brennan Keszler 6'4" | SF Hamlin | 2023 State SD , Evan Stormo Evan Stormo 6'3" | SF Hamlin | 2025 State SD , Dawson Noem Dawson Noem 6'4" | SF Hamlin | 2025 State SD , Rylan Bawdon.
#10. Groton Area
2021-2022 Record: 21-5 (7th place at State)
Team Comments: Lost a good amount of senior talent to graduation but will have young players ready to step up.
Tietz and Zak will be a handful for opposing teams. They will be a fun backcourt to watch.
Tietz had an excellent summer in AAU ball. Is turning himself into a DUDE. Expect a monster junior season.
Key Players: Lane Tietz Lane Tietz 5'11" | CG Groton | 2024 State SD , Jacob Zak Jacob Zak 5'11" | SG Groton Area | 2024 State SD , Tate Larson Tate Larson 6'3" | PF Groton Area | 2023 State SD , Cole Simon.
On The Bubble
(in no particular order)
Tea Area
Mt. Vernon-Plankinton
Hanson
Waubay-Summit
Canton
Elk Point-Jefferson
West Central
Beresford
Vermillion
Milbank
Hot Springs
Belle Fourche
Madison
Rapid City Christian
Clark-Willow Lake