A Bit Too Early SD Class AA Power Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season, Sioux Falls Roosevelt ran the table with a perfect 24-0 record. Who will be the top dog in AA this season? Today we have Prep Hoops Dakotas-Power Rankings. Since Class AA has fewer teams compared to A and B we are only doing the Top 5 instead of Top 10 as we do with the other two. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is our first sort-through of Class AA 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 5 in AA. Further down, we made a list of teams that are on the bubble from being in the Top 5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1399487,"width":202,"height":126,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/SD-1.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/SD-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1399487" width="202" height="126"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">POWER RANKINGS</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#1. Harrisburg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2021-2022 Record</span>:</strong> 15-10 (4th place at State)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Team Comments</span>:</strong> Everything a #1 team needs. Great coach, elite PG, excellent shooters, size/toughness, &amp; depth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Determan is going to be 1 of the best offensive players in South Dakota. Elite scorer, star shooter, complete bucket!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mehrman is the biggest and toughest PG in SD. He will give opposing teams fits all year. Jacoby will be an All-State PG.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers have multiple 3-point shooters that will need to be accounted for. This is a dangerous team!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Key Players</span>:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='963803' first='Ethan' last='Determan'], [player_tooltip player_id='1270335' first='Jacoby' last='Mehrman'], [player_tooltip player_id='1348899' first='Camden' last='Phipps'], [player_tooltip player_id='1484570' first='Max' last='Knutson'], [player_tooltip player_id='963767' first='Parker' last='Stansbury'], [player_tooltip player_id='1266265' first='Braeden' last='VanBockern'], [player_tooltip player_id='1448754' first='Ian' last='Jordan'], Jalen Wilson.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#2. Sioux Falls Jefferson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2021-2022 Record</span>:</strong> 14-10 (7th place at State)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Team Comments:</span></strong> They bring back their entire starting lineup and they also have Koltz who is 6'11"!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ashley will be the most athletic PG in AA and an absolute playmaker. He is a winner that will have a stellar season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Year &amp; Ashley are going to back up their All-State seasons a year ago. Year will be a DUDE and a big matchup problem.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year was the first varsity season for the Cavs, expect an even better year in 2022-2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Key Players</span>: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='963741' first='Taylen' last='Ashley'], [player_tooltip player_id='963748' first='Kaden' last='Year'], [player_tooltip player_id='1430664' first='Griffin' last='Wilde'], Mason Riley, [player_tooltip player_id='1185523' first='Ethan' last='Koltz'], Beau Giblin, [player_tooltip player_id='1489686' first='Dawson' last='Sechser'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#3. O'Gorman</strong></p><p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2021-2022 Record</span>:</strong> 22-3 (2nd place at State)</p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Team Comments</span></strong>: They have a veteran coach that knows how to get W's. Expect another State Tournament appearance.</p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>OG will have a "BIG 3" with Eng, Muirhead, and Benz. Those 3 will make up one of the best offenses in AA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eng is a prolific scorer. I will not be surprised if he leads AA in 3-pointers made. Get ready for a magical season from Eng.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Muirhead and Benz will be vital to OG's defense as rim protectors. They will also be a 2-man wrecking crew on the glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benz is a very hard worker. He will be a handful around the basket. Expect Zander to be a double-double guy this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Muirhead will likely dunk more than anyone in the State this winter. He will certainly have the most alley-oops. SCARY!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Key Players:</span> </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='963746' first='Matt' last='Eng'], [player_tooltip player_id='1295267' first='Gavin' last='Muirhead'], [player_tooltip player_id='1390906' first='Zander' last='Benz'], Radley Mauney, Peyton Hage</p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#4. Sioux Falls Lincoln </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2021-2022 Record</span>:</strong> 15-10 (5th place at State)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Team Comments</span>:</strong> Rock is the star recruit and all eyes will be on him every game. Expect him to still produce. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>JT performed well all spring/summer at big events. He will be even more skilled and mobile this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whitney is a player to keep eyes on. He is knock-down shooter from deep, creates for others, and delivers dimes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beware of the Whitney to Rock sweet-connection! Lincoln and Olson are also nice players that will provide a solid punch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Key Players</span></strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='963749' first='Elliot' last='Whitney'], [player_tooltip player_id='1265221' first='JT' last='Rock'], [player_tooltip player_id='1296085' first='Eli' last='Olson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1265105' first='Ethen' last='Lincoln'], Jack Hilgenberg, Tate Schafer, Braxton Mohr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#5. Sioux Falls Washington</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2021-2022 Record</span>:</strong> 16-8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Team Comments</span>:</strong> They lost 2 stud seniors but bring back a nice group. Akot transferred in, which is a huge bonus!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They will have great athleticism with Akot and Mohamed. Sheppard &amp; Gasca will bring the length &amp; interior presence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Peterson will be the hardworking and unselfish PG. Add in some 3-point shooting and you have a tough team at WHS!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Key Players</span>:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1227965' first='AJ' last='Akot'], [player_tooltip player_id='1172924' first='Cole' last='Peterson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1390895' first='Mandalla' last='Mohamed'], [player_tooltip player_id='1172904' first='Zharic' last='Sheppard'], [player_tooltip player_id='963809' first='Tryg' last='Auten'], [player_tooltip player_id='1227935' first='Gage' last='Gasca'], Kaden Schmidt, Dan Sanchez</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">BUBBLE TEAMS</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Pierre</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2021-2022 Record</span>:</strong> 8-12 (3rd place at State)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Team Comments</span>:</strong> The Govs have two of the most explosive players in SD with Kienholz &amp; Edman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kienholz is a generational-type athlete. He can get his J off any time and is a phenomenal dunker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edman is an elite rim protector and an athletic lefty that can score from all levels. Expect him to avg a dub-dub.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Key Players</span>:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='963751' first='Lincoln' last='Kienholz'], [player_tooltip player_id='963775' first='Jackson' last='Edman'], Jacob Mayer, Christian Busch, [player_tooltip player_id='1384888' first='Jett' last='Zabel'], Cade Kaiser</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Mitchell</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2021-2022 Record</span>:</strong> 15-9 (6th place at State)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Team Comments</span>:</strong> They have huge shoes to fill with Hinker's departure to college.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Kernels have a good young coach and a deep stable of players to help Mitchell get back to the State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Soluk is an athletic scoring guard. His size &amp; athleticism make him a tough matchup. Look for Dylan to have a big year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Morgan will no doubt be a double-double guy this year. Expect many impressive dunks &amp; for him to be a top BIG in AA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Talley is an exciting young player that can fill it up for deep. McCardle is a grinder, hustler, and physical team player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Key Players</span>:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='963805' first='Dylan' last='Soulek'], [player_tooltip player_id='963755' first='Steele' last='Morgan'], [player_tooltip player_id='963764' first='Charlie' last='McCardle'], Aiden Myers, [player_tooltip player_id='1555389' first='Gavin' last='Soukup'], [player_tooltip player_id='1297809' first='Markus' last='Talley'], [player_tooltip player_id='1466940' first='Colton' last='Smith'], Jackson Childs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->