A Bit Too Early SD Class AA Power Rankings

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.

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.

POWER RANKINGS

#1. Harrisburg

2021-2022 Record: 15-10 (4th place at State)

Team Comments: Everything a #1 team needs. Great coach, elite PG, excellent shooters, size/toughness, & depth.

Determan is going to be 1 of the best offensive players in South Dakota. Elite scorer, star shooter, complete bucket!

Mehrman is the biggest and toughest PG in SD. He will give opposing teams fits all year. Jacoby will be an All-State PG.

The Tigers have multiple 3-point shooters that will need to be accounted for. This is a dangerous team!

Key Players: Ethan Determan Ethan Determan 6'3" | SG Harrisburg | 2023 State SD , Jacoby Mehrman Jacoby Mehrman 6'4" | PG Harrisburg | 2024 State SD , Camden Phipps Camden Phipps 6'6" | PF Harrisburg | 2024 SD , Max Knutson Max Knutson 6'4" | SF Harrisburg | 2023 State SD , Parker Stansbury Parker Stansbury 6'4" | SF Harrisburg | 2023 State SD , Braeden VanBockern Braeden VanBockern 6'3" | SG Harrisburg | 2024 State SD , Ian Jordan Ian Jordan 6'3" | SG Harrisburg | 2023 State SD , Jalen Wilson.

#2. Sioux Falls Jefferson

2021-2022 Record: 14-10 (7th place at State)

Team Comments: They bring back their entire starting lineup and they also have Koltz who is 6’11”!

Ashley will be the most athletic PG in AA and an absolute playmaker. He is a winner that will have a stellar season.

Year & Ashley are going to back up their All-State seasons a year ago. Year will be a DUDE and a big matchup problem.

Last year was the first varsity season for the Cavs, expect an even better year in 2022-2023.

Key Players: Taylen Ashley Taylen Ashley 6'0" | PG Sioux Falls Jefferson | 2023 State SD , Kaden Year Kaden Year 6'6" | SF Sioux Falls Jefferson | 2023 State SD , Griffin Wilde Griffin Wilde 6'2" | SG Sioux Falls Jefferson | 2023 State SD , Mason Riley, Ethan Koltz Ethan Koltz 6'11" | C Sioux Falls Jefferson | 2023 State SD , Beau Giblin, Dawson Sechser Dawson Sechser 6'0" | CG Sioux Falls Jefferson | 2024 SD .

#3. O’Gorman

2021-2022 Record: 22-3 (2nd place at State)

Team Comments: They have a veteran coach that knows how to get W’s. Expect another State Tournament appearance.

OG will have a “BIG 3” with Eng, Muirhead, and Benz. Those 3 will make up one of the best offenses in AA.

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.

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.

Benz is a very hard worker. He will be a handful around the basket. Expect Zander to be a double-double guy this winter.

Muirhead will likely dunk more than anyone in the State this winter. He will certainly have the most alley-oops. SCARY!

Key Players: Matt Eng Matt Eng 6'2" | PG Sioux Falls O'Gorman | 2023 State SD , Gavin Muirhead Gavin Muirhead 6'7" | PF O'Gorman | 2023 State SD , Zander Benz Zander Benz 6'7" | PF O'Gorman | 2023 State SD , Radley Mauney, Peyton Hage

#4. Sioux Falls Lincoln

2021-2022 Record: 15-10 (5th place at State)

Team Comments: Rock is the star recruit and all eyes will be on him every game. Expect him to still produce.

JT performed well all spring/summer at big events. He will be even more skilled and mobile this winter.

Whitney is a player to keep eyes on. He is knock-down shooter from deep, creates for others, and delivers dimes.

Beware of the Whitney to Rock sweet-connection! Lincoln and Olson are also nice players that will provide a solid punch.

Key Players: Elliot Whitney Elliot Whitney 6'0" | CG Sioux Falls Lincoln | 2023 State SD , JT Rock JT Rock 7'1" | C Sioux Falls Lincoln | 2024 State #37 Nation SD , Eli Olson Eli Olson 6'1" | PG Sioux Falls Lincoln | 2023 State SD , Ethen Lincoln Ethen Lincoln 6'4" | SF Lincoln | 2023 State SD , Jack Hilgenberg, Tate Schafer, Braxton Mohr.

#5. Sioux Falls Washington

2021-2022 Record: 16-8

Team Comments: They lost 2 stud seniors but bring back a nice group. Akot transferred in, which is a huge bonus!

They will have great athleticism with Akot and Mohamed. Sheppard & Gasca will bring the length & interior presence.

Peterson will be the hardworking and unselfish PG. Add in some 3-point shooting and you have a tough team at WHS!

Key Players: AJ Akot AJ Akot 6'4" | SF Sioux Falls Washington | 2023 State SD , Cole Peterson Cole Peterson 6'2" | PG Sioux Falls Washington | 2023 State SD , Mandalla Mohamed Mandalla Mohamed 6'2" | SG Sioux Falls Washington | 2023 State SD , Zharic Sheppard Zharic Sheppard 6'5" | SF Sioux Falls Washington | 2023 State SD , Tryg Auten Tryg Auten 5'10" | PG SF Washington | 2023 SD , Gage Gasca Gage Gasca 6'7" | C Sioux Falls Washington | 2023 State SD , Kaden Schmidt, Dan Sanchez

BUBBLE TEAMS

Pierre

2021-2022 Record: 8-12 (3rd place at State)

Team Comments: The Govs have two of the most explosive players in SD with Kienholz & Edman.

Kienholz is a generational-type athlete. He can get his J off any time and is a phenomenal dunker.

Edman is an elite rim protector and an athletic lefty that can score from all levels. Expect him to avg a dub-dub.

Key Players: Lincoln Kienholz Lincoln Kienholz 6'3" | PG Pierre | 2023 State SD , Jackson Edman Jackson Edman 6'7" | SF Pierre | 2023 State SD , Jacob Mayer, Christian Busch, Jett Zabel Jett Zabel 6'4" | SF Pierre | 2024 State SD , Cade Kaiser

Mitchell

2021-2022 Record: 15-9 (6th place at State)

Team Comments: They have huge shoes to fill with Hinker’s departure to college.

The Kernels have a good young coach and a deep stable of players to help Mitchell get back to the State.

Soluk is an athletic scoring guard. His size & athleticism make him a tough matchup. Look for Dylan to have a big year.

Morgan will no doubt be a double-double guy this year. Expect many impressive dunks & for him to be a top BIG in AA.

Talley is an exciting young player that can fill it up for deep. McCardle is a grinder, hustler, and physical team player.

Key Players: Dylan Soulek Dylan Soulek 6'3" | SG Mitchell | 2023 State SD , Steele Morgan Steele Morgan 6'4" | PF Mitchell | 2023 State SD , Charlie McCardle Charlie McCardle 6'1" | SF Mitchell | 2023 State SD , Aiden Myers, Gavi Soukup Gavi Soukup 6'1" | SG Mitchell | 2024 SD , Markus Talley Markus Talley 6'1" | CG Mitchell | 2025 State SD , Colton Smith Colton Smith 6'5" | PF Mitchell | 2026 State SD , Jackson Childs.