SD Games To Watch: Monday and Tuesday

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Christmas break is complete and we are in a new year. Most schools will resume classes on Tuesday and everyone will be back into a regular routine. Are you looking for games to watch early in the week? Look no further, we have some suggestions for you!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep you fingers crossed, it sounds like we have more nasty weather heading into South Dakota. Let's hope we can get these games in!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1399487,"width":280,"height":175,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/03/SD-1.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/03/SD-1.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1399487" width="280" height="175" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Games To Watch</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong>MONDAY 1/2/23</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Deuel (3-0) @ #2 De Smet (2-1) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Cardinals Info</span>:</strong> Deuel is fresh off a 68-51 victory over Elkton-Lake Benton at the Entringer Classic in Brookings. The Cards also picked up a win last Thursday over Redfield (62-23). Deuel is off to a good start and they have been led by it's tough defense. The Cards and the Bulldogs are both tough/gritty squads, this one could be a slugfest! I sure hope they get to play tomorrow night. [player_tooltip player_id='1625215' first='Trey' last='Maaland'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1227970' first='Gavin' last='Benck'] are the top two Cardinals. Maaland is a versatile athlete that can score the rock in a variety of ways. Trey is a playmaker on both ends. Benck can put up points from in and out, and he does it with a soft shooting touch. Bench is a good rebounder and he has the potential to be a resilient defender. It will be interesting to see how the Cardinals defender [player_tooltip player_id='963766' first='Damon' last='Wilkinson'], it will certainly need to be a team effort. This is a Lake Central Conference matchup, so the players should be reved up and excited to play in this one. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Bulldog Info</span>:</strong> De Smet took a 67-58 loss to Sioux Valley on Saturday evening at the Entringer Classic. That was a hard-fought and emotional game for both squads. The Bulldogs are currently ranked #2 in Class B, after losing to #2 ranked Sioux Valley in Class A, I would not imagine the Bulldogs dropping in the polls. [player_tooltip player_id='963766' first='Damon' last='Wilkinson'] had a monster game against his neighbors to the east. He had a dominant performance with 27 points and 15 rebounds. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1764168' first='Tom' last='Aughenbaugh']</strong> was the other Bulldog to score in double figures (12) vs. Sioux Valley. The Bulldogs will be ready to get back on the winning side of things, and the Deuel matchup is an LCC game, so there is an added incentive for both sides. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong>TUESDAY 1/3/23</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"italic","fontWeight":"800"}}} --> <p style="font-style:italic;font-weight:800">**<span style="text-decoration: underline">This game is rescheduled to today 1/2/2023 at 12:30</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Mitchell (3-0) @ Harrisburg (2-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Kernel Info</span>:</strong> Mitchell picked up two wins in the Hoop City Classic against two teams from Wyoming. [player_tooltip player_id='1625212' first='Steele' last='Morgan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='963805' first='Dylan' last='Soulek'] had standout performances in those wins. The Kernels are an intriguing team. They have a couple of young guns, impressive athletes, hard workers, shooters, and enough size to compete with the top teams. [player_tooltip player_id='1466940' first='Colton' last='Smith'] is a kid to look out for. Smith is only a freshman but is already an impact player. [player_tooltip player_id='1625209' first='Markus' last='Talley'] is another young player (soph) to keep eyes on. The young lefty can really shoot it. Morgan and Soulek are the vets on the squad and they should be consistent producers all season. The Kernels have a nice combination of older and younger talent. After Tuesday, we should have a better idea of how good they really are. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Tiger Info</span>:</strong> Harrisburg started the year with two losses and they took another loss at the Hoop City Classic against a good DeLaSalle team from MN. The Tigers currently look to have things on the right track as they picked up a signature win on Friday night against #5 ranked Sioux Falls Roosevelt by a score of 66-51. The Tigers have a ton of talent on their roster/bench and they are a well-coached team. However, the two DUDES right now for the Tigers are [player_tooltip player_id='963803' first='Ethan' last='Determan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1270335' first='Jacoby' last='Mehrman']. These two make a dynamic and high-powered backcourt. It will be interesting to see if the Kernels can slow down Determan and Mehrman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#1 Sioux Falls Jefferson (3-0) @ #5 Sioux Falls Christian (5-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Cavalier Info</span>:</strong> Jefferson is loaded with talent, athletes, and experienced players. They certainly know how to win the big game, as many of the basketball players helped the Cavs win the State Football Championship. So far this hoops season, the Cavs are rolling, they have wins over Roosevelt, Lincoln, and Orono (MN). Their closest game was 12 points. [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'], [player_tooltip player_id='1185523' first='Ethan' last='Koltz'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1671258' first='Beau' last='Giblin'], have to make the scariest lineup in South Dakota. This 5 has it all, an athletic/playing-making PG, stat-stuffing/skilled 4 man, long and mobile BIG, and 2 fierce athletes on the wing. The Cavs will have more size, muscle, and athleticism. The Chargers might have better outside shooting and it's on the Chargers home court. This game is going to be must-watch basketball! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Charger Info</span>:</strong> I would argue that SFC should be rated higher than #5, in my opinion, they should be all the way up to #2. Rankings are just rankings, so it does not do any good to throw a fit over a number. The Chargers have been great this season with quality wins over Lennox, Elk-Point-Jefferson, and O'Gorman. Can they beat another AA team like Jefferson? The Chargers play a fast brand of basketball and they have plenty of talent. They are not just a run-and-gun team, SFC can also execute in the halfcourt. [player_tooltip player_id='1390318' first='Cole' last='Snyder'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1390319' first='Britton' last='Mulder'] and both youngsters but they can shoot the lights out. Jefferson is long and athletic but SFC can throw 6'6" [player_tooltip player_id='1390310' first='Ethan' last='Bruns'] and 6'7" [player_tooltip player_id='1503883' first='Griffen' last='Goodbary'] at them. They will be undersized but they will have a fighter's chance against the mighty Cavs. AA vs. A, public vs. private, this is going to be one heck of a good game!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#4 St. Thomas More (5-0) @ Belle Fourche (1-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Cavalier Info</span>:</strong> They are a disciplined, tough, and well-coached team. They will not run you off the court, but they will play fast when it is in their favor, STM is also great at executing on both ends in the halfcourt. On Friday at the Hoops City Classic, STM took down AA Aberderden Central with a 56-46 score. The top players for the Cavs are [player_tooltip player_id='963754' first='Caleb' last='Hollenbeck'], [player_tooltip player_id='1273153' first='Jordan' last='Uhlir'], <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='963753' first='Will' last='Green']</strong>, and <strong>Matthew Larson</strong>. Hollenbeck is one of the best players in the State, it would be worth tuning in just to watch Caleb play. This should be a quality game. Belle Fourche has some nice players and they could give the Cavs a run for their money. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bronc Info:</strong> Belle Fourche has not played a game since December 20th, so they could be a bit rusty. At the same time, they should be rip-roaring and ready to go as I am sure they are sick of competing against their teammates. Either way, I would expect the Broncs to ready. Belle Fourche has a good young coach and STM is a high-profile team that everyone wants to give their best game. [player_tooltip player_id='963830' first='Anthony' last='Budmayr'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1680249' first='Anthony' last='Staley'] are the top Broncs to look out for. [player_tooltip player_id='1394394' first='Jet' last='Jensen'] is a skilled youngster to keep eyes on. It will certainly be a tall task for the Broncs to upset the Cavs. However, with the style of game that the Cavs play, I could see the Broncs keeping this one close and giving them a game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Clark-Willow Lake (2-1) @ #2 De Smet</strong> <strong>(2-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Cyclone Info</span>:</strong> CWL is led by <em>Jerome Nesheim</em> who is a legend in South Dakota when it comes to coaching basketball. He will certainly have his team ready to go against the Bulldogs in this LCC game. What is one thing that CWL and Smet have in common? They have both lost to Sioux Valley this season. Enough about the Cossacks, their time will come! CWL opened the season with a loss at Sioux Valley, since then, the Cyclones have picked up two blowout victories. The top Cyclones to look out for are [player_tooltip player_id='1655535' first='Kaplan' last='Felberg'], [player_tooltip player_id='963770' first='Trey' last='Huber'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1227919' first='Brady' last='Jordan']. These 3 make up a dynamic backcourt. I really like [player_tooltip player_id='1227919' first='Brady' last='Jordan'], he is quick, skilled, smooth, and smart. Cyclones vs. Bulldogs is going to be a good one!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Bulldog info</span>: </strong>See above for more De Smet info. The Cyclones always seem to play the Bulldogs tough. I am interested to see how CWL deals with [player_tooltip player_id='963766' first='Damon' last='Wilkinson']. Whatever they do, it is going to give the Bulldogs open looks, and or an advantage at some place on the court. I am predicting [player_tooltip player_id='1625203' first='Kadyn' last='Fast'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1725470' first='George' last='Jensen'] to be X-factors in this game. If the weather does not postpone anything, De Smet will be playing back and back on Monday/Tuesday. It will be interesting to see how sharp they are with 3 games in 4 days. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->