SD Class B Playoffs: Players To Watch

It is the best time of the year, It is PLAYOFF TIME!   The First Round games start tomorrow night (Monday). It is hard to believe the regular season is over and that we have playoff games tomorrow. The Quarterfinals in each Region will be played on Tuesday night. That is going to be an action-packed evening. I wonder how many upsets we will see? If a team is fortunate enough to win on Tuesday, they move on and play on Friday in the SODAK 16 Qualifier. The action will really be amped up on Friday night!   With that being said, we are looking at two players from each Region in Class B. PHD feels like you will enjoy watching these players and they also deserve a little extra recognition before we get into the playoffs!   Good luck to all the teams and players in postseason play, it is going to be a wild ride in Class B!!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/07/PlayerWatchlistNDSD.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/07/PlayerWatchlistNDSD.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1511372" /></a></figure>   Region 1   [player_tooltip player_id='963783' first='Malek' last='Wieker'] (2023) |6'1 G| Aberdeen Christian   #1 seed and ranked #1 in State with an 18-2 record. Averaging 15.5 ppg, 6 rpg, 5 apg, and 3 spg. His left-handed pull-up jumper is a thing of beauty. Malek can hit from way deep, mid-range, and score with craftiness at the iron. He is also a talented passer with great court vision. Wieker has a great understanding of the game and he is a complete winner.   [player_tooltip player_id='1386801' first='Noah' last='Kippley'] |2025) |6'1 G| Leola-Frederick Area   #4 seed with an 11-9 record. Averaging 14.3 ppg and 7.1 rpg. Kippley has the ability to shoot the ball, drive/slash and finish at the hoop. He has a very nice mid-range game and three-point shot. Being a 3-level scorer makes Noah a tough matchup. His movement without the ball opens up opportunities for fellow teammates.   Region 2   [player_tooltip player_id='1725470' first='George' last='Jensen'] (2024) |6'5 F| De Smet   #1 seed and ranked #2 in State with a 17-3 record. Averaging 10.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.5 bpg. Every basketball fan in South Dakota has heard of All-State player [player_tooltip player_id='963766' first='Damon' last='Wilkinson']. There is no question that Wilkinson is a stud and dominant big man. However, we want to also take a look at another emerging star from De Smet. Jensen is long, bouncy, a grinder, a hustler, and a player that rises to the occasion. He is a stout defender that can guard multiple positions, rebounds like an animal, and is an efficient scorer in the paint. You need to check out Jensen if you have not seen De Smet yet this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1327459' first='Bryon' last='Laue'] (2025) |6'8 PF| Castlewood   #2 seed with a 15-5 record. Averaging 14.5 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 2 bpg, and shooting a hot 62 FG%. #1 ranked prospect in the 2025 Rankings. Great size and frame, he moves very well for how big he is. Laue is a load down low. He finishes with both hands at the rim and has good feet. Bryon scores with a soft touch and some quality post moves. Laue has a huge impact on the game around the basket with rebounding and rim protection.   Region 3   [player_tooltip player_id='1266273' first='Nic' last='Gaspar'] (2024) |6'2 SF| Dell Rapids St. Mary   #4 seed with a 14-5 record. Averaging 16.8 ppg, 7 rpg, 2 apg, 2 spg, 52 FG%, 61 2FG% and 75 FT%. Gaspar is an explosive athlete that can rise up and WHAM it, he also uses that athleticism to get after the boards. Nic has big scoring ability, he scored 41 points in a game earlier this season. Gaspar scores off penetration, he posts up for buckets, and can hit triples. He is an exciting Cardinal to get eyes on!   [player_tooltip player_id='1318807' first='Kolt' last='Koepsell'] (2024) |6'7 PF| Howard   #2 seed with a 14-6 record. He is close to averaging a double-double. Kolt has had some huge scoring games where he put up gaudy numbers. His length and size make him a tough matchup, a horse on the glass, and a lane protector. It will be interesting to see if the Tigers can win the first two games and get to the SODAK 16. I hope to see Koepsell go up against another top BIG from Class B in the SODAK 16.   Region 4   [player_tooltip player_id='1535886' first='Nick' last='Hanson'] (2025) |6'6 PF| Viborg-Hurley   #1 seed with a 17-3 record. This kid is a beast! If you have not watched Hanson play, you are missing out. Nick has been putting up flashy numbers this season, in one game, Nick splashed 30 points and 19 rebounds. He is putting up wild numbers but Hanson is a blue-collar worker. He is physical, has a nose for the ball, and he is STRONG. Nick is long, protects the paint, and is an old-school post. You need to see this kid and the Cougars play.   [player_tooltip player_id='1415234' first='Jake' last='Alexander Kuhl'] (2024) |7'0 C| Irene-Wakonda   #3 seed with a 9-11 record. Averaging 12.3 ppg, 11 rpg, 3 apg, 3.6 bpg, 1.3 spg, 51 FG%, and 38 3FG%. Obviously, his length is a game-changer. Kuhl looks like a 5-man but plays like a stretch-4. College coaches will like his potential! Jake works hard and he is active on both ends of the floor. Kuhl is mobile, cuts hard/with a purpose, and is an athletic above-the-rim finisher. Kuhl is an intriguing player that is always improving. Get out and see this 7-footer play. You will enjoy his game!   Region 5   [player_tooltip player_id='1625188' first='Daniel' last='Mitchell'] (2024) |6'7 PF| Gregory   #1 seed with a 14-6 record. Daniel is an impossible matchup for any Class B team. Mitchell has been an All-State player for multiple years and this year will likely be no different. He is a high flyer that can SLAM from all directions and he can swat shots out of the air like they are flys. Daniel can score from all levels and he will take over a game with the flip of a switch. Mitchell is easily one of the most entertaining players to watch in SD.   [player_tooltip player_id='1819471' first='Benicio' last='Zephier'] (2023) |5'11 G| Marty   #3 seed with a 12-7 record. He is a talented individual and an important player for the Braves. Benicio is a creative baller that can make plays off the cuff, he is sure to impress you. His handles and passing are noteworthy. Zephier is talented and accurate at throwing 3/4 and full-court passes. He likes to push the tempo and play fast. I like the looks of his jumper. Benicio plays hard and is an opportunistic scorer.   Region 6   [player_tooltip player_id='963762' first='Brian' last='LaRoche Jr']. (2023) |6'1 G| Lower Brule   #1 seed and ranked #3 in State with a 17-3 record. He knows the game well, has a high hoops IQ, can score from every angle, and has an amazing feel for the game. LaRoche is a winner that knows how to get to the Big Dance in Aberdeen. He is a volume scorer that put up 57 points in a game earlier this season. Brian is a pure bucket!   [player_tooltip player_id='1651117' first='Treyton' last='Knox'] (2023) |6'4 G| Highmore-Harrold    #2 seed with a 13-7 record. The Pirates are having a splendid season and a big part of their success has been Mr. Knox. He is a long and athletic wing that is aggressive off the bounce. He draws contact and can finish in traffic. Knox is effective and creative when attacking closeouts. He can also hit the 3-ball. Knox is a hustler and a hard worker that will get after rebounds and dive on the floor for loose balls.   Region 7   [player_tooltip player_id='1266275' first='Nic' last='Marshall'] (2024) |6'1 G| White River   #1 seed and ranked #4 in State with a 16-4 record. Averaging 20.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 4.1 apg. His dad is the legendary Eldon Marshall, so it comes as no surprise that Nic is super bright. He is a leader and a coach on the floor. He is scoring at an impressive rate and there is no keeping him out of the paint. Marshall is marvelous off the bounce and at attacking downhill. He is also a fantastic passer/creator/facilitator with sharp skills and eyes like a hawk. Expect to see Nic and the Tigers in Aberdeen!   [player_tooltip player_id='1819648' first='Noah' last='Iron Horse'] (2023) |6'3 G| Crazy Horse   #3 seed with a 14-4 record. The Chiefs have many nice pieces that fit well together and they defend as a team. Iron Horse is the top player and he averages 24 ppg and 4 spg. Noah also sets up others and rebounds well. He set a school record earlier this season with 50 points in a single game and in another 3-game stretch, he poured in 102 points! Iron Horse is a dangerous slasher but has been shooting fire from 3-point land in the second half of the year. If you like scoring and entertaining basketball, tune in to Noah and the Chiefs!   Region 8   [player_tooltip player_id='1819685' first='Jackson' last='Schauer'] (2024) |6'1 G| Faith   #1 seed and ranked #5 in State with a 19-1 record. Averaging 19.3 ppg, 5 rpg, 4.5 apg, 3 spg, 43 3FG%, and 83 FT%. He is obviously a winner as the Longhorns have only one loss on the year. Schauer is a lefty SNIPER with textbook shooting mechanics and a buttery-smooth release. It looks like he is reaching into the cookie jar! Schauer is fluid and smooth when stepping into his shot. He anticipates well on defense and can finish with both hands at the rim. Schauer should not be left alone when spotting up around the arc, if you do, it's going to be a 3-point mistake!   [player_tooltip player_id='963799' first='Keegan' last='Hett'] (2023) |6'1 G| Harding County   #2 seed with a 16-4 record. Averaging 18.8 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 3.5 apg, 4.1 apg. The Ranchers have a talented cast of players and Keegan is elite. He has a talented set of skills and he is productive on both ends of the floor. He is a playmaking athlete that puts up points and can lockdown on the other end. He will hurt you from all levels and if you take something away, Keegan will make you pay. Look out for the Ranchers!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><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" /></a></figure>

It is the best time of the year, It is PLAYOFF TIME!