SD State Tournaments: Prospect Notes

The state tournaments brought a lot of talented prospects together to compete at their highest levels and high levels of pressure and importance of these games. Winning streaks and legacies were on the line. It takes time to watch all of the games, but here we'll highlight some notes and do an update on some things I've seen from the prospects. More to come.   [player_tooltip player_id='1265221' first='JT' last='Rock'] - 7'1 C 2024 - Sioux Falls Lincoln - Iowa State - Rock is the #1 rated overall prospect in South Dakota. He brings a ton to the table and is highly valuable to his Lincoln squad. An impact rim-protector that was at 4.5 blocks per game on the season. He was highly consistent throughout the tournament from game-to-game and didn't really have any poor moments.   [player_tooltip player_id='963766' first='Damon' last='Wilkinson'] - 6'10” C 2023 - De Smet - South Dakota State University - Wilkinson, the newly committed SDSU Jackrabbit, had the biggest impact and was the main difference-maker in the state B tournament. He brought a ton of extra defensive attention from teams and rebounded the ball at an impressive clip.   [player_tooltip player_id='1466940' first='Colton' last='Smith'] - 6'5” F 2026 - Mitchell - The top-rated prospect in the 2026 class is a wing/forward that is an athletic and tough prospect. He wasn't shy in the state AA tournament, showing an aggressive style and sense of belongment. He's a high-end prospect that needs to develop more of a guard-like skill set, to go along with his demeanor and size/length/movement combination.   [player_tooltip player_id='1503883' first='Griffen' last='Goodbary'] - 6'7" PF 2025 - Sioux Falls Christian - An interesting tidbit is, that as a Freshman, Griffen was 6'1" and he grew to 6'7" as a Sophomore. I appreciate length and upside more than anyone, so I'm high on Goodbary.   [player_tooltip player_id='1390319' first='Britton' last='Mulder'] - 6'2” SG 2025 - Sioux Falls Christian - A high-upside guard with an obvious positive wingspan and can score the ball. Really like this prospect. He's the #5 rated 2025 prospect in the state.   [player_tooltip player_id='1430664' first='Griffin' last='Wilde'] - 6'2” SG 2023 - Sioux Falls Jefferson - SDSU (Football) - Wilde's stock is majorly ascending after the state tournament. Behind [player_tooltip player_id='963752' first='Rugby' last='Ryken'], I thought Wilde was the second most valuable player in the tournament. Wilde ran the floor and was a high-level transition player, finishing at the rim. He was making plays all over the court — on both ends. Brings energy, quickness, and toughness.   [player_tooltip player_id='963748' first='Kaden' last='Year'] - 6'5 SF 2023 - Sioux Falls Jefferson - Dakota Wesleyan University -Year recently committed to Dakota Wesleyan University. The leading three-point shooter for Jefferson in the regular season. An all-around prospect that can dunk and shoot.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/sfjeffersonbbb/status/1637619974423425024?s=46u0026amp;t=SEhj4b0vN7ZkDxMDlm1_Uw </div></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1625209' first='Markus' last='Talley'] - 6'0" G 2025 - Mitchell - Talley was one of the most efficient and accurate three-point shooters in the AA tournament. He hit some big threes in big games, when it mattered most. For three he went -- 2-2, 3-4, and 4-6 in the champioinship game for a total of 9-12 in the entire AA tournament. He'll be with [program_tooltip program_id='2228190' first='Team' last='Warwick'] this offseason and is one to watch because he will continually improve. No Myers or Soulek next season, so Talley could take off.   [player_tooltip player_id='1625212' first='Steele' last='Morgan'] - 6'5" F 2023 - Mitchell- Dakota Wesleyan University - Steele had a great opening game vs Pierre, scoring 18 points on 7-9 shooting. He was very patient in the paint and slowed himself down to shoot and score at such an efficient rate.   [player_tooltip player_id='1555389' first='Gavin' last='Soukup'] - 6'2" G 2024 - Mitchell - Soukup is a nice guard to be bringing off the bench, for a stacked Mitchell team. He's a more highly-counted-on player on most teams in the state. He can play and could breakout as a more prominent scorer next season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1661116' first='Aiden' last='Myers'] - 6'1" PG 2023 - Mitchell - Aiden brought a lot of energy and aggression as a ball-handler. He was playing fast and brought a ton of pace to the game. Even in the half-court setting.   [player_tooltip player_id='963751' first='Lincoln' last='Kienholz'] - 6'3" G 2023 - Pierre - Ohio State University (Football) - Pierre's leading scorer at 18.5 points per game and one of the best overall athletes in the state tournaments.   [player_tooltip player_id='1753099' first='Ben' last='Heisler'] - 6'3" G/F 2023 - Pierre - Pierre's second leading scorer during the regular season at 14 points per game. A two-footed jumper that jumps out of the gym.   [player_tooltip player_id='963775' first='Jackson' last='Edman'] - 6'7 PF 2023 - Pierre - Black Hills State University - Edman was a beast in the state AA tournament, and was successful in his big-time matchups in the state tournament. Rebounded at a high level. Brought consistent effort and energy.   [player_tooltip player_id='1394428' first='Camron' last='Maciejewski'] - 6'1" G 2024 - Hot Springs - Averaged 9 points per game in the regular season. Was the leading scorer in the opening matchup vs state champs Dakota Valley, with 11 points on 4-11 shooting.   [player_tooltip player_id='1625200' first='Jaxson' last='Wingert'] - 6'7" PF/C 2024 - Dakota Valley - Wingert brings consistency in his effort and energy. He'll play and battle until the ball is securely possessed. Will be playing with [program_tooltip program_id='2222672' first='Sanford' last='Sports Academy'] this off-season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1625208' first='Luke' last='Bruns'] - 6'0" G 2025 - Dakota Valley - Little brother Bruns can stroke the three-ball. Not a guy you can leave open and let him square-up his shot and smoothly release it.   [player_tooltip player_id='1185523' first='Ethan' last='Koltz'] - 6'10 C 2023 - Sioux Falls Jefferson - Southwest Minnesota State University - Koltz didn't light-up the stat sheet, but he shows a presence in the interior with his 6'10” frame.   [player_tooltip player_id='1270335' first='Jacoby' last='Mehrman'] - 6'4” SG/PG 2024 - Harrisburg - Jacoby did a lot of good for his improving stock. He's proven that he can create his own offense and score from all three levels. Was able to hit high-difficulty shots. Crafty around the rim and can contort his shot to score.   [player_tooltip player_id='963803' first='Ethan' last='Determan'] - 6'3” G 2023 - Harrisburg - Dakota Wesleyan University - Determan wasn't as efficient scoring the ball as he'd probably like, but he did have 28 point game. He was 10-26 from the field.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/harrisburgbbb/status/1640729979431399425?s=46u0026amp;t=SEhj4b0vN7ZkDxMDlm1_Uw </div></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1390310' first='Ethan' last='Bruns'] - 6'6" SF 2023 - Sioux Falls Christian - The Class A first-team All-Stater is a beast. Averaged 17 points and 7 rebounds per game on the season. By my knowledge, he's still uncommitted and available.   [player_tooltip player_id='1227965' first='AJ' last='Akot'] - 6'3” Wing 2023 - Sioux Falls Washington - Akot was one of the more lengthy and athletic wings in the State AA tournament. Great in transition with his ability to run and jump.   [player_tooltip player_id='1878112' first='Garry' last='Crowe'] - 6'5” PF 2024 - Sioux Falls Lincoln - Crowe is playing behind a D1 commit in Rock, so he has some limitations in terms of valued playing time, since Rock can play heavy minutes. But Crowe is someone to watch with his lengthy frame and athletic movement. Moves well in all directions. A lanky and athletic frame.   [player_tooltip player_id='1625195' first='Gage' last='Gasca'] - 6'7” PF 2023 - Sioux Falls Washington - Opened up with 17 points versus state champion Yankton. [player_tooltip player_id='1399731' first='Rilpuou' last='Machol'] - 6'5” C 2023 - Sioux Falls Roosevelt - Machol comes off the bench for Roosevelt and he brings high energy on both ends. Runs the floor hard.   [player_tooltip player_id='1497407' first='Landon' last='Potts'] - 6'2” SG 2024 - Yankton - Potts comes off the bench for Yankton. He comes in and is an offensive creator that can create his own shots and make plays on his own, with his skilled handle on the ball.   [player_tooltip player_id='1827079' first='Mac' last='Ryken'] - 5'10” G 2023 - Yankton - Mount Marty University - Ryken was critical for Yankton, scoring 29 points in the opening win over Sioux Falls Washington.   [player_tooltip player_id='1263156' first='Braeden' last='Feeldy'] - 5'10” PG 2025 - Harrisburg - Feeldy is a great on-ball and pressure defender. Moves extremely well laterally and can simultaneously slide and pressure the ball.   [player_tooltip player_id='1625191' first='Easton' last='Neuendorf'] - 5'11” PG 2025 - Hamlin - Neuendorf was a big reason in Hamlin advancing in the opening win over Sioux Valley. A big win and a big 22-point performance for the Class A All-State selection.   [player_tooltip player_id='1327459' first='Bryon' last='Laue'] - 6'8” PF 2025 - Castlewood - Laue, who is currently the #1 rated 2025 prospect in the state — did not disappoint — and was dominant at times.   [player_tooltip player_id='1407001' first='Aidyn' last='Janis'] - 6'3 PF/C 2025 - Hot Springs - The 2025 prospect filled in nicely vs Dakota Valley, playing 15 minutes and scoring 8 points.   [player_tooltip player_id='1263164' first='Maverick' last='Nelson'] - 6'2” G 2025 - Sioux Valley - 5 points and 7 rebounds (5 offensive) in opening game vs Hamlin. Was 0-3 from three-point range.   [player_tooltip player_id='1414922' first='Evan' last='Stormo'] - 6'3” SG 2025 - Hamlin - 12 points (3-11 3FG) in Hamlin's win over Sioux Valley.

The state tournaments brought a lot of talented prospects together to compete at their highest levels and high levels of pressure and importance of these games. Winning streaks and legacies were on the line. It takes time to watch all of the games, but here we'll highlight some notes and do an update on some things I've seen from the prospects. More to come.