A Bit Too Early SD B Power Rankings
In this article:
PHD knows that we are in the month of June. However, the summer always goes by way too fast. Football season will be here in the blink of an eye and basketball will come quickly after. While we are waiting…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingPHD knows that we are in the month of June. However, the summer always goes by way too fast. Football season will be here in the blink of an eye and basketball will come quickly after. While we are waiting for the hoops season, we thought it would be fun to put out some Power Rankings for Class B.
See below for PHD’s initial Top 10 Power Rankings, we included 4 Contenders. Those four Contenders could easily be in the Top 10.
#1 Castlewood
2022-23 Record: 20-6 (5th at State)
Team comments: The Warriors have went to State the last two years and they return a ton of talent. Bryon Laue Bryon Laue 6'9" | PF Castlewood | 2025 State SD will be one of the best BIGs in SD and Lane Tvedt is a talented/special lead guard. Quincy Thu Quincy Thu 6'1" | SG Castlewood | 2024 State SD , Jackson Schofield, and Jamison Keszler Jamison Keszler 6'0" | CG Castlewood | 2025 State SD are also skilled playmakers. Laue will be dominant down low and their talented group of guards will make winning/successful plays. This veteran crew knows what it takes to be successful and they will rack up the wins next season.
#2 Viborg-Hurley
2022-23 Record: 21-5 (6th at State)
Team comments: The Cougars know what type of effort and work it takes to reach the State Tournament. They also return a large amount of talent & experience. Nick Hanson Nick Hanson 6'6" | PF Viborg-Hurley | 2025 State SD is a top BIG in South Dakota and he will be a matchup problem for every team. The 6’7″ PF was All-State and he is playing great in AAU ball. Outside of Hanson, the Cougars return Brady Schroedermeier Brady Schroedermeier 6'2" | PG Viborg-Hurley | 2026 State SD who was an All-Conference player last season. Rafe Goettertz Rafe Goettertz 6'3" | SF Viborg-Hurley | 2025 State SD is an up-n-comer to keep eyes on.
#3 De Smet
2022-23 Record: 23-3 (State Champions)
Team comments: All hail the champions! This program breeds success and the Bulldogs have a program that is rich in history. How can you bet against De Smet? They do lose their All-State & D1 BIG Damon Wilkinson. However, the Bulldogs have many more talent players to worry about. George Jensen George Jensen 6'6" | SF De Smet | 2024 State SD is a name to know for De Smet. Jensen is a special athlete and he will be one of the top defenders in all of SD. He will also dominate on the glass and finish above the rim. Kadyn Fast is a mobile athlete and a dude on defense. Tom Aughenbaugh Tom Aughenbaugh 6'0" | PG De Smet | 2024 State SD , Trace Van Regenmorter Trace Van Regenmorter 6'4" | SF De Smet | 2024 State SD , and Britt Carlson Britt Carlson 6'4" | SF De Smet | 2024 State SD are also talented Bulldogs to tabs on.
#4 Faith
2022-23 Record: 23-3 (7th at State)
Team comments: The Longhorns had a fantastic season that ended with 23 wins, very few teams in SD can say they picked up 23 W’s. The Longhorns return two complete studs and everyone will struggle to slow them down. Jackson Schauer Jackson Schauer 6'1" | CG Faith | 2024 State SD is the splashy name for Faith, he was All-State and averaged 20.4 ppg. Schauer is a southpaw SNIPER. Caden Selby Caden Selby 6'7" | SF Faith | 2024 State SD is another stud for the Longhorns. At 6’7 with athleticism and shooting ability, Selby is a difficult matchup. Look out for the two-headed monster from Faith next season.
#5 White River
2022-23 Record: 20-6 (4th at State)
Team comments: Is the big dance in Aberdeen called the “State Tournament” or the “Eldon Marshall Invite”? The Tigers are regulars visitors to the Barnett Center in March, why? A huge part of that is because of legend head coach Eldon Marshall. The Tigers also have talent! Nic Marshall Nic Marshall 6'1" | PG White River | 2024 State SD will be the lead guard who was All-State last season. Nic averaged 17.8 ppg, 4 rpg, and 5.3 apg. Expect those numbers to shoot up next season. Mackenzie Wike Mackenzie Wike 5'10" | SG White River | 2025 State SD and Evastine Wright Evastine Wright 6'6" | SF White River | 2024 State SD are a couple other Tigers that will impact the game.
#6 Dell Rapids St. Mary
2022-23 Record: 15-6 (lost in SoDak 16 Qualifier)
Team comments: Like many of the programs in this article, the Cardinals have a passionate community for basketball. DRSM is striving for another trip to State and they have put together a tough schedule that will get them ready for post-season play. The top 4 players and returning starters for the Cardinals are Nic Gaspar Nic Gaspar 6'2" | SG Dell Rapids St. Mary | 2024 State SD , Trevon Beckman, Maverick LeBrun Maverick LeBrun 6'4" | SG Dell Rapids St. Mary | 2025 State SD , and Trimmier Hanson Trimmier Hanson 5'10" | PG Dell Rapids St. Mary | 2026 State SD . This is an athletic group that shoots it well, defends hard, is very quick, and they have a intriguing potential.
#7 Gregory
2022-23 Record: 16-7 (lost in SoDak 16)
Team comments: They are a well coached team with experienced players. The Gorillas have a special player with Daniel Mitchell who has been All-State for multiple years. It is rare to find the combination of length, athleticism, and skill that Mitchell has. Gregory also has Cruz Klundt Cruz Klundt 6'0" | PG Gregory | 2025 State SD at the PG spot, he is a talented and bright individual. Mitchell and Klundt make up a dynamic duo. Rane Kenzy Rane Kenzy 6'2" | SF Gregory | 2025 State SD is another Gorilla that will make some noise.
#8 Canistota
2022-23 Record: 11-10 (lost in Region Quarter Finals)
Team comments: The Hawks won 11 games last season but they bring back a couple of nice pieces. Tage Ortman Tage Ortman 6'0" | CG Canistota | 2024 State SD will likely be an All-State player next season. The multi-sport athlete averaged 18.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 4.5 apg, 2.4 spg, and shot 30% from beyond the arc. Ortman is a lockdown defender and a stat stuffer. Brandon Kjetland Brandon Kjetland 6'6" | PF Canistota | 2024 SD will be the muscle and enforcer for the Hawks around the basket. Kjetland looks like a well sought after football recruit and he will also be an impact player in hoops. Look out for the Hawks!
#9 Howard
2022-23 Record: 16-7 (lost in SoDak 16)
Team comments: The Tigers bring back a boatload of talent, size and athleticism. Kolt Koepsell Kolt Koepsell 6'8" | C Howard | 2024 State SD and Luke Koepsell Luke Koepsell 6'4" | SF Howard | 2025 State SD are a huge reason for that! Few teams in South Dakota can match the Koepsell’s size and athleticism. It will be a daunting task to slow down these two! Also, look for Taiden Hoyer, Colby Claussen, Will Maier, and Logan Mentele Logan Mentele 6'0" | SG Howard | 2024 State SD to be quality contributors for the Tigers. Howard was one game away from State last season, expect the Tigers to have Aberdeen in their sights this next season.
#10 Wessington Springs
2022-23 Record: 16-7 (lost in SoDak 16)
Team comments: The Spartans return some quality players after making it to the SoDak 16 this past spring. Parker Graff Parker Graff 6'0" | CG Wessington Springs | 2026 State SD and Colby Flowers are two youngster for the Spartans and they will give opposing teams fits. They got their feet wet this past year and they are having a productive AAU season. Graff and Flowers will be two of the top sophomores in Class B next year. Blake Larson Blake Larson 5'10" | SG Wessington Springs | 2024 State SD is another nice player for Wessington Springs. Can 2023 be the year of the Spartans?
Contenders
Crazy Horse
2022-23 Record: 17-5 (lost in SoDak 16)
Deubrook Area
2022-23 Record: 7-13 (lost in Region Quarter Finals)
Leola-Frederick Area
2022-23 Record: 11-10 (lost in Region Quarter Finals)
Lower Brule
2022-23 Record: 22-4 (2nd at State)