A Bit Too Early SD A Power Rankings
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PHD knows that we are in the month of July. However, the summer always goes by way too fast and football season will be here before we know it. The AAU basketball season is nearing its end already! The fall…
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Continue ReadingPHD knows that we are in the month of July. However, the summer always goes by way too fast and football season will be here before we know it. The AAU basketball season is nearing its end already! The fall sports season always zooms by, high school hoops will get here before we know it. While we are waiting for the season to arrive, PHD thought it would be fun to put out some Power Rankings for Class A.
See below for PHD’s initial Top 10 Power Rankings, we included 7 teams that should be “In The Hunt” for Top 10 consideration. These six teams have the talent to be serious contenders.
#1 Sioux Falls Christian
2022-23: 21-5 (2nd Place at State)
Comments: This program always has success so it should be no surprise that SFC is at the top. The Chargers will have a scary 3-headed monster with Griffen Goodbary Griffen Goodbary 6'10" | PF Sioux Falls Christian | 2025 State SD , Cole Snyder Cole Snyder 6'0" | CG Sioux Falls Christian | 2025 State SD , and Britton Mulder Britton Mulder 6'2" | SG Sioux Falls Christian | 2025 State SD . SFC also has some talented up-and-coming players to watch out for. The Chargers are a well-coached team and their “Big 3” knows what it takes to get to the State Championship. SFC will play a tough regular season schedule and they will be a seasoned team come playoff time. SFC has looked unstoppable this summer. It could very well be the year of the Chargers in 2023-24!
#2 Hamlin
2022-23: 21-4 (3rd Place at State)
Comments: The Hamlin Chargers bring back loads of talent and experience to make another deep run in the playoffs. Hamlin was a game away from the State Championship game last spring and I imagine that they will have their eyes on getting there next March. The Chargers have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to talent, they also have one of the best coaches in SD, Todd Neuendorf. Hamlin returns two All-State players with Tyson Stevenson Tyson Stevenson 6'2" | SG Hamlin | 2024 State SD and Easton Neuendorf. Some of the other talented Chargers are Zac VanMeeteren Zac VanMeeteren 6'6" | SF Hamlin | 2025 State SD , Dawson Noem Dawson Noem 6'4" | SF Hamlin | 2025 State SD , Evan Stormo Evan Stormo 6'3" | SF Hamlin | 2025 State SD , Jackson Wadsworth Jackson Wadsworth 6'2" | SG Hamlin | 2026 State SD , Aiden Abraham Aiden Abraham 6'2" | SF Hamlin | 2026 State SD , and Boden Stevenson Boden Stevenson 6'2" | SG Hamlin | 2027 State SD . Hamlin should also be playing a difficult schedule and they will be battle-tested by the post-season.
#3 Lennox
2022-23: 17-4 (Lost in Region Quarterfinals)
Comments: The Orioles are led by Porter Ihnen Porter Ihnen 6'5" | CG Lennox | 2024 State #318 Nation SD who is a complete baller, an All-State player, and a USD commit. I will not be surprised if Ihnen leads the state in scoring. Porter is also a high-yielding rebounder and an all-around playmaker. Lennox will have a new high-level talent on campus this year with Boston Katzer. The Orioles will have one of the best 1-2 punches in SD with Ihnen and Katzer. Lennox has many other quality players with Braxton Musser Braxton Musser 6'6" | SF Lennox | 2024 State SD , Talan Diercks Talan Diercks 5'10" | CG Lennox | 2024 SD , Layton Smith Layton Smith 6'4" | SF Lennox | 2025 State SD , Tate Gerdes Tate Gerdes 6'3" | SF Lennox | 2026 State SD , Cloy McVey Cloy McVey 6'1" | CG Lennox | 2026 State SD , and Drake Mikkelsen Drake Mikkelsen 6'4" | PF Lennox | 2027 State SD . The Orioles had an early exit last season, I do not see that happening this coming year. Look for Lennox to make a major post-season run in the 2023-24 season.
# 4 Sioux Valley
2022-23: 23-3 (5th Place at State)
Comments: The Cossacks lose one of the top players in South Dakota, Oliver Vincent. However, SV has plenty of talent returning and they have legendary head coach, Bill Vincent. SV has the best low post in class A, Alec Squires Alec Squires 6'10" | C Sioux Valley | 2024 State #280 Nation SD . The BIG man is committed to SDSU. Squires is an elite defender, rebounder, and the leading Dunker in Sioux Valley’s history. The Cossacks will also have a talented backcourt. Jace Christensen Jace Christensen 6'0" | PG Sioux Valley | 2024 State SD will run the show at point, take care of the ball, and stir the drink for coach Vincen’ts squad. Max Engebretson Max Engebretson 6'3" | SG Sioux Valley | 2024 State SD and Maverick Nelson Maverick Nelson 6'3" | SG Sioux Valley | 2025 State SD will be the shooters and scorers on the wing. Boden Schiller Boden Schiller 6'3" | SF Sioux Valley | 2024 SD will also be a huge part of the Cossack success. Schiller is crazy athletic, a dunking fool, a shot blocker, and a lockdown defender. Hudsyn Ruesink will provide grittiness and depth at the forward position. Will the Cossacks be tough once again? YES!
#5 West Central
2022-23: 11-11 (Lost in SoDak 16 Qualifier game)
Comments: The Trojans will be one of the biggest teams in South Dakota, and coach Sittig’s squads are always tough, stingy, and gritty. Jake Kuhl Jake Kuhl 7'0" | C West Central | 2024 State SD will be new to the Trojans and he could be a game changer with his 7-foot height and special athleticism. WC has another Kuhl to worry about. Will, who is a 6’8 low post player with sharp ball skills, athletic finishes, and tough post moves. The Trojans have other impressive talent with Trevin Price Trevin Price 6'1" | SG West Central | 2024 State SD , Brodie Herr Brodie Herr 6'4" | SF West Central | 2024 State SD , Crew Heier Crew Heier 6'4" | SF West Central | 2024 SD , and Connor Mebius Connor Mebius 5'8" | PG West Central | 2027 State SD . Mr. Mebius is a player of the future for WC and a top talent in the ’27 class. As always, Region 3 will be tough. The Trojans will certainly have their work cut out for them but they have all the pieces to be one of the best in A.
#6 St. Thomas More
2022-23: 21-4 (6th Place at State)
Comments: The Cavaliers lose their top player Caleb Hollenebck to graduation but they have plenty of talent coming up the ranks. The cabinet is never bare at STM! Dave Hollenbeck is the head coach and he is a legend in his own right. Coach Hollenbeck teaches the game the right way, his teams are always tough and disciplined. Some of the top Cavs to watch are Jordan Uhlir Jordan Uhlir 6'6" | PF White River | 2024 State SD , Turner Thompson Turner Thompson 6'5" | SF St. Thomas More | 2024 State SD , Lee Neugebauer Lee Neugebauer 6'2" | SF St. Thomas More | 2024 State SD , Peyton Young, Holden Grizwold, Chase Donnelly, JD Green JD Green 6'0" | PG Rapid City Stevens | 2025 State SD , and Baron Slusarski Baron Slusarski 6'1" | SF St. Thomas More | 2027 State SD . Wyatt Gylten Wyatt Gylten 6'0" | CG St. Thomas More | 2026 State SD aka “Buzzy” is a dude to watch as well. In the 2026 class, Buzzy is a Top 10 player and the top dawg out West. It will be fun to see how this STM team shakes out, they will be good, but the question is…How good?
#7 Rapid City Christian
2022-23: 20-2 (Lost in Sodak 16 Qualifer)
Comments: They only lost two games last season and they bring back a boatload of talent. Benson Kieffer Benson Kieffer 5'10" | PG Rapid City Christian | 2025 State SD is the big name for the Comets. Benson had a phenomenal soph season and he is standing out in AAU hoops this spring/summer. He is a dynamic playmaker all over the court. Julius Frog Julius Frog 6'5" | PF Rapid City Christian | 2025 State SD is a talented forward for the Comets that will give opponents problems in the paint, Frog is also productive from 15-feet. The Comets have some other noteworthy players, Wilson Kieffer Wilson Kieffer 6'2" | SF Rapid City Christian | 2024 State SD , Simon Kieffer Simon Kieffer 5'11" | SG Rapid City Christian | 2025 State SD , and Lars Kieffer Lars Kieffer 5'10" | CG Rapid City Christian | 2026 State SD . Apparently, we need to look out for the Kieffer’s!
#8 Groton Area
2022-23: 16-6 (Lost in SoDak 16)
Comments: The Tigers were a game away from State last season and they went the year before. I think we can all agree that Groton will have their sights set on State this upcoming season! Lane Tietz Lane Tietz 5'11" | CG Groton | 2024 State SD is the top Tiger, he is a lights-out shooter and an all-around stud. Jacob Zak Jacob Zak 5'11" | SG Groton Area | 2024 State SD is another Tiger to watch. Zak is a sleeper that will grab your attention this winter. He is tough as nails and can finish through contact as good as anyone. Other Tigers to watch are Ryder Johnson Ryder Johnson 6'3" | SG Groton Area | 2026 State SD , Keegen Tracy Keegen Tracy 5'10" | SG Groton | 2026 State SD , Treylor Diegel, Gage Sippel Gage Sippel 6'7" | C Groton Area | 2026 State SD , and Logan Ringgenberg.
#9 Dakota Valley
2022-23: 26-0 (State Champions)
Comments: How can the Panthers not be in the Top 10? DV has not lost a game in 2 years! Dakota Valley did lose a super-talented senior class but they are still going to win many games. Jaxson Wingert will be the MAN for DV. Tish is a top forward in SD and he will put up heavy numbers. He will gather double teams and the shooters from DV will thrive off of that. Luke Bruns is going to surprise some people this year, he is turning into a dude and will be a star in no time. Logan Collette Logan Collette 5'11" | SG Dakota Valley | 2025 State SD is another shooter to worry about. Look for Charlie Margeas Charlie Margeas 5'7" | PG Dakota Valley | 2024 SD to be the new PG for DV. Coach Kleis knows a thing or two about winning games, I imagine that he will have the Panthers ready to compete!
#10 Custer
2022-23: 8-13 (Lost in Region Quarterfinals)
Comments: The Wildcats are PHD’s darkhorse and we believe that they will surprise people! Kyle Virtue Kyle Virtue 6'5" | PF Custer | 2025 State SD is going to have a monster season and put up gaudy numbers. Virtue is a force to be reckoned with around the basket and he will also hurt teams from mid-range. Rhett Lowe Rhett Lowe 5'11" | CG Custer | 2025 State SD is the Wildcat PG who does a really nice job. Carter Boyster Carter Boyster 6'1" | SG Custer | 2025 State SD is a quality wing and Kincade Lehman Kincade Lehman 6'0" | SG Custer | 2025 State SD is a terrific athlete. Lowe, Boyster, and Lehman will make up a talented backcourt that will be ready to challenge anyone for the right to get to State.
*In The Hunt*
(Teams listed alphabetically)
Dell Rapids
Hot Springs
Lakota Tech
Madison
Pine Ridge
Tea Area
Vermillion