SD Preseason A Power Rankings
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It is officially high school basketball season in South Dakota! Practices tipped off across the state yesterday and now the countdown starts until the first game. Like always, the Class A field is absolutely loaded with talented teams. Who will…
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Continue ReadingIt is officially high school basketball season in South Dakota! Practices tipped off across the state yesterday and now the countdown starts until the first game. Like always, the Class A field is absolutely loaded with talented teams. Who will be the best of the best this season? See below for PHD’s take on the Class A Power Rankings!
PHD will give you three reasons why these teams belong in the top 10 and ask one question.
A Power Rankings
#1 Hamlin
WHY?
-3rd place at State last season and they bring back a ton of experience with a smart coach
-Have one one of the best passers/PG’s in SD with Easton Neuendorf
-Lights out shooters w/ Jackson Wadsworth Jackson Wadsworth 6'2" | SG Hamlin | 2026 State SD & Tyson Stevenson Tyson Stevenson 6'2" | SG Hamlin | 2024 State SD , size/athleticism w/ Van Meeteren & Stormo
Do they have enough size/length to defend elite BIGs like Squires, Wingert, Goodbary?
#2 Sioux Falls Christian
WHY?
-2nd place at State last season and all of the horses are back
– Griffen Goodbary Griffen Goodbary 6'10" | PF Sioux Falls Christian | 2025 State SD is a nightmare of a matchup with his length & dynamic skill set
– Cole Snyder Cole Snyder 6'0" | CG Sioux Falls Christian | 2025 State SD is an excellent lead guard, smart & a talented shooter, Britton Mulder Britton Mulder 6'2" | SG Sioux Falls Christian | 2025 State SD is an elite offensive player
Will the young talent step up and when does Mulder return from injury?
#3 Sioux Valley
WHY?
– Alec Squires Alec Squires 6'10" | C Sioux Valley | 2024 State #280 Nation SD is the best interior defender in SD, high percentage shooter & elite finisher
– Max Engebretson Max Engebretson 6'3" | SG Sioux Valley | 2024 State SD & Maverick Nelson Maverick Nelson 6'3" | SG Sioux Valley | 2025 State SD make for a sharp-shooting and playmaking backcourt
-Vincent’s zone D is not flashy but effective, consistent & reliable, first-class coaching staff
-Do they have enough depth off the bench for a deep tourney run?
#4 Lennox
WHY?
– Porter Ihnen Porter Ihnen 6'5" | CG Lennox | 2024 State #318 Nation SD and Boston Katzer are going to be marvelous together, mismatch headache
– Braxton Musser Braxton Musser 6'6" | SF Lennox | 2024 State SD and Tate Gerdes Tate Gerdes 6'3" | SF Lennox | 2026 State SD are scary players that will do a ton of damage
-Great depth off the bench with plenty of young, athletic, and talented players
They have so much talent and many scoring options, are there enough shots to go around?
#5 Rapid City Christian
WHY?
-They won 20 games last season and the Comets bring back their top talent
– Benson Kieffer Benson Kieffer 5'10" | PG Rapid City Christian | 2025 State SD is a gamer/clutch performer, lightning quick, precision passer, has a sweet pull-up J
– Julius Frog Julius Frog 6'5" | PF Rapid City Christian | 2025 State SD is a double-double dude with a smooth J, Simon Kieffer Simon Kieffer 5'11" | SG Rapid City Christian | 2025 State SD & Wes Schlabach Wes Schlabach 6'1" | SG Rapid City Christian | 2024 State SD are solid role guys
Do they have enough size/length outside of Frog to beat the top teams?
#6 West Central
WHY?
-The Trojans will be crazy long, disruptive, and they should own the boards on both ends
-Kuhl brothers will cause problems in the paint, Heier is strong & sores from all levels, Herr is a talented shooter
–Jacob Sittig‘s teams are always hardworking & tough, they also have intriguing young talent
How is the backcourt play and can they shoot it well enough from 3-point land to keep teams honest?
#7 Groton
WHY?
-Tigers have a successful program, went to SoDak 16 last season and State the year before
– Lane Tietz Lane Tietz 5'11" | CG Groton | 2024 State SD is an elite talent in SD, phenomenal shooter, great passer, natural & smart baller
– Jacob Zak Jacob Zak 5'11" | SG Groton Area | 2024 State SD is nice glue/role guy, Ryder Johnson Ryder Johnson 6'3" | SG Groton Area | 2026 State SD is an up-n-coming stud, Gage Sippel Gage Sippel 6'7" | C Groton Area | 2026 State SD has 6’7″ length
Can the Tigers defend the top teams and close down the stretch when it matters?
#8 Pine Ridge
WHY?
-Won 18 games last season, long, deep, athletic, no problem putting up points
– Marvin Richard Marvin Richard 6'0" | CG Pine Ridge | 2026 State SD transferred to the Thorpes, which makes a talented team even scarier
-Fast tempo style, create turnovers & pressure, multiple guys that can take over the game
-Can they defend at a high level, take care of the ball, and execute late?
#9 Hot Springs
WHY?
-Went to State last spring in hoops & won State Championship this fall in football
-Skilled, strong, physical athletes who know how to win big games!
– Josh Kleinsasser Josh Kleinsasser 6'2" | SG Hot Springs | 2024 State SD , Matt Close Matt Close 6'1" | CG Hot Springs | 2024 State SD , Camron Maciejewski Camron Maciejewski 6'2" | SG Hot Springs | 2024 SD , and Aidyn Janis Aidyn Janis 6'4" | PF Hot Springs | 2025 State SD are all dudes & playmakers
-Can they score enough and run with the elite teams from the East?
#10 Dakota Valley
WHY?
-Coming off 2 undefeated seasons & 2 State Crowns, longest active high school winning streak in the nation
– Jaxson Wingert Jaxson Wingert 6'7" | PF Dakota Valley | 2024 State SD is one of the top forwards in SD, a true beast, Luke Bruns is going to break out & blow up
-Have youngsters ready to prove they can shine on varsity, Jason Kleis is one of the best coaches in SD
-=How long will the win streak last and can they ride the momentum of years past?