SD Class B Power Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Dakota is a week into practices and the first Class B games of the season tip-off on Thursday! Class B is loaded once again and the talent level is high across the state. Who makes the top 10? See below for PHD's Power Rankings, we will make comments on the teams and ask a question for each.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"italic","fontWeight":"800"}}} --> <p style="font-style:italic;font-weight:800">Best of luck to all the players, teams, coaches, and fans this season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1399487,"width":"434px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><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" style="width:434px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"x-large"} --> <p class="has-x-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">B Power Rankings</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#1 De Smet</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>WHY?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Class B is the Bulldogs world and everyone else is just living in it!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Coach <em>Gruenhagen</em> is one of the best in SD, unselfish teammates, hardworking, disciplined</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size">-[player_tooltip player_id='1725470' first='George' last='Jensen'], [player_tooltip player_id='1625203' first='Kadyn' last='Fast'], [player_tooltip player_id='1764168' first='Tom' last='Aughenbaugh'], [player_tooltip player_id='1552592' first='Trace' last='Van Regenmorter'], [player_tooltip player_id='1966052' first='Britt' last='Carlson'], [player_tooltip player_id='2286030' first='Grant' last='Wilkinson'] are players to watch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Can they reload, put it all together, and win another Championship?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#2 Castlewood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>WHY?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Lately, it seems like the Warriors are always at State, 20 wins last season and 5th place at State</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1327459' first='Bryon' last='Laue'] is a dominant &amp; imposing BIG who is still improving, a force around the basket</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1625205' first='Lane' last='Tvedt'] is a do-it-all guard, tough/skill/smart, <strong>Thu</strong>, <strong>Schofield</strong>, <strong>Keszler </strong>are ballers as well</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Outside of Laue, what type of interior play and depth do they have? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#3 Viborg-Hurley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>WHY?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-21-5 last season and a trip to State, bring back some scary talent</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1535886' first='Nick' last='Hanson'] was All-State last season, he is a top BIG in SD regardless of class</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1832812' first='Brady' last='Schroedermeier'] is a talented &amp; dynamic PG, role guys will buy in &amp; do the little things</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Can they make teams pay for doubling Hanson?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#4 Dell Rapids St. Mary</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>WHY?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-They return a ton of talent, athleticism, skill, and shooters</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1266273' first='Nic' last='Gaspar'] is an All-State caliber talent, [player_tooltip player_id='1625214' first='Trevon' last='Beckman'] is an elite shooter, [player_tooltip player_id='1263161' first='Maverick' last='LeBrun'] is an all-around baller</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1559131' first='Trimmier' last='Hanson'] is an experienced but young PG to watch, the Cards have other talented youngsters </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Can they protect the rim and defend teams with great length?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#5 Faith</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>WHY?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Longhorns won 23 games last season and went to the State Tournament</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1819685' first='Jackson' last='Schauer'] is one of the top shooters in South Dakota, the lefty averaged over 20 ppg last season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-6'7", [player_tooltip player_id='1819752' first='Caden' last='Selby'] (13 ppg) presents matchup problems, shoots it well from outside &amp; produces in transition</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-What kind of depth does Faith have and who is the next best offensive threat?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#6 White River</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>WHY?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Went to State last year and <em>Eldon Marshall</em>'s team always seems to make the Big Dance in Aberdeen</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1266275' first='Nic' last='Marshall'] (17.8 ppg, 4 rpg, 5.3 apg) is one of the top playmakers in B, All-State last season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1273153' first='Jordan' last='Uhlir'] transferred in, big boost for the interior, [player_tooltip player_id='1407011' first='Mackenzie' last='Wike'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1532308' first='Logan' last='Wright'] are nice role guys</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Can the Tigers defend consistently and get stops down the stretch? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#7 Gregory</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>WHY?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-The Gorillas won 16 games last season and they bring back their top talent</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1266237' first='Daniel' last='Mitchell'] is long &amp; athletic, is a mismatch headache, All-State since his frosh season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1263160' first='Cruz' last='Klundt'] is a smart playmaking PG, [player_tooltip player_id='1328222' first='Rane' last='Kenzy'] is a solid 3rd option who will produce </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Do they have much size outside of Mitchell, how deep does their bench go?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#8 Canistota</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>WHY?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-The Hawks bring back their top two players, they will be athletic &amp; tough</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1415229' first='Tage' last='Ortman'] (18.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 4.5 apg, 2.4 spg) dude &amp; stat stuffer, All-State last season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1479615' first='Brandon' last='Kjetland'], at 6'6" BIG &amp; strong, GRINDER, physical, blue-collar, serious college bball recruit</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Outside of the top 2, where does production come from and how deep is the bench?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#9 Crazy Horse</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>WHY?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-17 wins last season, SoDak 16 appearance, hardworking &amp; passionate coach </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='2280851' first='Noah' last='Iron Horse'] (<em>23.1 ppg 6 rpg 4 apg, 3.5 spg</em>), a stud that can put up major points &amp; fill the stat sheet</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Many talented &amp; skilled athletes, young depth, they will play at a frenetic pace &amp; push the tempo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Can they defend &amp; get stops when needed, can they match up with a BIG physical post? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#10 Howard</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>WHY?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-16-7 last season and a trip to the SoDak 16, all the BIG boys are back for the Tigers</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1503843' first='Luke' last='Koepsell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1318807' first='Kolt' last='Koepsell'] will overwhelm you with size and athleticism </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='2257316' first='Taiden' last='Hoyer'] is an experienced &amp; impressive athlete, <em><strong>Colby Claussen</strong></em> can D-up and hit outside shots</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Can the Tiger backcourt handle a press &amp; pressure, how do they shoot it from deep?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1676515,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/PowerRankings.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/PowerRankings.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1676515" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->