Updated SD B Power Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are on a brief Christmas Break and this seems like the perfect time to update the Power Rankings for South Dakota Class B. Who makes the Top 10? Let's take a look....</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1676515,"width":"325px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/PowerRankings.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/PowerRankings.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1676515" style="width:325px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"x-large"} --> <p class="has-x-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Top 10</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#1 Castlewood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Record:</strong> 4-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Next:</strong> 12/30 at Brookings vs. Madison</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors have a rich basketball program and they have continued their winning ways early in the season. Castlewood had a scare the other night against Flandreau but pulled it out and won 62-57. You are not always going to play your best game night in and night out but the great teams find a way to win even on their off nights. [player_tooltip player_id='1327459' first='Bryon' last='Laue'], [player_tooltip player_id='1625205' first='Lane' last='Tvedt'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1558248' first='Jamison' last='Keszler'] have been the top players for the Warriors. They have also had an impressive start to the season from [player_tooltip player_id='2305711' first='Luke' last='Baumberger'] who is new to the team from Watertown. Coming up, the Warriors have a fun matchup against Madison at the Entringer Classic. That will be a game to watch! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#2 Dell Rapids St. Mary</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Record:</strong> 3-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Next:</strong> 12/28 home vs. Chester</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cardinals picked up their signature win of the season on December 18th when they took down perennial powerhouse De Smet by a score of 60-56. [player_tooltip player_id='1263161' first='Maverick' last='LeBrun'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1625214' first='Trevon' last='Beckman'] have been carrying the offensive load for the Cards. [player_tooltip player_id='1559131' first='Trimmier' last='Hanson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1266273' first='Nic' last='Gaspar'] have also been playing well for the Cardinals. This squad is scary!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#3 Faith</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Record:</strong> 5-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Next:</strong> 1/4 at Timber Lake</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Longhorns were excellent last season, they made a trip to the State Tournament, and they are off to an undefeated start this season. [player_tooltip player_id='1819685' first='Jackson' last='Schauer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1819752' first='Caden' last='Selby'] are the top players for the Longhorns. In the past two games, Schauer put up some impressive numbers. Jackson poured in 31 points, grabbed 3 rebounds, and dished 4 assists against Philip. Against Hettinger/Scranton, Schauer recorded 36 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#4 Canistota</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Record:</strong> 4-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Next:</strong> 12/29 home vs. Corsica-Stickney</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hawks have an unblemished record and they are averaging 61.5 ppg and they are holding opponents to 40 ppg. Not a bad start! [player_tooltip player_id='1415229' first='Tage' last='Ortman'] is the top player for the Hawks. He is an All-State talent and he recently committed to Dakota State for hoops! [player_tooltip player_id='1479615' first='Brandon' last='Kjetland'] is the BIG man on campus who provides strength, toughness, and grit. <strong>Brady Scott</strong> is another quality player for the Hawks who is playing well and has looked good getting to the rim and finishing. Next up, the Hawks play Corsica-Stickney and then they have a tough one on 1/2/24 against a tough EPJ team who just knocked off Viborg-Hurley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#5 Leola-Frederick</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Record:</strong> 5-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Next:</strong> 12/28 at Wosley-Wessington vs. TBD</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Titans are hot right now! Leola-Frederick is led in scoring by [player_tooltip player_id='1386801' first='Noah' last='Kippley'] with 20.8 ppg and [player_tooltip player_id='2049883' first='Brayden' last='Sumption'] with 14.8 ppg. The Titans real strength is their depth (they go about 9 deep). They like to pressure and speed teams up in the full court, play in transition as much as possible, and eventually wear teams down. The Titans have many guys making winning plays that don't show up in stat sheets like drawing charges, deflections, saving balls to teammates to start transition, etc. The Titans have seen success with their style of play and the players have bought in. The Titans are sacrificing individual playing time for team success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gavin Nickelson</strong> had a broken hand last season and has really come into his own this season. [player_tooltip player_id='1563333' first='Connor' last='Spitzer'] is a lethal weapon when looking for cutters and starting the Titan transition offense as a big. [player_tooltip player_id='1634581' first='Milo' last='Sumption'] has improved from last year and is playing more and more confidently every game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1634582' first='Ethan' last='Petrich']</strong> is a tireless worker and a beast on the boards. <strong>Taylor Himanga</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2297365' first='Westyn' last='Thorpe']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1551743' first='Titus' last='Kippley']</strong> give the Titans depth that other teams do not have. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1548636' first='Winston' last='Clark']</strong> will return from an ankle injury soon and the Titans are excited to see him back on the court. Leola-Frederick is playing great team basketball and they deserve your attention when they return from Christmas break</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#6 Ethan</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Record:</strong> 5-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Next:</strong> 12/28 at Corn Palace vs. McCook Central-Montrose</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#7 De Smet</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Record:</strong> 5-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Next: </strong>12/30 at Brookings vs. Chester Area</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#8 White River</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Record:</strong> 4-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Next:</strong> 12/28 at Corn Palace vs. Bridgewater-Emery</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#9 Gregory</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Record: </strong>3-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Next:</strong> 12/28 at Corn Palace vs. Howard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#10 Viborg-Hurley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Record:</strong> 3-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Next: </strong>12/28 at Corn Palace vs. Corsica-Stickney</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1399487,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><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" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->