SoDak Qualifiers To Watch in A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We made it through the first round of Regional play. Next up, the SoDak 16 Qualifiers! Those will go down on Friday, March 1st.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this article, we are taking a look at <strong>1 game from each Region</strong>. That leaves us with <strong>8 games</strong> to check out. PHD will give you <strong>2 reasons</strong> to watch the game and <strong>ask 2 questions</strong> about the matchup/teams/players. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"20px","fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"800"}}} --> <p style="font-size:20px;font-style:normal;font-weight:800">Will any of these teams make the State Tournament?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2298937,"width":"422px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/GamestoWatch.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/GamestoWatch.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2298937" style="width:422px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">SoDak Qualifiers in Class A</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Region 1</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#2 Milbank (16-5) vs. #3 Tiospa Zina (14-7)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-These two played on Feb 23 and TZ won 57-55, expect another competitive game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-It will be interesting to see the pace of the game &amp; if either team adjusts much from the last matchup </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">QUESTIONS</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1296796' first='Carvin' last='Fish'] vs. [player_tooltip player_id='1653800' first='Yohana' last='Ajwanga'], who wins the matchup of the BIGs?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Can [player_tooltip player_id='1653802' first='Jaxson' last='Wildung'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1266227' first='Garrett' last='Mertens'] carry the Bulldogs to a win?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Region 2</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#2 Sioux Valley (19-2) vs. #3 Flandreau (14-7) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1380721' first='Luke' last='Sheppard'] is having a nice season, [player_tooltip player_id='1380720' first='Paul' last='Parsley'] is another high-quality player</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1266223' first='Alec' last='Squires'] is the best post defender in SD &amp; a thunderous dunker, [player_tooltip player_id='1763076' first='Max' last='Engebretson'] is also a dude, he will have a good shot at being named All-State</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">QUESTIONS</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The last time they played, SV won 44-35, will this one be low-scoring again?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cossacks played their best basketball in the 2nd half against Deuel, can they carry that over to this game?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Region 3</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#2 Dell Rapids (16-5) vs. #3 Baltic (14-7)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-These two played back on December 11th and Dells won 58-49, it should be another close game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='2351730' first='Jack' last='Henry'] vs. [player_tooltip player_id='1656547' first='Jack' last='Erickson'] will be a phenomenal matchup to watch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">QUESTIONS</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Will [player_tooltip player_id='1656544' first='Kellen' last='Artz'] be able to slow down [player_tooltip player_id='1270336' first='Rhett' last='Kloth']?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Can [player_tooltip player_id='1840960' first='Mark' last='Ditter'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1641266' first='Ben' last='Erickson'] shoot the Bulldogs to an upset?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Region 4</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#2 Lennox (14-7) vs. #3 Vermillion (14-7)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Battle of the birds! The Tanagers pulled the upset last year</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1266222' first='Porter' last='Ihnen'], any time he is on the court it is must-watch basketball </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">QUESTIONS</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1467165' first='Tate' last='Gerdes'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1987578' first='Braxton' last='Musser'] are players to watch, how do they perform on the big stage?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If VHS wants the upset they will have to get hot from 3, will [player_tooltip player_id='1986901' first='Bryson' last='Skogsberg'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1929459' first='Trey' last='Hansen'] light the nets on fire?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Region 5</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#1 Parkston (14-7) vs. #5 Sanborn Central-Woonsocket (10-11)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-They played on February 6th and Parkston won 75-64, expect a tightly contested game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1877985' first='Cody' last='Slykhuis'] is a marvelous athlete and he will make impressive plays</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">QUESTIONS</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Will [player_tooltip player_id='1877985' first='Cody' last='Slykhuis'] take over and upset the #1 seed?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2132812' first='Brycen' last='Bruening'] starts as a frosh, will he come up big under the bright lights of the playoffs?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Region 6</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#2 Cheyenne-Eagle Butte (13-7) vs. #3 Stanley County (14-7)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Stanley County beat Cheyenne-Eagle Butte on Jan 27 by 10, so the Buffaloes will be full of confidence</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Both teams can really score the ball, this should be a high scoring &amp; entertaining game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">QUESTIONS</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1855047' first='Easton' last='Lawrence'], [player_tooltip player_id='1855028' first='Damien' last='Clown'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2362982' first='Dayson' last='Kennedy'] are all averaging double-digits, who will have the splashy game?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2292733' first='Kaden' last='Montana'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='2250411' first='Eddie' last='Duffy'] are two underclassmen to watch, they will have an impact, is it enough to get the Buffalo W?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Region 7</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#1 Pine Ridge (19-1) vs. #4 Red Cloud (10-11)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Rivalry game! These two schools are about 5 minutes apart, they know each other well, it should be a great crowd</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-It will be a fast-paced, intense, and high-octane contest</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">QUESTIONS</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1384718' first='Marvin' last='Richard III'] averages 23.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4.7 apg, 2.3 apg, will be dominate like usual? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1842419' first='Braylon' last='Little'], [player_tooltip player_id='2363050' first='Nick' last='Zuniga'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1842328' first='Monty' last='Montileaux'] are averaging 10+ ppg, will any of them explode &amp; pull the upset?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Region 8</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#1 Hot Springs (17-3) vs. Custer (14-7)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-They have played twice this season, Hot Spring won 50-48 &amp; 55-40, it is tough to beat a team 3 times</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1407001' first='Aidyn' last='Janis'] vs. [player_tooltip player_id='1406999' first='Kyle' last='Virtue'] will be an excellent matchup to watch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">QUESTIONS</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who has a clutch game for the Wildcats, [player_tooltip player_id='2075967' first='Kincade' last='Lehman'], [player_tooltip player_id='1406986' first='Rhett' last='Lowe'], or [player_tooltip player_id='1406999' first='Kyle' last='Virtue']?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2100148' first='Josh' last='Kleinsasser'], [player_tooltip player_id='1394428' first='Camron' last='Maciejewski'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1394429' first='Matt' last='Close'] are all dudes, will they stay hot and get the victory?</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 -->