Questions about the State AA
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In this article, we are previewing & highlighting the upcoming SD Class AA State Tournament. PHD will look at each matchup and ask a series of questions. This will be a fun way to think about the Tournament as the anticipation…
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Continue ReadingIn this article, we are previewing & highlighting the upcoming SD Class AA State Tournament.
PHD will look at each matchup and ask a series of questions. This will be a fun way to think about the Tournament as the anticipation builds throughout the week.
What: Class AA State Tournament
When: March 14-16
Where: Sioux Falls
Venue: Denny Sanford Premier Center
QUARTERFINAL MATCHUPS
12:00 – #1 Mitchell vs. #8 Sioux Falls Jefferson
1:45 – #4 Sioux Falls Roosevelt vs. #5 Sioux Falls Washington
6:00 – #2 Harrisburg vs. #7 Watertown
7:45 – #3 Brandon Valley vs. #6 Huron
Questions about State AA
#1 Mitchell (20-1) vs. #8 Sioux Falls Jefferson (12-9)
Kernel PPG: 61 OPPG: 49 Cavalier PPG: 59 OPPG: 56
Regular Season: Mitchell won 71-58
Can the Cavs handle the Kernels on the interior? Colton Smith Colton Smith 6'5" | PF Mitchell | 2026 State SD & Gavin Hinker Gavin Hinker 6'4" | PF Mitchell | 2025 State SD present a tough matchup.
Does Braylon Bear Braylon Bear 6'2" | SG Sioux Falls Jefferson | 2024 SD have another clutch and magical game in him?
Is Markus Talley Markus Talley 6'2" | PG Mitchell | 2025 State SD the best guard on the floor and is he lights out from deep?
If JHS wants an upset, they will need X-factors to step up. Will Damaris Fields Damaris Fields 5'6" | PG Sioux Falls Jefferson | 2024 State SD & Dawson Sechser Dawson Sechser 6'0" | SG Sioux Falls Jefferson | 2024 SD perform well in the opening round?
#4 Sioux Falls Roosevelt (15-6) vs. Sioux Falls Washington (14-7)
Rough Rider PPG: 57 OPPG: 51 Warrior PPG: 55 OPPG: 54
Regular Season: Roosevelt won 71-49 & Washington won 56-52
There will be a ton of athleticism on the court, is Jhace Woods Jhace Woods 6'3" | SF Sioux Falls Washington | 2026 State SD the top athlete in this matchup?
Jackson Brouwer Jackson Brouwer 6'3" | SF Sioux Falls Roosevelt | 2024 State SD will be back playing at the State Tournamnet, how much does he play & how does he perform?
Hayden Goff Hayden Goff 6'0" | CG Sioux Falls Roosevelt | 2024 State SD & Naser Ismail Naser Ismail 5'8" | PG Sioux Falls Roosevelt | 2024 State SD make for a talented backcourt, will they step up and push the Riders to the semifinals?
Tommy Hoffman Tommy Hoffman 6'3" | SG Sioux Falls Washington | 2025 State SD , Lucas Johnson Lucas Johnson 6'6" | SF Sioux Falls Washington | 2025 State SD , and Samuel Baskin Samuel Baskin 6'1" | PG Sioux Falls Washington | 2025 SD have all had breakout seasons, will that impressive play continue at State?
#2 Harrisburg (18-3) vs. #7 Watertown (13-8)
Tigers PPG: 64 OPPG: 47 Arrows PPG: 56 OPPG: 55
Regular Season: Harrisburg won 53-37
Can the Arrows slow this one down and win in a low-scoring dogfight?
Jacoby Mehrman Jacoby Mehrman 6'4" | PG Harrisburg | 2024 State SD & Braeden VanBockern Braeden VanBockern 6'3" | SG Harrisburg | 2024 State SD are a dangerous & dominant 1-2 punch. Will they take care of business in the opening round?
Who is the X-factor for the Arrows? These guys can change the game: Dylon Rawdon Dylon Rawdon 6'0" | PG Watertown | 2024 State SD , Jake Olson Jake Olson 6'2" | SF Watertown | 2024 State SD , Marcus Rabine Marcus Rabine 6'1" | SF Watertown | 2024 State SD , Kohen Kranz Kohen Kranz 6'0" | CG Watertown | 2024 State SD , and Caden Beauchamp Caden Beauchamp 6'4" | PF Watertown | 2024 State SD .
It seems like Harrisburg & Mitchell are destined to meet in the State Championship, the first step for the maroon & gold is winning on Thursday. Will the Tigers live up to those expectations?
#3 Brandon Valley (16-5) vs. #6 Huron (13-8)
Lynx PPG: 61 OPPG: 49 Tigers PPG: 55 OPPG: 54
Regular Season: BV won 64-43
Will we see Josh Olthoff Josh Olthoff 6'9" | C Brandon Valley | 2024 State SD & Blake Ellwein Blake Ellwein 6'8" | SF Huron | 2026 State SD go after each other?
Is Landon Dulaney Landon Dulaney 6'1" | CG Brandon Valley | 2025 State SD the best athlete on the floor and what role does Briggs Knutson Briggs Knutson 5'8" | PG Brandon Valley | 2026 State SD play?
Will the youngster Anderson Porisch Anderson Porisch 6'4" | SF Huron | 2027 State SD go off and pull the upset?
This matchup is between two top-notch coaches, Craig Nelson & Tim Buddenhagen. Do either have a trick up their sleeve, who controls the tempo, and who executes late in the game?