SD State AA Tournament Standouts (Part 1)
The South Dakota State AA Tournament took place in Sioux Falls, SD on March 14-16. Prep Hoops Dakotas will look at some of the key contributors and standouts from the tournament. State Champions: Mitchell Kernels Second Place: Brandon Valley Tournament…
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Continue ReadingThe South Dakota State AA Tournament took place in Sioux Falls, SD on March 14-16. Prep Hoops Dakotas will look at some of the key contributors and standouts from the tournament.
State Champions: Mitchell Kernels
Second Place: Brandon Valley
Tournament MVP: Markus Talley Markus Talley 6'2" | PG Mitchell | 2025 State SD
Talley can play controlled and can also play fast and turn it on. Has a few gears to him. He was getting to his floater easily all tournament. Got by his defender to get in the heart of the paint. Controlled and handled the ball a high percentage for Mitchell. He was a smooth, effective playmaker, and the key to Mitchell bringing home a championship.
Game 1 – 22 points (7-16 FG) (2-6 3FG) – 4 rebounds – 3 assists – 1 steal
Game 2 – 21 points (7-16 FG) (3-5 3FG) – 2 rebounds – 1 assist – 2 blocks – 1 steal
Game 3 – 9 points (4-13 FG) – 5 rebounds – 4 assists – 2 blocks – 2 steals
Highlights
Soukup performed at a high level at the state AA tournament and was a main reason in Mitchell winning a state championship. He showed a three-level scoring arsenal as well as superb court vision and ability as a passer. So good at sharing the ball and making dime passes to teammates. I don’t really see any holes in his game, as he’s a well-rounded 2-guard with some offensive pop. Leading scorer in the championship game. Mr. Soukup came to play in the state tournament.
Game 1 – 14 points (4-10 FG) (6-7 FT) – 4 rebounds – 4 assists – 1 block – 2 steals
Game 2 – 22 points (8-15 FG) (4-8 3FG) – 3 rebounds – 8 assists – 1 steal
Game 3 – 16 points (7-10 FG) (1-3 3FG) – 2 assists – 2 steals
Highlights
Olthoff is one of the rare true big men in the state that gets the job done in the paint. He doesn’t waste any movement offensively and will power through, going directly at the hoop. Has a smooth and soft jumper that he uses from the mid-range area. He’s a big that sees the floor well and can pass the rock and find and setup his teammates to score themselves.
Game 1 – 8 points (2-6 FG) – 8 rebounds – 5 assists – 1 block – 1 steal
Game 2 – 20 points (6-15 FG) (7-13 FT) – 7 rebounds – 3 assists –
Game 3 – 13 points (5-11 FG) – 7 rebounds – 3 assists – 1 block – 2 steals
Smith dealt with a little ankle ailment in which he had to have it taped and it may have affected him a little. He was still effective and a difference-maker on the court on both ends. He was out-jumping everyone to rebound the ball. He was erasing shots and protecting the paint as well. An elite overall athlete with solid size, movement, and motor. Runs the floor hard.
Game 1 – 16 points (7-13 FG) – 10 rebounds – 3 assists – 4 blocks – 1 steal
Game 2 – 9 points (4-6 FG) – 14 rebounds – 3 assists
Game 3 – 7 points (3-8 FG) – 3 rebounds – 1 steal
Highlights
Hinker showed major physicality, motor, and strength in the interior. His interior defense was excellent and he showed great lower body strength and great positioning. Was efficient offensively with some emphatic dunks that got the crowd going.
Game 1 – 12 points (5-9 FG) – 4 rebounds – 2 assists – 2 steals
Game 2 – 8 points (4-5 FG) – 5 rebounds – 1 steal
Game 3 – 9 points (4-6 FG) – 8 rebounds
Hayden was active and very physical in the state tournament. Took it at the defense near the hoop and was going at contact, offensively. He was hitting the boards and attacking the offensive glass. He was so physical that he was getting foul calls and did foul out in the championship game. He poured it all out in the tournament.
Game 1 – 8 points (3-11 FG) – 8 rebounds – 2 assists – 1 steal
Game 2 – 14 points (5-9 FG) – 12 rebounds – 2 assists – 2 steals
Game 3 – 13 points (4-7 FG) – 6 rebounds – 1 assist – 1 block