South Dakota AA Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Dakota hoops season is getting closer and closer. Prep Hoops Dakotas will do a series of articles previewing South Dakota Class AA basketball, then Class A, and conclude with Class B. We'll specifically look at the projected contributors and prospects I like. We start with Mitchell, Brandon Valley, O'Gorman, and Brookings.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>State Champions Mitchell Kernels</strong><br></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mitchell is coming off of a state championship in 2024, in a season that they went 23-1. A key departure for them is second-team All-State guard Gavin Soukup, who had a stellar state tournament averaging 17.3 ppg. and 4.7 assists. I think the departure of Soukup makes it a little tougher for Mitchell to repeat as state champs. They will need a couple guys to step up. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Augie commit, [player_tooltip player_id='1297809' first='Markus' last='Talley'], will be the engine that runs everything. Talley is the best and most polished point guard in AA basketball. He was a first-team All-State guard, averaging 17.3 ppg., 4.1 apg., and 6.3 rpg. I think he takes on an even larger scoring role this upcoming season and could be closer to the 20 points per game mark. He may be the most important AA player in determining the state champion in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mitchell also happened to have another all-stater in first-team selection, [player_tooltip player_id='1466940' first='Colton' last='Smith']. The 6'5” 2026 forward averaged 16.8 ppg., 8.9 rpg., 3.8 apg., 1.6 stl., and 1.4 blk. in his Sophomore season. I think he's even a little more dominant in 2024-2025, and they will need him to be. He has picked up an offer from Dakota Wesleyan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>6'4” Senior Big, [player_tooltip player_id='2310403' first='Gavin' last='Hinker'] will be heavily counted on in the interior and be a rebounding presence on a team that won't have a ton of size. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Prospects to watch for Mitchell</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6'2” Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2250346' first='Owen' last='Raml'] played with Sanford's 15U Under Armour team this offseason. I think he has a chance to be one of the top breakouts for them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6'3” Sophomore Wing [player_tooltip player_id='2250315' first='Collin' last='Weier'], is another breakout candidate. The long wing was with [program_tooltip program_id='2250291' first='Hoop' last='City South Dakota'] this past offseason. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6'0-6'1” Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2132568' first='Lincoln' last='Bottum'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6'6” Freshman Big, [player_tooltip player_id='2344233' first='Owen' last='Schelske'], is one of the top Freshman in the state. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Runner-Up Brandon Valley</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I think Brandon Valley has a tougher time making another deep run in 2025 with the losses of 6'8” Big Josh Olthoff and 6'6” Forward Hayden Anderson.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Dakota State football signee, [player_tooltip player_id='1761714' first='Landon' last='Dulaney'], could emerge as one of the more improved scorers in AA, after scoring 8 points per game last season. I'm expecting some heavy usage from him. He'll have ample opportunity, he just needs to deliver. Great athlete that is capable of big games and locking down defensively. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5'9” Junior point guard, [player_tooltip player_id='1641563' first='Briggs' last='Knutson'], I think has a solid season. He translates to a point guard, but he can exchange with Dulaney as who handles the ball. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5'10 Senior shooting guard, [player_tooltip player_id='2338417' first='Brayden' last='Miller'], will need to have a strong season shooting the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6'5” Sophomore Big , [player_tooltip player_id='2148816' first='Austin' last='Dowd'], has a chance to be the main interior factor for Brandon Valley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the talent with the upper classes may be a little thinner, I do like these three Freshmen guards that are coming up. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6'1” guard [player_tooltip player_id='2368004' first='Lincoln' last='Mcinerney'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5'8” point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2414274' first='Tristan' last='Dulaney'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5'8” point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2443452' first='Caelen' last='Christion'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><br><strong>O'Gorman</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Went 10-11 last season, losing to Huron in the SoDak 16.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I believe [player_tooltip player_id='2623188' first='Austin' last='Terveen'] has a major season scoring the ball, and will increase his 15 ppg. average from a season ago. I'm predicting an All-State season for Terveen. He holds NAIA offers.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>O'Gorman will be a team lacking in size, but have a series of guards to roll out there that can play. Two guards for O'Gorman to get excited about are 6'1” Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2338447' first='Kai' last='Good'] and 6'2” Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2623203' first='Jaxson' last='Weeldreyer'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6'4” Wing [player_tooltip player_id='2623209' first='Nyun' last='Dut'] will form a one-two punch with Terveen. Dut has an offer from Briar Cliff University. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6'2” guard Senior guard, [player_tooltip player_id='1943913' first='Caleb' last='Terveen'], is one of the most underrated guards in the state.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Brookings</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Went 2-18 a year ago, but they have a few prospects I like that will have expanded roles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6'2” 2026 shooting guard, [player_tooltip player_id='2350759' first='Brodie' last='McCarty'], was a starter for Brookings as a Sophomore. He has a solid build and good overall size. Brookings graduated their guards and McCarty should have a larger and more counted on role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6'2” Junior guard/wing, [player_tooltip player_id='2350745' first='Jones' last='Huntimer'], is an underrated prospect in the state. He can play some ball and is dangerous scorer from all three levels. He's one that could have been mentioned as a AA potential breakout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6'0” 2026 SG [player_tooltip player_id='2350746' first='Drew' last='Johnson'] is a knockdown three-point shooter that is not afraid to let it go from range. He finds a spot and is only taking rhythm threes. His shot looks like solid form, every time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->