South Dakota Hoops Update: Mebius Dazzles

Prep Hoops Dakotas has another update from a couple opening games that I've watched. We'll focus on analyzing and highlighting the main takeaways from the prospects. Here we look at two Class A clashes with the West Central vs Dell Rapids game and the Baltic vs Beresford matchup.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">West Central 51 Dell Rapids 44</h2>   West Central   5'9” Sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2076018' first='Connor' last='Mebius'] is the highlight of the game. The young point guard dazzled and looks to be on another level this season. He's being more assertive and more confident this year. He got past the initial resistance of Dell Rapids' 2-3 Zone and was living in the middle of the lane. He got to the lane early and often. He poured in 27 points and 4 assists, hitting threes and ooping [player_tooltip player_id='1919285' first='Will' last='Kuhl'] three times for easy, authoritative dunks. Mebius looked super quick off the dribble, and he looks to be put on a little muscle and his legs look thicker. He also needs to be recognized as one of the top shooters in the state as well one of the top pure point guards in the state. He took over the game late, with a huge three then free throws to close things out. He was all over the court defensively, and also took care of his matchup as an on-ball defender.   [player_tooltip player_id='1919285' first='Will' last='Kuhl'] committed two early fouls and was taken out of the game, replaced by 6'4” 2027 4-man/Big Elliot DeJong.   6'9” Forward/Big [player_tooltip player_id='1919285' first='Will' last='Kuhl'] looked really good. Looks super long and is a legitimate 6'9”. He showed he can step out and hit threes on a normal basis. Had a skilled reverse finish at the rim to start the game, and he got up for three oop dunks. He looked to be moving well for a prospect his size. He finished with the game 17 points.   2026 Forward [player_tooltip player_id='1959424' first='Kolte' last='Garry'] got the start and he's now up to 6'5”.   5'6” 2027 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2132811' first='Boche' last='Knight'], came into the game with about two minutes left in the 1st quarter.   [player_tooltip player_id='2132818' first='Hayden' last='Heier'] is a 5'9” 2027 guard that was in the rotation, which is something to know.   Dell Rapids   The storyline for me is 6'0 2026 starting point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2698089' first='Karson' last='Paye'] for Dell Rapids. Paye isn't an elite athlete in terms of explosiveness, but he's still fluid and especially fluid and controlled handling and maneuvering with the ball. He's going to be a major addition to the 2026 rankings, and I think he has a chance to land in the top 30-35, being one of the top point guards in the class. I have him unofficially scoring 19 points in the game.   Another major talking point for Dell Rapids is [player_tooltip player_id='1535880' first='Jack' last='Kloth']. He's listed at 6'11” this year and is their starting Big. Kloth scored 13 points and looks to be playing slightly a little stronger and with more coordination. He had a couple dunks, one being a put-back dunk off the rim. He rebounded the ball at a high-point, being 6'11”.   6'6” 2025 Wing/forward [player_tooltip player_id='1399817' first='Tad' last='Tjaden'] recently committed to Southwest Minnesota State University for baseball. He looked good and was very active in many facets. He boarded the ball and was assertive attacking and in the painted area.   5'11” Sophomore shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2250327' first='Lincoln' last='Anderson'] got the start on the perimeter. He's a threat shooting the ball and I thought he showed some skill with the ball and as a passer.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Baltic 45 Beresford 31</h2>   Baltic   6'9” 2026 Forward/Big [player_tooltip player_id='1656544' first='Kellen' last='Artz'] looked impressive and more mobile. He scored 15 points with 9 blocks! He, like Kuhl, showed he can hit a three-point shot and stretch the floor at length. He's one of the top, if not top, rim-protector and shot-blockers in the state. He was running the floor really hard and at striding speed. His improved passing and up-court passing skill was noticeable as well. He was passing on the move.   6'0” 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1656545' first='Dylan' last='Runestad'] is the starting point guard, and he looked the part. His handle, control, and skill with the ball is rapidly improving and he looks like a true playmaking point guard that can be a threat scoring the ball. He made some nice passes and looks to be a facilitator as well. I think he can round out to a next level point guard. He will most likely be a 2026 stock-riser.   6'1” 2026 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1641266' first='Ben' last='Erickson'] was impressive as well. He looked quick, fluid, and fast on the court. He was also was making defensive plays on the ball and steals, and showing solid pressure on the ball. He slashed to the hoop with acceleration and quickness.   5'6” Freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id='2475686' first='Benjamin' last='Berg'] is in the Baltic rotation. He's a small guard but he's skilled overall with the ball, as a passer, and shooter.   Beresford   [player_tooltip player_id='1407010' first='Aidan' last='Hamm'] started as the point guard for Beresford. I don't think he's a natural point guard, but he showed way more athleticism and offensive pop than I realized he had. He's also a threat shooting the ball and the three, and needs to be guarded tightly. He was aggressive attacking the hoop as well.   We knew 6'2” 2026 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1641198' first='Malachi' last='James'] was athletic but he looks incredibly fluid and is an easy and effortless mover on the court. He looks to be more confident with the ball in his hands and has a more creative handle.   [player_tooltip player_id='1641212' first='Tiegen' last='Nyhaug'] didn't shoot the three as well as he'd like but he stayed aggressive. Shot still looks good, just didn't fall. His handle and offensive creation looks solid and improved. He moved the ball around nicely with secure, on-target passes.   6'8 Senior true Big [player_tooltip player_id='2694851' first='Joseph' last='Sharpe'] will be a new addition to the database as a new name. He started the game, and he's massive with a big and thick frame. He's prominently an inside presence.   5'10” Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2637594' first='Cooper' last='Garry'] looked quick with the ball, and showed some skill handling it. He's a high intensity and active guard. He'll be mentioned as a new addition to the 2026 rankings.

Prep Hoops Dakotas has another update from a couple opening games that I've watched. We'll focus on analyzing and highlighting the main takeaways from the prospects. Here we look at two Class A clashes with the West Central vs Dell Rapids game and the Baltic vs Beresford matchup.