Early Season Heat

The South Dakota high school basketball season is heating up, and a handful of players are already standing out with impressive performances. In this edition of Early Season Heat, Prep Hoops Dakotas highlights the athletes who have emerged as early-season standouts. These ballers have thrived in the opening weeks, setting the tone for their teams with high-level play on both ends of the floor. From scoring to playmaking to leadership, they are making an immediate impact, and if their early-season form is any indication, fans can expect their standout performances to continue as the season progresses.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><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" style="width:203px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Early Season Heat    [player_tooltip player_id='3266768' first='Blaze' last='Knippling'] has come out of the gate strong as a senior leader for Chamberlain, setting the tone with his physicality and presence in the paint. The 6'4" BIG plays with force around the rim, using his size and length to score through contact and control the glass. He is averaging around 16 points per game while also leading the Cubs in rebounding, with much of his production coming from relentless work on the offensive boards. What has stood out early is Knippling's growth on the defensive end. After putting in serious work over the summer, he has become a dependable and active defender who brings energy on every possession. He is also the most vocal player on the floor for Chamberlain, providing leadership and communication on both ends while helping keep the Cubs organized and confident. With a blazing start to his senior season already in the books, Knippling has positioned himself as a key piece for Chamberlain and a name Prep Hoops Dakotas will be watching closely as the season continues.     [player_tooltip player_id='2637594' first='Cooper' last='Garry'] has emerged as an important piece for an undefeated Baltic squad and has been one of the Bulldogs' early-season standouts. The 5'10 senior has embraced his role and brought consistency to the Bulldogs. Cooper has been a pleasant surprise. Garry has been especially valuable defensively, where his effort and on-ball pressure have made life difficult for opposing guards. He plays with energy, stays disciplined within the game plan, and consistently makes the right reads. On the offensive end, Garry has delivered timely production, knocking down big perimeter shots and averaging 10.3 points per game. His ability to impact winning without forcing the action has been a key factor in Baltic's early success and continued unbeaten run.     The Baltic Bulldogs have come out of the gates undefeated; they are playing tough basketball, and senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1656545' first='Dylan' last='Runestad'] has been a major reason why. The 6'0" floor general is playing solid on both ends. He sets the tone/tempo/pace with his consistency and competitive edge. Runestad is averaging 16 points per game early in the season, finding his scoring in a variety of ways while keeping the offense humming. Runestad has done an excellent job attacking the rim and getting to the free-throw line, and when defenses sag, he has made them pay by knocking down open threes at a 35 percent clip. With the ball in his hands, he brings poise and control, consistently making winning plays that elevate those around him. His leadership and all-around impact have helped fuel Baltic's hot start, and Runestad has firmly established himself as an early-season standout.     Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2413152' first='Dylen' last='Ferguson'] has been off to a standout start to his final season of high school hoops and has quickly established himself as an impact player. A tough, downhill slasher, Ferguson consistently gets to the rim and finishes through traffic, putting constant pressure on opposing defenses. He complements that attack by knocking down open threes when the moment calls for it, making him a reliable scoring threat in multiple ways. On the defensive end, Ferguson sets the tone. His motor never stops, and he leads the team in steals by hustling into passing lanes and creating deflections that spark transition opportunities. He also brings strong court vision and playmaking ability, running the point when needed and facilitating for teammates within the offense. As a leader who sets the tone by example, Ferguson's effort, toughness, and two-way impact have been instrumental in Little Wound's early success, making this a great start to his senior season.     [player_tooltip player_id='3044063' first='Izayah' last='Ulmer'] has wasted little time establishing himself as an early-season standout for Scotland-Menno, providing a steady presence all over the hardwood. The senior guard has taken on the responsibility of driving the offense while also setting the tone defensively, consistently producing without forcing the action. His poise has been especially evident in late-game situations, as he played a central role in both comeback efforts over the past week, including a hard-fought battle against Hanson. Ulmer's offensive game is built on efficiency and control. He scores at a high rate while limiting turnovers, using his ability to get downhill and finish at the rim despite his size. His midrange jumper has been a reliable weapon, and he has also shown the ability to stretch defenses from beyond the arc. Defensively, Ulmer's anticipation stands out. He reads passing lanes well, leads the team in steals, and always seems to be a step ahead of the play. Through the opening stretch, he is averaging 18 points per game, highlighted by a 29-point performance against Bon Homme and a 17-point outing versus Hanson, while shooting efficiently from both two and three-point range. His well-rounded impact and leadership have made him a key piece for Scotland-Menno and one of the early names to watch this season. Keep eyes on Ulmer.     [player_tooltip player_id='3042558' first='Jesse' last='Hernandez'] has quickly established himself as the engine that makes the Cavaliers go and has been one of the more compelling early-season standouts to watch. He brings a confident scoring presence to the floor, showing the ability to stretch defenses with his perimeter shooting while also putting constant pressure on the rim when he slashes downhill. Hernandez plays with poise and never looks rushed, even when the game speed ramps up. What separates him is his feel for big moments. When the Cavaliers fell behind 10-0 early against Mobridge, Hernandez took complete control, ripping off a personal 15-4 run that flipped the momentum and set the tone for a comeback win. He poured in 21 points in the first half, and when defensive attention shifted his way after the break, he adjusted seamlessly by rebounding, facilitating, and making sure teammates were involved. Hernandez has become the team's thermostat, dictating pace, energy, and confidence on the floor. His growth as a leader has been evident, and his impact goes far beyond the box score.     [player_tooltip player_id='1656544' first='Kellen' last='Artz'] has been a force in the early going and has quickly established himself as one of the premier bigs in Class A. The 6'9 senior has made a major impact on both ends of the floor, posting impressive averages of 18 points and 11.5 rebounds per game through four contests. Artz is a Double-Double machine! His ability to score around the rim, finish through contact, and clean the glass has been a constant for Baltic during its undefeated start. Defensively, Artz's length and timing have been game-changing, as he is averaging 1.8 blocks per contest and altering countless other shots in the paint. He consistently makes his presence felt on that end, anchoring the Bulldogs defensively and protecting the rim at a high level. With Baltic off to a hot start and looking like one of the top teams in Class A, Artz has been a major reason why and has clearly earned early-season standout status.     Already trusted with the keys to the offense, [player_tooltip player_id='2820492' first='Miles' last='Thompson'] has wasted no time making an impact as a freshman point guard for Chamberlain, and it is clear the Cubs have a special young talent on their hands. Despite his youth, Thompson plays with poise and confidence, doing an excellent job controlling the pace of the game while keeping the offense organized. He currently leads the team in assists, a testament to his vision and feel for getting teammates in the right spots and flowing smoothly in and out of sets. What stands out most is Thompson's maturity and basketball IQ. He sees the floor extremely well for his age and makes smart decisions with the ball, often looking like a player well beyond his years. Thompson also adds an offensive punch by knocking down shots from the perimeter, and he competes on the defensive end with a scrappy edge that belies his size. With his early impact and advanced feel for the game, the future looks very bright for [player_tooltip player_id='2820492' first='Miles' last='Thompson'] and the Chamberlain program.     [player_tooltip player_id='2387867' first='Peyton' last='Glenn'] has been off to a standout start for RCC. Currently averaging 15 points per game, Glenn earned All-Tournament Team honors at the Lakota Nation Invitational after helping Rapid City Christian go 3–1 and finish fifth overall. His performance in that setting highlighted his ability to rise to the moment against quality competition. Glenn is a versatile scorer who can hurt defenses in multiple ways. He is comfortable scoring with his back to the basket, while also using his perimeter skill set to shoot, handle, and attack off the bounce. Beyond his offensive production, Glenn has been a reliable defender and rebounder, consistently contributing on both ends of the floor. His well-rounded game and strong early-season play have made him one of the top early-season standouts to watch in South Dakota.     [player_tooltip player_id='2132570' first='Sully' last='Kieffer'] has carved out his role as the steady hand for the Comets and has been impressive early on. The junior point guard is growing increasingly comfortable as the floor general, bringing composure, toughness, and control to both ends of the floor. His defensive presence sets the tone, as he consistently draws the assignment of guarding the opposing team's top perimeter threat and takes pride in making life difficult for them. On offense, Kieffer keeps everything organized. He does a strong job of initiating sets, delivering the ball to the right spots, and keeping teammates involved, all while knowing when to assert himself. His strength and shiftiness make him hard to keep out of the lane, and once he gets downhill, he creates problems for defenses. Add in Sully's ability to rebound at a high level for a guard, and Kieffer's impact goes well beyond the stat sheet. His poise, physicality, and two-way play have made him a difference maker early and a name to keep an eye on as the season moves forward.     Tanner Highhorse has emerged as an early-season standout for Little Wound. He impacts the game on both ends. Tanner is the team's leading rebounder and anchors the interior with his ability to protect the rim, routinely blocking shots and making plays above the rim. His defensive impact goes beyond the box score, as he consistently draws the assignment of guarding the opposing team's best big and does an excellent job containing them. Offensively, Highhorse brings a versatile skill set that keeps defenses honest. He can step out and knock down shots to stretch the floor, while also showing a polished midrange game that allows him to score in multiple ways. Combined with his physicality, effort, and leadership, Highhorse provides Little Wound with a reliable two-way presence. His ability to rebound, defend, and contribute offensively has been a major factor in the team's early success and makes him a name Prep Hoops Dakotas will be watching closely as the season continues.    <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>

The South Dakota high school basketball season is heating up, and a handful of players are already standing out with impressive performances. In this edition of Early Season Heat, Prep Hoops Dakotas highlights the athletes who have emerged as early-season standouts. These ballers have thrived in the opening weeks, setting the tone for their teams with high-level play on both ends of the floor. From scoring to playmaking to leadership, they are making an immediate impact, and if their early-season form is any indication, fans can expect their standout performances to continue as the season progresses.