SD Preseason A Power Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is officially high school basketball season in South Dakota! Practices tipped off across the state yesterday and now the countdown starts until the first game. Like always, the Class A field is absolutely loaded with talented teams. Who will be the best of the best this season? See below for PHD's take on the Class A Power Rankings!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PHD will give you three reasons why these teams belong in the top 10 and ask one question.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1399487,"width":"447px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <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:447px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"x-large"} --> <p class="has-x-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">A Power Rankings</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#1 Hamlin</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>WHY?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-3rd place at State last season and they bring back a ton of experience with a smart coach </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Have one one of the best passers/PG's in SD with [player_tooltip player_id='1625191' first='Easton' last='Neuendorf']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Lights out shooters w/ [player_tooltip player_id='1545637' first='Jackson' last='Wadsworth'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1331228' first='Tyson' last='Stevenson'], size/athleticism w/ Van Meeteren &amp; Stormo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Do they have enough size/length to defend elite BIGs like Squires, Wingert, Goodbary?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#2 Sioux Falls Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>WHY?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-2nd place at State last season and all of the horses are back</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1503883' first='Griffen' last='Goodbary'] is a nightmare of a matchup with his length &amp; dynamic skill set</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1390318' first='Cole' last='Snyder'] is an excellent lead guard, smart &amp; a talented shooter, [player_tooltip player_id='1390319' first='Britton' last='Mulder'] is an elite offensive player</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Will the young talent step up and when does Mulder return from injury?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#3 Sioux Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>WHY?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1266223' first='Alec' last='Squires'] is the best interior defender in SD, high percentage shooter &amp; elite finisher</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1763076' first='Max' last='Engebretson'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1263164' first='Maverick' last='Nelson'] make for a sharp-shooting and playmaking backcourt </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Vincent's zone D is not flashy but effective, consistent &amp; reliable, first-class coaching staff</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Do they have enough depth off the bench for a deep tourney run?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#4 Lennox</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>WHY?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1266222' first='Porter' last='Ihnen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1625181' first='Boston' last='Katzer'] are going to be marvelous together, mismatch headache</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1987578' first='Braxton' last='Musser'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1467165' first='Tate' last='Gerdes'] are scary players that will do a ton of damage</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Great depth off the bench with plenty of young, athletic, and talented players</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They have so much talent and many scoring options, are there enough shots to go around?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#5 Rapid City Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>WHY?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-They won 20 games last season and the Comets bring back their top talent</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1503881' first='Benson' last='Kieffer'] is a gamer/clutch performer, lightning quick, precision passer, has a sweet pull-up J</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1761812' first='Julius' last='Frog'] is a double-double dude with a smooth J, [player_tooltip player_id='2075359' first='Simon' last='Kieffer'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='2255238' first='Wes' last='Schlabach'] are solid role guys</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Do they have enough size/length outside of Frog to beat the top teams?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#6 West Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>WHY?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-The Trojans will be crazy long, disruptive, and they should own the boards on both ends</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Kuhl brothers will cause problems in the paint, Heier is strong &amp; sores from all levels, Herr is a talented shooter</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-<em>Jacob Sittig</em>'s teams are always hardworking &amp; tough, they also have intriguing young talent</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How is the backcourt play and can they shoot it well enough from 3-point land to keep teams honest?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#7 Groton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>WHY?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Tigers have a successful program, went to SoDak 16 last season and State the year before</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1270361' first='Lane' last='Tietz'] is an elite talent in SD, phenomenal shooter, great passer, natural &amp; smart baller</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1371416' first='Jacob' last='Zak'] is nice glue/role guy, [player_tooltip player_id='1548634' first='Ryder' last='Johnson'] is an up-n-coming stud, [player_tooltip player_id='1548641' first='Gage' last='Sippel'] has 6'7" length</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Can the Tigers defend the top teams and close down the stretch when it matters?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#8 Pine Ridge</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>WHY?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Won 18 games last season, long, deep, athletic, no problem putting up points</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1384718' first='Marvin' last='Richard III'] transferred to the Thorpes, which makes a talented team even scarier</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Fast tempo style, create turnovers &amp; pressure, multiple guys that can take over the game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Can they defend at a high level, take care of the ball, and execute late? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#9 Hot Springs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>WHY?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Went to State last spring in hoops &amp; won State Championship this fall in football</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Skilled, strong, physical athletes who know how to win big games!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='2100148' first='Josh' last='Kleinsasser'], [player_tooltip player_id='1394429' first='Matt' last='Close'], [player_tooltip player_id='1394428' first='Camron' last='Maciejewski'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1407001' first='Aidyn' last='Janis'] are all dudes &amp; playmakers</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Can they score enough and run with the elite teams from the East?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#10 Dakota Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>WHY?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Coming off 2 undefeated seasons &amp; 2 State Crowns, longest active high school winning streak in the nation</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1270366' first='Jaxson' last='Wingert'] is one of the top forwards in SD, a true beast, [player_tooltip player_id='1625208' first='Luke' last='Bruns'] is going to break out &amp; blow up</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Have youngsters ready to prove they can shine on varsity, <em>Jason Kleis</em> is one of the best coaches in SD</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-=How long will the win streak last and can they ride the momentum of years past?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1676515,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/PowerRankings.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/PowerRankings.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1676515" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->