SD Class B Power Rankings
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South Dakota is a week into practices and the first Class B games of the season tip-off on Thursday! Class B is loaded once again and the talent level is high across the state. Who makes the top 10? See…
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Continue ReadingSouth Dakota is a week into practices and the first Class B games of the season tip-off on Thursday! Class B is loaded once again and the talent level is high across the state. Who makes the top 10? See below for PHD’s Power Rankings, we will make comments on the teams and ask a question for each.
Best of luck to all the players, teams, coaches, and fans this season!
B Power Rankings
#1 De Smet
WHY?
-Class B is the Bulldogs world and everyone else is just living in it!
-Coach Gruenhagen is one of the best in SD, unselfish teammates, hardworking, disciplined
– George Jensen George Jensen 6'6" | SF De Smet | 2024 State SD , Kadyn Fast, Tom Aughenbaugh Tom Aughenbaugh 6'0" | PG De Smet | 2024 State SD , Trace Van Regenmorter Trace Van Regenmorter 6'4" | SF De Smet | 2024 State SD , Britt Carlson Britt Carlson 6'4" | SF De Smet | 2024 State SD , Grant Wilkinson Grant Wilkinson 6'8" | C De Smet | 2026 State SD are players to watch
Can they reload, put it all together, and win another Championship?
#2 Castlewood
WHY?
-Lately, it seems like the Warriors are always at State, 20 wins last season and 5th place at State
– Bryon Laue Bryon Laue 6'9" | PF Castlewood | 2025 State SD is a dominant & imposing BIG who is still improving, a force around the basket
–Lane Tvedt is a do-it-all guard, tough/skill/smart, Thu, Schofield, Keszler are ballers as well
Outside of Laue, what type of interior play and depth do they have?
#3 Viborg-Hurley
WHY?
-21-5 last season and a trip to State, bring back some scary talent
– Nick Hanson Nick Hanson 6'8" | PF Viborg-Hurley | 2025 State SD was All-State last season, he is a top BIG in SD regardless of class
– Brady Schroedermeier Brady Schroedermeier 6'2" | PG Viborg-Hurley | 2026 State SD is a talented & dynamic PG, role guys will buy in & do the little things
Can they make teams pay for doubling Hanson?
#4 Dell Rapids St. Mary
WHY?
-They return a ton of talent, athleticism, skill, and shooters
– Nic Gaspar Nic Gaspar 6'2" | SG Dell Rapids St. Mary | 2024 State SD is an All-State caliber talent, Trevon Beckman is an elite shooter, Maverick LeBrun Maverick LeBrun 6'4" | SG Dell Rapids St. Mary | 2025 State SD is an all-around baller
– Trimmier Hanson Trimmier Hanson 5'11" | PG Dell Rapids St. Mary | 2026 State SD is an experienced but young PG to watch, the Cards have other talented youngsters
Can they protect the rim and defend teams with great length?
#5 Faith
WHY?
-Longhorns won 23 games last season and went to the State Tournament
– Jackson Schauer Jackson Schauer 6'1" | CG Faith | 2024 State SD is one of the top shooters in South Dakota, the lefty averaged over 20 ppg last season
-6’7″, Caden Selby Caden Selby 6'7" | SF Faith | 2024 State SD (13 ppg) presents matchup problems, shoots it well from outside & produces in transition
-What kind of depth does Faith have and who is the next best offensive threat?
#6 White River
WHY?
-Went to State last year and Eldon Marshall‘s team always seems to make the Big Dance in Aberdeen
– Nic Marshall Nic Marshall 6'1" | PG White River | 2024 State SD (17.8 ppg, 4 rpg, 5.3 apg) is one of the top playmakers in B, All-State last season
– Jordan Uhlir Jordan Uhlir 6'6" | PF White River | 2024 State SD transferred in, big boost for the interior, Mackenzie Wike Mackenzie Wike 5'10" | SG White River | 2025 State SD & Evastine Wright Evastine Wright 6'6" | SF White River | 2024 State SD are nice role guys
-Can the Tigers defend consistently and get stops down the stretch?
#7 Gregory
WHY?
-The Gorillas won 16 games last season and they bring back their top talent
– Daniel Mitchell Daniel Mitchell 6'7" | SF Gregory | 2024 State SD is long & athletic, is a mismatch headache, All-State since his frosh season
– Cruz Klundt Cruz Klundt 6'0" | PG Gregory | 2025 State SD is a smart playmaking PG, Rane Kenzy Rane Kenzy 6'4" | SF Gregory | 2025 State SD is a solid 3rd option who will produce
-Do they have much size outside of Mitchell, how deep does their bench go?
#8 Canistota
WHY?
-The Hawks bring back their top two players, they will be athletic & tough
– Tage Ortman Tage Ortman 6'0" | CG Canistota | 2024 State SD (18.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 4.5 apg, 2.4 spg) dude & stat stuffer, All-State last season
– Brandon Kjetland Brandon Kjetland 6'6" | PF Canistota | 2024 SD , at 6’6″ BIG & strong, GRINDER, physical, blue-collar, serious college bball recruit
Outside of the top 2, where does production come from and how deep is the bench?
#9 Crazy Horse
WHY?
-17 wins last season, SoDak 16 appearance, hardworking & passionate coach
– Noah Iron Horse Noah Iron Horse 6'3" | SG Crazy Horse | 2024 State SD (23.1 ppg 6 rpg 4 apg, 3.5 spg), a stud that can put up major points & fill the stat sheet
-Many talented & skilled athletes, young depth, they will play at a frenetic pace & push the tempo
Can they defend & get stops when needed, can they match up with a BIG physical post?
#10 Howard
WHY?
-16-7 last season and a trip to the SoDak 16, all the BIG boys are back for the Tigers
– Luke Koepsell Luke Koepsell 6'4" | SF Howard | 2025 State SD and Kolt Koepsell Kolt Koepsell 6'8" | C Howard | 2024 State SD will overwhelm you with size and athleticism
–Taiden Hoyer is an experienced & impressive athlete, Colby Claussen can D-up and hit outside shots
Can the Tiger backcourt handle a press & pressure, how do they shoot it from deep?