South Dakota Prep Girls Basketball Preview for 2013-14 - Classes Wide Open

(Editor's note - The SD Boys Basketball Preview will come out tomorrow - Tuesday, Dec. 10).

Surprises always seem to find their way onto the basketball floor.

 
Every time it appears something is so, it turns out it may not be. In sports, we often find that what appeared to be impossible is sometimes possible and may be just a game, a quarter or a play away. It only takes confidence and trust in one's self and team for the improbable to become probable. 

So, as I break down the prep scene in South Dakota girls basketball, please note that a surprise or two or three will be coming down the hoop pipeline.Every time it appears something is so, it turns out it is not. In sport, we find that overcoming the impossible is sometimes only a game, a quarter or even a play away. So, as I break down the prep scene in South Dakota girls basketball, please note that a surprise or two or three are coming down the hoop pipeline.

 
A year ago, the South Dakota girls basketball had its share of surprises. All three classes crowned a first-time champion, including SF Lincoln which defeated heavily favored Mitchell (51-36) for the Class AA title. Mitchell was the preseason favorite and defending champion. But. Lincoln, picked third in the preseason poll (KSFY-KWSN SD Broadcasters Poll) battled through injuries to make the state tourney and pull off a shocker of the top-ranked Kernels. Lincoln had appeared in 15 state tourneys and made three previous championship games only to fall short. Not this time.

 
In Class A, Harrisburg, which was fourth in the preseason poll, lost just once to O'Gorman, in route to the State A title. The Tigers were tested in the state tourney but prevailed against Pine Ridge (64-49) in the championship.

 
In Class B, two-time defending champion Summit appeared to be the sure thing - that is - until Warner knocked off the Eagles in a classic battle, 48-44, in the Region 1B final. Then, the Monarchs dispatched of three opponents, including DeSmet (31-19) in the finals, to win their first-ever title.

As 2013-14 is upon, more surprises lay ahead in team's road to the championship.

Ready. Set. Go.

Class AA – Girls

Head of the Class: Three teams appear to be at the head of this class, including Sioux Falls
Washington, 22-3 a year ago and third at the AA Tourney. The Warriors, directed by head coach Nate Malchow, have won 20 games in five of the last six seasons. They return a boatload of talent, including senior point guard Ellie Benson (2nd team All-State, 8.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.3 apg, 2.5 spg), 6-1 senior forward Sydney Koel (8.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg), 5-8 junior guard Hannah Nieman (6.8 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 1.6 spg), 6-0 senior center/forward Michaela Mayer (7.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg), who will play softball at Minnesota, and 5-10 sophomore Anna Goodhope (1.1 ppg), Washington is seeking their sixth title (1906, 1980, 1981, 2008, 2010), but haven’t won a crown since defeating Rapid City Stevens, 60-43, in 2010. Another team seeking a sixth overall championship is Mitchell, which will be led by the state’s top player in SDSU recruit Macy Miller (19.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.0 spg). Miller, whose father Alan is South Dakota’s all-time collegiate scorer with 2,910 points, set the school's all-time single season scoring record (493 points) and will be joined by 5-3 senior guard Torie Michael, 6-0 junior forward Taylor Volesky and 6-0 senior forward Shelly Iberg. However, the loss of SDSU signee and career scoring leader Kerry Young (1,760 points) along with Kristin Sabers will be felt by Mitchell, which will again be directed by head coach Wesley Morgan. Another team in the mix will be Chris Clark’s Sioux Falls Roosevelt team, which was 17-8 a year ago when they took sixth in the AA Tourney. The Rough Riders return guard 5-5 senior guard Nicole Hatcher and 5-7 senior guard Paige Mriden (11.4 ppg, AA All –Tourney Team) along with 6-3 junior center Tagyn Larson, who will not play for a month due to a stress fracture. Roosevelt, which has an 89-34 record over the past five seasons, last won a title in 2006 with seven overall championships (2006, 2005, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997).
 

Darkhorses: Pierre Riggs, 11-11 a year ago, returns 5-11 junior forward Sydney Palmer (2nd team all-state) and 6-0 senior forward Kaitlyn Severyn, an SDSU recruit. They will try and won their first title, third overall, since 1991. While Sturgis Brown was just 9-16 a year ago, they made the state tourney, finishing 8^th. The Scoopers will feature the 1-2 combo of Augustana recruit Lydsey Prosser (5-8, Sr., G/F) and Kahlie Petersen (5-7, Sr. F). A year ago, Prosser averaged 14.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg and 1.6 rpg (861 career points) and is also an all-state soccer player. Also don’t be surprised if head coach Kent Kolsrud’s O’Gorman squad makes some noise. They were 15-11 a year ago and seventh at the AAA Tourney. The Knights, which won its only title in 1995, is led by 6-2 junior center Jessica Meiras, an SDSU recruit. O’G brings back most of its team from a year ago. Harrisburg, which won the Class A title a year ago during a 25-1 run, could also be in the mix. Nick Mayer has taken over as the new head girls coach and will look to a pair of Class A all-state players to lead the way in 6-0 junior forward Morgan Beaner (3rd team All-State, 12.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg) and 5-11 senior forward Hailie Halling (2nd team all-state, 13.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 61% from the field).

Genz's Power Rankings - 1. SF Washington 2. SF Roosevelt 3. Mitchell 4. SF O'Gorman 5. Pierre.
 

Class A - Girls
 

Head of the Class – This very well could be an 'Old West' shootout with Pine Ridge and St. Thomas More as the leading contenders this year. However, with Harrisburg, gone, a new champion will be crowned and they are many teams prepared to do their own bidding for the championship. Pine Ridge, which will be seeking a third title (1989, 2009), finished 21-2 a year ago, and are 96-21 since 2008. A year ago, they rolled up 1,653 points in 21 games (72.3 ppg) as they finished second (64-49) to Harrisburg at the Class A Tourney. Pine Ridge, which was also second in 2004 and third in 2010, has made 11 state tourney appearances Directed by head coach Laura Big Crow, the Thorpes return 5-10, junior forward/center Lynette Bettelyoun, 5-8 senior guard Santana White Dress, 5-5 sophomore guard Shaylene Richard and 5-7 sophomore guard Cortez Standing Bear.  A year ago, Pine Ridge scored 65 points or more in 18 games and held seven opponents to 33 points or less. They had six games over 85 points and three over 100. They may be just as explosive this season with the core of the team back. St. Thomas More, which was ranked #1 for most of the 2012-13 season, lost to Spearfish twice a year ago, the only setbacks in a 20-2 season. STM, directed by head coach Brandon Kandolin, should again be one of the state’s top teams with the return of sharp-shooting 5-11 junior guard Alexys Swedlund (18.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.9 apg, 2.5 spg, 40 3's). Also back will be 5-9 guard Madison Kirsch, 5-11 senior forward Moira Duffy and several others. STM, who won the 2012 state title (first in school history) and also made state in 2011, lost just one senior off last year’s squad.
 

Darkhorses: Sioux Falls Christian, 17-9 a year ago and seventh at the State A Tourney, gave champion Harrisburg a scare in the first round of the tournament. SFC Christian, 31-17 over the past two years, has made two State A appearances, including the one a year ago along with 1986. While they lost All-State forward Hayley McCarron, the Chargers, directed by head coach Andrea Begeman, return several athletic performers who led the volleyball team to the state meet. Those players include 5-11 senior Kristin Stern, 6-2 Megan Vegeldysk, and 5-6 senior guard Kara Koth. Chamberlain, which was 21-4 a year ago and eighth at the State A Tourney, will be led by 5-9 senior guard Kennedy Wagner (3rd team all-state, 15.1 ppg, 4.6 apg, 3.9 rpg, 2.1 spg) and 5-6 senior guard Abbey Handel. Chamberlain, directed by head coach Jeff Neuharth, is 33-14 over the last two seasons and has reached the state tourney three times. Another team to pay attention to will be Tri-Valley, which was 18-4 a year ago. While losing standout first-team all-state forward Allison Cross, Tri-Valley, led by head coach Jeff Breitkreutz, returns 6-0 junior forward Sammy Kawowski, among several others. TV, 71-26 over the past four seasons, won the State A Tourney in 2003. They also finished second twice and third three times with a total of 10 state tournament appearances.  West Central, 18-7 and fourth a year ago at A Tourney, is led by 5-9 guard/forward Madison Kuehl (18 ppg, 8 rpg, 7 apg), 5-5 junior guard Brooklyn Ketcham and 5-9 forward Makenna MacDonald. WC, led by head coach Joe Caffrey, is 47-18 over the past three seasons and will look to add a third title to ones from 1999 and most recently, 2008.  They return four of five starters, which makes them a seasoned team ready to go. Winner is another team to watch as they return the core of their lineup. The Warriors, 16-7 a year ago, lost to Pine Ridge, 67-59, in the 2012-13 regional but return the core of their squad. Head Coach Rona Volmer will look to 5-9 senior forward Katie Mathis (7.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.1 apg), 5-11 senior forward Cassidy Hanson (5-11, 11.2 ppg, 6.8 rpg) and 5-8 junior guard Kelsey Bertram (10.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.3 apg, 14 3's) to lead a veteran team. Winner has made six state tourney appearances, mostly recently in 2011, but has not won a title. Another team that will make some noise is Elk Point-Jefferson. The Huskies will be led by the presence of two-time Class A All-State forward Keely Bertram, a 5-9 standout, who will play collegiately at Black Hill State. He averaged 17.4 points (383 points in 2012-13) and 7.8 rebounds per game a year ago as EPJ was 14-8 but lost to Beresford. In her career, she has accumulated 1,052 points (16.4 ppg), 342 rebounds (5.3 rpg), 174 steals (2.7 spg) and 88 assists. Also back will be returning starters in 5-3 senior guard Hope Erickson, 5-11 senior forward Amy Zeller (5.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg) as well as returning letter winner, senior center Skylore Curry (6.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg). A big addition is 5-6 sophomore transfer guard McKenzie Mennenga, who averaged 13.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg, and 3.0 apg at Dakota Valley as a freshman a year ago.

Genz's Power Rankings -- 1. St. Thomas More 2. Pine Ridge 3. West Central 4. Elk Point-Jefferson 5. Winner.
 

Class B -- Girls
 

Head of the Class – Warner heads into the season as the favorite in Class B as the Monarchs return a pair of all-state performers in Miranda Ristau and Ashley Rozell. But don’t blink because this class is going to be competitive again. Sanborn Central-Woonsocket, DeSmet and Sully Buttes are at least three teams who should contend for all the marbles. Also watch out for Mitchell Christian and Hanson and others. A year ago, Warner finished 25-1, ending the reign of Summit, which had won two straight titles and three of the past four championships (2009, 2011, 2012). After falling to Summit, 52-41 in January, Warner got a little revenge with a 48-44 win in the Region 1B final. Warner, which is 64-7 over the last three seasons with back-to-back 20-win seasons (20-3, 25-1), had lost to Summit, 51-44, in the region final two years ago and seven of eight meetings over the past few years. But those losses go into the rear-view mirror as head coach Stewart Bohle's crew focuses on a 2nd straight title. At the 2012-13 State B, Warner outscored three teams by a 162-100 margin to win their first-ever title. The wins include a 47-38 win over Sully Buttes in the semifinals and a31-19 win over DeSmet in the finals. A year ago, Warner outscored opponents by nearly a two-to-one margin (1,226-to-655) and had 21 double digit wins. The Monarchs have made three state tourney appearances, including 1996 and 1995, when they finished third. Ristau (14.1 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.0 bpg), a 6-2 senior center,  was 2^nd team Class B All-State selection and is a Northern State recruit, while Rozell (13.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.0 apg), is a 5-10 junior guard/forward and 3^rd team Class B All-State honoree. They have three players over 6-0 on the front wall and if there guard play is good again be aware Class B. Another team that will contend and be a handful for opponents is Sanborn Central/Woonsocket, 24-2 a year ago and 46-4 over the past two seasons with head coach Tim McClain. SC-Woonsocket has finished 5^th and fourth in consecutive Class B Tourneys. Led by 6-1 forward Shelby Selland, an Augustana recruit, who was all-state and named to the All-Tournament Team, SC-Woonsocket figures to be one of the best teams this year. In 2012-13, they averaged 64.5 ppg, 29.4 rpg, 13.8 spg and hit 77 three-point shots.  Selland averaged 17 ppg, 6.7 rpg, and 1.9 steals and now has 1,120 points with 614 rebounds in career. She is joined by 6-1 sophomore Myah Selland (9.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.5 apg), 6-0 junior Marissa Weber (9.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.3 apg), 5-10 senior forward Morgan Selland (5.0 ppg, 2.1 rpg) and 5-10 senior forward Rachel Selland (6.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg) who was also named to the all-state tourney squad. Sully Buttes, which was 21-5 and fourth at the 2013 State B, scored over 1,500 points a year ago with a victory margin of nearly 31 points, With nearly the entire starting lineup back in the fold, the Chargers, directed by head coach Mark Senftner, should contend as they look for an eighth trip to the State B since 2004. Leading the way for Sully Buttes will be 5-10 senior forward Karlea Stahl (11.5 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 2.5 spg), 5-7 senior guard Remi Wientjes (12 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4.0 apg, 2.5 spg) and freshman Chloe Lamb (11.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 4.5 apg, 3.0 spg), who excelled as an 8^th grader a year ago. It would be wise to also keep an eye on DeSmet, which was second a year ago as the Bulldogs rolled to a 24-2 season. DeSmet, which held 10 opponents less than 30 points, scored over 1,300 points with 18 wins by double digits. The Bulldogs made their second appearance in the state tournament, finishing third in 1994. DeSmet will return 5-7 senior forward Grayson Gruenhagen (10 ppg, 7.0 rpg), who will play at Dakota Wesleyan; 5-9 junior guard Rylie Osthus (6.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.0 spg) and 5-5 senior guard Taylor Schoenfelder (6.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.0 spg) as well as 6-1 senior center Kelsey Poppen (5.0 ppg) and 5-7 junior guard Kelli Aughenbaugh (5.2 ppg, 2.0 rpg).
 

Darkhorses – Hanson, which was 23-3 a year ago and third at the State B, will again with a team to keep an eye on. Coach Jim Bridge, who has 437 career wins, will be led by the return senior Leah Marsh (5.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg) along with sophomore phenom Kynedi Cheeseman (12.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg, and 3.4 spg). Mitchell Christian, which was 13-8 a year ago, will be another team to keep a close eye on. They return standout 5-6 senior guard Alexa Van Laecken, who has averaged nearly 14 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals per game over the past two seasons. Another key player will be third-team all-state forward Cassidy Graham (14 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.5 apg), who has transferred to Mitchell Christian from Hanson. In addition, Mitchell Christian, which won a state title in 2006 and made a state tourney appearance in 2011, also return 5-8 forward sophomore Emily Reynen and 5-10 freshman forward Abbie Reynen.

Genz's Power Rankings -- 1. Sully Buttes 2. Warner 3. SC-Woonsocket 4. DeSmet 5. Mitchell Christian