South Dakota Boys Basketball Postseason Underway - Roosevelt, Clark/Willow Lake and White River Favorites

Postseason play for South Dakota prep boys basketball is underway. As such, it is time for The Genz to take a look at the matchups and offer a little hoop insight.

In all likelihood, the three-time defending AA champions, Sioux Falls O’Gorman, who actually have won five titles in seven years and appeared in seven of the last nine state title games, will go home early. At 6-14, the Knights have struggled but remember, a champion is not easily dismissed. Look for them to battle #1 Sioux Falls Roosevelt tough as the districts open.

I do believe top-ranked Sioux Falls Roosevelt (19-1) is going to win its first AA crown since 2000 when, they edged Rapid City Central, 55-54. However, #2 Brookings (15-5) and #3 Pierre (15-5), as well as #4 Brandon Valley, and even #5 Huron (14-6) will have something to say about who cuts down the net in March at the Sioux Falls Arena.

In Class A, a number of teams have a chance to take home the title in Rapid City.  Right now unbeaten Clark/Willow Lake (19-0), which was sixth a year ago, and Sioux Falls Christian (20-0) are the favorites, although neither school has won a state A title. 

Keep an eye on two-time defending A champions St. Thomas More (19-1), which along with Tea Area (17-3) and Madison (18-2), are viable contenders. St. Thomas More defeated Viborg-Hurley two years ago, 63-47, for the title and bested Dakota Valley, 63-56, in 2012. STM has A’s top defense, and while they aren’t as explosive offensively, the Cavaliers will be a tough out. Don’t sleep on the likes of Dakota Valley, which has shooting (Van Ginkels) and size. I believe that either Clark/Willow Lake, led by SDSU recruit Skyler Flatten, or Sioux Falls Christian, led by Jordan Baker and Cody Van Holland, will take home the championship hardware in a tournament that will have a number of anxious and exciting moments. 

In Class B, the state’s highest-scoring team and defending champ in White Lake is a big favorite. White River averages over 87 points per game and have a shot at scoring 2,000 points this season. They own a 38 point victory margin and have not lost to a South Dakota team this year. I look for White River to be tested by likes of James Valley Christian (18-2), Wolsey-Wessington (19-1), Canistota (19-1), among others.  One of those others may be undefeated Potter County, which is just one of three unbeaten teams in South Dakota boys basketball (Clark/Willow Lake and Sioux Falls Christian). 

So, here you go -

Below, I have laid out the districts and provided notes on some of the teams and matchups. Be assured, South Dakota's own“March Madness” is beginning and it will keep us all entranced.

CLASS AA

District 1 -

#1 SF Roosevelt (19-1) vs.  SF O’Gorman (6-14)

#2 Brookings  (15-5) vs. Watertown  (10-10)

First round matchup features 3-time defending champ Sioux Falls O'Gorman traveling to face top-ranked Sioux Falls Roosevelt. Roosevelt, which has been ranked #1 for 11straight weeks (KSFY/KWSN rankings, Dec. 17, 2012), has scored at least 70 points in 14-of-20 games. The Rough Riders own a 1,462-to-1,071 scoring edge, which breaks out to 73.1-to-53.55 ppg and a 19.55 per game victory margin.  Roosevelt has won by double digits 15 times with nine wins by at least 20 points. They have also scored 80 or more points seven times#2 Brookings, which is led by double figure scorers in Braxton Carlson and Tyler Nagy, have a 1,050-to-957 scoring differential, which breaks out to 52.5-to-47.85 ppg or 4.65 points per game victory margin. Brookings is 8-0 in games decided by three points or less and 3-0 in one-point decisions. They have defeated Pierre twice by a combined three points. Watertown, which is led by the dynamic and explosive Tanner Heiser, ended the season on a six-game road skein. However, the Arrows shoot the ball extremely well from the perimeter and could be a dangerous team in Districts.

District 2 -

#4 Brandon Valley (14-6) vs.  SF Washington (4-16)

#1 SF Lincoln (10-10) vs.  Yankton (5-13)

#4 Brandon Valley, led by double digit scorers in Chase Marso and Jacob Adams, has eight, wins by double figures, own a 1,073-to-1,004 scoring differential, which breaks out to 53.65-to-50.02 or a 3.63 victory margin. The Lynx closed the season with seven wins in eight games, although their lone loss was a 55-48 loss at Sioux Falls Washington. SF Lincoln has lost 4-of-6 but two of those setbacks were to the top two teams in Class AA. Remember this team, led by Nermin Krdzalic, Addison Clark. Calvin Krause and Adam Jaros, nearly upset #1 Roosevelt, falling in OT, 64-62, earlier.

District 3 -

#3 Pierre Riggs (15-5) vs.  Aberdeen Central (5-14)

#5 Huron (24-6) vs. Mitchell (5-15)

Pierre closed the season with 13 wins in 14 games, including 12 by double digit margins. They ended the regular season with a 61-48 win on the road over Aberdeen Central. The Governors have a 1,311-to-1,059 scoring differential, which breaks out to 65.55-to-52.95 ppg or a per game victory margin of 12.6. Pierre has the dangerous duo of Lane Severyn and Zach Hansen, who are headed to SDSU and Creighton, respectively, to play basketball. Severyn has 1,393 career points (Pierre school record), 624 rebounds (Pierre school record) and 190 3-point field goals. He has 426 points (21.3 ppg) and 174 rebounds (8.7 rpg) this season. Zach Hansen has 1,269 points (2^nd all-time at Pierre) with 614 rebounds. His totals this season are similar to his teammate. Hansen has 407 points (20.35 ppg) and 164 rebounds (8.2 rpg). #5 Huron, which has won 5-of-7, has built a 1,023-to-947 scoring differential, or an edge of 51.15-to-47.35 ppg and a victory margin of 3.8. They are led by big-man and USD recruit Justin Decker.

District 4 -

Rapid City Central (8-11) vs.  Douglas (8-12)

Rapid City Stevens (7-13) vs.  Sturgis (8-11)

CLASS A

District 1 –

Aberdeen Roncalli (14-4) vs. Groton Area (10-9), Feb. 28, at Roncalli

Roncalli, led by the dynamic Kory Schwann and guard Kendal Deutsch, should win the District and advance to the State A, where they were fourth a year ago.

District 2 –

Sisseton (15-6) vs. Milbank (9-12), Feb. 28 at Milbank Armory

District 3 –

#1 Clark/Willow Lake (19-0) vs. Redfield/Doland (9-10) or Florence/Henry (3-17)

The Cyclones own a 1,178-to-917 scoring differential, which breaks out to 62.0-to-48.26 ppg or a 13.74 per game victory margin. C/WL, which has won 11 games by double-digits, has completed regular season play. Senior guard Skyler Flatten is averaging 21.3 ppg and has 1,574 points for his career.

District 4 -

Deuel (17-3) vs. Hamlin (8-12), Feb. 26

Sioux Valley (12-8) vs. Deubrook Area (11-9), Feb. 26.

Deuel closed the season with seven straight wins, including a 62-50 win over Sioux Valley. Deuel is led by Lincoln Swenson who is averaging about 20 points per game. Championship game is March 1 at the higher seed home site.

District 5 -

#5 Madison (18-2) vs. Flandreau Indian (8-11)

Flandreau (13-8 vs. Elkton-Lake Benton (18-2)

Madison has a 1,324-to-908 point differential, which breaks out to 66.2-to-45.4 ppg and a Class A-best 20.8 per game victory margin. Madison has won five straight games and by margins of 13 points or more. Overall, Madison has 16 games wins by double figures totals and 11 by 20 points or more.

District 6 -

#2 Sioux Falls Christian (20-0) vs. Baltic (8-12)

Dell Rapids (15-5) vs. Garretson (10-9)

#2 Sioux Falls Christian, which features standout center Jordan Baker, guards Cody Van Holland and Carson Long and forward Nick Stern, owns a 1,334-to-935 scoring differential over opponents, which breaks out to a 66.7-to-46.75 ppg edge and 19.95 points per game victory margin. Seven times SFC has scored 75 points or better, including three over 80. They have 18 wins by double digits including eight by 20 points or better. SFC, which has a win over a ranked Western Christian (Iowa) team, has 19 wins over South Dakota teams with its six point win over Tea Area on Jan. 22 its closest call. SFC is chasing its first ever State A title. They finished third in 1997. SFC's will face a stern test in the Districts with Dell Rapids on a roll. The Quarriers, which includes all-state performers Cole Langer and Bryce Koch, has won nine straight games, including wins over Aberdeen Roncalli (72-65), Spearfish (55-52) and Dakota Valley (66-53). Dell Rapids finished 3^rd a year ago in the State A. They are seeking their first state title since 1972.  

District 7 -

#4 Tea Area (17-3) vs. Harrisburg (8-12)

Canton (12-8) vs. Lennox (9-11)

Tea Area, which received 24 points five assists and six steals from Riley Knutson, rolled to a season-closing 72-42 win over Beresford, has a 1,229-to-919 scoring differential vs. opponents, which amounts to a 61.45-to-45.95 edge and per game victory margin of 15.5. The Titans, which also feature standouts Mitchell Nissen and Connnor Shaull, have won 11 games by double figure totals and seven by 20 points or more. 

District 8 -

Dakota Valley (15-5) vs. Beresford (5-15)

Vermillion (12-8) vs. Elk Point-Jefferson (13-7)

In a very tough District, Dakota Valley, which features a pair of big-time shooters in brothers Brody and Blake Van Ginkel, will look to return to the State A where they finished second to St. Thomas More a year ago.  Dakota Valley also features good size inside with Isaac Faldmo and Andrew Reif. Vermillion is a senior -laden group led by scorer Austin Krier while Elk Point-Jefferson is dangerous with 1,500 point scorer Brock Zeller.

District 9 -

McCook Lake/Montrose (15-5) vs. West Central (2-18)

Tri-Valley (8-12) vs. Mt Vernon/Plankinton (13-7)

Brandon Reif leads McCook Lake/Montrose, which also features guard Zach Bies, among others. MC/M has won four straight and 9-of-10 (only a loss to Canistota). 

District 10 -

Platte-Geddes (13-7) vs. Bon Homme (6-14)

Parkston (11-9) vs. Wagner (10-10)

District 11 -

Mobridge-Pollock (15-5) vs. Stanley County (2-18)

Cheyenne-Eagle Butte (9-10) vs. McLaughlin (2-17)

Mobridge-Pollock had a 15-game winning streak snapped by Winner, 70-55, two games ago, also lost to Cheyenne-Eagle Butte, 74-71, in the season finale. 

District 12 -

Chamberlain (15-5) receives bye

Miller (14-4) vs. Crow Creek (7-12)

District 13 -

St Francis (15-5) vs. Gregory (5-15)

Winner (10-8) vs. Todd County (10-10)

Keep an eye on St. Francis, which is can score. But Winner recently surprised Mobridge-Pollock and have a group of athletes. Todd County is another high-scoring outfit, putting up 63 points per game. They are led by Zach Cox who has 489 points this season, which is 24.5 per outing.

District 14 -

Pine Ridge (12-8) bye

Little Wound (8-10) vs. Bennett County (5-15)

District 15 -

Red Cloud (16-4)/Hill City (4-16) winner vs. Hot Springs (10-11)

District 16 -

#3 St. Thomas More (19-1)/Belle Fourche (3-17) winner vs. Spearfish (16-5)

STM’s, A’s top defensive unit by allowing just 34.35 points per game, has a 1,074-to-687 scoring differential, which breaks out to a 53.7-to-34.35 ppg or a 19.35 per game victory margin. STM, the defending champions, has held 19-of-20 opponents to 44 points or fewer. The Cavaliers have 13 double digit wins and 11 by 20 points or better. They are 3-0 in games decided by three points or less. STM’s only loss was a 41-36 setback to #1 Clark/Willow Lake.

CLASS B

District 1 -

Rosholt (12-8) vs. Waverly-South Shore (5-14)

Summit (10-11) vs. Wilmot (10-10)

Kevin Jackson's Rosholt team will look to reach another regional with standout guard Chase Shypkowski.

District 2 -

Langford Area (16-4) vs. Hitchcock-Tulare (13-7)

Warner (12-8) vs. Leola/Frederick (12-8)

All four teams in this District have winning records. Led by 6-3 guard Bo Fries 6-3 forward Drew Planteen, 6-3 center Brady Hoines and 6-2 forward Michael Erickson, Langford Area is poised to return to the State B after finishing third a year ago in a 22-3 season. Warner, featuring Jerrod and Derrek Tuszka, and standout point guard Clay Rozell, will push Langford Arrea. 

District 3 -

Castlewood (10-6) vs. Great Plains Lutheran (10-10)

Arlington (14-4) vs. DeSMet (8-13)

District 4 –

Howard (6-14) vs. Oldham-Ramona/Rutland (10-10)

Chester Area (6-14) vs. Colman-Egan (6-14)

ORR is the only team in the District with at least a .500 mark and they were able to get to that figure with a Districts win. Howard is the top seed.

District 5 –

Sully Buttes (9-11) vs. Faulkton Area (5-15)

Lower Brule (5-15) vs. Sunshine Bible Academy (7-11)

District 5 does not have a team with a winning record.

District 6 –

#5 Potter County (19-0) vs. Eureka/Bowdle (10-10)

Herreid/Selby (11-7) vs. Ipswich (8-11)

Potter County has a 1,265 (67.27)-to-820 (42.88) scoring differential or per game victory margin of 24.39. The Battlers, which have scored 63 points or more in 11-of-12 games, has won 14 games by double digits and nine by 20 points or more. Potter County looks like a big favorite in District 6 but in Region 3B as well. The Battlers could go to the State A unbeaten.

District 7

#2 Canistota (19-1) vs. Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan (7-13)

Freeman (12-8) vs. Parker (11-10)

Canistota, which has only a loss to top-ranked White River at the Hanson Classic, owns a 1,390-to-843 scoring advantage, which breaks out to 69.5-to-42.15 ppg and a 27.35 per game victory margin. Canistota, which has held 12 opponents to no more than 42 points, has recorded 17 victories by double digits margins. The Hawks, a big favorite in District 7, feature a pair of 1,000 point scorers in Alex Robertson and Cody Bunger. They also feature size in Jason Van Winkle, who has had a couple of 20 rebound games this season.

District 8

#5 Viborg-Hurley (18-2) vs. Alcester-Hudson (5-15)

Centerville (15-4) vs. Irene-Wakonda (10-9)

Viborg-Hurley closed the regular season with a 1,293-to-834 overall scoring edge against opponents, which breaks out to 64.65-to-41.7 ppg or a victory margin of 22.95 ppg. Viborg-Hurley features double digit scorers in Trevor Jacobsen and Andrew Hora, who has had several double doubles this season. Centerville, led by junior Seamus O'Malley and seni Remember Viborg-Hurley has appeared in two straight title games, albeit, two different classes. They lost to White River, 52-43, a year ago in Class B and to St. Thomas More, two years, ago, 63-47, in a Class A finale.

District 9

#4 James Valley Christian (18-2) vs. Wessington Spring (5-16)

#3 Wolsey-Wessington (19-1) vs. Sanborn Central/Woonsocket (14-6).

In all fairness, this District may be the most competition, regardless of class. The district includes a pair of top-five ranked squads. #3 Wolsey-Wessington, led by Lorenzo Williams’ 25 points, closed the regular season with its biggest win of the season, a 62-57 home win over previously #2 and now #4 JVC, which was led by Adam Hofer’s 20 points. Wolsey-Wessington, which has 10 straight games, including nine by double digits, has outscored opponents, 1,488-to-833, which breaks out to a 74.4-to-41.65 ppg edge or 32.75 per game victory margin. JVC, which also has a loss to #1 White River (77-74), owns a 1,493-to-914 scoring differential, which breaks out to a 74.65-to-45.7 ppg scoring edge, or 28.95 per game victory margin.  JVC has won 16-of-20 games by a margin of at least 19 points. Hofer, who is averaging about 23 points per game, now has 1,721 career points. JVC also features standout Nathan Wudel. Wolsey-Wessington has a dynamic shooter in Ryan Sprecher and another solid player in two-sport star (football) Hayden Hooks. Wolsey-Wessington which has a tough opening round opponent in Sanborn Central/Woonsocket and JVC split two matchups this season.

District 10 -

Corsica-Stickney (13-7) - bye

Kimball/White Lake (14-6) vs. Mitchell Christian (4-16)

District final will be held March 2 in Mitchell. Adam Borman of Corsica-Stickney, a 5-11 pass-first guard,  and 6-2 senior guard Jesse Taylor of Kimball/White Lake led their respective teams in quarterback in football. They are again the leaders of the two-top seeded teams in this district. Watch out for Taylor to do some big things as he can hit from deep and has the ability to penerate.

 District 11 -

Ethan (11-7) vs. Menno (9-12)

Hanson (14-6) vs. Avon (6-14)

Finals will be played at the Corn Palace in Mitchell on March 2. Hanson features standout shooter Jordan Marquardt who had a 32 point game against Centerville at the Hanson Classic.

District 12 --

South Central (18-2) vs. Tripp-Delmont/Armour (8-12)

Dakota Christian (10-10 vs. Colome (9-12)

South Central looks like the big favorite in District 12 with 18 wins in 20 games. However, they only defated Dakota Christian, 53-51, in a home game. It could be another tussle.

District 13 -

#1 White River (19-1) vs. Kadoka Area (2-17)

Jones County (13-7) vs. Lyman (8-12)

White River, which was the preseason choice and #1 for all 13 regular season rankings, has scored 86 points or more 11 times, 90 points eight times with four games over 100. White River has a 1,746-980 point edge over opponents, which break out to an all-class-best 87.3 ppg on offense. They allow just 49.0 on defense for 38.3 points per game victory margin. White River has won 18-of-20 games by at least 12 points and 16 by 20 or more. White River is led by the magical Wyatt Krogman, already a two-tie all-state performer headed to Black Hills State. They also feature explosive shooters in Nic Waln and Joe Cameron, who had six 3's and 34 points vs. James Valley Christian.

District 14 -

Oelrichs (18-1) vs. Wall (12-8)/Edgemont (3-17) winner

New Underwood (14-6) vs. Philip (13-7)/Rapid City Christian (4-11) winner

Oelrichs is looking to make its first-ever region appearance if they can get through this District. Wall has been their nemesis. 

District 15 -

Dupree (19-1) vs. McIntosh (4-16)

Timber Lake (8-12) vs. Wakpala (9-10)

Unranked Dupree (19-1), which has won 16-straight games, has scored over 90 points in 4-of-5 games. The Tigers own a 1,547-913 point differential or a margin of 77.35-to-45.65 ppg and a per game victory margin of 31.7. Dupree has not lost to a SD opponent and has scored 90 points or more eight times with 17 victories in double digits. Dupree is led by the explosive 6-1 senior guard Nate Widow.

District 16 -

Faith (17-2) vs. Lemmon (7-10)/Bison (7-11) winner

Harding County (17-3) vs. Newell (10-9)/Takini (6-14) winner

Cody Trainer and his Faith teammates will face a tough go with Harding County, which averages 65.0 points per game behind the exploits of Ckyler Floyd, who averages 21.3 points  and 5.7 rebounds, and Jess Feist, who averages 13.6 points and 5.5 assists and has a team-high 40 3-point field goals (35%). Faith has two wins over Harding County, 46-45, and 50-45. It should be a battle again. Faith has won four straight games and their only two losses were to Dupree, 60-41 and 51-38.