*Stats and returners are compiled from coaches’ responses and Maxpreps.com. Obviously, we can’t get every athlete in but still wish the best of luck and health for any athlete playing winter sports in South Dakota this season. We are also unaware of students deciding not to participate or transferred unless noted by a coach.
Redfield Pheasants — Last Year: 8-13 overall
Coach: Lonni Stover
The Pheasants return their top scorer in Jaxson Frankenstein. The 6’3 guard averaged 13.0 ppg to go along with 7.3 rpg and looks to “scare” some defenses this season.
Senior Leyton Rohlfs (8.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg) looks to complement Frankenstein’s play while senior Isaac Suchor (7.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg) is another solid scorer for the Pheasants. Meanwhile, senior Thomas Shantz (5.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg) and junior Peyton Osborn (21 games, 2.4 ppg) look to round out an improved rotation from last season.
PRESEASON TAKE: I think that the Pheasants could make some noise in the season and I suspect that they are an overlooked team that will play with a chip on their shoulder.
Webster Area Bearcats — Last Year: 10-11 overall
Coach: Kyle Braun
Webster Area lost their top scorer from last season to transfer and a strong senior class that carried much of the scoring, but Coach Braun and the Bearcats return some talent that will surely take the place of those that they lost. And that talent will start with Jaydon Keller. The junior averaged 11.1 ppg to go with 6.9 rpg last season and looks to be the leader of the offense this season.
Junior Jacob Pereboom (3.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg) also played 21 games last season as did senior Jake Case (3.1 ppg) along with senior Blaize Schimmel (1.9 ppg). Other than those four, the Bearcats will look for some freshman and underclassmen to step into a larger role this season.
PRESEASON TAKE: The Bearcats lost a lot of talent and will need the underclassmen to step into a huge role this season.
Aberdeen Roncalli Cavaliers — Last Year: 2-21 overall
Coach: Wayne Smith
The Cavaliers struggled last season, but look to bring back a lot of talent. Those returners will be led by Senior Gray Imbery. The 6’5 forward averaged 27.3 ppg and 9.5 rpg and only looks to improve on those stats with his excellent basketball IQ.
Senior Micah Doher is new to the team and looks to make an immediate impact while returning starters Senior Brian Holmstrom (6.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg) and Junior Zeezrom (2.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg) also look to improve the record from last season. Junior Matthew Martinez (1.1 ppg, 1.4 rpg), Sophomore Maddox May, Senior Nathan Kornmann, Freshman Keegan Stewart, Freshman Maddox Miller, and Freshman Caden Shelton will round out the varsity rotation for the up and coming Cavaliers.
PRESEASON TAKE: Obviously last season was not one the Cavaliers want to repeat, and I don’t think they will. Imbery looks to lead this team to an excellent and improved season and an influx of freshman talent coming in leads me to suspect that Coach Smith’s second year with the program will be competitive.
Clark/Willow Lake Cyclones — Last Year: 13-10 overall
Coach: Jerome Nesheim
The 2019 State Champions lost some talent last season, but a new season brings a more experienced rotation to the Cyclones this season. Webster Area transfer Kalab Marx averaged 14.6 ppg and 5.9 rpg last season and looks to be a great addition to the roster.
Tyler O’Neill is the top returning scorer for Clark/Willow Lake averaging 14.7 ppg last season while Trey Huber averaged 8.3 ppg. Renner Uecker (4.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg), and Brady Jordan (7.1 ppg, 28 3FG), and Cole Brenden (23 games, 15.8 mpg) all played over 20 games last season and look to help bring the Cyclones back to the State Tournament.
PRESEASON TAKE: Marx is a nice addition for the Cyclones and this team looks to have 3 or 4 talented scorers. I also believe that this is a team that could make a deep run into the post season.
Tri-Valley Mustangs — Last Year: 9-13 overall
Coach: Brandon Feterl
The Mustangs will be under first year Coach Feterl, but I don’t think it will be a rebuilding year by any means. Tri-Valley returns their top scorer from last season, Riley Haynes (17.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg) and another excellent scorer in Tyler Johnson (8.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg).
Those two mentioned will anchor a strong senior class, with Nick Haass (4.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.5 spg), Levi Hanson (1.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg) and Bryce Kienast (5.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg) rounding out those in their final season. Juniors Owen Besmer (5.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg) and Lance DeWitt (6.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg) will also play a substantial part in the Mustangs season.
PRESEASON TAKE: It might take a few games for the Mustangs to find their identity, but I think they return enough talent to be a danger. Haynes looks to score over 20 a game this season and the rest of the team will only improve from last season.
Sioux Falls Christian Chargers — Last Year: 17-5 overall
Coach: Mike Schouten
The leading scorer for the Chargers leaves for graduation, but returns some very good talent. Seniors Tyler Prins leads all returning players with 12.8 ppg while also grabbing 4.1 rpg.
Xavier Van Beek is next, averaging 12.7 ppg, while Noah Van Donkersgoed finished last season averaging 12.6 ppg. Those three will definitely lead the Chargers this season, but Sioux Falls Christian has some height to compliment, with all 12 of their roster spots featuring players with heights of 5’11 or taller, including 6’9 junior Nathan Koole.
PRESEASON TAKE:
Baltic Bulldogs — Last Year: 7-14 overall
Coach: Alex Langner
The Bulldogs lost their top three scorers from last season, and it will be no easy task to replace that talent. Alex Haagenson will look to lead this year’s version of the Bulldogs as the top returning scorer, averaging 7.5 ppg last season.
Senior Brady Hookie averaged 4.0 ppg, while Noah Swartwout finished with 2.3 ppg last season. Swartwout will also be a senior this season, as well as Bodie Murray, who played 20 games last season and finished with 1.8 ppg.
PRESEASON TAKE: The Bulldogs only look to improve from last season and will need to replace a lot of scoring.
Dell Rapids Quarriers — Last Year: 18-4 overall State Qualifier
Coach: Jason Fersdahl
The Quarriers had a great run last season, and a tough Sodak 16 victory over Vermillion would have only propelled them far in the state tournament. But if the team wants to make a run back to Sioux Falls, they will have to replace some good senior talent.
Collin Rentz (14.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg) is the top scorer returning and looks to be the leader offensively for the Quarriers. Connor Rentz also made 24 three-pointers last season on his way to 7.9 ppg, but no other returning Quarrier averaged over 5 points a game. However, Coby Masechen (21 games, 2.7 ppg), Landon Ruesink (22 games, 2.7 ppg), Carter Nelson (22 games, 2.4 ppg), Victor Knuppe (22 games), Brayden Pankones (22 games), Shane Stone (22 games) and Avery Boechler (22 games) all played over 20 games last season, so some game experience is returning.
PRESEASON TAKE: Last year’s seniors of Logan Ellingson, Karsen Welbig, Drew Van Regenmorter, Carter Rentz, Ramsey Heinecke will be tough to replace, but Coach Fresdahl did a good job of getting younger players game experience last season and I think that will carry over immensely into this season. Look for the Quarriers to continue their excellence into this season.
Tea Area Titans — Last Year: 15-7 overall
Coach: Drew Weber
The Titans return seven of their top eight players from last season, including all five starters, and will only look to improve, quite possibly with a run at Sioux Falls in March. Junior Cael Lundin (15.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.5 apg) will look to lead the Titans on their journey while senior Garrett Kolbeck (13.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.0 apg) will also look to take a significant amount of the offensive shots.
6’7 senior Caden Ellingson (6.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg) will also be tough to handle down low, while Jeff Worth (6.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 2.0 apg) is another strong guard for the Titans. Returning starter Austin Lake (4.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg) shot an impressive 47% from the 3-point line and seniors Gabe Glanzer (4.3 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 2.5 apg) and Braden Beach (3.3 ppg) look to bring some firepower off the bench.
PRESEASON TAKE: It’s rare to find the combination of experience, height and scoring that Tea Area returns this season. This is the season these seniors will never forget and I think they could make a run for Dakota Valley and the Class A title.
Lennox Orioles — Last Year: 17-4 overall
Coach: Paul McVey
The Orioles lost First-Team All-State Member Josh Arlt (20.3 ppg), and a key piece of the offense last season in Will Daughtery (11.1 ppg). That combo will not be easy to replace, but it will start Peyton Eich. The senior averaged 8.7 ppg last season while shooting 44% (38-87) from the 3-point line.
Senior Brandon Fodness (1.3 ppg) also played in 21 games last season, while Freshman Porter Ihnen played in 18 games and Junior Steven Christion averaged 1.8 ppg.
PRESEASON TAKE: The Orioles lost 5 of their top 6 scores from last season and will have to replace most of their production across the board. That is never east, but Coach McVey will get his squad into shape.
Dakota Valley Panthers — Last Year: 18-5 overall, State Qualifier
Coach: Jason Kleis
North Dakota Commit Paul Bruns (29.0 ppg, 12.7 rpg) looks to lead the Panthers in his last season. The senior was the Class A Player of the Year and certainly has some unfinished business after the Panthers’ State Title run was cut short last season.
Right behind Bruns will be his younger brother Isaac Bruns. The sophomore averaged 16.5 ppg to go along with 4.5 rpg while shooting 46% from the 3-point line and only looks to improve. Senior Chayce Montagne (7.7 ppg, 5.7 apg) also looks to be a significant part of the rotation and Senior Alex Zephier (4.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg) played in all 23 games last season.
PRESEASON TAKE: I think it’s fairly obvious that the Panthers are the favorites for the season in Class A. The Bruns Bros. will cause some trouble all over the state and their competitiveness will carry over to the rest of the team.
Madison Bulldogs — Last Year: 17-5 overall, State Qualifier
Coach: Jeff Larsen
It’s always tough to return to the state tournament, but the Bulldogs bring back some experience from last years’ team. Senior Carter Bergheim will lead the squad this season, and hopes to vastly improve on his 9.5 ppg, and 4.2 apg from last year.
Senior Connor Hively will also return and bring with him 4.9 ppg while junior Aspen Dahl also averaged 4.9 ppg to go along with 4.2 rpg. Senior Logan Allbee will round out a strong returning class with 2.5 ppg.
PRESEASON TAKE: It’s no secret that you need experience to make the state tournament, and a lot of that experience graduated. However, the Bulldogs bring back just about as much as you can. I think it will take some time for the Bulldogs to get their feet underneath them, but I suspect they will be fine.
Mobridge-Pollock Tigers — Last Year: 15-8 overall
Coach: Thomas Knudson
The Tigers have had a good stretch of seasons and will look to continue that excellence. Bryston Goehring will look to lead the Tigers and improve on his 8.5 ppg, while Zane Reinhart averaged 7.0 ppg last season.
Cayden Eisemann wil also return. Eisemann averaged 6.5 ppg last season and was the top returner with 28 3-points made. Be on the lookout for Braden Goehring (13 3PM, 5.2 ppg) and Gavin Reinert (13 3PM, 3.0) to make an impact as well
PRESEASON TAKE: A tough loss to #1 Dakota Valley in the Sodak 16 prevented the Tigers from making their goal of the state tournament, but the expectations are just as high this season. The Tigers will need to find some scoring but look to have some talent around the arc.
Rapid City Christian Comets — Last Year: 11-10 overall
Coach: Kyle Courtney
Three-year starter Sam Schlabach (12.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg) will look to lead the Comets in a fresh season that will feature some new faces in the rotation.
Senior Presley Myers averaged 2.7 ppg last season while junior Avery Wipf finished with 2.9 ppg. 6’2 forward/center Mitch Heidecker (5.7 ppg, 10.1 rpg) will also return for the Comets and looks to be a dominant force down low and expect junior Carson Glassbrenner (3.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg) to complement Heidecker in the post.
PRESEASON TAKE: The 1-2 punch of Schlabach and Heidecker will cause some teams a few headaches this season, and the Comets will need to continue to improve throughout the season to make some noise. I think rebounding will be an obvious strength and will cause some trouble this season!
Belle Fourche Broncs — Last Year: 12-9 overall
Coach: Clay Pottorff
The Broncs had a good season in 2019-2020 and look forward to the new season. 6’3 junior and All-Black Hills Conference selection Aiden Giffin (9.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg) will lead Belle Fourche in scoring while Brextin Garza-Clarkson (4.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg) will bring up the ball and looks to be a strong point guard.
Senior Lan Fuhrer (1.5 ppg, 1.8 rpg) will be expected to step into a bigger role for the Broncs while Logan Goeders (2.0 ppg, 1.9 rpg) and Gage Kracht (2.3 ppg) look to fill out the rotation. Also look for sophomore Anthony Budmayr to receive some minutes in the back court.
PRESEASON TAKE: The Broncs will have to have a lot of athletes step into bigger roles this season and that can be tough to figure out early. Look for Giffin to be a force in the West River area, while the Broncs could make a sneaky run for the Sodak 16.
CLASS A SEASON OUTLOOK:
Dakota Valley will be the top team in class A, but look out for Sioux Falls Christian, Tea Area, and Dell Rapids to make a run for the title. Sioux Valley will also return some talent and could be a dark horse favorite, while Vermillion will make a run deep into the playoffs as well. However, I think Dakota Valley has some unfinished business.
TOP PLAYER: PAUL BRUNS, DAKOTA VALLEY
TOP TEAM: DAKOTA VALLEY
