Thank you for reading another edition of our 2023 power rankings!
While we don’t expect a ton of movement on a week-by-week basis, we did see some changes, including a new #1, and 3 teams in Pierre, Yankton and Mitchell that are separated by just 1 projected point on the court.
I’m still working on a chart that helps to show where Rank+ in each class relates to average, above-average, etc. across the state, but if you are new and would like a primer, I put links to articles from us at the bottom that can jump to here. I also rounded the Rank+ to whole numbers. It’s just a little cleaner to read.
Other than that, let’s get started on our first update!
-TK
#1 Jefferson Cavaliers (9-0)
Rank+: 171
Best Win: #2 Lincoln (71-57)
Wins: Roosevelt, Lincoln, Orono (MN), RC Central, Stevens, Washington, Yankton, Harrisburg, Huron
Last Week:
- Tue vs. #5 Yankton (W 60-48)
- Fri @ #7 Harrisburg (W 72-61)
- Sat vs. Huron (W 75-39)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue @ #8 Brandon Valley
- Thu vs. #9 O’Gorman
- Sat vs. #10 Roosevelt
It was another great week for the Cavaliers, who showed no signs of slowing down with two ranked wins. Jefferson has been utilizing a difficult full-court pressure defense and their offensive consistency has worn other teams out.
They’ll have 3 more great matchups his week to showcase those abilities against some teams that are hungry for marquee wins.
#2 Lincoln Patriots (8-1)
Rank+: 165
Best Win: #3 Washington (60-56)
Wins: Washington, Harrisburg, Pierre, Aberdeen, Huron, Roosevelt, O’Gorman, Mitchell
Last Week:
- Fri @ #9 O’Gorman (W 74-61)
- Sat vs. #6 Mitchell (W 67-66)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue @ #5 Yankton
- Thu vs. #3 Washington
Lincoln drops to #2 in this weeks rankings, but the computer says Jefferson is the favorites by just 2 points on the court, so it’s as close as any class in the state. The Patriots also got a pair of ranked wins this weekend, thanks in part to this game winner from Eli Olson:
Those two wins last week were great tests for the Patriots; O’Gorman was a excellent environment and Mitchell has proven to be an under-the-radar threat. Lincoln has one of the most interesting matchups with this week with Yankton (check out the Bucks section for that breakdown) and a huge game this Thursday against Washington.
#3 Washington Warriors (5-3)
Rank+: 152
Best Win: #4 Pierre (63-57)
Wins: Huron, Aberdeen, Pierre, O’Gorman, Marshall (MN)
Last Week:
- Thu @ Marshall MN (W 65-46)
- Sat @ #7 Harrisburg (L 59-57)
Weekly Schedule:
- Thu @ #2 Lincoln
- Fri vs. #10 Roosevelt
The Warriors didn’t get much help in the rankings with only one in-state game, but will have two great matchups this week. First, it’s a battle on the south side with Lincoln, before they then host Roosevelt. This should be a fun week to watch the Warriors.
#4 Pierre Governors (7-3)
Rank+: 145
Best Win: Winner (66-32)
Wins: Stevens, RC Central, Watertown, Spearfish, Sturgis, Winner, Douglas
Last Week:
- Thu @ #8 Brandon Valley (L 53-52)
- Sat @ Douglas (W 75-45)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue @ Aberdeen
- Fri vs. #9 O’Gorman
- Sat vs. #7 Harrisburg
The Govs took a close loss to Brandon Valley last week on the road, but look to finally get a ranked win this week against either O’Gorman or Harrisburg. Also, check out this insane play from Ben Heisler:
“People aren’t supposed to go flying through the air like that Jackie!”
#5 Yankton Bucks (5-2)
Rank+: 144
Best Win: #7 Harrisburg (66-61)
Wins: Harrisburg, Brookings, Watertown, O’Gorman, Roosevelt
Last Week:
- Tue @ #1 Jefferson (L 60-48)
- Fri vs. #10 Roosevelt (W 58-47)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue vs. #2 Lincoln
- Thu vs. #8 Brandon Valley
- Sat vs. Douglas
The Bucks have been dealing with the injury bug, but Yankton showed some grit against both Jefferson and Roosevelt, with a few bench players showcasing some plug-and-play ability.
Their matchup against Lincoln should be an interesting thought experiment, as a team that runs basically 5 guards on the court will have to lock down 7-1 J.T. Rock in the post.
#6 Mitchell Kernels (7-2)
Rank+: 143
Best Win: #5 Yankton (49-44)
Wins: Huron, Campbell County (WY), Thunder Basin (WY), Yankton, Huron, Brookings, Roosevelt
Last Week:
- Tue vs. #10 Roosevelt (W 64-44)
- Sat @ #2 Lincoln (L 67-66)
Weekly Schedule:
- Fri @ Stevens
- Sat @ RC Central
Like I said last week, Mitchell has quietly put together a nice run of games so far and has certainly earned their keep with the best of them. I want to point out that although they are at #6, the separation between the Kernels, Yankton, and Pierre is less than 1 point on the court, according to the computer.
We might not see the Kernels jump up the rankings with a west river trip this weekend, but this is a team that has shown it’s going to be dangerous over the next couple of weeks.
#7 Harrisburg Tigers (6-5)
Rank+: 129
Best Win: #3 Washington (59-57)
Wins: LeMars (IA), Roosevelt, Mitchell, Douglas, Spearfish, Washington
Last Week:
- Fri vs. #1 Jefferson (L 72-61)
- Sat vs. Washington (W 59-57)
Weekly Schedule:
- Thu @ Brookings
- Sat @ #4 Pierre
What a much needed win for the Tigers this week against Washington. This is a team, similar to O’Gorman, that has been competitive in every game, but just hasn’t quite flipped those last few points in their favor.
I’m excited to see if they can carry this momentum into a big matchup this Saturday against Pierre.
#8 Brandon Valley Lynx (7-3)
Rank+: 120.6
Best Win: #4 Pierre (53-52)
Wins: O’Gorman, Brookings, Watertown, Spearfish, Douglas, Marshall (MN), Pierre
Last Week:
- Tue vs. Marshall MN (W 65-36)
- Thu vs. #4 Pierre (W 53-52)
- Sat @ Aberdeen (L 68-57)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue vs. #1 Jefferson
- Thu @ #5 Yankton
The Lynx had a 6-game win streak snapped this weekend in a loss against Aberdeen, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that they also beat Pierre in a close one.
That is definitely their best win this season, although they have a chance to add more big wins to the resume with games against Jefferson and Yankton this week.
#9 O’Gorman Knights (3-7)
Rank+: 120.5
Best Win: Tea Area (66-55)
Wins: Tea Area, Watertown, Brookings
Last Week:
- Fri vs. #2 Lincoln (L 74-61)
- Sat @ #10 Roosevelt (L 62-54)
Weekly Schedule:
- Thu @ #1 Jefferson
- Fri @ #3 Pierre
The Knights are so close to a break through. Again, this is a team like Harrisburg that has been in every single game, but just hasn’t quite closed out.
They are about to hit the toughest part of their schedule, with Jefferson and Pierre this week, the Rapid schools next weekend, and then Lincoln and Washington the following week.
For those keeping track, that’s the #1, #2, #3, and #4 teams in the state all in the next 6 games. I’m excited to see if OG can break through in any of those matchups.
#10 Roosevelt Rough Riders (5-5)
Rank+: 109
Best Win: #9 O’Gorman (58-50, 62-54)
Wins: O’Gorman, Brandon Valley, Stevens, RC Central, O’Gorman
Last Week:
- Tue @ #6 Mitchell (L 64-44)
- Fri @ #5 Yankton (L 58-47)
- Sat vs. O’Gorman (W 62-54)
Weekly Schedule:
- Fri @ #3 Washington
- Sat @ #1 Jefferson
The Rough Riders snapped a 3-game losing streak on Saturday with a win over O’Gorman, though I do want to note that those three loses where Lincoln, Mitchell, and Yankton.
The schedule is not getting any easier with inter-city rivals Washington and Jefferson up next, but this is a great opportunity for the Rough Riders to make some noise.
Additional Reading
