#1 De Smet (5-1)
The Bulldogs need no introduction.
Simply put, they are the best small-class team in South Dakota, and I’m sure would fair well in Class AA. Kalen Garry (22.8 ppg) has been the star of this team, and has proven to be one of the top players in the state, while Rett Othus (10 pgg) has been a deadly second-punch.
Let’s not forget, 6-8 Damon Wilkinson (11 pgg + 7.7 rpg) and underrated forward Tory Holland (8.8 ppg) have been a crucially piece as well. At this time, no team matches up to the Bulldogs, though Clark-Willow Lake put up a brilliant effort.
Next Game: Jan. 3rd @ Deuel
*Stats are missing DRSM game.
#2 White River (4-1)
Another team that came into the season with a lot of hype, the Tigers have so far lived up to the challenge. I thought they were going to run away with the Lakota Nation Invite, but Lower Brule proved to be valid opponent, and will be a threat to knock off De Smet. By the way, the Class B state tournament is going to be fun!
Joe Sayler has been the leader of the team, and if it weren’t for Kalen Garry, he would be getting A LOT more hype in the state.
What impressed me the most with this team so far, was the win against Aberdeen Christian. They just lost by 3 to Lower Brule and turn around and beat Aberdeen Christian by 10 in the Hoops City Classic.
Looking at their schedule, we aren’t going to get to see these guys play for a while. But don’t forget about the Tigers, as they have as good a chance as any (not named De Smet) to win it all.
Next Game: Jan. 22 @ Hanson Classic
#3 Lower Brule (5-1)
I’m going to be 100% honest, I did not think Lower Brule was going to defeat White River.
But I tell the truth, so I am hear to tell you:
I am sorry, and this team is legit.
Coach LaRoche didn’t back down from a tough schedule, and Lower Brule has met that schedule head-on. In the Lakota Nation Invite, they took down a strong Little Wound team by 9, then Lakota Tech by 10, and finally, White River by 3. Lower Brule followed that up with a win over #5 Viborg-Hurley by 5, before losing to Clark-Willow Lake by 3. I do want to point out that C-WL was 1 free throw away from potentially beating De Smet, so that is a quality loss (If you believe in quality losses).
Now, Lower Brule has West Central, Marty, and rematches against Lakota Tech and Little Wound remaining on the schedule. These guys will be tested as any team in Class B, so be on the lookout for a good run late in the state tournament.
Next Game: Jan. 8 vs West Central @ Sacred Hoops Classic
#4 Aberdeen Christian (3-2)
The Knights have dropped back-to-back games against White River and First Assembly Christian (TN). They turned the ball over quite a bit against First Assembly, but I don’t think it will be a recurring issue for the Knights. Ethan Russell, Malek Wieker and Jackson Isakson are also all great options to score.
They are going to have 3 really tough games after the Oakes game: 1/14 vs Potter County (4-0), 1/18 vs Faulkton Area (6-0), and 1/20 vs Waubay/Summit (RV, 4-1). After that, time will tell with the Knights, and we should have a good idea where they stand come the end of January.
Next Game: Jan. 8 vs Oakes (ND)
#5 Timber Lake (5-0)
If you are undefeated, respect has to be put on your name. Timber Lake has a notable win versus Harding County by 12, and most recently, took down Lyman by 4.
They have a great test against Faith on the 6th, but then won’t play a team with a winning record until February 25th versus Potter County. I wouldn’t expect the Panthers to go anywhere though; as long as they stay undefeated, a top 5 spot should be theirs.
Next Game: Jan. 6 @ Faith
RV Platte-Geddes (2-1)
I was interested to see that Platte-Geddes got votes, considering they really haven’t had much of a resume so far. No hate on the Black Panthers, I just feel like we haven’t see enough to justify a top 5 spot. This has been their schedule so far:
vs AC/DC (0-4) W 63-27
vs Burke (4-1) W 65-53
N #1 Dakota Valley (4-0) L 76-41
Again, no hate on Platte-Geddes. They are going to have two good matchups against Corsica-Stickney (4-1) and MV/P (3-1) in the next two weeks, so they very well may have a solid resume come mid-January.
Next Game: Jan. 6 vs Corsica-Stickney
RV Waubay/Summit (4-1)
Another interesting vote. The Mustangs have quietly got to a 4-1 record, with a season-opening win against Ipswich. They also have a loss against Bridgewater-Emery by 17 in the Hoops City Classic. Other than that, their other 3 wins have a combined record of 0-12.
Again, it’s early. They have a matchup against Langford Area on the 6th, who will come in at a 3-2 record. They won’t play another team with a winning record until Aberdeen Christian on the 20th, so we will see…
Next Game: Jan. 6 @ Langford Area
RV Viborg-Hurley (3-2)
We could very well see the Cougars back in the Top 5. Back-to-back losses against EP-J and Lower Brule knocked them out of the top 5, but they only lost to Lower Brule by 5.
They have a great chance to pick up a big win against undefeated Hanson, plus DRSM and Canistota are waiting on the schedule at the end of January/early February.
The Cougars are going to have a chance to get back, but they have to pick up some big wins in the next month.
Next Game: Jan. 6 vs Hanson
RV Faulkton Area (6-0)
Like I said before, if you are undefeated, your going to get noticed. Especially since they have 6 wins!
Wessington Springs is their only win against a team with a winning record, and they have 3 more games against teams with a combined win/loss of 2-7 before they take on Aberdeen Christian on the 18th.
They have a couple tough games in February, but let’s wait until January ends before we decide on how good the Trojans really are.
Next Game: Jan. 7 vs Hitchcock-Tulare
RV DRSM (3-2)
I was impressed with the Cardinals in their game against De Smet. The crowd brought great energy, and for 3 1/2 quarters, DRSM was right with the Bulldogs. In fact, there wasn’t really a time I thought De Smet was just going to pull away. All I kept thinking was, “are we about to see an upset?!”
Now that didn’t happen, but the Cardinals proved that this team can make a deep run late in the season. John Pica is an athlete, and can get to the hoop like he’s a man on a mission! They took another loss against Deuel up in Brookings, but the schedule plays really well for DRSM, with games against O-R/R (1/14) and Viborg-Hurley (1/29), that will be real challenges for the Cardinals.
Next Game: Jan. 4 vs Garretson
