Digital Z South Dakota Player of the Year:
Isaac Bruns, Dakota Valley
The Dakota Valley standout did what no player has yet been able to do in North Sioux City, leading the Panthers to an undefeated state championship. Dakota Valley was also named the MaxPreps #1 small school basketball team in the nation!
Bruns, who is receiving offers from South Dakota and North Dakota, had an incredible junior campaign, averaging 23.9 ppg, along with 8.7 rpg.
He nearly matched those totals in the state tournament (22.3 ppg), including 24 in the state championship against Sioux Valley, while grabbing 22 boards across the weekend. Isaac is our first underclassmen to win Player of the Year in basketball. Congrats Isaac!
Note: Teams are listed in order of region and finish. The following team are included in the recap: Region 1- Redfield, Webster Area, Region 2- Flandreau, Sioux Valley, Hamlin, Deuel, Elkton-Lake Benton, Great Plains Lutheran, Region 3- West Central, Dell Rapids, Sioux Falls Christian, Madison, McCook Central-Montrose, Tri-Valley, Region 4- Dakota Valley, Tea Area, Elk Point-Jefferson, Beresford, Parker, Region 5- Parkston, Wagner, Region 6- Winner, Stanley County, Mobridge-Pollock, Dupree, Region 7- Red Cloud, Todd County, Region 8- Rapid City Christian, Belle Fourche, Hot Springs
Redfield (8-13)
Peyton Osborn will end his prep career as the top 3-point shooter in Redfield history, breaking the all-time record with 120 career 3’s. He also holds the top 2 single-season 3PM record, hitting 56 this season after swishing 57 from behind the arc last year.
Mitchell Mack also averaged 12.5 ppg while Jerron Haider finished with 10.6. Justin Ratigan found his role, pulling in 8.7 rpg while only averaging 2.6 points. I will always give credit to a guy who is willing to step away from shooting the ball and do the work the team needs him to do, and Ratigan did just that.
Mack, Haider, and Ratigan will all be returning next season, so look for the Pheasants to make some noise with the returning experience.
PTS: Peyton Osborn 14.5 | REB: Justin Ratigan 8.7 | AST: Noah Gall 3.7
Webster Area (8-13)
Jaydon Keller put up one of the most ridiculous stat lines in the state, averaging a near double-double with 21.5 ppg and 9.7 rpg. He’s shooting percentages were also solid, shooting 37% from behind the arc. Fellow Bearcat Jacob Pereboom finished with 11.0/6.0/2.3 line to end his career.
Jacob Keller will be the top scorer returning for Webster Area, as the sophomore averaged 5.1 ppg this season.
PTS: Jaydon Keller 21.5 | REB: Jaydon Keller 9.7 | AST: Jacob Pereboom 2.3
Flandreau (20-5)
Flandreau had an excellent year, nabbing 20 wins while placing 4th at the state tournament. Tash Lunday was one of the top players in the state, finishing with 23.8/10.0/4.0 averages. That is another ridiculous stat line, especially on a team with a lot of talent.
Chase LeBrun ended his prep career with 14.6 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, while Liam Strietz (8.7 pgg) and Alex Anderson (7.8) round out a great senior class.
The Fliers will have a lot to replace next season, with nearly all their production graduating.
PTS: Tash Lunday 23.8 | REB: Tash Lunday 10.0 | AST: Tash Lunday 4.0
Sioux Valley (20-6)
My sleeper pick to reach the state championship, Sioux Valley did just that, taking down Winner and St. Thomas More before losing to Dakota Valley.
Oliver Vincent had a great junior year, averaging 17.5 ppg and was one of the state leaders in assists (6.8 pg). Vincent made the switch to point guard this season, and the role worked out great. He is only going to improve on these numbers next season, so be on the lookout for this star.
The Cossacks’ future will also be in the hands of 6-10 center Alec Squires. The sophomore finished with a double-double (10 ppg /11 rpg) and broke the school record with a 68.8% shooting percentage.
Finally, DWU Hayden Ruesink had a great senior campaign, finishing with 15.0 ppg while pulling down 8 boards a game. NDSU Baseball commit Parker Puetz and Damian Danzeisen also had solid final seasons.
PTS: Oliver Vincent 17.5 | REB: Alec Squires 11.0 | AST: Oliver Vincent 6.8
Hamlin (15-7)
If any school in Region 2 has a bright future, it’s Hamlin. The Chargers had just 1 senior on the roster, and still managed to win 2 out of every 3 games (plus an extra win cause why not?). Included in those totals was a 9-game win streak to finish the year, ended by Sioux Valley.
Sophomore Tyson Stevenson lead Hamlin with 15.0 ppg and Junior Brennan Keszler averaged 12.4 ppg to go along with 4.7 rpg. Freshman Easton Neuendorf also had a great campaign, finishing with a 10.5/2.8/5.0 line. That’s incredibly good for a freshman.
The Chargers have a great future ahead, and be on the lookout for them in the near future.
PTS: Tyson Stevenson 15.0 | REB: Brennan Keszler 4.7 | AST: Easton Neuendorf 5.0
Deuel (10-11)
Cooper Schiernbeck had a great final year, averaging 13.0 points and 3.7 assists per game. As for returners, sophomore Trey Maaland (11.7 ppg) will help lead the future for the Cardinals. He will be joined by Gavin Benck (9.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg) and Braydon Simon (8.2 ppg) in their final seasons.
The Cardinals like to pass the rock, with 5 guys this season averaging over 1.5 per game. That’s a stat I like, as it shows that Deuel is able to find some good shots from a lot of different players, and a team that can pass well is a dangerous team.
PTS: Cooper Schiernbeck 13.0 | REB: Gavin Benck 5.6 | AST: Cooper Schiernbeck 3.7
Elkton-Lake Benton (11-10)
The Elks are losing a ton of players to graduation, but top scorer Ryan Krong (12.7 ppg) will return next season. Miles Harming (11.0/60./2.8), Aiden Erickson (9.4/3.1/3.2), and Logan Kuehl (9.4/3.5/1.8) are all gone, however.
In fact, E-LB is only returning around 5 points per game outside of Krong. That’s a lot of production to replace, and a rising sophomore-heavy lineup will need to step up in 2022-23.
PTS: Ryan Krog 12.7 | REB: Ryan Krog, Isaac Jaacks 6.6 | AST: Aiden Erickson 3.2
Great Plains Lutheran (8-13)
Sam Hansen had arguably one of the best seasons in Panthers’ school history, averaging 16.8 ppg while pulling down 6.2 boards a game. Oh, he also averaged 2.6 assists per game, while hitting a school-record 53 3-pointers.
But right with him was fellow senior Ethan Kjenstad, who finished with a 15.1/3.3/2.2 stat line along with another 51 3-pointers. He made them in a school record 38% shooting percentage behind the arc.
These two seniors will go down as one of the best duos in school history, and rightfully so.
PTS: Sam Hansen 16.8 | REB: Sam Hansen 6.2 | AST: Sam Hansen 2.6
West Central (17-5)
I said before that a team that can pass is a dangerous team, and the Trojans passed the rock at a rate of 15.7 assists per game. That’s an impressive number, and it’s probably a key reason they averaged 15 ppg more than their opponents.
Jacob Krempgres lead with 3.5 apg, while Dillon Jackson also finished with an impressive 10.4/4.3/3.3 stat line. Not to forget the top scorer, Grafton Stroup finished with a team leading 16.2 ppg.
The Trojans had a ton of solid players this season like Mubarak Ibrahim (7.0 ppg) and Braden Herr (6.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg). However, every player listed so far is graduating. That’s a lot of talent to replace for next season, so it will be interesting to see how West Central rebuilds.
PTS: Grafton Stroup 16.2 | REB: Braden Herr 5.2 | AST: Jacob Krempgres 3.5
Dell Rapids (15-7)
Coming off a year where the Quarriers knocked off undefeated Vermillion on a buzzer beater, Dell Rapids returned with another excellent season. Brayden Pankonen lead all Quarriers with 17.0 points and 2.4 rpg, while Jack Henry finished with 14.3/5.5/2.0. Both of those guys will return to lead Dell Rapids next season.
Gone will be Landon Ruesink (10.0 ppg, 2.4 apg) and Shane Stone (7.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg), so the Quarriers will have some production to replace. However, if the last few years have indicated, Dell Rapids will simply reload, rather than rebuild, next season.
PTS: Brayden Pankonen 17.0 | REB: Jack Henry, Shane Stone 5.5 | AST: Pankonen, Landon Ruesink 2.4
Sioux Falls Christian (16-10)
You were probably watching the first round of the State Tournament and thought you were seeing double. Something along the lines of “I thought Bruns played for Dakota Valley, not SFC.”
Okay, you probably weren’t thinking that, but yes, there are two really good players in the junior class named Bruns. SFC’s Ethan Bruns had a great year, averaging 13.1 ppg while getting 5.5 rebounds a game.
He wasn’t the only Charger to average double-digit points, as Nathan Koole (11.2), and Brooks Nelson (10.9) both reached the threshold. They are gone to graduation, however, as is Logan Schipper (9.6 ppg). Bruns will probably take the bulk of the shots next season, but look out for Tayton Snyder, who finished with 7.3 ppg while dishing out almost 5 assists a game.
PTS: Ethan Bruns 13.1 | REB: Ethan Bruns 5.5 | AST: Tayton Snyder 4.8
Madison (10-13)
6-8 junior Aiden Jensen put up a solid line to lead the Bulldogs, averaging 15.3 ppg and 7.2 rpg. Jensen is on watch to average a double-double next season, but he will have to do it without Nate Ricke and Aspen Dahl. Both seniors averaged 10.3 ppg, while Ricke got 5.5 rpg.
The next highest scorer to return after Jensen will be 6-7 rising sophomore, Ben Brooks, who averaged 5.7 ppg in his freshmen campaign.
PTS: Aiden Jensen 15.3 | REB: Aiden Jensen 7.2 | AST: N/A
McCook Central-Montrose (8-13)
The Fighting Cougars’ top scorer this season was freshman Boston Katzer, who averaged 11.9 ppg. Katzer took a high volume of shots this season, and that’s only going to increase as #2 scorer Cody Miles (11.0 ppg, 2.1 apg) graduates.
Senior Gavin Gordon (8.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg) is also gone after a solid season, so look for Owen Alley (3.8 rpg) to be a leader on the boards next season.
PTS: Boston Katzer 11.9 | REB: Gavin Gordon 4.4 | AST: Cody Miles 2.1
Tri-Valley (5-16)
The Mustangs are losing a lot of senior production. Leading scorer Cory McDonald (13.6), leading rebounder Conner Christensen (7.7) and assist leader Lance DeWitt (4.5) are all graduating.
Noah Haynes is the top scorer returning, averaging 8.6 ppg to go along with 5.6 rpg.
PTS: Cory McDonald 13.6 | REB: Connor Christensen 7.7 | AST: Lance DeWitt 4.5
Dakota Valley (26-0)
The best team in Dakota Valley history will be remembered as one of the most dominant in the state, beating their opponents by an average of 21 points.
POY Isaac Bruns lead the Panthers with 23.9 ppg and 8.7 rpg, but DV had a ton of talent at other positions as well. For starters, Riley Rosenquist averaged a ridiculous 7.2 assists per game, along with scoring 13.2 a game. 6-6 Center Jaxson Wingert, proved to be another solid option that will only get better as his career progresses, as the sophomore averaged 10.3 ppg with 5.3 rpg.
The Panthers return this trio along with Jaxon Hennies (7.3 ppg) and Sam Faldmo (5.3 ppg). That is easily the most talent returning in Class A, and they are surely going to reach greater heights next season (if that’s possible).
PTS: Isaac Bruns 23.9 | REB: Isaac Bruns 8.7 | AST: Riley Rosenquist 7.2
Tea Area (16-7)
When talking to people around the state, many had great respect for the Titans, as their athleticism was frustrating for many defenses. Cael Lundin finished a great prep career with an average of 20.1 ppg, and dished out 4 assists a game.
Fellow senior Jeff Worth also averaged double-digits points (13.9) while Reis Kirschenman (8.0 ppg) grabbed a team high 8.6 boards per game.
The Titans lose a lot of senior talent, but look for Jonah Kocer (5.9 ppg) and Sam Almas (5.3 ppg) to take over next season.
PTS: Cael Lundin 20.1 | REB: Reis Kirschenman 8.6 | AST: Cael Lundin 4.0
Elk Point-Jefferson (10-11)
The Huskies will only lose 2 seniors, but both of those players were key pieces. Canon Kempf didn’t score a ton of points, but lead the team with 2.5 apg. Fellow senior Landon Geary also ended his prep career on a high note, scoring 8.8 ppg to go with 5.0 rpg.
Returning for EP-J will be top scorer Easton Kempf (12.5). The junior also lead the team with 6.8 rpg and will be joined by classmate Chace Fornia. He averaged 8.8 ppg and 5.4 rpg and will look to take a bigger chunk of the shots next season.
PTS: Easton Kempf 12.5 | REB: Easton Kempf 6.8 | AST: Canon Kempf 2.5
Beresford (8-13)
Tate VanOtterloo is going to lead Beresford into the near future, looking to improve on his 17.4 ppg from this season. He will be joined by sophomore Andrew Atwood (10.2 ppg), who was the only other Watchdog to average double-digits points.
Beresford losses a solid rebounder in Ashton Tjaden (7.3 rpg) and guard Isaiah Richards, who grabbed 5.6 boards a game while dishing out 2.4 assists in just 9 games.
PTS: Tate VanOtterloo 17.4 | REB: Ashton Tjaden 7.3 | AST: Tate VanOtterloo, Peyton Peterson 1.5
Parker (7-14)
It wasn’t the best season for the Pheasants, but there was still some high points. Carter Robertson poured in an impressive 20.8 ppg and Davin Fuller averaged a near double-double with 11.6 ppg and 8.5 rpg.
Jaivyn DeBoer also scored 9.0 ppg and handed out 3 assists a game, but he will also be graduating with Robertson and Fuller. In fact, the Pheasants lose 45.9 points per game to graduation, with Ray Travnicek leading the returners at 4.3 ppg.
PTS: Carter Robertson 20.8 | REB: Davin Fuller 8.5 | AST: Jaivyn DeBoer 3.0
Parkston (14-8)
Maxwell Scott lead the Trojans with a solid 14.0 ppg to go along with 6.0 rpg. Cole Prunty averaged double-digit points (11.0), but both scoring leaders will be lost to graduation.
Jesse Newton and Will Jodozi will be the top returning scorers at 7.0 ppg, and they will be joined by Kaleb Weber, who averaged a ridiculous 7 assists per game. Could we see 10 assists per game by the time his career is over? That would be crazy!
PTS: Maxwell Scott 14.0 | REB: Maxwell Scott 6.0 | AST: Kaleb Weber 7.0
Wagner (5-16)
Tobias Zephier had an excellent senior season, nearly dropping a double-double with 17 points and 9 rebounds a game. Classmate Dustin Honomichl also had a solid final prep year with a 11.5/6.0/2.0 stat line.
The Red Raiders will look to key improving, with Matt Link (4.5 ppg) returning as the top scorer.
PTS: Tobias Zephier 17.0 | REB: Tobias Zephier 9.0 | AST: Dustin Honomichl 2.0
Winner (23-3)
Winner had a great season, reaching the #2 ranking coming into the state tournament. However, the Warriors were thwarted in their attempts at a state championship by Sioux Valley, finishing 5th in Rapid City.
The Warriors future’s still bright, as Blake Volmer (16.3 ppg, 8.9 rpg) will be leading next year’s squad in a redemption season. Ethan Bartles (8.8 ppg) and freshman Shawn Hammerbeck (6.2 ppg) are also back, but Winner is losing some solid senior production. Gone Slade Cournoyer (9.6 ppg, 3.9 apg) is gone among 7-member senior class. However, if you know anything about Winner athletics, then you know the Warriors are going to be in a good position for another run at the state title.
PTS: Blake Volmer 16.3 | REB: Blake Volmer 8.9 | AST: Slade Cournoyer 3.9
Stanley County (15-8)
A senior-heavy Stanley County squad finished runner-up in Region 6, just behind Winner as one of the best Class A teams in the West River area. Lathan Price lead the Buffaloes with 17.5 ppg, while classmate Cormac Duffy scored 10.9 per game while grabbing 6.5 boards.
Those two will be lost to graduation, as well as Gavin Irving (5.6 ppg, 2.3 apg) and Stran Scott (8.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg). That’s a lot of production to replace, so expect a lot of new names in the Buffaloes lineup next season.
PTS: Lathan Price 17.5 | REB: Cormac Duffy 6.5 | AST: Gavin Irving 2.3
Mobridge-Pollock (9-11)
In a rarity at this level, Mobridge-Pollock’s leading scorer was a freshman. Jackson Eisemann averaged 11.5 ppg while leading the team in assists with 45. He will lead the Tigers next season with a fairly young roster, as the next 3 top scorers, Ashton Pfitzer (10.7 ppg, 8.9 rpg), Trent Schmeichel (7.6 ppg) and Caelan McCollam (6.8 ppg), are all gone to graduation.
PTS: Jackson Eisemann 11.5 | REB: Ashton Pfitzer 8.9 | AST: Jackson Eisemann 2.3
Dupree (8-12)
Dupree literally didn’t have a player older than the sophomore class this season. That’s easily the youngest team in the state, and they are only going to get better.
Klayte McLellan was the top scorer for the Tigers this season, finishing with 17.3 ppg. He dished out 1.9 assists per game, while classmate Tyler Stambach pulled down 4.7 rpg.
PTS: Klayte McLellan 17.3 | REB: Tyler Stambach 4.7 | AST: Klayte McLellan 1.9
Red Cloud (15-7)
Adriano Rama had a great junior season for the Crusaders, averaging 15.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg, and 2.7 apg, which lead Red Cloud in every category. Teammate Haedyn Haas also averaged double-digit points per game with 11.5, while Jules Ecoffey finished with 9.3.
All 3 will return for the Crusaders, who’s strong senior class will look to make one final run at the state tournament.
PTS: Adriano Rama 15.5 | REB: Adriano Rama 5.6 | AST: Adriano Rama 2.7
Todd County (10-11)
Another team that has a lot of talent returning, sophomore Ray Crow (11.0 ppg, 2.7 apg) and junior Charles Long (11.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg) will look to help lead the Falcons to a big year in 2023.
Gone will be top rebounder Terrance Eastman (10.6 ppg), as the 6-5 center averaged 6.9 boards per game in his final season.
PTS: Charles Long 11.2 | REB: Terrance Eastman 6.9 | AST: Ray Crow 2.7
Rapid City Christian (17-6)
A strong senior class lead the Comets, and absolutely dominated the stat sheet. First, Jackson DiBona (12.9) and Carson Glassbrenner (10.4), both averaged double-digit points. Mitch Heidecker also completed the rare feet of averaging double-digit rebounds, with 11.1 per game. And then finally, Trace Trainor dished out 7.2 assists a game.
Those are some expectional numbers, and RC Christian is going to have a lot of talent to replace.
PTS: Jackson DiBona 12.9 | REB: Mitch Heidecker 11.1 | AST: Trace Trainor 7.2
Belle Fourche (13-8)
Aiden Griffin finished off his senior season with one of the best stat lines in the west river area, scoring 15.6 points a night, while averaging 7.2 rebounds. Classmate Ryker Audiss also scored 10.2 per game, while junior Anthony Budmayr (12.0 ppg, 2.8 apg) will lead the Broncs next season.
Look for Anthony Staley to also take on a bigger role next season, as the junior averaged a 4th-best 5.9 ppg, while becoming the top returning rebounder at 6.1 rpg.
PTS: Aiden Griffin 15.6 | REB: Aiden Griffin 7.2 | AST: Anthony Budmayr 2.8
Hot Springs (13-8)
6-5 Braden Gill had a dominating final year, averaging 6.3 rebounds per game, while scoring 13.4 per game. He will now leave the scoring to Camron Maciejewski (11.1 ppg) and Preston Iverson (9.1), as the duo look to lead the Bison next season.
Also returning for Hot Springs is Matt Close, who’s 2.7 apg lead the team this season.
PTS: Braden Gill 13.4 | REB: Braden Gill 6.3 | AST: Matt Close 2.7
Thank you to the coaches who provided the stats for this recap. We appreciate you taking the time do so.
