Digital Z South Dakota POY:
Caden Hinker, Mitchell
Hinker was a dominant force on the court while soaring through the Mitchell record books this season. The Augustana Commit was also a threat from the outside and used his 6-8 height to bulldoze opponents in the paint.
Hinker finished his final weekend with one of the most memorable performances in a recent AA state tournament history, scoring 29 points with 13 rebounds in a triple overtime loss against Harrisburg. Caden finished the season averaging 22.2/9.2/3.3 and lead his team in nearly every category.
Aberdeen Central (12-9)
The Golden Eagles finished 8th in the regular season after starting the season 4-0, narrowly losing to Yankton by 3 in the SoDak 16 to end the year. Spencer Barr (15.2 ppg), Alec Voegele (13.1 ppg, 7.1 rpg) and Sam Rolhfs (12.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.5 apg) proved to be a dominate trio, averaging a combined 40.7 ppg.
Voegele also finished with an impressive 18 blocks, while AJ Hase buried 29 3-pointers in 99 attempts to lead the Golden Eagles. Barr was another top shooter from behind the arc, making 21 in just 43 tries for a ridiculous 48% clip.
Barr will return for Aberdeen, but the Golden Eagles will lose Voegele, Rolhfs, and Hase. That’s a lot of production to replace.
PTS: Spencer Barr 15.2 | REB: Alec Voegele 7.1 | AST: Sam Rolhfs 3.5
Brandon Valley (10-11)
Sophomore Josh Olthoff lead the Lynx with 10.3 ppg, a rarity at this level for an underclassman to do. Olthoff also lead the team in rebounds at a clip of 4.7 per game, while teammate Riley Miller finished with 8.4 ppg, and 3.3 rpg.
The Lynx will need Olthoff and Nathan Vandeberg (8.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg) to help lead the way next season, while Dylan Langerock (7.1/3.2/2.2) will look to play a huge role for Brandon Valley.
PTS: Josh Olthoff 10.3 | REB: Josh Olthoff 4.7 | AST: Dylan Langerock 2.2
Brookings (1-18)
It was a forgetful season for Brookings, who’s lone win came against Huron back on December 14th. There was still a few highlights to be found, namely Jake Ammann averaging 10.2 ppg. Ammann also lead the team in steals (21) and 3PM (41).
The Bobcats will be losing Ammann to graduation, as well as Sam Hardin (2.6 apg), 3-Point Specialist Jack Even (20-55) and Jett Leddy, who lead the team in rebounds (4.0 pg) and blocks (8). Nathan Lease will be the top scorer to return for next season, averaging 6.4 ppg in his junior campaign.
PTS: Jake Ammann 10.2 | REB: Jett Leddy 4.0 | AST: Sam Hardin 2.6
Douglas (4-15)
Senior Connor Sauvage proved to be a dominate guard for the Patriots, leading the team in points (16.6 pg), assists (1.8 pg), steals (25), and 3PM (46). Dylan Schelske was also had a solid senior campaign, finishing with 7.7 ppg, and 5.8 rpg along with making 32 3-Pointers in just 95 tries.
Douglas will lose all 3 of it’s top scores, but returns shot-blocking leader Tucker Paris, who swatted away 12 this season.
PTS: Connor Sauvage 16.6 | REB: Dylan Schelske 5.8 | AST: Connor Sauvage 1.8
Harrisburg (15-9)
A team who blew past any media expectations, the Harrisburg Tigers were as fun a team to see play as any. Junior Ethan Determan was lights out from deep, averaging 19.0 ppg and hitting 71 3-Pointers this season. Sophomore Jacoby Mehrman was right there as well, averaging 15.3/4.8/3.5 and lead the team in steals (46) while making 33 shots from the behind.
Max Knutson will also be a notable return for the Tigers, as the junior forward lead Harrisburg with 6.9 rpg and 12 blocks. However, gone is Gavin Aasheim, who made 38 3-Pointers in just 96 attempts.
Looking forward to next season, this team is going to be a major threat.
PTS: Ethan Determan 19.0 | REB: Max Knudson 6.9 | AST: Jacoby Mehrman 3.5
Mitchell (15-9)
If it wasn’t so obvious already, Caden Hinker ended his career on a fantastic note, leading the Kernels in every single category. Behind him, Steele Morgan finished with an impressive 11.2 ppg, and 8.0 rpg, while Dylan Soulek averaged 11.9 ppg.
Soulek and Morgan both return to take charge of next year’s team, and we may even possibly see Morgan finish the year averaging a double-double, a rarity at the AA Level.
PTS: Caden Hinker 22.2 | REB: Caden Hinker 9.2 | AST: Caden Hinker 3.3
O’Gorman (21-3)
I think when it’s all said and done, the Knights will look back on this season and be satisfied with the way their team played. Yes, those losses to Roosevelt are going to hurt, but O’Gorman was dominate all season long. This team never seemed to wear out, and the energy they brought off the bench was as good as any.
David Alphers was a dominant force in the post, averaging 11.3 ppg to go with 9.6 rpg. He also hit the most memorable shot of the tournament this season, and had an insane run during the semifinal game. Matthew Eng was great for the Knights, averaging 15.8 ppg to lead OG, while Rush Landry lead the team in assists (2.3 pg), along with scoring 8.2 ppg.
The Knights were as deep as any team in recent years, with guys like John Castello, Gavin Muirhead, Manny Struck, Chad Ambroz, and others stepping up during key possessions when needed.
Eng and Muirhead will return next season for the Knights, who will need to replace a lot of production before next December.
PTS: Matthew Eng 15.8 | REB: David Alphers 9.6 | AST: Rush Landry 2.3
Pierre (9-12)
There were very few teams that created as many highlight reel plays as the Governors did this season. Lincoln Kienholz may be the most athletic player in the state, with Division 1 offers in football, basketball, and All-State play in baseball. The junior guard lead Pierre with 20.3/7.5/2.4.
Teammate Jackson Edman was just as voracious, slamming down multiple dunks a game at times, while ending the season with an average of 12.7 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. Edman also was a threat defensively, blocking a ridiculous 38 shots this season. Matthew Hanson (9.2 ppg) and Jett Zabel (4.4 rpg) both were solid as well for Pierre.
The Govs return Kienholz, Edman, and Zabel for next season, as well as few others not mentioned, so a state tournament is surely the goal for next season.
PTS: Lincoln Kienholz 20.3 | REB: Jackson Edman 7.7 | AST: Lincoln Kienholz 2.4
Stevens (10-11)
Senior Nate Kindred left Rapid City on a high note, putting up an impressive 15.3 ppg to go along with 5.6 rpg. Fellow seniors Jaden Haefs and Charles Christensen also averaged over 8 points per game for the Raiders, while Ben Goldy scored 5.7 ppg to go along with 4.4 rpg.
Stevens will have to replace most of their offense, with their top 8 scorers graduating.
PTS: Nate Kindred 15.3 | REB: Nate Kindred 5.6 | AST: Nate Kindred 2.0
Lincoln (14-10)
Of all the teams that could make the biggest leap up the standings next season, I think my vote to which team will improve the greatest will be the Patriots. Lead by 7-footer J.T. Rock (who by the way, was sometimes listed at 7’1, but I guess at that height it really doesn’t matter), the Patriots look to be a force in the Metro next season. Rock averaged 12.2 ppg to go with 6.8 rpg, and has been seeing Division 1 interest from many schools. He is only going to be more athletic, and as dominate a center as we have seen in this state since possibly Colton Iverson.
Junior Elliot Whitney, who averaged 11.8 ppg and 3.1 apg, was able to hit Curry-range shots this season, and senior guard Khalil Cisse also finished with 11.9 ppg and 1.9 apg.
The future of Patriots basketball looks bright, and I’m sure many are already wanting next season to begin.
PTS: J.T. Rock 12.2 | REB: J.T. Rock 6.8 | AST: Elliot Whitney 3.1
Roosevelt (24-0)
Roosevelt left no debate on who the best team was in AA. Their 3 wins against OG is insanely impressive, and all season long the Rough Riders proved they are as tough a team as any.
Marcus Phillips (Iowa Western Baseball Commit) individually proved that he is one of the top athletes in the state, dominating the hardwood with a 16.5/8.2/3.3 line. Micah Johnson also shot a ridiculous 50% from behind the arc, while Vance Bourchers averaged 10.5 ppg and 5.2 rpg to go with 32 steals.
Gabe Kranzler (3.0 apg), Thoralingo Gilo (5 blocks) and Haydn Arndt (23-69 3PM) all found solid roles for the state champions. Overall, I wish I could say more about this Rough Riders team, but simply, they got the job done.
They are losing almost all their production from this great senior class, so I don’t think we can make a realistic prediction for next season until after Christmas Break.
PTS: Marcus Phillips 16.5 | REB: Marcus Phillips 8.2 | AST: Marcus Phillips 3.3
Washington (16-8)
Washington was a solid team this season, and has some really talented players, like Mikele Kambalo, who averaged 18.7 ppg and 4.2 rpg to go along with a team-leading 37 steals and 42 3PM. Joseph Uttecht was also a consistently solid player with 9.7 ppg and 3.6 apg, while Mandalla Mohamed finished with a great 7.4/4.1/2.2 line.
The Warriors were literally one shot away from a state championship matchup, but I was impressed in the effort they put in after the loss. Some teams would have checked out already for the 3rd/4th place game, but they came out and played hard about Harrisburg.
I wish we would have got to see more of Angok Akot this season, as he led the team with 8 blocks in limited time. The Warriors are going to lose him to graduation, as well as Kambalo and Uttecht, but Mohamed will be back as the top scorer remaining.
PTS: Mikele Kambalo 18.7 | REB: Mikele Kambalo 4.2 | AST: Joseph Uttecht 3.6
Watertown (6-15)
DWU Commit Drew Norberg led the state with an impressive 21.6 ppg, and led his team in literally every statistical category. Behind him, Reese Stark was next with 8.8 ppg, and Devin Lewis averaged 6.5 ppg along with 32 3PM.
The Arrows lose all 3 to graduation, so a lot of production will need to be replaced.
PTS: Drew Norberg 21.6 | REB: Drew Norberg 5.1 | AST: Drew Norberg 0.8
Yankton (13-11)
The Bucks will be returning a solid core from this season that will look to do some damage. They will be lead by PG Rugby Ryken, who averaged a 11.1/6.0/4.6 line this season. Twins Mac Ryken (7.6 ppg, 2.0 apg) and Drew Ryken (8.0 ppg) will join him on the arc, while Cody Oswald (3.6 rpg) and a handful of talented players will return as well.
The Bucks will be without senior forward Jaden Kral, however, who lead the team with 11.5 ppg to go along with 5.0 rpg, and 3-Point Specialist Dylan Prouty, among others.
Overall, this may not have been quite the season Yankton was hoping for, but they return a lot of productivity for next year.
PTS: Jaden Kral 11.5 | REB: Rugby Ryken 6.0 | AST: Rugby Ryken 4.6
