EDIT: In the original post, it said that Brandon Valley had lost to Lincoln. This was a typing error in the BV section, and has been fixed. The rankings did not have this game in the system, and there are no changes to the power rankings.
#1 Jefferson Cavaliers (12-0)
Rank+: 158
Best Win: #2 Lincoln (71-57)
Wins: Roosevelt (x2), Lincoln, Orono (MN), RC Central, Stevens, Washington, Yankton, Harrisburg, Huron, Brandon Valley, O’Gorman
Last Week:
- Tue @ #7 Brandon Valley (W 59-58)
- Thu vs. #9 O’Gorman (W 75-52)
- Sat vs. #10 Roosevelt (W 63-60)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue vs. #4 Mitchell
- Fri @ SFC
If we have learned anything this week, it’s that winner’s win. And the Cavaliers are proven winners.
What’s really impressed me is that they have won in different ways offensively, but their defense has been super consistent, especially when it comes down to the end of the games:
Jefferson continue to show clutch play late, including during two gritty wins versus Brandon Valley and Roosevelt this last week. I don’t know what else to say except:
Jefferson is the team to beat.
#2 Lincoln Patriots (10-1)
Rank+: 156
Best Win: #3 Yankton (60-54)
Wins: Washington (x2), Harrisburg, Pierre, Aberdeen, Huron, Roosevelt, O’Gorman, Mitchell, Yankton
Last Week:
- Tue @ #3 Yankton (W 60-54)
- Thu vs. #5 Washington (W 80-68)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue vs. Watertown
- Thu vs. Brookings
- Sat @ Sanford Pentagon vs. Minneapolis North (MN)
It was another great week for the Patriots. They took down a tough Yankton team on the road, before going off against Washington on Thursday. Braxton Mohr might not get included in all the headlines, but his play towards the end of the Yankton game was absolutely key:
The steal (not on video) right after the above free throw sealed the win for the Pats, and this last week showed that Lincoln is really deep.
Also, I’m pretty sure J.T. Rock is the only player in the state making this play:
Insane!
#3 Yankton Bucks (5-4)
Rank+: 136
Best Win: #8 Harrisburg (66-61)
Wins: Harrisburg, Brookings, Watertown, O’Gorman, Roosevelt
Last Week:
- Tue vs. #2 Lincoln (L 60-54)
- Thu vs. #7 Brandon Valley (L 58-54)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue @ Aberdeen
- Thu vs. #6 Pierre
Very rarely does a team lose twice in a week, and move up in the rankings. Well, that’s the way the cookie crumbles sometimes. The computer gives teams credit to teams that show they consistently play at a high level, win or loss, and the Bucks have played very close with the top teams in the state.
What’s interesting to note of last week’s games was that Yankton shot zero free throws against Lincoln.
I told someone that this last week I saw two things I’ve never seen:
- Aberdeen Christian shooting 70% from the field.
- Yankton shooting zero free throws.
Those are two anomalies that are really interesting to look back on. And it’s also why I love the power rankings, it normalizes those extremes. Plus, losing by six with zero free throws shows even more how close Yankton is to the best teams in the state.
The Bucks are also coming back from some injuries, so be on the lookout for this team.
#4 Mitchell Kernels (9-2)
Rank+: 135
Best Win: #3 Yankton (49-44)
Wins: Huron, Campbell County (WY), Thunder Basin (WY), Yankton, Huron, Brookings, Roosevelt, Stevens, RC Central
Last Week:
- Fri @ Stevens (W 54-48)
- Sat @ RC Central (W 72-48)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue @ #1 Jefferson
- Fri vs. Sturgis
- Sat vs. Spearfish
It’s no longer a quiet season for Mitchell. The Kernels have been tremendous so far, and picked up two wins on a west river trip this week.
Now, they have another big test against Jefferson…And it should be noted that the Kernels took Lincoln to just 1 point a few weeks ago.
#5 Washington Warriors (5-5)
Rank+: 134
Best Win: #6 Pierre (63-57)
Wins: Huron, Aberdeen, Pierre, O’Gorman, Marshall (MN)
Last Week:
- Thu @ #2 Lincoln (L 80-68)
- Fri vs. #10 Roosevelt (L 53-47)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue vs. Brookings
- Fri @ Watertown
The Warriors ran into two tough opponents this last week; Lincoln (one of the best teams in the state), and Roosevelt (starting to heat up at just the right time).
However, the true test of a really good is how well they can bounce back from defeat. The Warriors have a great chance to do show that grit over the next couple of weeks.
#6 Pierre Governors (8-5)
Rank+: 133
Best Win: Winner (66-32)
Wins: Stevens, RC Central, Watertown, Spearfish, Sturgis, Winner, Douglas, Harrisburg
Last Week:
- Tue @ Aberdeen (L 84-82 OT)
- Fri vs. #9 O’Gorman (L 68-64)
- Sat vs. #8 Harrisburg (W 80-60)
Weekly Schedule:
- Thu @ #3 Yankton
Sometimes, the cookie does not crumble your way. That was the case with the Govs, as Spencer Barr went off for the second straight game, scoring 51 to lift the Golden Eagles over Aberdeen.
Then Pierre lost a tough one against O’Gorman. The Knights were so close to a break through and finally got in the Capital City.
But like we talked about with Washington, the true test of a great team is what they do after losses or setbacks. The Govs showed they have that toughness with a dominant win over Harrisburg. That’s a great win and can give a team confidence for the future.
I’m very excited for their matchup with Yankton, as it will be two teams with great guard play and who can run at a fast pace. Let’s see if the Govs can carry that momentum from the win against the Tigers to Yankton.
#7 Brandon Valley Lynx (8-4)
Rank+: 126
Best Win: #6 Pierre (53-52)
Wins: O’Gorman, Brookings, Watertown, Spearfish, Douglas, Marshall (MN), Pierre
Last Week:
- Tue vs. #1 Jefferson (L 59-58)
- Thu @ #3 Yankton (W 58-54)
Weekly Schedule:
- Fri vs. RC Central
- Sat vs. Stevens
The Lynx are getting hot at just the right time! They played Jefferson right to the end, and were arguably the toughest wins for the state’s top teams.
Then, Brandon Valley came out hot against the Bucks and held off Yankton for a huge road win.
This is another team that I am super excited to watch, as although they are ranked #7, they have shown over the last couple of weeks we can play with anyone.
#8 Harrisburg Tigers (7-6)
Rank+: 118
Best Win: #5 Washington (59-57)
Wins: LeMars (IA), Roosevelt, Mitchell, Douglas, Spearfish, Washington, Brookings
Last Week:
- Thu @ Brookings (W 66-41)
- Sat @ #6 Pierre (L 80-60)
Weekly Schedule:
- Fri vs. Aberdeen
The Tigers have a tough matchup coming up with Aberdeen. Though on paper it might not look like that, Aberdeen is playing really well right now, and Spencer Barr is arguably the hottest scorer in the state.
That Friday matchup is going to be a great opportunity for the Tigers to bounce back from the Pierre loss.
#9 O’Gorman Knights (4-8)
Rank+: 117
Best Win: #6 Pierre (68-64)
Wins: Tea Area, Watertown, Brookings, Pierre
Last Week:
- Thu @ #1 Jefferson (L 75-52)
- Fri vs. #6 Pierre (W 68-64)
Weekly Schedule:
- Fri vs. Stevens
- Sat vs. RC Central
It seems like a huge weight has been lifted off the Knights season after a tough road win over Pierre:
It was the breakthrough they finally needed after losing some close games against the best teams in the state.
This win could absolutely turn around the Knights season after a tough first half, and they have the ability to build off of the win with a pair of weekend bouts against the Rapid schools.
#10 Roosevelt Rough Riders (6-6)
Rank+: 115
Best Win: #9 O’Gorman (58-50, 62-54)
Wins: O’Gorman, Brandon Valley, Stevens, RC Central, O’Gorman, Washington
Last Week:
- Fri @ #5 Washington (W 53-47)
- Sat @ #1 Jefferson (L 63-60)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue vs. Huron
- Sat @ Marshall (MN)
Even though Roosevelt went 1-1 last weekend, I would argue that they had one of the best weeks of any team in the state.
First, they took down city rival, Washington, with some clutch free throws down the stretch:
Then, they played Jefferson to the final possession, even having the ball in their hands with a chance to win.
It’s great to see teams really improve in the second half of the season, and the Rough Riders are starting to show that they are a serious threat of any team in the playoffs.
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