#1 Lincoln Patriots (15-1)
Rank+: 160
Best Win: #3 Yankton (60-54)
Wins: Washington (x2), Harrisburg, Pierre, Aberdeen, Huron, Roosevelt, O’Gorman, Mitchell, Yankton, Watertown, Brookings, Minneapolis North (MN), O’Gorman, Brandon Valley
Last Week:
- Tue vs. #9 O’Gorman (W 77-59)
- Fri @ #8 Brandon Valley (W 61-42)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue @ #10 Roosevelt
- Fri vs. #2 Jefferson
The Pats picked up two great wins this last week, cruising past two Top 10 opponents. That was good enough to push them into the top spot and they have an exciting chance to avenge their only loss to Jefferson.
#2 Jefferson Cavaliers (16-0)
Rank+: 156
Best Win: #2 Lincoln (71-57)
Wins: Roosevelt (x2), Lincoln, Orono (MN), RC Central, Stevens, Washington, Yankton, Harrisburg, Huron, Brandon Valley, O’Gorman, Mitchell, SFC, Watertown, Brookings
Last Week:
- Tue vs. Watertown (W 60-44)
- Fri vs. Brookings (W 66-43)
Weekly Schedule:
- Fri @ #1 Lincoln
- Sat vs. #3 Washington
Lincoln and Jefferson have consistently remained the top two teams in AA, and while the Patriots retook the top spot with a great week, the Cavaliers will have a chance to take it back.
In fact, this may be the biggest week of Jefferson’s year; with two great inter-city matchups and a chance to lock up the #1 seed in the Sodak 16.
#3 Washington Warriors (8-6)
Rank+: 139
Best Win: #6 Pierre (63-57)
Wins: Huron, Aberdeen, Pierre, O’Gorman (x2), Marshall (MN), Brookings, Brandon Valley
Last Week:
- Tue @ #8 Brandon Valley (W 52-38)
- Fri @ #9 O’Gorman (W 62-50)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue @ #5 Mitchell
- Fri @ #10 Roosevelt
- Sat @ #2 Jefferson
The Warriors jumped back up to #3 after a tremendous week, matching the top-ranked Lincoln Patriots against BV and OG.
This is another team that is going to have a very difficult week, with three Top 10 matchups all on the road.
#4 Yankton Bucks (10-4)
Rank+: 138
Best Win: #6 Pierre (56-51)
Wins: Harrisburg, Brookings, Watertown, O’Gorman, Roosevelt, Aberdeen, Pierre, Huron, Stevens, RC Central
Last Week:
- Mon @ Huron (W 85-57)
- Fri @ Stevens (W 51-39)
- Sat @ RC Central (W 74-53)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue vs. #2A SFC
- Thu @ #4A Tea Area
- Fri vs. Douglas
Yankton took care of business this past week on a West River trip, and now look ahead to two of the best teams in Class A.
It’s also worth mentioning Rugby Ryken’s statline this past Monday against Huron:
Insane.
#5 Mitchell Kernels (12-3)
Rank+: 134
Best Win: #4 Yankton (49-44)
Wins: Huron, Campbell County (WY), Thunder Basin (WY), Yankton, Huron, Brookings, Roosevelt, Stevens, RC Central, Sturgis, Spearfish, Aberdeen
Last Week:
- Tue @ Aberdeen (W 60-47)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue vs. #3 Washington
- Thu vs. #7 Pierre
- Sat @ Watertown
The Kernels had a quiet week with just a single game against Aberdeen. They’ll pick up the pace to finish out the year, including two big games against Washington and Pierre.
Mitchell currently holds the #3 spot in the Sodak 16, but it’s close enough that this week will be critical for the playoffs.
#6 Harrisburg Tigers (11-6)
Rank+: 131
Best Win: #3 Washington (59-57)
Wins: LeMars (IA), Roosevelt, Mitchell, Douglas, Spearfish, Washington, Brookings, Aberdeen, Marshall (MN), RC Central, Stevens
Last Week:
- Tue @ Marshall MN (W 61-56)
- Fri @ RC Central (W 69-37)
- Sat @ Stevens (W 67-43)
Weekly Schedule:
- Fri vs. #9 O’Gorman
- Sat @ #8 Brandon Valley
The Tigers traveled with the Bucks to the Hills and made good use of their time.
Those three wins might prove to be huge in terms of confidence for Harrisburg after the Tigers’ loss to Pierre, and two more wins this week would have them heating up at just the right time.
#7 Pierre Governors (10-6)
Rank+: 130
Best Win: Winner (66-32)
Wins: Stevens, RC Central, Watertown, Spearfish, Sturgis, Winner, Douglas, Harrisburg, Huron, Bismarck (ND)
Last Week:
- Tue vs. Huron (W 68-59)
- Fri vs. Bismarck ND (W 89-67)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue vs. Brookings
- Thu @ #5 Mitchell
I’m not sure how I would describe the Govs’ week in words. Instead, I’ll just show you this:
#8 Brandon Valley Lynx (10-6)
Rank+: 119
Best Win: #7 Pierre (53-52)
Wins: O’Gorman, Brookings, Watertown, Spearfish, Douglas, Marshall (MN), Pierre, RC Central, Stevens
Last Week:
- Tue vs. #3 Washington (L 52-38)
- Fri vs. #1 Lincoln (L 61-42)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue vs. #4A Tea Area
- Sat vs. #6 Harrisburg
It was a tough week for the Lynx who took on two of the best teams in the state.
And BV still has a tough schedule coming up, with Tea Area, Harrisburg and Mitchell lined up for the next three games. This is going to be a crucial run in terms of both seed points and confidence heading into the playoffs, so I’m excited to see how the Lynx battle this next week.
#9 O’Gorman Knights (6-10)
Rank+: 115
Best Win: #7 Pierre (68-64)
Wins: Tea Area, Watertown, Brookings, Pierre, Stevens, RC Central
Last Week:
- Tue @ #1 Lincoln (L 77-59)
- Fri vs. #3 Washington (L 62-50)
Weekly Schedule:
- Fri @ #6 Harrisburg
- Sat vs. Aberdeen
The Knights are in a similar spot as the Lynx. They’re currently the #10 team in power points, which is a very tough spot to be in.
They can still move up over the next four games, however, and their matchup with Harrisburg is going to be critical.
#10 Roosevelt Rough Riders (10-6)
Rank+: 114
Best Win: #9 O’Gorman (58-50, 62-54)
Wins: O’Gorman, Brandon Valley, Stevens, RC Central, O’Gorman, Washington, Brookings, Watertown
Last Week:
- Tue vs. Brookings (W 52-46)
- Fri vs. Watertown (W 48-35)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue vs. #1 Lincoln
- Fri vs. #3 Washington
The Rough Riders put together a great week as they head towards some tough inter-city matchups.
Roosevelt also currently holds the #5 spot in power points, although Harrisburg and Brandon Valley are right behind them. If they can take a win this week, they’ll be in a great spot come the Sodak 16.
Additional Reading
