#1 Jefferson Cavaliers (17-1)
Rank+: 154
Best Win: #2 Lincoln (71-57)
Wins: Roosevelt (x2), Lincoln (x2), Orono (MN), RC Central, Stevens, Washington, Yankton, Harrisburg, Huron, Brandon Valley, O’Gorman, Mitchell, SFC, Watertown, Brookings
Last Week:
- Fri @ #2 Lincoln (W 62-60)
- Sat vs. #3 Washington (L 39-38)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue vs. #7 Pierre
- Fri @ Aberdeen
The Cavs regained the top spot with a huge victory over the Lincoln Patriots. Jefferson again showed coolness in the clutch, hitting numerous free throws, while Mason Riley nearly sealed the game with an electric offensive putback:
The Cavs though, almost gave Lincoln a chance to win after a couple of turnovers. But this time it was Taylen Ashley who proved to be the defensive hero:
Jefferson did get their first loss of the season this week, but I don’t think it was too bad a loss. It was the second day of a back-to-back, Washington is playing their best ball right now and the Cavs battled to the end. That isn’t to take away from Washington’s performance, as they rightfully earned the win. I just think this week showed again what we have know for a while:
The Jefferson Cavaliers are dangerous!
#2 Lincoln Patriots (15-3)
Rank+: 153
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 @ #9 Roosevelt (L 70-56)
- Fri vs. #1 Jefferson (L 62-60)
Weekly Schedule:
- Fri vs. RC Central
- Sat vs. Stevens
It was a tough week for the Patriots who struggled to make shots from behind the arc.
But they have all but clinched the #2 seed in the Sodak 16 and have plenty of time to find their rhythm before the state tournament. Their ceiling is still crazy high, so if the Pats can regain their deadly 3-point shot they’ve shown this year, Lincoln can go as far as anyone in the state tournament.
#3 Washington Warriors (11-6)
Rank+: 141
Best Win: #1 Jefferson (39-38)
Wins: Huron, Aberdeen, Pierre, O’Gorman (x2), Marshall (MN), Brookings, Brandon Valley, Mitchell, Roosevelt, Jefferson
Last Week:
- Tue @ #5 Mitchell (W 47-42)
- Fri @ #9 Roosevelt (W 49-40)
- Sat @ #1 Jefferson (W 39-38)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue vs. #4 Yankton
- Fri vs. Stevens
- Sat vs. RC Central
What a monster week for the Warriors.
As the calendar turned from January to February, Washington had lost 4 of 5, including a defeat at the hands of unranked Watertown.
Since that fateful night on February 3rd, though, the Warriors have taken down 5 straight Top 10 opponents, capitalized with a victory over Jefferson.
This team is catching fire right now and defense is proven to be the key. The Warriors have given up just 50 ppg this season (the lowest in Class AA). And during this incredible run, 4 of those Top 10 of opponents have scored even less than that: 38, 38, 40, 42 (and a 50 for good measure).
I’m excited to see how Washington matches up this week with Yankton, who has one of the best sharpshooters in the class in Drew Ryken.
And no matter what, if the Warriors can keep this defensive prowess up, we are looking at one of the best teams in the state.
#4 Yankton Bucks (13-4)
Rank+: 138
Best Win: #6 Pierre (56-51)
Wins: Harrisburg, Brookings, Watertown, O’Gorman, Roosevelt, Aberdeen, Pierre, Huron, Stevens, RC Central, SFC, Tea Area, Douglas
Last Week:
- Tue vs. #3A SFC (W 65-48)
- Thu @ #5A Tea Area (W 77-68)
- Fri vs. Douglas (W 74-60)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue @ #3 Washington
- Fri vs. Spearfish
- Sat vs. Sturgis
The Bucks took on some of the best teams in Class A and cruised to a trio of wins. As stated earlier, Drew Ryken has been going off for Yankton.
Ryken broke the single-season record for threes in a single-season, and hit an incredible 9 treys for the Bucks against Douglas. Here’s just one example of the electricity he brings on the perimeter:
Having won their last 8 games, Yankton is firing on all cylinders right now. The top of AA is incredibly good right now, but the Bucks deserve to be talked about with any of the best in the class.
#5 Mitchell Kernels (14-4)
Rank+: 135
Best Win: #4 Yankton (49-44)
Wins: Huron, Campbell County (WY), Thunder Basin (WY), Yankton, Huron, Brookings, Roosevelt, Stevens, RC Central, Sturgis, Spearfish, Aberdeen, Pierre, Watertown
Last Week:
- Tue vs. #3 Washington (L 47-42)
- Thu vs. #7 Pierre (W 62-55)
- Sat @ Watertown (W 63-47)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue @ #8 Brandon Valley
- Fri vs. #10 O’Gorman
The Kernels picked up a big win against Pierre this past week. Mitchell was particularly clutch at the free throw line to end the game, and I thought their defense was really solid.
Mitchell may not get talked about as much as the other teams ahead of them, but this is a really good team that continues to perform well.
#6 Harrisburg Tigers (12-7)
Rank+: 131
Best Win: #3 Washington (59-57)
Wins: LeMars (IA), Roosevelt, Mitchell, Douglas, Spearfish, Washington, Brookings, Aberdeen, Marshall (MN), RC Central, Stevens, O’Gorman
Last Week:
- Fri vs. #9 O’Gorman (W 76-51)
- Sat @ #8 Brandon Valley (L 57-44)
Weekly Schedule:
- Fri vs. Watertown
Harrisburg is in an interesting spot right now. They are currently sitting at #8 in the state’s power points, but it’s largely not up to them.
The Tigers will almost certainly play Pierre in the SoDak 16, but the Govs control who will be hosting. Travelling to or from Pierre can make a big difference, but fate will decide itself.
Right now, Harrisburg needs to take care of business this week against Watertown and continue to shoot like they did against O’Gorman.
#7 Pierre Governors (11-7)
Rank+: 130
Best Win: #6 Harrisburg (80-60)
Wins: Stevens, RC Central, Watertown, Spearfish, Sturgis, Winner, Douglas, Harrisburg, Huron, Bismarck (ND), Brookings
Last Week:
- Tue vs. Brookings (W 73-43)
- Thu @ #5 Mitchell (L 66-42)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue @ #1 Jefferson
- Fri vs. #9 Roosevelt
As we talked with Harrisburg, Pierre right now controls their destiny. It’s the benefit of playing a tough schedule late, but they still have to perform at the highest level if they want to host.
The last time Pierre was at home against Harrisburg, they won by 20. Now a lot has happened between then and now, and both teams have improved, but the fact is is that Pierre has lost just twice at home this year; by 6 against Washington and 4 against O’Gorman.
This week is going to be critical for the Sodak 16 and it starts with a battle against Jefferson.
Oh yeah, also this:
#8 Brandon Valley Lynx (12-6)
Rank+: 123
Best Win: #7 Pierre (53-52)
Wins: O’Gorman, Brookings, Watertown, Spearfish, Douglas, Marshall (MN), Pierre, RC Central, Stevens, Tea Area, Harrisburg
Last Week:
- Tue vs. #5A Tea Area (W 49-46)
- Sat vs. #6 Harrisburg (W 57-44)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue vs. #5 Mitchell
- Fri @ Huron
The Lynx quietly put together a tremendous week and are holding the #6 seed in the Sodak 16. It’s possible that they can move into #5 with another good week.
If not, I still think the Lynx are in a great position to make a deep postseason run.
#9 Roosevelt Rough Riders (11-7)
Rank+: 118
Best Win: #10 O’Gorman (58-50, 62-54)
Wins: O’Gorman, Brandon Valley, Stevens, RC Central, O’Gorman, Washington, Brookings, Watertown, Lincoln
Last Week:
- Tue vs. #2 Lincoln (W 70-56)
- Fri vs. #3 Washington (L 49-40)
Weekly Schedule:
- Fri vs. #7 Pierre
Roosevelt hit their stride at the beginning of February and capitalized with a great win against Lincoln:
Even with a loss to Washington, I’m excited to see if they can carry the momentum they have been creating into this week and the postseason.
#10 O’Gorman Knights (6-12)
Rank+: 108
Best Win: #7 Pierre (68-64)
Wins: Tea Area, Watertown, Brookings, Pierre, Stevens, RC Central
Last Week:
- Fri @ #6 Harrisburg (L 76-51)
- Sat vs. Aberdeen (L 57-55)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue vs. Huron
- Fri @ #5 Mitchell
The Knights are still looking for that break through this season. I also still think they have a chance to build some late season momentum before they hit the road for the Sodak 16.
Additional Reading
