#1 Washington Warriors (9-2)
Rank+: 161
Best Win: #2 O’Gorman (W 42-33)
Wins: Lincoln (x2), Huron, Aberdeen, Pierre, O’Gorman, Jefferson, Roosevelt, Marshall (MN)
Last Week:
- Tue @ Lincoln (W 42-39)
- Thu vs. #4 Jefferson (L 52-47)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue @ Brookings
- Fri vs. #10 Watertown
The Warriors are looking to bounce back from a tough loss this past week to Jefferson; who avenged an earlier season loss to Washington.
Even with the loss, however, Washington still holds the #1 spot, as their previous wins speak for themselves. Now they have a great chance to pick up two more victories this week, including a top 10 matchup at home against Watertown.
#2 O’Gorman Knights (8-3)
Rank+: 159
Best Win: #8 Brandon Valley (54-41)
Wins: Brandon Valley, Roosevelt, Watertown, Brookings, Yankton, Lincoln, Roosevelt, Tea Area
Last Week:
- Tue @ Tea Area (W 71-30)
- Fri vs. #3 Pierre (L 68-64)
Weekly Schedule:
- Fri vs. #6 Stevens
- Sat vs. RC Central
The defending champs are slowly working their way back to the top spot and are in striking distance despite a loss late last week to Pierre.
O’Gorman could very well have that opportunity to take the top spot with a marquee matchup against #6 Stevens this Friday.
#3 Pierre Governors (10-2)
Rank+: 156
Best Win: #2 O’Gorman (57-46)
Wins: Stevens, RC Central, Watertown, Spearfish, Sturgis, Lincoln, Lakota Tech, Douglas, Aberdeen, O’Gorman
Last Week:
- Tue vs. Aberdeen (W 63-54)
- Fri @ #2 O’Gorman (W 57-46)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue @ #6 Harrisburg
- Fri vs. Yankton
The Lady Govs picked up a victory late last weekend on the road against O’Gorman. That’s a huge win both on the court and in confidence, as Pierre showed they could bounce back from a tough loss against Brandon Valley on the 19th.
There is no rest for Pierre, however, as they now travel back east to take on Harrisburg tonight.
#4 Jefferson Cavaliers (11-2)
Rank+: 150
Best Win: #1 Washington (52-47)
Wins: Roosevelt, Brandon Valley, Lincoln, West Central, RC Central, Stevens, Yankton, Harrisburg, Huron
Last Week:
- Thu @ #1 Washington (W 52-47)
- Sat vs. Roosevelt (W 59-26)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue @ #10 Mitchell
There may have been no bigger win in AA this season than the Cavaliers win over Washington this past week. Jefferson managed to avenge an early season loss to the Warriors on the road, which is a rarity against the #1 team in any class.
They now come into a matchup at the Corn Palace with the most momentum of arguably any team in the state, and the Cavs are poised to be as dangerous as anybody heading into the playoffs.
#5 Stevens Raiders (11-2)
Rank+: 149
Best Win: #7 Spearfish (53-38)
Wins: Douglas, Aberdeen, RC Central, Spearfish, Roosevelt, Campbell County (WY), Sturgis, Watertown, Brookings, Mitchell, Huron
Last Week:
- Fri @ #10 Mitchell (W 56-37)
- Sat @ Huron (W 68-45)
Weekly Schedule:
- Fri @ #2 O’Gorman
- Sat @ #8 Brandon Valley
Stevens dropped one spot thanks to a big week from Jefferson, but the Raiders also put up a great showing on the road this past week.
They’ll also have plenty of opportunities to showcase their abilities with the best in the state, as half their remaining games are teams in the top 10; including a big road trip to the Sioux Falls metro this weekend that could set the tone for the playoffs.
#6 Harrisburg Tigers (10-2)
Rank+: 127
Best Win: #1 Washington (40-39)
Wins: Yankton, Lincoln, Marshall (MN), Roosevelt, Huron, Douglas, Spearfish, Washington, Mitchell, Brookings
Last Week:
- Tue @ #10 Mitchell (W 40-29)
- Thu vs. Brookings (W 36-29)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue vs. #3 Pierre
- Fri @ Aberdeen
Another team with a great week, Harrisburg picked up a ranked win over Mitchell.
The Tigers are on one of the best streaks in the state, winning 6 of their last 7, which includes a road win over #1 Washington. Their only loss in that time was to #4 Jefferson in a 2-point game, but Harrisburg has proven this season they can play with the best in the state.
Now, they will take on Pierre in what should be the biggest game of the night on the girls’ side.
#7 Spearfish Spartans (4-6)
Rank+: 120
Best Win: Hill City (48-25)
Wins: Hot Springs, Hill City
Last Week:
- Tue vs. #5A STM (W 48-45)
- Thu @ RC Central (W 49-35)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue @ Lead-Deadwood
- Fri vs. Huron
- Sat vs. #10 Mitchell
We talked about last week how Spearfish was battling close with all the top teams in the state, and were poised for a break through.
They finally got it last week with a huge win over St. Thomas More. This could be the start of a huge run into the postseason for the Spartans, who have a very winnable schedule for the rest of the regular season.
#8 Brandon Valley Lynx (8-4)
Rank+: 117
Best Win: #3 Pierre (75-69)
Wins: Roosevelt, Watertown, Brookings, Spearfish, Douglas, Marshall (MN), Pierre, Yankton
Last Week:
- Thu vs. Yankton (W 43-25)
Weekly Schedule:
- Fri vs. RC Central
- Sat vs. #5 Stevens
Since their January 19th win over Pierre in the Capital City, the Lynx haven’t played many games; with a loss to Aberdeen and win over Yankton.
Brandon Valley will be back into the spotlight soon, though, as they face Stevens and Washington in back-to-back games.
This could be a big test before the playoffs for the Lynx, and it’ll be exciting to see how they perform.
#9 Watertown Arrows (7-5)
Rank+: 111
Best Win: Huron (W 36-34)
Wins: Brookings, Aberdeen, Yankton, Tea Area, RC Central, Huron, Douglas
Last Week:
- Tue vs. Huron (W 36-34)
- Fri vs. Douglas (W 62-25)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue vs. Lincoln
- Fri @ #1 Washington
Welcome to the rankings Arrows! Watertown finds themselves at #9 in their rankings debut, after two wins last week against formerly ranked Huron and Douglas.
Now the Arrows are going to get a chance to prove their ranking and will be well-tested over the next couple of weeks, including a tough stretch of games against #1 Washington, #4 Jefferson, and #10 Mitchell
#10 Mitchell Kernels (6-5)
Rank+: 105
Best Win: Huron (46-44)
Wins: Huron, Yankton, Brookings, Roosevelt, Lincoln
Last Week:
- Fri vs. #5 Stevens (L 57-37)
- Sat vs. RC Central (W 46-37)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue vs. #4 Jefferson
- Fri @ Sturgis
- Sat @ #7 Spearfish
The Kernels dropped slightly in the rankings after a tough loss to Stevens, but have a great chance to bounce back this week, starting with tonight’s matchup against Jefferson.
As I’ve spoken on before, great teams can turn tough losses into growth, especially this late in the season. This could be a huge week for the Kernels, especially in PowerPoints placement as we head into the SoDak 16.
