Power Rankings updated through Sunday, January 12th.
#1 Viborg-Hurley Cougars (15-3)
Rank+: 166
Best Win: #3 Centerville (52-41)
Wins: Freeman, Irene-Wakonda, EP-J, Wall, Hanson, Dakota Valley, Alcester-Hudson, Gayville-Volin, Wolsey-Wessington, Avon, Baltic, Centerville, Canistota, Bridgewater-Emery, Parker
Last Week:
- Tue @ Parker (W 42-32)
- Fri vs. #1A Hamlin (L 63-46)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue vs. Menno
- Thu vs. #4 Howard
Over the past two weeks, The Cougars have taken on arguably the two best teams in Class A, who could very well be the best pair of squads in the state.
That’s a great challenge for Viborg-Hurley, and I think they showed that they are a very competitive team. It’s good to have those battles late in the season, and as we discussed in the Class A article, those losses can make you hungry in the postseason.
But before we get to the playoffs, they have one final ranked matchup against Howard. A win here would give them a lot of confidence as they try to repeat as state champions.
#2 Ethan Rustlers (14-2)
Rank+: 159
Best Win: #7 Howard (61-54)
Wins: FA/M, Scotland, Wessington Springs, MV/P, Bridgewater-Emery, Menno, Corsica-Stickney, Canistota, Mitchell Christian, Howard, SC/W, K/WL, JVC, Avon
Last Week:
- Mon @ JVC (W 52-29)
- Fri @ Avon (W 55-26)
Weekly Schedule:
- Mon vs. AC/DC
- Tue vs. Freeman
- Fri @ Corn Palace vs. T-D/A
Ethan put together another great week, and the Rustlers now look forward to some tough postseason battles in Region 3.
#3 Centerville Tornadoes (13-5)
Rank+: 148
Best Win: #10A Hanson (51-42)
Wins: Hanson, Canistota, FA/M, Gayville-Volin, Burke, Scotland, Irene-Wakonda, Freeman, Avon, T-D/A, Alcester-Hudson, Marty, Menno
Last Week:
- Tue @ Canton (L 60-54)
- Thu @ Menno (W 45-19)
- Sat vs. AC/DC (L 42-44)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue vs. #8 St. Mary (PPD)
The Tornadoes are battling through some late season adversity right now after two tough losses last week.
They still hold the #2 seed in Region 4, though and a win against St. Mary this week could swing the momentum back in their favor.
#4 Howard Tigers (16-3)
Rank+: 147.8
Best Win: #9 Jones County (48-35)
Wins: Arlington, Freeman, Colman-Egan, Lyman, SC/W, Menno, Canistota, MV/P, Hanson, Chester Area, O-R/R, Irene-Wakonda, Mitchell Christian
Last Week:
- Fri vs. #9 Jones County (W 48-35)
Weekly Schedule:
- Mon @ Mitchell Christian (W 57-17)
- Thu @ #1 Viborg-Hurley
Howard picked up a great win over Jones County before cruising to a win over Mitchell Christian.
That Jones Co win was their best victory of the season and shows the Tigers are catching fire at just the right time. If they can capture a win at Viborg-Hurley this Thursday, there is no doubt this is one of the most dangerous teams in the state.
#5 Castlewood Warriors (12-6)
Rank+: 147.1
Best Win: Flandreau (38-31)
Wins: Deubrook Area, Flandreau, Deuel, C/WL, GPL, O-R/R, Pipestone (MN), Colman-Egan, I/LP, De Smet, Waubay/Summit, E-LB
Last Week:
- Tue @ Florence/Henry (L 43-32)
- Fri vs. E-LB (W 55-40)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue vs. Sioux Valley
- Thu @ Estelline/Hendricks
The Warriors are currently the #3 seed in Region 2, but they have a chance to host both regional games if they can get a pair of wins this week. The most crucial of which is that Sioux Valley game tonight. That is a Quad 2 game for those college basketball fans.
#6 Arlington Cardinals (15-4)
Rank+: 146.7
Best Win: #3 Centerville (59-55)
Wins: O-R/R, Castlewood, De Smet, Madison, I/LP, Deuel, Centerville, Colman-Egan, C-G-B (MN), Estelline/Hendricks, Tri-Valley, Deubrook Area, GPL
Last Week:
- Mon @ #8 St. Mary (W 49-47)
- Thu @ JVC (W 43-28)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue @ Chester Area
The game plan for Arlington from here on out is pretty simple: win and your host.
They have put themselves in a great position with one of the best weeks in the state; taking home road wins against St. Mary and JVC.
Those two victories were part of a 6-game win streak that featured 4 teams with .500%+ records, so it’s proving to be that the Cardinals are one of the most exciting teams in the state right now.
#7 Wolsey-Wessington Warbirds (16-2)
Rank+: 146.4
Best Win: Miller (52-49)
Wins: Wessington Springs (x2), Faulkton Area, Kadoka Area, Miller, JVC, Estelline/Hendricks, SBA (x2), SC/W (x2), Highmore-Harrold, K/WL, De Smet
Last Week:
- Fri vs. I/LP (W 71-40)
- Sat vs. #9 Jones County (W 55-49)
Weekly Schedule:
- Mon vs. Sully Buttes
- Thu vs. Hitchcock-Tulare
Wolsey-Wessington took care of business, and secured the top spot in Region 2 this past week.
And although the Warbirds are ranked #7, their upside is as good as any team in the state. First, however, they have to get out of the difficult Region 2. But if anyone has shown they can do so, it’s Wolsey-Wessington.
#8 St. Mary Cardinals (15-4)
Rank+: 144
Best Win: #6 Castlewood (52-50)
Wins: Howard, Colman-Egan, W-SS, Estelline/Hendricks, Chester Area, E-LB, O-R/R, Castlewood, Madison, Garretson, Alcester-Hudson, H-BC (MN), I/LP, Mitchell Christian, Baltic
Last Week:
- Mon @ #5 Arlington (L 49-47)
- Tue vs. Baltic (W 57-24)
- Fri vs. #10 Wall (L 58-46)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue @ #3 Centerville (PPD)
St. Mary’s has just faced a brutal ending to the schedule, but has competed with some very good teams.
But in a way, it prepares them for the very tough Region 3 tournament, and like discussed earlier, can help lock in a team as we head towards the playoffs.
I’m excited to see if they can reschedule this game with Centerville, but if not, we’ll see the Cardinals again in some exciting postseason battles.
#9 Jones County Coyotes (13-4)
Rank+: 140.5
Best Win: Kadoka Area (63-38)
Wins: K/WL, Highmore-Harrold, Stanley County, Burke, Colman-Egan, Bison, Colome, Kadoka Area (x2), New Underwood, L/FA, Philip
Last Week:
- Mon vs. Kadoka Area (W 55-39)
- Tue vs. Philip (W 53-30)
- Fri vs. #4 Howard (L 48-35)
- Sat s. #7 W-W (L 55-49)
Weekly Schedule:
- Thu @ Lyman
It was a busy week for the Coyotes, who split on the week. They have secured a top 2 spot in the playoffs, so this week’s game will just be about preparing for the postseason.
#10 Wall Eagles (13-5)
Rank+: 140.3
Best Win: #8 St. Mary (58-46)
Wins: Edgemont, Todd County, Little Wound, Newell, Jones County, Bennett County, Chamberlain, Lead-Deadwood, Philip, New Underwood, St. Mary
Last Week:
- Fri vs. #8 St. Mary (W 58-46)
Weekly Schedule:
- Tue vs. Lyman
- Fri @ Hill City
Wall only had one game this week, but it was a big one; as the Eagles clinched the top seed in Region 7, and earned their second ranked win of the season.
That’s a great momentum booster heading into the postseason.
