Alright so yesterday we put out a poll on Twitter for each class in response to the recent media poll posted this week. So for today’s blog, I want to go through the results and talk about who I think should be #1 in each class. Let’s get started!
CLASS AA BOYS
Yankton received 59% of the votes and I think that is correct. I was very surprised at the amount of media voters who thought Washington should be #1, and that leads me to my point. In yesterday’s Staff Preview Rankings, I basically wrote one line out of the whole piece. I said (paraphrasing) “This isn’t college football, Yankton is just better.” I don’t think an early loss makes a difference, and quite honestly, Yankton probably has more talent than anyone out there. Brandon Valley was matched very well with the Bucks, and Yankton missed a lot of game winning shots.
TK’s #1: Yankton Bucks
Class AA Girls
I think that Class AA Girls has a really interesting battle going on. There are three teams at the top of the Class that were a combined 12-1 when this poll was released. O’Gorman is definitely one of the most talented teams in the entire state, but Harrisburg and Washington are at the same level. It is a bummer that we could only see two of these teams in the state championship, but those semifinal matchups are going to be elite!
TK’s #1: Washington Warriors
CLASS A BOYS
I was not surprised that Dakota Valley ran away with this, but I can’t say I feel the same about Sioux Valley. I think Sioux Valley is very talented, but I thought more people would go with the Chargers of Sioux Falls Christian. Still, the Panthers are the best team in the class and I don’t see much argument in that.
TK’s #1: Dakota Valley Panthers
CLASS A GIRLS
Alright now this one did surprise me, because I thought Winner would be #1 for sure in the vote. But when the people say St.Thomas More, I need to listen to the people. So I went through their schedule to take a look at who STM has faced. And do I dare say that Winner is still #1? I don’t know.
The Warriors’ only loss comes to West Central @ West Central, which is a tough place to play. That’s like your only loss coming to Syracuse @ Syracuse! But currently, West Central’s only loss is to White River by 2, while St.Thomas More has rolled through every single opponent they have faced. I think the deciding game will be the Cavaliers versus the Warriors on February 5th. But right now, I have to give the #1 spot to the team that is undefeated versus opponents that are a combined 24-10.
TK’s #1: St.Thomas More Cavaliers
CLASS B BOYS
So yesterday the Staff put Howard ahead of De Smet in our overall rankings, and I agree that’s a bold take. De Smet’s only loss comes to Sioux Valley by 4, and the Cossacks are undefeated in a Class above. Howard, however, has yet to play an opponent with a record above .500% and edged out a 3-3 White River by 2. That White River team lost to DRSM by 17, so I gave it about 5 minutes of thought, and I’ll agree with the poll…until January 12th, then the Bulldogs have to prove it.
TK’s #1: De Smet Bulldogs
CLASS B GIRLS
This one is a no-brainer. Corsica-Stickney is an incredibly talented team and should be #1.
TK’s #1: Corsica-Stickney Jaguars
FINAL THOUGHTS
I was thinking about the blogs I want to do and I was thinking I would type up a Top 10 All Class for Girls and get the Staff to weigh in. Otherwise, maybe a best performances’ of the first half of the season. DM us on Twitter and give us some poll/blog ideas, because I would love to hear what y’all think. Anyway support your community, and have a great day!