Boys AA
1.) Roosevelt (6-0)
This Week: Sat. vs Lincoln
2.) O’Gorman (7-1)
This Week: Mon. vs Washington (W 62-51), Sat. @ Yankton
3.) Harrisburg (4-2)
This Week: Fri. vs Douglas
4.) Aberdeen (6-2)
This Week: Thu. @ Brookings, Sat. vs #5A Tea Area
5.) Mitchell (5-2)
This Week: Tue. @ Huron, Thu. @ Pierre
RV: Washington (3-3), Pierre (4-2), Yankton (4-2)
THOUGHTS: I was actually very surprised that Aberdeen was ranked over Mitchell. The Kernels took down Yankton early this week, who beat Aberdeen by 31. The Golden Eagles also lost to Washington by 5 last week, and haven’t beaten a team with a record better than .500%
Now, I’m not trying to bash Aberdeen. But I am just really surprised that they are ranked higher than Mitchell when the Kernels just beat Yankton by 14. Mitchell also has a win over Campbell County (WY), and a loss to Harrisburg. This is why I expected it to be Harrisburg, Mitchell, Washington in the 3-5.
Washington took a an 11-point loss to O’Gorman last night, but were right there most of the game. I think, if anything, it really showed O’Gorman’s ability to play in any environment. They went on the road against a team that has 2 ranked wins on their resume, and battled their way to a win.
I have no doubt that the #1-3 is correct, but still, I have some question marks about the rest. I think we will have a better answer at the end of the week. If Aberdeen takes down Tea, all respect to them. And if Aberdeen comes out of this week 8-2, then no doubt they should be Top 5.
Meanwhile, Mitchell plays at Pierre this week, while O’Gorman will take on Yankton tonight. Those could be some huge games for all the teams involved. I think the Knights spot is secured fairly well, so if they were to lose tonight it shouldn’t drop them from #2.
The most exciting game, though, will be Mitchell vs. Pierre. If Mitchell wins, it is a great win that really showcases how good they are. If Pierre wins, it shows they have shaken off the Christmas break and are ready to start playing to their peak again.
This is going to be a big week for the rankings, so stay tuned.
Girls AA
1.) Washington (6-1)
This Week: Mon. vs OG (L 61-52), Thu. vs Jefferson, Fri. @ Roosevelt
2.) O’Gorman (5-1)
This Week: Mon. @ Washington (W 61-52), Sat. @ Yankton
3.) Brandon Valley (6-1)
This Week: Fri. vs Spearfish
4.) Stevens (7-1)
This Week: Sat. vs Campbell County (WY)
5.) Central (5-1)
This Week: Thu. vs Sturgis, Sat. vs Campbell County (WY) at Black Hills State
RV: Watertown (5-1)
This Week: Thu. vs Yankton
THOUGHTS: We already saw this week’s big game with O’Gorman defeating Washington on the road. The Knights played really well the whole game, and I expect to see them at the #1 spot next week. The Knights are the heavy favorites for the next 6 games, so they should hold the throne for a while.
Washington, meanwhile, will look to bounce back this week against Jefferson and Roosevelt. I expect the Warriors to take both of those wins, and I think Washington will be #2 next week.
Otherwise, I can’t say I see much change coming from this week. Other than Monday night’s matchup, there really isn’t any games that should impact the rankings.
Boys A
1.) Dakota Valley (6-0)
This Week: Tue. vs West Central, Thu. @ Hartington Cedar Catholic (NE)
2.) St. Thomas More (9-0)
This Week: Thu. @ Custer
3.) Winner (8-0)
This Week: Tue. vs Pierre, Thu. vs Tri-Valley
4.) Sioux Valley (5-2)
This Week: Tue. vs Hamlin @ Sanford Pentagon, Fri. @ MC-M
5.) Tea Area (5-2)
This Week: Sat. @ #4AA Aberdeen
5.) Flandreau (7-1)
This Week: Thu. @ Madison
RV: West Central (4-2), SFC (4-3), Hanson (6-1), Groton Area (6-0)
THOUGHTS: I say this is about what I expected. Dak Valley and STM are more than deserving of the spots they have gotten, while Sioux Valley has dropped resonably with losses to De Smet and Flandreau.
Speaking of the Fliers, welcome to the Top 5! The Big East Championship really opened the eyes of everyone, including myself. I’m excited to see them play.
Tea Area also moved after a big week that included a win over Vermillion. The Titans are a very athletic team and have a huge matchup against Aberdeen Central that can help them showcase their abilities.
Tonight’s game between Dakota Valley and West Central should be a fun one, while STM is going to have a good challenge with Custer on Thursday.
Meanwhile, I am excited for Saturday’s matchup between Aberdeen and Tea Area. This game is going to have a lot of implications for the rankings!
Girls A
1.) Flandreau (5-0)
This Week: Tue. @ Garretson, Fri. vs Madison, Sat. vs #2B Corsica-Stickney @ Corn Palace
2.) St. Thomas More (8-1)
This Week: Fri. @ #3 West Central, Sat. vs Parkston @ Corn Palace
3.) West Central (7-0)
This Week: Tue. @ #5 Dakota Valley, Thu. vs #4 Crofton (NE), Fri. vs #2 STM, Sat. vs #4 Wagner @ Corn Palace
4.) Wagner (6-0)
This Week: Tue. @ Gregory, Thu. vs Parkston, Sat. vs #3 West Central @ Corn Palace
5.) Dakota Valley (9-0)
This Week: Tue. vs #3 West Central
RV: Red Cloud (6-1), Florence-Henry (7-0)
THOUGHTS: Ok, I have 2 thoughts for this week. The first is that the Corn Palace is the place to be on Saturday for this class, as the top 4 teams will all be playing. My second thought is how insane West Central’s schedule is this week!!
The Trojans are playing FOUR ranked teams in FIVE days…unreal.
I have literally never seen a schedule that tough ever. If they come out of this undefeated, that gives them the #1 spot. And even if it doesn’t, the experience they will get is invaluable.
Boys B
1.) De Smet (7-1)
This Week: Tue. @ Howard, Fri. vs Kale Preston, Sat. @ Canistota
2.) White River (5-1)
This Week: Thu. @ Bennett Co.
3.) Lower Brule (6-1)
This Week: Tue. @ Sunshine Bible Academy, Thu. vs Marty, Sat. @ Crow Creek
4.) Aberdeen Christian (5-2)
This Week: Fri. vs Potter County
5.) Timber Lake (6-0)
This Week: Sat. vs Faulkton Area @ Redfield
RV: Platte-Geddes (3-1), Faulkton Area (8-0), Viborg–Hurley (4-2), Potter County (6-0)
THOUGHTS: Nothing about these rankings are wild, although White River being ranked higher than Lower Brule did make me wonder a little. It wasn’t so much that I don’t think White River is good or anything, just that Lower Brule beat them head-to-head, and since it’s so early in the season, you would think that maybe there would be more weight given to those types of games.
Either way, the biggest games will be this weekend for the #4 and #5 teams. Aberdeen Christian needs to take down an undefeated Potter County to stay ranked, while we have an undefeated matchup between Timber Lake and Faulkton Area on Saturday. Should be fun!
Girls B
1.) Aberdeen Roncalli (6-0)
This Week: Tue. @ Faulkton Area, Fri. @ Groton Area
2.) Corsica-Stickney (6-2)
This Week: Tue. @ Mitchell Christian, Thu. @ Winner, Sat. vs #1A Flandreau @ Corn Palace
3.) Aberdeen Christian (6-0)
This Week: Tue. @ Groton Area, Thu. vs Wakpala
4.) White River (6-2)
This Week: Tue. @ Lyman, Thu. vs Gregory
5.) De Smet (8-0)
This Week: Tue. @ Howard, Thu. vs Lake Preston
RV: Ethan (5-1), Colman-Egan (6-1)
THOUGHTS: Corsica-Stickney took a tough loss to Wagner last week, but now they need to focus on the road ahead. Winner is always a tough team to play, and then they have a huge matchup vs Flandreau.
Otherwise, not much going on in these rankings, although it is interesting to note that De Smet has quietly started 8-0 and have moved to the #5 spot.
