ABERDEEN — The Class B boys basketball tournament, which has been a staple in Aberdeen since 1995, starts Thursday at Wachs Arena.

The eight-team field features four returners from 2023, including White River, Viborg-Hurley, De Smet and Castlewood. Wessington Springs, Howard, Gregory and Leola-Frederick Area round out the field.

Here’s a look at the eight teams in the field:

White River

Record: 21-2 

Coach: Eldon Marshall  

Key players: Nic Marshall (26.2 ppg, 5 apg, 3.5 rpg, 2.5 spg), Jordan Uhlir (14 ppg, 5.6 rpg), Ray Crow (7.4 ppg), Evastine Wright (6.7 ppg, 5 rpg), Mackenzie Wike (6.5 ppg), Teagen Bouman (4.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg).

Notes: No. 1 White River will play No. 8 Viborg-Hurley at noon CT in the opener. … White River’s two losses were against Class A qualifiers Rapid City Christian and Pine Ridge. … Nic Marshall, a 6-foot-1 senior guard, is the son of White River coach Eldon Marshall. … White River has qualified for every Class B boys basketball tournament since 2006. 

Viborg-Hurley

Record: 18-5 

Coach: Galen Schoenefeld

Key players: Nick Hanson (22 ppg, 9.5 rpg), Brady Schroedermeier (12.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg), Nolan Kolthoff (6.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg), Bryson Morrison (7.3 ppg), Owen Niederbaumer (5 ppg, 4 rpg).

Notes: No. 8 Viborg-Hurley will play No. 1 White River at noon CT in the opener. … Viborg-Hurley lost to Class A foes Elk Point-Jefferson, Lennox and Hamlin during the regular season. … The Cougars defeated Class B qualifier Castlewood and lost to Class B entrant Howard during the regular season. … Bryson Morrison has knocked down a team-high 36 3-pointers. … Nick Hanson, a 6-foot-6 junior forward, has logged 507 points and 219 rebounds this season. … The Cougars are making their second consecutive Class B appearance. 

Wessington Springs' Colby Flowers puts up a shot at the Corn Palace earlier this season. (Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)

Wessington Springs

Record: 22-1 

Coach: Kenny Huether  

Key players: Parker Graff (17.1 pg, 5 rpg), Ryder Michalek (14.7 ppg, 8 rpg, 88 assists, 39 blocked shots), Colby Flowers (9.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg), Brock Krueger (8.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg), Blake Larson (6.9 ppg, 98 assists).

Notes: No. 4 Wessington Springs will play No. 5 Howard at 1:45 p.m. CT in the opener. … Wessington Springs lost to Howard, 38-33, on Dec. 16 in Wessington Springs. … The Spartans are making just their third Class B boys basketball appearance, also qualifying in 1967 and 1994. … Parker Graff has hit a team-high 64 3-pointers this season. 

Howard

Record: 20-3 

Coach: Nick Koepsell  

Key players: Luke Koepsell (16 ppg), Kolt Koepsell (14.7 ppg), Logan Mentele (7.6 ppg), Colby Claussen (7 ppg), Taiden Hoyer (6.4 ppg).

Notes: No. 5 Howard will play No. 4 Wessington Springs at 1:45 p.m. CT in the opener. … Howard defeated Wessington Springs, 38-33, on Dec. 16 in Wessington Springs. … Howard is making its first state boys basketball appearance since 1995. … Howard lost to Class B entrant De Smet during the regular season, while it also lost to Chester Area and Hanson. The Tigers defeated Class B qualifier Howard during the regular season. 

De Smet

Record: 20-3 

Coach: Jeff Gruenhagen  

Key players: George Jensen (12.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg), Tom Aughenbaugh (11 ppg), Kadyn Fast (10.3 ppg), Grant Wilkinson (10 ppg, 6.9 rpg), Britt Carlson (7.1 ppg, 3.7), Trace Van Regenmorter (6.1 ppg, 8 rpg).

Notes: No. 2 De Smet will play No. 7 Gregory at 6 p.m. CT in the opener. … The Bulldogs lost to state tournament qualifiers Castlewood and Hamlin during the regular season, while they also lost to SoDak 16 qualifier Dell Rapids St. Mary. … De Smet has qualified for every state tournament since 2019 and won the past three Class B state championships. 

Gregory

Record: 19-4 

Coach: Jeff Determan  

Key players: Daniel Mitchell (15 ppg, 7.6 rpg), Noah Bearshield (14 ppg, 3.4 rpg), Cruz Klundt (12.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg), Lincoln Juracek (5.2 ppg).

Notes: No. 7 Gregory will play No. 2 De Smet at 6 p.m. CT in the opener. … Gregory lost to Class B qualifier Howard during the regular season, while it also lost to St. Mary’s, Nebraska, Winner and Dell Rapids St. Mary. The Gorillas avenged their loss against Dell Rapids St. Mary in the SoDak 16. … Daniel Mitchell, a 6-foot-7 all-state forward, is Gregory’s lone senior. He’s closing in on 1,900 career points. 

Castlewood

Record: 20-3 

Coach: Paul Raasch  

Key players: Lane Tvedt (15.8 ppg), Bryon Laue (15.5 ppg, 11 rpg), Jamison Keszler (10.7 ppg), Luke Baumberger (8.1 ppg), Quincy Thu (4.4 ppg, 6 rpg).

Notes: No. 3 Castlewood will play No. 6 Leola/Frederick Area at 7:45 p.m. CT in the opener. … Castlewood lost to three state tournament qualifiers this season, including Class B entrant Viborg-Hurley. The Warriors also lost to Class A qualifiers Hamlin and Sioux Valley. … The Warriors are making their third consecutive Class B state tournament appearance. 

Leola/Frederick Area

Record: 22-1 

Coach: Brock Pashen  

Key players: Noah Kippley (17.7 ppg), Brayden Sumption (13.2 ppg), Gavin Nickelson (6 ppg), Westyn Thorpe (5.7 ppg), Winston Clark (5.5 ppg), Milo (5.4 ppg). 

Notes: No. 6 Leola/Frederick Area will play No. 3 Castlewood at 7:45 p.m. CT in the opener. … Leola/Frederick Area’s lone defeat was against Faulkton Area (63-55). … Leola/Frederick Area is making its first state tournament berth since 2005.