Brandon Valley won its first boys basketball state championship since 2019 last season, but will have some questions to answer for the 2025-26 season.

After defeating Mitchell in the Class AA state championship, the Lynx graduated three starters and opened up as the No. 2 team in the preseason prep media poll, receiving six first-place votes.

Sioux Falls Lincoln brings back three all-staters from a year ago and opens as the No. 1 team in AA boys basketball with 11 first place votes, while Huron, Mitchell and O’Gorman (one first-place vote) round out the top-5 teams in the class.

Storylines to Watch

Can Brandon Valley win it all again?: Brandon Valley won its third state championship in school history, but graduated three seniors from last season’s starting lineup. With plenty of minutes to fill, can the Lynx find themselves back on top in its title defense season?

Can Sioux Falls Lincoln put it all together?: The Patriots haven’t won a boys basketball championship since 2016 but return arguably the most talent in the state’s largest class. Two all-state first teamers in Sam DeGroot and Sam Ericsson are back for their senior campaign while junior guard Brody Schafer was an all-state second team selection as well. Lincoln nearly made the championship game last season, falling to Mitchell 55-51.

Players to Watch

Note: These players were all-staters in the 2024-25 season.

Blake Ellwein, Huron: A 6-foot-10 senior guard, Blake Ellwein was an all-state first team selection last season. Ellwein averaged 21.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists for the Tigers last year. For his career, Ellwein has totaled 1,061 points, 363 rebounds, 165 assists, 92 steals and 78 blocked shots. Ellwein will play basketball at South Dakota State University.

Sam DeGroot, Sioux Falls Lincoln: A 6-foot-7 senior forward, Sam DeGroot was an all-state first team honoree last season. DeGroot averaged 15.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game last year. DeGroot will play basketball at Augustana.

Sam Ericsson, Sioux Falls Lincoln: A 6-foot-3 senior guard, Sam Ericsson was an all-state first team selection last year. Ericsson averaged 12.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists last season. Ericsson will play basketball at Augustana.

Brody Schafer, Sioux Falls Lincoln: A 6-foot junior guard, Schafer was an all-state second team honoree a year ago. Schafer averaged 10.3 points, 1.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game as a sophomore. Schafer is committed to play football at South Dakota State University.

Grifin Wiebenga, Tea Area: A 6-foot-4 junior forward, Wiebenga was an all-state second team selection last year. Wiebenga averaged 15.9 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists in his sophomore year.

Colton Smith, Mitchell: A 6-foot-5 senior forward, Colton Smith was an all-state second-team selection last season. Smith averaged 15.7 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists last year for the Kernels. Smith is nearing 1,000 career points, and will be the eighth Kernel in boys basketball history to reach the milestone.