Editor’s Note: 605 Sports will unveil team preview capsules on all girls basketball classes leading up to the 2022-23 season openers. The information provided was submitted by coaches in response to an email sent by 605 Sports.

Sioux Falls O’Gorman returned to the top of Class AA girls basketball last season.

The Knights captured their first state championship since 2017, knocking off Rapid City Stevens in the title game. 

O’Gorman received 17 of 18 first-place votes in the South Dakota Prep Media Basketball Preseason Poll, but a host of contenders are nipping at its heels. Sioux Falls Jefferson, Sioux Falls Washington, Brandon Valley and Pierre round out the top-five in the preseason rankings. 

Team capsules (listed in alphabetical order): 

Brandon Valley 

Coach: Mike Zerr

Last year’s record: 18-6 (fourth-place at Class AA tourney)

Key returnees: Hilary Behrens, 6-0, sr.; Jaida Metzger, 5-4, sr.; Rylee Schlotman, 5-6, sr.; Kennedi Deckert, 5-6, jr.; Paisley Hoff, 5-9, jr.

Outlook: The Lynx will again be in the Class AA mix, with two-time all-stater Hilary Behrens pacing the team. A 6-foot senior forward, Behrens logged 17 points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals per game last season. She will play college basketball at South Dakota State University. Jaida Metzger, Rylee Schlotman, Kennedi Deckert and Paisley Hoff will be other key contributors for Mike Zerr’s squad. 

“South Dakota AA Girls Basketball is loaded with talented players and teams with both experience and potential,” Zerr said. “It is a challenge each and every game, and that makes it such a fun experience for our kids. We hope to compete each night out and play our best basketball when it matters the most in February and March.”

Brookings

Coach: Mitch McLagan

Last year’s record: 7-13

Key returnees: Logan Smidt, 5-7, soph.; Gracey Sheridan, 5-7, sr.; Sophia Hammrich, 5-9, sr.

Top newcomers: Tess Burns, 5-10, soph.; Amari Ward, 5-6, fr.; Kymber Buys, 5-7, soph.; Macy Even, 5-9, fr.; Jaden Devine, 5-7, jr.; Sofia Dvergsten, 5-10, sr.

Outlook: Coach Mitch McLagan anticipates a different-looking Brookings Bobcats season. In recent years the team relied on its size, but this season they will depend on its athleticism and speed. 

“We will hang our hat on our athleticism and look to turn teams over,” McLagan said. We will look a lot different defensively because of this. We will be led on the offensive end by sophomore Logan Smidt (8.6 ppg/3.6 rpg). Logan had another incredible summer. Her ability to shoot is pretty special for a sophomore. She has really improved her ability to also get to the rim. She is an exciting player, she continues to get better everyday. She is hungry to become the best player she can be. Logan really shined this summer and others have really taken notice. We will look for others to step up and be contributors to help her out on the offensive end.”

Harrisburg

Coach: Nick Mayer

Last year’s record: 10-14

Key returnees: Jaylee Hofer, 5-6, jr.; Hannah Eide, 5-9, sr.; Kayleigh Hybertson, 5-11, sr.; Abby Flanagan, 5-11, sr.; Addy Wagner, 5-7, jr.

Top newcomers: Sadie Mehrman, 5-10, fr.; Kinley Lawrenson, 5-11, soph.; Gracie Goldammer, 5-10, jr.

Outlook: The Tigers bring back five key contributors from last season’s 10-14 season and they’ll be gunning for their 11th straight trip to state. 

“We are very excited about our squad this season,” Harrisburg coach Nick Mayer said. “We have a great blend of experience and young players ready to make their mark on our program. We are going to have to rebound on both ends of the floor, get great shots on offense and defend well in the half court.” 

Huron

Coach: Kody Kopfmann

Last year’s record: 12-9  

Key returnees: Isabelle Ellwein, 5-8, sr.; Heavan Gainey, 5-7, sr.; Hamtyn Heinz, 5-8, jr.; Bryn Huber, 5-4, sr.

Top newcomers: Karsyn Kopfmann, 5’11”, sr.; Kristen Janes, 5’6”, sr.

Outlook: Huron returns several key players from a team that lost in the SoDak 16 a season ago. The Tigers bring back plenty of experience, with junior Hamtyn Heinz (13.4 points per game, 8 rebounds per game, 1.7 assists per game) and seniors Isabelle Ellwein (9.9 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game, 1.2 assists per game) and Heavan Gainey (6.9 points per game, 5.6 rebounds per game, 1.7 assists per game) leading the way. Also look for seniors Bryn Huber (2.5 points per game, 1.2 rebounds per game), Karsyn Kopfmann, and Kristen Janes to contribute more this season.

Pierre

Coach: Kirk Beebout

Last year’s record: 10-11

Key returnees: Remington Price, 5-7, sr.; Ayvrie Kaiser, 6-0, sr.; Reese Terwilliger, 5-11, jr.; Ryann Barry, 5-8, jr.; Lennix DuPris, 5-6, soph.; Sydney Tedrow, 5-8, sr.; Maya Shorter, 5-8, sr.; Aleise Christopherson, 5-8, jr.

Outlook: The Governors look to breakthrough this season after falling in last year’s SoDak 16 game against Sioux Falls Jefferson. Pierre returns all five starters, including shooting guard Remington Price. Price averaged 12.5 points per game last season and is the all-time 3-point leader in Pierre girls basketball history. Guard/forward Ayvrie Kaiser, who will play college volleyball at Northern State, logged 10 points and six rebounds. Center Reese Terwilliger (10 ppg/6 rpg), guard Ryann Berry (7 ppg/3 rpg/) and guard Lennix DuPris (5 ppg/4 rpg) are also returning starters. 

“Our goal is to be at home for the (SoDak 16) this year which we missed by one point last season,” Pierre coach Kirk Beebout said. “We were third in the ESD last season and will have a goal to duplicate or improve that this season, but the conference will be as tough as ever and each night provides a unique challenge.”

Rapid City Stevens

Coach: Adam Dannenbring

Last year’s record: 19-5 (Class AA runner-up)

Key returnees: Taaliyah Porter, 5-8, soph.; Macey Wathen, 5-9, sr.; Brittany Jones, 5-6, soph.

Outlook: Rapid City Stevens finished as the Class AA runner-up last season, losing to O’Gorman, 49-42, in the state championship game. Now the Raiders must regroup and replace six seniors that were a key part in the finish to last season. Rapid City Stevens does return senior Macey Wathen (7.1 points per game, 2.5 rebounds per game), as well as sophomores Taaliyah Porter (9.3 points per game, 4 rebounds per game) and Brittany Jones (2 points per game, 2 rebounds per game) to give the Raiders experience.

Rapid City Stevens coach Adam Dannenbring said, “Taaliyah Porter is going to lead us in a lot of categories this upcoming year. She can really do it all offensively. She has interest from SDSU and a lot of the other D2 schools in our area. Macey Wathen will also be a very good player for us this upcoming season. She scored 18 points in our win vs Central in the first round of the state tournament this past season. We hope to qualify for the state tournament again this season.” Coach Dannenbring believes Sioux Falls Washington, Sioux Falls Jefferson, O’Gorman, Pierre, and Brandon Valley will be the top teams in Class AA this season.

Sioux Falls Jefferson

Coach: Shaunteva Pruett

Last year’s record: 13-11 (3rd place finish in Class AA state tournament)

Key returnees: Cierra Watkins, 5-7, sr.; Jaidyn Dunn, 6-0, jr.; Aliyah McGovern, 5-5, jr.; Kassidy Larsen, 5-4, sr.

Outlook: Sioux Falls Jefferson looks to continue to build its girls basketball program after a third-place finish at the Class AA state tournament last season. The Cavaliers graduated two starters and return three from last season’s team, including senior Cierra Watkins, who averaged 12.2 points per game and 4.3 rebounds per game last season and is committed to play basketball at Dakota State University. Juniors Jaidyn Dunn (7.8 points per game, 8.8 rebounds per game) and Aliyah McGovern (5.4 points per game) also provide experience for the Cavaliers. Dunn will continue her basketball career at South Dakota State University. Kassidy Larsen came off the bench for the Cavaliers last season and looks to contribute more this season.

Sioux Falls Jefferson coach Shaunteva Pruett said, “This year the Cavaliers’ focus will still be on defense and how they can use their speed and height to create some problems for their opponents.”

Sioux Falls O’Gorman

Coach: Kent Kolsrud

Last year’s record: 21-3 (Class AA state champs)

Key returnees: Mahli Abdouch, 5-8, jr.; Kira Mentele, 6-1, sr.; Lucy Moore, 5-7, jr.; Paydyn Peterson, 5-7, jr.; Clare Benson, 5-10, jr; Karsten Schlimgen, 5-5, sr.; Julia Eggert, 5-10, sr.; Aweng Akoi, 6-2, jr. 

Outlook: Sioux Falls O’Gorman returns two starters — Mahli Abdouch and Kira Mentele — off last season’s state championship season. A 5-foot-8 junior guard, Abdouch averaged 12.5 points and 5.2 assists per game last season. She’s committed to play basketball at South Dakota State University. A 6-foot-1 senior center, Mentele posted 9.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game for the Knights last season. 

Sioux Falls Roosevelt

Coach: Blake Bradfield

Last year’s record: 2-19

Key returnees: Katie Spicer, 5-8, sr.

Top newcomers: Brooklyn Koll, 5-4, soph.; Morgan Johnson, 5-10, soph.; Aubreigh McCall, 5-11, soph.; Madison Smalley, 5-4, soph.; Cam Wilkinson, 5-7, jr.

Outlook: Sioux Falls Roosevelt will be a young team that expects to improve throughout the season. The Rough Riders will rely on leadership from senior guard Katie Spicer and will expect inexperienced players to step into bigger roles.

Sioux Falls Roosevelt first-year coach Blake Bradfield said, “We will be a very young team; I hope to see continuous improvements as the season goes on and the younger players gain more experience at the varsity level.” 

Sioux Falls Washington

Coach: Jamie Parish

Last year’s record: 22-2 (Consolation champions in Class AA state tournament)

Key returnees: Brooklyn Harpe, 6-0, sr.; Alexus Motley, 5-8, sr.; Taylor Thompson, 6-0, sr.; Hannah Harpe, 6-0, sr.; Shaelyn Fink, 5-8, sr.; Taryn Larson, 6-1, sr.; Ava Brink, 6-1, jr.; Isabel Carda, 5-10, jr.; Grace Peterson, 5-11, soph.; Claire Woods, 5-6, soph.

Outlook: Sioux Falls Washington will look to build off of a consolation championship finish in last season’s Class AA state tournament. The Warriors return several key players, led by senior Brooklyn Harpe, who averaged 11 points and 6.1 rebounds per game last season. Seniors Alexus Motley, Taylor Thompson, and Hannah Harpe also add experience for the Warriors. Brooklyn and Hannah Harpe are both committed to play at the University of Sioux Falls.

Sioux Falls Washington coach Jamie Parish said, “We had an outstanding year last year finishing with a consolation championship at the state tournament. We are returning four of our five starters and think that we have developed some young talent that might find ways to fit in.”

Yankton

Coach: Trey Krier

Last year’s record: 6-15

Key returnees: Claire Tereshinski, 5-5,  jr.; Macy Drotzmann, 5-10, jr.; Camryn Koletzky, 5-10, jr.; Bailey LaCroix, 5-6, jr.

Top newcomers: Kamella Kopp, senior; Payton Moser, junior; Emma Herrboldt, junior.

Outlook: Yankton will look to replace five seniors from last season, and will rely on several juniors to pick up where they left off last season. Claire Tereshinski (10 points per game) is the leading returning scorer for the Gazelles, while Macy Drotzmann and Camryn Koletzky also add experience. 

Yankton coach Trey Krier said, “We graduated five seniors last year who all play(ed) significant varsity minutes. We return 15 ppg so we need some new kids to step into new roles early in the season. We are excited to see the progress we can make as the year goes on.”