Class AA girls basketball has been filled with parity in recent years, with no back-to-back state champs since Sioux Falls Washington in 2014 and ‘15. 

O’Gorman will look to be the first to repeat in the state’s largest class in 10 years, but as always, the class will be filled with contenders across the state. 

Storylines to watch:

Can O’Gorman repeat?: The Knights won their second title in four seasons last year, but were hit by graduation. The Knights graduated all-staters and current college basketball players Mahli Abdouch (South Dakota State) and Lucy Moore (Northern State). But O’Gorman will reload for another state tourney run, led by college basketball commits Sadie Mehrman (University of Sioux Falls) and Ruby Moore (South Dakota State). 

Who else will emerge?: In addition to O’Gorman, Brandon Valley, Stevens, Washington and Jefferson appear to be major contenders for the Class AA championship. The class, which features only 20 teams, will naturally see plenty of top-five matchups during the season. So plenty of high-level contests will help clear up the title picture as the season progresses. 

Plenty of talent in Class AA: There is no shortage of talent in the state’s largest class. From major Division I women’s basketball prospect Jefferson’s Brinley Altenburg, and players already committed to play college basketball, Class AA will be filled with plenty of talent across the state. 

Players to watch

Note: These are players recognized on last year’s all-state basketball teams. 

Alyvia Padgett, Brandon Valley: A 5-foot-7 junior guard, Padgett was a first-team all-stater last season, averaging 13.8 points and three assists per game. Padgett has verbally committed to play at reigning Division II national champ Minnesota State University Mankato. 

Taaliyah Porter, Stevens: A 5-foot-10 senior guard/forward, Porter was a first-team all-stater last season, averaging 19.8 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Porter has scored 1,137 career points, second in school history behind South Dakota great Becky Hammon (1,417). 

Brinley Altenburg, Sioux Falls Jefferson: A 5-foot-10 sophomore guard, Altenburg was a first-team all-stater last season, registering 17.1 points and 3.1 assists per game. Altenburg is a major Division I women’s basketball recruiting, garnering scholarship offers from the likes of Purdue, Michigan State, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, DePaul, Ohio State, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa and Iowa State, among others.

Grace Peterson, Sioux Falls Washington: A 6-foot senior forward, Peterson posted 12.7 points and 6.5 rebounds last season. A first-team all-stater, Peterson will play college basketball at Augustana University.   

Lennix DuPris, Pierre: A 5-foot-6 senior guard, DuPris was a second-team all-stater last season. She averaged 14.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. Last season, she set the Pierre single season steals record (96). 

Taryn Hermansen, Aberdeen Central: A 6-foot-2 junior center, Hermansen was a second-team all-stater, averaging 14 points and 10 rebounds per game. 

Jozie Dana, Spearfish: A 5-foot-8 senior guard, Dana was an honorable mention all-state selection last season. She averaged 10.5 points per game. 

Leah Landry, Rapid City Central: A 5-foot-10 sophomore wing, Landry averaged 12.3 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. She was an honorable mention all-state selection.

Addie Siemsen, Mitchell: A 5-foot-8 junior guard, Siemsen averaged 12.3 points per game last season. She was an honorable mention all-state honoree. She has verbally committed to play college basketball at Wayne State College in Nebraska.