The Class B boys basketball SoDak 16 contests are March 11, with the eight winners qualifying for the Class B state tournament on March 20-22 in Aberdeen. 

Here’s a look at all eight of the SoDak 16 games, which are at neutral sites scattered throughout the state. 

No. 1 Castlewood (20-2) vs. No. 16 Ipswich (14-8)

WATERTOWN — Top-seeded Castlewood is looking for its fourth consecutive trip to Aberdeen, while a 25-year state tournament drought looms over the Ipswich Tigers.

The Warriors will make the short trip to Watertown at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to pick up its 21st win of the season. Castlewood has only lost two games to this point against Class A No. 2 Hamlin (74-52) and Class B No. 1 Viborg-Hurley (49-44). The Warriors have picked up major wins this season over Clark-Willow Lake (50-38), Class A No. 4 West Central (49-45), Class B No. 3 Dell Rapids St. Mary (63-59), and Estelline-Hendricks (64-55). Warrior head coach Paul Raasch, who has collected over 600 wins in his illustrious career, has gotten major contributions from seniors Luke Baumberger, Jamison Keszler, and Bryon Laue, as well as junior Brody Bass and sophomore Kamden Keszler. The Warriors average 60 points per game while allowing 42.5 points on defense.

Ipswich will attempt to pull off the upset of the year in Class B boys basketball as the Tigers try to make it back to their first state boys basketball tournament since 2000. The Tigers average 50 points per game while giving up 45 points per contest defensively. Some notable wins for the Tigers include Waubay-Summit (47-42) and Wakpala (56-50, 53-41), while falling to some tough teams like Aberdeen Christian (49-36) and Class B No. 5 Leola-Frederick Area (57-31). Ipswich is led by seniors Max Kulesa, Tucker Kadlec, and juniors Kyle Hettich and Jaxon Holt.

No. 2 Dell Rapids St. Mary (21-1) vs. No. 15 Waverly-South Shore (14-8)

MADISON — No. 2 Dell Rapids St. Mary takes a nearly unblemished record into Madison Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. to take on the Waverly-South Shore Coyotes.

The Cardinals have only taken one loss this season, a 63-59 loss to Class B No. 2 Castlewood on Jan. 21, but have been flat out dominant the rest of the way. DRSM scores 69. 6 points per game, the most in Class B boys basketball, while surrendering 49.2 defensively. The Cardinals notable wins have come against Howard (62-48), Estelline-Hendricks (65-52), Parkston (68-59), Freeman (68-56) and Centerville (66-47). The Cardinals defeated Colman-Egan 66-59 to earn a spot in the SoDak 16. DRSM is led by seniors,  Maverick LeBrun, a 6-foot-6 South Dakota State football commit, Trevon Beckman, and junior Timmier Hanson.

Waverly-South Shore, attempting to make its first state tournament as a co-op, is more than familiar with taking down a top Class B squad. The Coyotes earned a spot against in the SoDak 16 by knocking off Class B No. 5 Leola-Frederick Area, 62-57, on March 8. WSS, who averages 53 points per game, has defeated the likes of Aberdeen Christian (45-42) and Ipswich (45-35) as other notable wins. The Coyotes are led by senior Zach Ries and junior Sam Appelhof.

No. 3 Viborg-Hurley (20-2) vs. No. 14 Crazy Horse (15-7)

WAGNER — The top-ranked Cougars look to make its fourth State B boys basketball tournament Tuesday at 6 p.m. in Wagner, while Crazy Horse makes the long trip east to put an end to Viborg-Hurley’s season.

The Cougars, ranked No. 1 in the prep media poll, have been a machine in the 2024-25 season. After losing its first game to Freeman (57-53), Viborg-Hurley has won 20 of its last 21 games, with the other blemish coming against Class A No. 3 Rapid City Christian (59-38) on Feb. 15.

VH has knocked off some highly-touted teams this year including Gregory (48-25), Class B No. 2 Castlewood (49-44), Howard (56-40), Centerville (61-52, 71-37), and Hanson (71-61). Viborg-Hurley nets 62 points a game while surrendering just 39.8 points, the third best in all of Class B boys basketball. The Cougars are led by 6-foot-8 senior Nick Hanson and 6-foot-7 senior Owen Niederbaumer, as well as juniors Braydyn Morrison and Brady Shroedermeier.

Crazy Horse hasn’t made a state boys basketball tournament in its program history but could end that streak Tuesday. The Chiefs tally 56.3 points per game while allowing 46.7 against. The Chiefs have picked up wins over Lyman (52-51), Wakpala (50-41, 78-63) and most recently Kadoka Area (74-59) to earn a spot in the SoDak 16.

The Chiefs are led by senior Jacob High Horse, junior Donnie Ghost Dog, senior Devaughn Between Lodges, sophomore Terrell Ashley, senior Bradley Martin and senior Jeremiah Kills In Water. 

No. 4 Wessington Springs (20-2) vs. No. 13 Timber Lake (15-7)

FORT PIERRE — The defending Class B consolation champions are one game away from a second trip to Aberdeen, but will have to defeat Timber Lake Tuesday at 6 p.m. in Fort Pierre first.

The Spartans have lost just four games in the past two seasons, three coming against Howard and another against Wolsey-Wessington (45-39) back on Feb. 6. Wessington Springs nets 62.6 points per game, surrendering 46.8 on defense. The Spartans defeated James Valley Christian (64-56) and Wolsey-Wessington (61-37) to earn a spot in the SoDak 16, but have also picked up major wins over Tripp-Delmont/Armour (58-53) and Hanson (63-49) this year. Wessington Springs is led by seniors Karter Mebius and Ryder Michalek, as well as juniors Parker Graff and Colby Flowers.

Timber Lake, attempting to make it to its first state boys basketball tournament since 2019, will have its hands full with the No. 4 Spartans. The Panthers defeated Faith (82-51) and Dupree (56-53) in Region 8B play to earn a spot in the SoDak 16. TL has also beat Ipswich (51-37), Kadoka Area (61-60), and Dupree (58-55) in the regular season, while falling short to Lemmon twice (64-62, 66-53), Wall (69-52) and Cheyenne-Eagle Butte (80-52). The Panthers average 57.8 points per game while allowing 51.9 points on defense. Timber Lake is led by sophomore Kanton Hunt, senior Cole Ducheneaux, sophomore Braden Lawrence, freshman Broc Bauer, sophomore Treyden Beer, senior Treyton DuPreez and junior Rance Martin.

No. 5 Gregory (20-2) vs. No. 12 Lyman (16-6)

MISSION — Gregory is looking for its second consecutive Class B boys basketball tournament appearance. Standing in its way is Lyman at 7 p.m., CT at Todd County High School. 

It is the second meeting this season, with Gregory picking up a 72-60 win on Jan. 27 in Presho. 

The Gorillas, who finished sixth at state last season, have lost to St. Mary’s, Nebraska (64-43) and Class B No. 1 Viborg-Hurley (48-25) during the regular season. 

Gregory defeated SoDak 16 qualifier Winner during the regular season. The Gorillas are led by senior Noah Bearshield, junior Lincoln Juracek, senior Jad Leber, senior Rane Kenzy, senior Cruz Klundt, senior Cole Serr, senior Jackson Bolander and Colt Keiser, a 6-foot-6 junior forward. 

Lyman is looking for its first state tourney berth since 2021. Three of Lyman’s six losses were against SoDak 16 qualifiers Sully Buttes, Crazy Horse and Gregory. Winner defeated SoDak 16 qualifiers Winner and Wall during the regular season. The Raiders defeated Burke and Lower Brule in Region 5B action to secure a SoDak 16 berth. 

Lyman is led by junior Conway Collins, sophomore MJ Diehm, senior Aksel Ehlers, sophomore Canyon Garnos, sophomore Dawsen Volmer and freshman Cole Kieffer. 

No. 6 Lemmon (19-2) vs. No. 11 Aberdeen Christian (17-5)

FAITH — Lemmon is looking to snap a state tourney drought, while Aberdeen Christian is gunning for its fifth qualification since 2020. The Cowboys and Knights will play at 6 p.m., MT in Faith. 

Lemmon’s two losses were against North Dakota’s Dickinson Trinity and Class A Belle Fourche. Lemmon’s regular season was highlighted by winning the Little Moreau Conference tournament championship. 

The Cowboys defeated Takini and McLaughlin in Region 8B action to earn a SoDak 16 berth. Lemmon is led by its six seniors in Nathan Penfield, Arlus Yalowizer, Kaleb Bootz, Jacob Sonsalla, Blake Drayton and Blair Ham. 

Lemmon last qualified for a state tournament in 1990, when it made the Class A tournament. 

Aberdeen Christian last qualified in 2023, when it finished in third place. Two of Aberdeen Christian’s five losses were against SoDak 16 qualifiers Waverly-South Shore and Groton Area. The Knights defeated SoDak 16 qualifiers Timber Lake and Mobridge-Pollock during the regular season. Aberdeen Christian defeated Hitchcock-Tulare (54-45) and Waubay-Summit (49-22) in Region 1B action to earn a SoDak 16 berth. 

Aberdeen Christian is led by junior Jett Johnson, sophomore Dylan Hofer, sophomore Brooks Jett, senior Ellis Russell and sophomore Luke Kaiser. 

No. 7 Howard (17-5) vs. No. 10 Freeman (18-4)

MITCHELL — Howard and Freeman will play for the second time this season, with a state tourney berth on the line this time at 7 p.m. at the Corn Palace. 

The Tigers won the first meeting, a 66-45 decision in Howard. 

Howard, which won last season’s Class B state championship, is on a four-game winning streak. Howard’s last defeat was a 56-40 setback against No. 1 Viborg-Hurley. 

Howard also lost to SoDak 16 qualifiers Dell Rapids St. Mary and Clark/Willow Lake during the regular season. The Tigers defeated SoDak 16 qualifiers McCook Central/Montrose, Wessington Springs and Hanson during the regular season.

The Tigers are led by all-stater Luke Koepsell, along with Carson Hinker, Lucas Feldhaus, Kolt Becker and Austin Severson. 

Freeman is looking for its first state tourney appearance since 1999. The Flyers lost to SoDak 16 qualifiers Dell Rapids and Dell Rapids St. Mary during the regular season. Freeman defeated SoDak 16 qualifiers Viborg-Hurley and Hanson during the regular season. 

The Flyers defeated Parkston (86-76) in Region 4B action to qualify for the SoDak 16. Freeman drilled 12 of 19 3-pointers in the first half to help spark the win. 

Freeman is led by freshman David Walter, Tate Sorensen, Caden Waltner, Christopher Aasen, Tayden Kerrigan, Luke Peters and Luke Miller. 

No. 8 Wall (16-6) vs. No. 9 Sully Buttes (17-4)

PHILIP — A pair of high-scoring teams will play at 6 p.m., MT, in a SoDak 16 contest.

Wall averages 67.9 points per game, while Sully Buttes is not far behind at 61.5 points per game. 

The Eagles are looking for their first state tourney appearance since 2001, their only trip in school history. Wall is riding an eight-game winning streak entering the SoDak 16. 

The Eagles have defeated SoDak 16 qualifiers McCook Central/Montrose and Timber Lake during the regular season. Wall lost to SoDak 16 qualifiers St. Francis and Lyman during the regular season. 

The Eagles are powered by Emmet Dinger, Jace Mohr, Teelan Kjerstad, Trevor Schulz and Dawson Handcock. 

Sully Buttes is after its first state tourney trip since 2020, when it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Chargers lost to SoDak 16 qualifier Mobridge-Pollock on Feb. 13, but have since won five straight games. Sully Buttes also lost to SoDak 16 qualifier Winner, along with Wolsey-Wessington and Miller during the regular season. The Chargers defeated SoDak 16 qualifiers Lyman and Timber Lake during the regular season. The Chargers are led by all-state guard Wesley Wettler, who poured in 41 points in a Region 6B win over Potter County.

Sully Buttes is also paced by Gavin Colon, Eli Mercer, Gavin Barber and Jett Yackley.