Two state tourney regulars — Castlewood and Viborg-Hurley — sat atop the Class B preseason rankings.

The Warriors, who finished third in 2024, picked up 62 total points and eight first-place votes. The Cougars, who finished seventh in 2024, received five first-place votes and 60 total points. 

The teams both return plenty of firepower from last season, and both appear primed to make another run to Aberdeen. 

Gregory, Dell Rapids St. Mary and Wessington Springs round out the top-five teams in the preseason poll. 

Storylines to watch: 

Familiar faces among top Class B contenders: Eight stops are up for grabs to Aberdeen, and a host of 2024 state tourney teams appear poised for return trips. In the preseason rankings, Castlewood, Viborg-Hurley, Gregory, Wessington Springs, Howard, De Smet and Leola-Frederick Area were all represented in the rankings. The seven teams were all state tournament teams last season, and will be in the mix for repeat appearances. 

Paul Raasch nearing milestone: Castlewood boys basketball coach Paul Raasch is closing in on 600 career coaching wins, and needs three wins to reach the milestone. Raasch would join Larry Luitjens (748), Gary Munsen (672) and Burnell Glanzer (617) as the only South Dakota boys basketball coaches to win 600 or more games. Raasch has also had coaching stops at Alpena, Webster and Langford. 

Will White River make it back?: The White River boys basketball team has been a fixture at the Class B boys basketball tournament for nearly two decades. The Tigers have qualified for every state tournament since 2006, winning state championships in ‘08, ‘10, ‘12 and ‘13. White River, however, graduated all-stater Nic Marshall and four other seniors. The Tigers did not crack the preseason rankings as their state tourney run could be in jeopardy. 

Big men highlight Class B basketball: Class B is regularly littered with dynamic guards, but two big men headline the top returners this season. Castlewood’s Bryon Laue (6-foot-9) and Viborg-Hurley’s Nick Hanson (6-7) were both first-team all-staters in 2024, and will be among the top returners this season. 

Players to watch:

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

Bryon Laue, Castlewood: A 6-foot-9 senior center, Laue was a first-team all-stater last season, averaging 15.2 points and 11.2 rebounds per game. He recorded several double-doubles, collected 26 rebounds in a game and hammered down numerous slam dunks. Laue has scored 967 career points. He will play college basketball at the University of Sioux Falls. 

Nick Hanson, Viborg-Hurley: A 6-foot-7 senior center, Hanson was a first-team all-stater last season, averaging 23.1 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. Hanson has logged 1,005 points, 520 rebounds, 98 blocked shots, 72 assists and 41 steals during his career.

Trevon Beckman, Dell Rapids St. Mary: A 6-foot-2 senior guard, Beckman was a second-team all-stater in 2023-24. He averaged 20.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. Beckman will play college basketball at Doane University. 

Luke Koepsell, Howard: A 6-foot-4 senior forward, Koepsell was a second-team all-stater last season. He averaged 15.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. An all-stater in three sports, Koepsell will play college baseball at Dakota Wesleyan University. 

Parker Graff, Wessington Springs: A 6-foot-1 junior guard, Graff averaged 17.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game last season. He was a third-team all-stater in 2023-24. 

Ben Weber, Bridgewater-Emery: A 6-foot-5 junior guard, Weber averaged 17.1 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game last year. He was an honorable mention all-stater last season. 

Noah Kippley, Leola-Frederick Area: A 6-foot-3 senior guard, Kippley logged 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game last year. He was an honorable mention all-stater last season. 

Wesley Wittler, Sully Buttes: A 6-foot-1 junior guard, Wittler registered 22.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game last season. He was an honorable mention all-stater in 2023-24. 

Spencer Karstens, Gayville-Volin: A 6-foot-1 senior guard, Karstens tallied 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists per game last season. He was an honorable mention all-stater last year.