By Jacob Wuertz and Ryan Deal

605 Sports

The 40th annual girls Hanson Classic is Saturday, Jan. 14 at the Corn Palace. 

The classic features 10 teams either ranked or receiving votes in the latest poll. The event starts at 10 a.m. with Corsica-Stickney vs. Colman-Egan and concludes with Wagner vs. Vermillion at 8:30 p.m.

Here are five matchups to watch at the girls Hanson Classic:

No. 2 Wagner vs. No. 4 Vermillion

A battle of two Class A unbeatens will cap off the Hanson Classic at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Wagner (8-0) and Vermillion (9-0) enter the matchup with some similarities. Both teams are balanced on offense, while both play tough, aggressive defense.

Wagner is led by a host of experienced players, including seniors Emma Yost, Shalayne Nagel, and Avari Bruguier, as well as junior Macy Koupal and freshman Ashlyn Koupal. The Red Raiders average 68.9 points per game, while giving up just 27.9 points per game, with an average margin of victory of 41 points per game. Wagner’s most impressive win so far this season has come against Sioux Falls Christian, a 62-29 win.

Vermillion is led by a pair of 6-foot-1 players in senior Leah Herbster and sophomore Brooke Jensen, as well as 5-foot-11 junior Brooklyn Voss. Jensen leads the team in scoring, averaging over 20 points per game, and has surpassed 30 points multiple times this season, including a 34 point performance in the Tanagers win over then-No. 4 ranked Tea Area (62-34) on Jan. 2. Vermillion averages 56.3 points per game on offense, while allowing 34.9 points per game on defense.

RV Corsica-Stickney vs. Colman-Egan

A pair of Class B teams will tip-off at 10 a.m. to begin the Hanson Classic on Saturday.

Both teams will be looking to turn their seasons around with a win in the opening contest on Saturday morning.

Corsica-Stickney (4-4) has had an up-and-down season thus far. The Jaguars began the season with a loss to Chamberlain (47-40) before winning their first game against Colome (72-16). Corsica-Stickney then lost three consecutive games before winning their last two games against Platte-Geddes (44-30) and Mitchell Christian (54-23). The Jaguars are led by seniors Avery Broughton, Payton DeLange, and Sutten Eide. Corsica-Stickney is receiving votes in the latest Class B poll.

Colman-Egan (3-5 before Friday’s game against Garretson) began the season with five straight losses before finding their groove, winning their last three games over Oldham-Ramona/Rutland, Canistota, and Chester Area.

No. 3 St. Thomas More vs. Flandreau

St. Thomas More and Flandreau will clash at the Corn Palace during the Hanson Classic at 4 p.m. on Saturday’s girls Hanson Classic.

St. Thomas More (7-2 before Friday’s game against West Central) enters the contest ranked No. 3 in the latest Class A poll. The defending champions have been dominant for much of the season, with its only losses coming at the hands of Campbell County, Wyo. (67-56) and Class A No. 1 Hamlin (39-34). The Cavaliers average 51.2 points per game, while giving up 35.9 points per game. STM is led by 6-foot-1 senior Reese Ross, a University of Utah commit, and fellow seniors Jada Mollman, McKenna Jacobson, and Gabby Robbins.

Flandreau (4-3) enters the game after an up-and-down start to the season. The Fliers began the season with a loss to No. 1 Hamlin before defeating Dell Rapids. After losing to Benilde-St. Margaret’s, Minn. and Castlewood, the Fliers then defeated Beresford and Garretson to get to their 3-3 record. Flandreau is led by 6-foot-2 junior Claire Sheppard, who recently surpassed 1,000 career points, as well as fellow juniors Lizzie Pavlis and Lily Klein.

No. 1 Viborg-Hurley vs. No. 2 Wolsey-Wessington

A Class B No. 1 vs No. 2 showdown will take center stage at the Corn Palace during the Hanson Classic at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Viborg-Hurley (8-1) enters as the defending Class B champions, and have proven their No. 1 ranking this season. The Cougars average margin of victory is 20.9 points per game, while their lone defeat came on a second shot to Campbell County, Wyo. (56-55) at the Hoop City Classic. Viborg-Hurley is led by a core group of seniors, including Coral Mason, Denae Mach, Estelle Lee, and Shelby Lyons, as well as sophomore Charley Nelson.

Wolsey-Wessington (6-0 before Friday’s game against Sunshine Bible Academy) has cruised through five of their first six games, with their closest victory being a three point win over Miller (52-49) on Jan. 3. The No. 2 Warbirds are led by 6-foot-4 senior Mallory Miller, who has received multiple Division I offers, and fellow seniors Mya Boomsma, Taylor Horn, and Leah Williams. Wolsey-Wessington averages 56.5 points per game, while allowing 39.2 points per game.

Parkston vs. RV Florence/Henry

Two Class A teams collide at 7 p.m. at the Corn Palace during the Hanson Classic on Saturday.

Parkston (5-3) began the season with four consecutive wins, including an impressive 71-46 win over Class B No. 3 Centerville at the Parkston Classic. The Trojans then proceeded to lose back-to-back games to Vermillion and Hanson before defeating Chamberlain. Parkston is led by seniors Faith Oakley and Abby Hohn, as well as junior Gracie Oakley and sophomore Lauren Ziebart.

Florence/Henry (6-0 before Friday’s game against Warner) has cruised through their season thus far, beating their opponents by an average of 32 points per game. The Facons feature a balanced attack, led by senior Trinity Watson and juniors Taylor Watson, Caylin Kelly, and Reese Schmidt.

Below is the complete schedule for the girls Hanson Classic:

10 a.m. - Class B RV Corsica-Stickney vs. Colman-Egan

11:30 a.m. - Mount Vernon/Plankinton vs. Class B RV Howard

1 p.m. - Class B No. 3 Centerville vs. Arlington

2:30 p.m. - Class B RV Castlewood vs. Hanson

4 p.m. - Class A No. 3 St. Thomas More vs. Flandreau

5:30 p.m. - Class B No. 1 Viborg-Hurley vs. Class B No. 2 Wolsey-Wessington

7 p.m. - Parkston vs. Class A RV Florence/Henry

8:30 p.m. - Class No. 2 Wagner vs Class No. 4 Vermillion