It’s classic season for South Dakota high school basketball fans. 

After Christmas, there’s a host of basketball classics scattered around the state and there’s no shortage of intriguing matchups. Here’s a closer look at best matchups throughout the slate of holiday games.

Howard vs Hamlin (Boys) 

A Class B vs. Class A clash will highlight the early morning slate of games at the Dec. 28 Hoop City Classic. The Tigers will play the Chargers at noon in the third game of the day at the Corn Palace. 

There will be no shortage of skilled guards and versatile wing players to highlight the matchup. The Chargers (1-0) feature a balanced scoring attack and placed four players in double figures in their season opener against Groton Area, a 69-57 victory. Guards Easton Neuendorf and Brennan Keszler scored 20 and 18 points, respectively. Tyson Stevenson recorded 15 points and 6-foot-6 forward Zac VanMeeteren logged 12 points. 

Howard (2-0) features 6-foot-7 Kolt Koepsell (17.5 ppg) and 6-foot-3 Luke Koepsell (12.5 ppg). Guard Taiden Hoyer averages 14 points per game. 

Aberdeen Christian vs Lower Brule (Boys) 

A top-five Class B matchup is the nightcap for the Hoop City Classic on Dec. 28 in Mitchell. 

The Knights and Sioux will play at 9 p.m. at the Corn Palace, capping off a 10-game slate. 

Aberdeen Christian is ranked No. 3 in Class B, while Lower Brule is No. 4 in the poll. 

The contest will pit a host of dynamic scoring guards squaring off against each other. 

The Sioux (4-1) average 71.8 points per game, with guards Brian LaRoche Jr. (21.8 ppg) and Gavin Thigh (18.2 ppg) pacing the offensive attack. Defensively, Lower Brule forces 11.2 steals per game. 

Aberdeen Christian (3-0) is paced by all-state guard Malek Wieker (17.6 ppg), 6-foot-3 guard Jackson Isakson (11.3 ppg) and 6-foot-7 wing Ethan Russell (14.6 ppg/8.6 rpg). 

The Knights and Sioux both qualified for last season’s Class B boys basketball tournament and again will be among this year’s contenders. 

Viborg-Hurley vs Wall (Girls)

Two teams that appeared in last year’s Class B state tournament will square off in the Parkston Classic at 2 p.m. on Dec. 30.

Viborg-Hurley is the defending Class B champions, and enters the matchup ranked No. 1 in the poll. Wall placed eighth in last year’s Class B tournament and is receiving votes in the latest poll.

The Cougars (3-0) is paced by senior guard Estelle Lee and senior forwards Coral Mason and Denae Mach. Viborg-Hurley averages 63 points per game on offense, while giving up 38 points per game defensively.

Wall (3-3) is led by a host of players, including seniors April Schulz and Skylie Wagner, as well as juniors Nora Dinger, Paige Kjerstad, Rhea Tucker, and Alexis Stephan. The Eagles average 56.5 points per game, while allowing 47.3 points per game on defense.

Hamlin vs. St. Thomas More (Girls)

Two of the top three teams in Class A will face off at the Pentagon Classic at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 30. St. Thomas More defeated Hamlin in last year’s Class A championship game, 52-30.

St. Thomas More, ranked No. 1 in the Class A poll, enters the matchup with a 4-1 record. The Cavaliers are led by 6-foot-1 senior forward Reese Ross, and average 52.8 points per game on offense, while giving up 37.2 points per game on defense.

Hamlin is ranked No. 3 in the latest poll, and enters the game with a 2-0 record. The Chargers are led by the senior duo of Ally Abraham and Kami Wadsworth. Hamlin averages 57.5 points per game, while allowing 43 points per game.

Lower Brule vs. Howard (Boys)

A pair of teams with contrasting styles will clash at the Huron Holiday Classic on Dec. 30. 

Class B No. 4 Lower Brule, which plays an uptempo style, will face Howard and its big frontline at the Huron Arena at 6:30 p.m. The Sioux (4-1) average 71.8 points per game, with guards Brian LaRoche Jr. (21.8 ppg) and Gavin Thigh (18.2 ppg) pacing the offensive attack. Defensively, Lower Brule forces 11.2 steals per game. 

Howard (2-0) counters with 6-foot-7 Kolt Koepsell (17.5 ppg) and 6-foot-3 Luke Koepsell (12.5 ppg). Guard Taiden Hoyer averages 14 points per game. 

Sioux Valley vs. De Smet (Boys)

Familiar foes ranked No. 2 in their respective classes will tangle at 5 p.m. in the Entringer Classic on Dec. 31.

Sioux Valley (2-0) enters the matchup ranked No. 2 in Class A. The Cossacks are the two-time defending Class A runner-ups and return a talented backcourt led by senior guard Oliver Vincent. Senior Patrick Carey complements Vincent, while 6-foot-10 junior Alec Squires anchors the post. Sioux Valley averages 81 points per game offensively, while giving up 51.5 points per game on defense.

De Smet (2-0) comes in ranked No. 2 in the Class B poll. The Bulldogs are the two-time defending Class B champions, and are led by 6-foot-10 senior center Damon Wilkinson. Junior guard Kadyn Fast leads the backcourt. De Smet averages 69 points per game, while allowing 37.5 points per game.

Hamlin vs. Dell Rapids (Boys)

Dell Rapids meets up with Hamlin at 6:30 p.m. in the night cap of the Entringer Classic on Dec. 31.

Both teams will feature versatile players that display quickness as well as size. Dell Rapids (1-0) comes into the game with a lone win against West Central, 57-44. The Quarriers are led by dynamic senior guard Brayden Pankonen and 6-foot-3 junior guard Jack Henry. Dell Rapids is rated No. 3 in the latest Class A poll.

Hamlin (1-0) enters the matchup with a 69-57 win over Groton Area. The Chargers are led by Easton Neuendorf, Brennan Keszler, Tyson Stevenson, and 6-foot-6 Zac VanMeeteren. 

Here’s a look at dates, sites and pairings for each post-Christmas classic in South Dakota. 

Huron Holiday Classic - Huron, SD

Dec. 29 - Girls

11 a.m. - Mitchell Christian vs Chester Area

12:30 p.m. - Lower Brule vs Faulkton Area

2 p.m. - Elkton-Lake Benton vs Sanborn Central/Woonsocket

3:30 p.m. - Burke vs Warner

5 p.m. - Lyman vs Howard

6:30 p.m. - De Smet vs James Valley Christian

8 p.m. - Colman-Egan vs Jones County

Dec. 30 - Boys

11 a.m. - Mitchell Christian vs Faulkton Area

12:30 p.m. - Crazy Horse vs Redfield

2 p.m. - Lyman vs Elkton-Lake Benton

3:30 p.m. - Langford Area vs Sanborn Central/Woonsocket

5 p.m. - Burke vs James Valley Christian

6:30 p.m. - Lower Brule vs Howard

8 p.m. - Clark/Willow Lake vs Wessington Springs

Sacred Hoops Classic - Aberdeen, SD

Dec. 30

10 a.m. - Ipswich vs St. Francis (girls)

11:30 a.m. - Ipswich vs St. Francis (boys)

1 p.m. - Potter County vs Santee, Neb. (girls)

2:30 p.m. - Potter County vs Santee, Neb. (boys)

4 p.m. - McIntosh vs Colome (boys)

5:30 p.m. - Mobridge vs Lakota Tech (girls)

7 p.m. - Mobridge vs Lakota Tech (boys)

Parkston Classic - Parkston, SD

Dec. 30

11 a.m. - Dakota Valley vs Wessington Springs (girls)

12:30 p.m. - Dakota Valley vs Chamberlain (boys)

2 p.m. - Viborg-Hurley vs Wall (girls)

3:30 p.m. - McCook Central/Montrose vs Corsica-Stickney (boys)

5 p.m. - Parkston vs Centerville (girls)

6:30 p.m. - Parkston vs Centerville (boys)

Hoop City Classic

Dec. 28 - Corn Palace, Mitchell, SD

9 a.m. - Ethan vs McCook Central/Montrose

10:30 a.m. - Viborg-Hurley vs Gregory

12 p.m. - Howard vs Hamlin

1:30 p.m. - Mitchell vs Campbell County (Wyo.) girls

3 p.m. - Houston (Tenn.) vs Thunder Basin (Wyo.)

4:30 p.m. - Mitchell vs Campbell County (Wyo.)

5:30 p.m. - Colome vs Thunder Basin (Wyo.) girls (Corn Palace Armory)

6 p.m. - Waubay/Summit vs Canistota

7:30 p.m. - Bridgewater-Emery vs White River

9 p.m. - Aberdeen Christian vs Lower Brule

Dec. 29 - Sanford Pentagon, Sioux Falls, SD

9 a.m. - Campbell County (Wyo.) vs Viborg-Hurley girls

10:30 - Waconia (Minn.) vs Lennox

12 p.m. - Campbell County (Wyo.) vs White River

1:30 p.m. - Providence Academy (Minn.) vs Brandon Valley girls

3 p.m. - Dream City International (Ariz.) vs Totino Grace (Minn.)

4:30 p.m. - DeLaSalle (Minn.) vs Harrisburg

6 p.m. - Sioux Falls Jefferson vs Orono (Minn.)

7:30 p.m. - Houston (Tenn.) vs Brandon Valley

9:00 p.m. - Thunder Basin (Wyo.) vs Sioux Falls Christian

Dec. 30 - Corn Palace, Mitchell, SD

8:30 a.m. - Tea Area vs Campbell County (Wyo.) girls

10:00 a.m. - Providence Academy (Minn.) vs Thunder Basin (Wyo.) girls

11:30 a.m. - Elk Point-Jefferson vs Waconia (Minn.)

1 p.m. - Totino Grace (Minn.) vs Houston (Tenn.)

2:30 p.m. - Dream City International (Ariz.) vs DeLaSalle (Minn.)

4:00 p.m. - Bridgewater-Emery vs Campbell County (Wyo.)

5:30 p.m. - Orono (Minn.) vs Houston (Tenn.)

7:00 p.m. - Mitchell vs Thunder Basin (Wyo.) girls

8:30 p.m. - Mitchell vs Thunder Basin (Wyo.)

Pentagon Classic

Sanford Pentagon - Sioux Falls, SD

Dec. 30

9:30 a.m. - Chamberlain vs. Sisseton (Girls)

11:00 a.m. - Platte-Geddes vs. Sisseton (Boys)

12:30 p.m. - Sioux Falls Lincoln vs. Moorhead, Minn. (Girls)

2:00 p.m. - Sioux Valley vs. Corsica-Stickney (Girls)

3:30 p.m. - St. Michael-Albertville, Minn. vs. O'Gorman (Girls)

5:00 p.m. - Worthington, Minn. vs. Aberdeen Central (Girls)

6:30 p.m. - Hamlin vs. St. Thomas More (Girls)

8:00 p.m. - St. Thomas More vs. Aberdeen Central (Boys)

9:30 p.m. - Flandreau vs. Benilde-St. Margaret's, Minn. (Girls)

Hunkpapa Classic

McLaughlin High School - McLaughlin, SD

Dec. 28

9 a.m. - McLaughlin vs Wakpala girls

10:30 a.m. - St. Francis vs Solen, N.D. boys

12 p.m. - St. Francis vs Parshall, N.D. girls

1:30 p.m. - Pine Ridge vs Wakpala boys

3 p.m. - Pine Ridge vs Mandaree, N.D. girls

4:30 p.m. - Little Wound vs White Shield, N.D. boys

6 p.m. - Little Wound vs White Shield, N.D. girls

7:30 p.m. - McLaughlin vs Mandaree, N.D. boys

Dec. 29

9 a.m. - St. Francis vs Wakpala boys

10:30 a.m. - St. Francis vs Mandaree, N.D. girls

12 p.m. - Mandaree, N.D. vs Little Wound boys

1:30 p.m. - Little Wound vs Parshall, N.D. girls

3 p.m. - Pine Ridge vs Solen, N.D. boys

4:30 p.m. - Pine Ridge vs Wakpala girls

6 p.m. - McLaughlin vs White Shield, N.D. boys

7:30 p.m. - McLaughlin vs White Shield, N.D. girls

Dec. 29 - Langford Classic - Langford, SD

3 p.m. - Langford Area vs. Lemmon 

6 p.m. - Faith vs. Leola/Frederick Area

Dec. 31 - Entringer Classic - Brookings, SD

AUXILIARY GYM 

12 p.m. - Oldham-Ramona/Rutland vs. Colman-Egan 

1:30 p.m. - Iroquois/Lake Preston vs. Baltic 

3 p.m. - Waverly-South Shore vs. Dell Rapids St. Mary 

4:30 p.m. - Deubrook Area vs. Chester Area 

6 p.m. - Deuel vs. Elkton-Lake Benton

MAIN GYM 

12:30 p.m. - Arlington vs. Flandreau 

2 p.m. - Estelline/Hendricks vs. Garretson 

3:30 p.m. - Castlewood vs. Madison 

5 p.m. - Sioux Valley vs. De Smet 

6:30 p.m. - Hamlin vs. Dell Rapids

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT - Andrew Divis hits buzzer-beating three-pointer to lift Douglas past Rapid City Central

Douglas’ Andrew Divis splashed in a game-winning three-point basket to lift the Patriots to a 49-46 win over Rapid City Central in Box Elder on Tuesday, Dec. 20. The 6-foot-2 senior nailed the shot after Rapid City Central tied the game on a Lincoln Archambault layup with less than seven seconds left. Divis led Douglas with 16 points, including four three-pointers.

Watch Divis’ game-winning basket below: