VOLGA — Talya Vincent lives for Sioux Valley basketball.

The 5-foot-6 point guard is facilitating a potential second straight run to the Class A state girls basketball tournament for the Cossacks. SV sits with an 8-1 record and No. 2 in Class A seed points, while being ranked 5th in the latest prep media poll.

“I think our season has gone super well so far, " Vincent said. “I’ve been super proud of all my teammates and what we’ve been able to accomplish. With some of our wins being against some of the top teams in the state, I think all of those games show where we can be at the end of the season so overall I’m just super proud of everything we’ve done so far.”

Last season the Cossacks took home the consolation championship in its first state tournament berth since 2014. With just one senior on the roster from a year ago, Vincent says the experience last season will fuel another deep postseason run in 2026.

“Being put in those positions of pressure in the big moments are huge for us,” Vincent said. “Last year it felt like we were a little bit young and now being experienced in that is going to be huge going into postseason and having that under our belt will definitely play into this season. I feel like it gives us a lot of confidence as to where we can be in the end, just knowing what we’re capable of.”

Talya Vincent attempts a one-handed pass during Sioux Valley's 57-35 win over Chester on Jan. 20, 2026, in Volga. (Photos by Jon Akre / 605 Sports)

And the youth from last year has turned into depth for this season, with Vincent saying the team prides itself on playing unselfish basketball.

“Our depth is a huge part of who we’re becoming this year,” Vincent said. “It doesn’t really matter who is doing the scoring, in the end as long as we win that’s what we pride ourselves on. We’re a very selfless team and I love that about us.”

Vincent, a three-year starter and returning all-state honorable mention selection, averaged 13.6 points, 3.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game last season, becoming the fifth player in South Dakota girls basketball history to hit 100 threes in a single season against Mobridge-Pollock in the consolation championship.

“During the game I had no idea, but after the game my family and coach (Jamie) Granum came up to me with ‘100’ written on a program for me and I was like ‘What is this?’,” Vincent said. “I honestly had no idea, I just pride myself on being a team player and getting the job done. All the credit goes to my teammates, I can’t make 100 threes if they didn’t dish out 100 assists.”

Talya Vincent attempts a three-pointer during Sioux Valley's 57-35 win over Chester on Jan. 20, 2026, in Volga. (Photos by Jon Akre / 605 Sports)

But Vincent prides herself on her court vision and ability to spread the ball around effectively to give her teammates open shots. 

While her scoring numbers have slightly dropped from last season, Vincent still finds ways to make an impact offensively, averaging 10.4 points, two rebounds and 4.9 assists per game in her senior year.

“Growing up in a basketball family helped my basketball IQ and just knowing where my teammates are going to be and where those passes should be,” said Vincent. “The rest of it is just stuff I’ve learned throughout playing club and the experience I’ve gained through that. Overall, I think all of it relates back to the goal, winning. Being unselfish with the ball and if I can give up a good shot for a great shot, I’m going to do that.”

And she’s still playing at a high level despite a recent injury. A few weeks back, Vincent had been dealing with foot pain revealed to be a stress fracture in her right foot. While still continuing to play, Vincent has felt limited compared to years past.

“It’s definitely been affecting my game but just finding other ways to impact the game, with my court vision and dishing the ball to my teammates,” Vincent said.

SV girls basketball coach Jamie Granum says Vincent has grown so much as a player since her first varsity action in the eighth grade that “She’s become so well-rounded in her game.”

“She’s always been I feel one of the best shooters in our class, but her game has become so much more than that as far as the leadership she has, her work ethic, she’s always in the gym,” Granum said of Vincent. “Her work ethic and her ability to shoot creates so many problems for defenses because they have to chase her around the court. That helps indirectly to get others better looks and better shots.”

Talya Vincent celebrates with teammates after a basket during Sioux Valley's 62-47 win over Mobridge-Pollock on Jan. 3, 2026, in Madison. (Jon Akre / 605 Sports)

And for the Vincent family, the name has been synonymous with Cossack basketball for years. Talya’s dad, Bill, has coached the SV boys basketball team for 29 years. Both of Talya’s siblings Tayt (Augustana) and Miakken (Dakota State) went on to play college basketball, while cousins Kelton (University of Northwestern) and Oliver (Dakota Wesleyan) also played basketball at the next level.

It’s a huge reason why she’s become who she is on the basketball court.

“Growing up I was always going to my siblings tournaments, games, everything like that,” Vincent said. “Tayt and Miakken, when I was really little, I always wanted to be like them. Once Kelton and Oliver moved to Sioux Valley and got to play under my Dad as well, that just really sunk in as ‘Hey, this is who I want to be’. All four of them were huge role models to me and who I wanted to become.”

Vincent, who also competes in volleyball, track and cross-country, hopes to announce her college plans in the coming weeks as she plans to continue the family tradition of playing college basketball. But the most important part is enjoying her final games as a Cossack.

“Sioux Valley basketball has meant everything to me,” Vincent said. It’s who I am, it’s shaped who I am. Being able to see the ups and downs my Dad has gone through with his coaching in general and seeing behind the scenes, that definitely helps me see things that happen on the court from a coaches perspective too. Without Sioux Valley basketball, I don’t really know who I am.”