No. 4 Lower Brule vs. No. 2 White River

The next chapter of a budding Class B rivalry takes place Saturday at the Corn Palace. 

White River and Lower Brule have locked horns three times over the past two seasons and they’ve lived up to the billing each time. The past three contests have been decided by eight total points, including an epic triple-overtime thriller last season.

In 2021, White River picked up a 74-72 win for the consolation championship at the State B boys basketball tournament, its ninth consecutive win over Lower Brule since 2006. 

The Sioux won both meetings last season — 60-57 for the Lakota Nation Invitational championship and 86-83 in triple overtime in the State B semifinals. 

The semifinal thriller featured nine ties, 11 lead changes and seven double-figure scorers. Saturday’s rematch includes a host of familiar names from last season’s intense contest. 

White River is led by all-state guard Joe Sayler, who is currently No. 9 on the state’s all-time scoring list. The future South Dakota State University Jackrabbit erupted for a career-high 51 points against Kadoka Area this season. 

Junior guard Nic Marshall is also a high-volume scorer and logged 44 points against St. Francis Indian this season. 

Lower Brule counters with a pair of high-scoring guards in Brian LaRoche Jr. (26.6 ppg) and Gavin Thigh (16.6 ppg). LaRoche Jr., tossed in 57 points against Cheyene-Eagle Butte earlier this season, the highest individual scoring game in South Dakota this season. 

No. 1 Dakota Valley at RV Dell Rapids 

Dakota Valley will put its 42-game winning streak on the line against Dak-XII foe Dell Rapids on Friday.

The Panthers (15-0) have outscored their opponents by 21 points per game this season, but they’re coming off a 59-54 decision against Vermillion on Feb. 7. Dakota Valley has already knocked off No. 2 Sioux Valley (82-57) and No. 3 Sioux Falls Christian (73-57) this season. 

Dakota Valley senior guard Isaac Bruns, who recently scored his 2,000th career point, paces the high-powered Panthers. The future University of South Dakota Coyote averages 26.9 points per game, while Randy Rosenquist and Jaxson Wingert both score 14.5 points per game. Rosenquist added 9.3 assists and 6.9 rebounds per game. Wingert collects seven rebounds per game. 

Dell Rapids (14-2) is riding an eight-game winning streak and faces Tea Area on Thursday in another tough conference contest. The Quarriers have dropped games against No. 3 Sioux Falls Christian (65-63) and Madison (62-61). They’ve earned a pair of quality wins in their past two games against Class B No. 1 Aberdeen Christian (59-51) and Mount Vernon/Plankinton (52-50).

The Quarriers are paced by 1,000-point scorer Brayden Pankonen, guards Camden Justice and Jack Henry and 6-foot-8 center Rhett Kloth. 

Hamlin vs. No. 1 Aberdeen Christian 

Aberdeen Christian continues its Class A slate of games on Saturday.

The Class B No. 1 Knights suffered their first defeat on Feb. 4, a 59-51 setback against Class A Dell Rapids. Aberdeen Christian will play back-to-back Class A teams in Aberdeen Roncalli on Feb. 9 and will play Hamlin on Feb. 11 in the DWU/Culver’s Classic finale. 

The Knights (15-1) are currently No. 1 in seed points standings and could bolster their top position with a pair of wins this week. Aberdeen Christian is paced by a trio of 1,000-point scorers in Malek Wieker, Ethan Russell and Jackson Isakson. 

The Chargers (12-3) have dropped three games this season against Dell Rapids (64-52), Sioux Valley (69-65) and Sioux Falls Christian (48-46). Hamlin owns quality wins over Class B No. 3 De Smet (57-55), Castlewood (65-43), Howard (55-49) and Mount Vernon/Plankinton (73-48). 

Hamlin is paced by Easton Neuendorf, Brennan Keszler, Jackson Wadsworth, Tyson Stevenson and Zac Van Meeteren. 

Howard at RV Dell Rapids St. Mary 

Region 3B is crowded at the top and a pair of teams jockeying for positioning will play on Thursday.

Howard (10-3) plays at Dell Rapids St. Mary (13-2) in a matchup between two of the top three teams in Region 3B. Ethan is currently No. 1 in the standings with 44.800 points, while Dell Rapids St. Mary (43.867) and Howard (43.462) are just behind. Bridgewater-Emery (42.200) is not far behind. 

The Cardinals are currently riding an eight-game winning streak, while the Tigers are on a six-game winning streak. 

Dell Rapids St. Mary is honorable mention in the latest Class B poll. The Cardinals are paced by Nic Gaspar, who recently poured in 41 points against Mitchell Christian on Feb. 4. Trevon Beckman and Trimmier Hanson are also key contributors. 

Howard is paced by a pair of post players in Luke Koepsell (6-foot-3) and Kolt Koepsell (6-foot-7), along with Ryder Erickson, Colby Claussen and Taiden Hoyer.