Girls

Wall at No. 4 Jones County

West River pundits will have their eyes set on this one when Wall travels to Murdo to take on Class B No. 4 Jones County on Friday.

Wall (4-4) has had an up-and-down season thus far. The Eagles won their first two contests before dropping games to Lakota Tech and Custer. After a win against Little Wound to close out the Lakota Nation Invitational, the Eagles lost their next two games to Belle Fourche and Class B No. 1 Viborg-Hurley. The Eagles defeated Newell on Tuesday to even their record at 4-4. Wall is receiving votes in this week’s poll, and is led by seniors April Schulz and Skylie Wagner, as well as juniors Nora Dinger and Paige Kjerstad.

Jones County (5-0) enters the game ranked fourth in this week’s poll. The Coyotes have outscored their opponents by an average of 23.8 points per game, but have not played an opponent with a winning record. Jones County relies on several key players, including seniors Peyton Rankin, Mallory Valburg, and Jadyn Jensen.

Sisseton at Castlewood

Teams that are flying under the radar this season will meet in Castlewood on Thursday.

The Sisseton Redmen are 6-0 this season and have been cruising through their schedule thus far. The Redmen average 58.5 points per game, while surrendering 31.8 points per game. In last week’s 57-28 win over Chamberlain at the Pentagon Classic, Sisseton’s Hannah Leverson tallied 15 points, six assists, and five steals, while Krista Langager and Chloe Langager logged 14 and 12 points, respectively.

Castlewood enters the game with a 1-1 record, defeating Deubrook Area in the season opener before dropping a 57-35 decision at the hands of rival Arlington. The Warriors are receiving votes in this week’s poll, and are looking to get back to their winning ways. Castlewood is led by seniors Madeline Horn and Mackenzie Everson.

Sioux Falls Christian at Parkston

Parkston hosts Sioux Falls Christian on Thursday in a matchup of two teams looking to continue their success this season.

Sioux Falls Christian (3-1) began the season with three consecutive wins, and cracked the top five before Christmas. However, the Chargers suffered their first defeat this season at the hands of Class A No. 2 Wagner, 62-29. Sioux Falls Christian has outscored their opponents by 4.5 points per game this season. The Chargers are led by seniors Ellie Lems and Peyton Poppema.

Parkston (4-0) comes into the matchup receiving votes in this week’s basketball poll, and has gotten off to a fast start this season. The Trojans defeated Tri-Valley, Tripp-Delmont/Armour, and Parker in their first three games, but earned an eye-opening 71-46 win over Class B No. 3 Centerville last Friday at the Parkston Classic. Parkston is led by seniors Faith Oakley and Abby Hohn, as well as junior Gracie Oakley. The Trojans have beaten their opponents by an average of 19 points per game.

No. 1 Viborg-Hurley at Hanson

Top-ranked Viborg-Hurley travels to Alexandria on Saturday for a matchup against the Hanson Beavers.

The Cougars were the preseason No. 1 Class B team, and they have not disappointed this season. Viborg-Hurley (4-1) averages 63.6 points per game, while giving up 41.2 points per game. The Cougars won their first three games this season against Freeman, Irene-Wakonda, and Elk Point-Jefferson, before losing to Campbell County, Wyoming, 56-55, on a last-second shot at the Hoop City Classic. Viborg-Hurley rebounded with a convincing win against Wall (74-36) at the Parkston Classic. Seniors Coral Mason, Denae Mach, and Estelle Lee lead the Cougars.

Hanson (4-1) began its season with a 51-42 setback against Class B No. 3 Centerville, but have since won their last four contests. The Beavers average 63.6 points per game, while surrendering 46.2 points per game. Hanson utilizes a plethora of players, including Annalyse Weber, Alyssa Moschell, and Kylie Haiar, among others.

Parkston at Vermillion

Parkston travels to Vermillion on Friday for a Class A girls basketball game featuring two undefeated teams.

Parkston (4-0) earned a big win last week against Class B No. 3 Centerville, defeating the Tornadoes 71-46 at the Parkston Classic and opening some eyes across the state. The Trojans are led by seniors Faith Oakley and Abby Hohn, as well as junior Gracie Oakley. Parkston averages 58 points per game, while giving up 39 points per game. The Trojans are receiving votes in this week’s prep media poll. Parkston plays Sioux Falls Christian on Thursday before Friday’s game against Vermillion (see above).

Vermillion (5-0) enters the matchup after an eye-opening win of its own, upending Class A No. 4 Tea Area on Monday, 62-34. The Tanagers were led by a dominant performance from Brooke Jensen, who poured in 34 points in the victory. Vermillion also has a win over West Central, who is receiving votes in this week’s prep media poll. Jensen, along with Leah Herbster and Brooklyn Voss, lead the Tanagers on the court. Vermillion is receiving votes in this week’s poll, and have outscored their opponents by an average of 20.8 points per game. Vermillion plays Ponca, Neb. on Thursday before their matchup against Parkston.

Florence/Henry vs De Smet

Florence/Henry and De Smet meet up at the Redfield Classic on Saturday looking to earn a quality win.

Florence/Henry (3-0) enters the game having taken care of its first three opponents. The Falcons outscored Deuel, Clark/Willow Lake, and Milbank by an average of 21 points per game and every game has been won by a double digit margin. Florence/Henry is led by senior Trinity Watson, as well as juniors Taylor Watson, Caylin Kelly, and Reese Schmidt. The Falcons are receiving votes in this week’s prep media poll. Florence/Henry travels to Wilmot on Thursday before their meeting with De Smet.

De Smet (2-1) began the season receiving votes in the prep media poll, and eventually climbed into the poll at No. 5 before Christmas. However, after winning their first two games, the Bulldogs suffered their first setback of the season, losing to James Valley Christian, 60-48, although they are still receiving votes in the poll this week. De Smet has outscored their opponents by just 4.7 points per game, and are led by senior guards Jada Burke and Emma Albrecht. The Bulldogs travel to Arlington on Thursday before their date with Florence/Henry.

Boys

Viborg-Hurley at Hanson

A matchup of young teams will face off in Alexandria on Thursday.

The teams have a combined four seniors, with three of them playing for Hanson.

Viborg-Hurley (3-1) picked up a big win at the Hoop City Classic last week, upending Gregory 58-44. In the win, Viborg-Hurley’s lone senior, Gage Goettertz, scored 18 points, while adding nine rebounds and five assists. Nick Hanson tallied 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Bryson Morrison added 11 points. The Cougars also have wins against Freeman and Irene-Wakonda as well, with their only setback coming against Elk Point-Jefferson (59-53). Viborg-Hurley averages 58.8 points per game, while allowing 42.8 points per game.

Hanson (2-2) has had an up-and-down beginning to the season, losing a heartbreaker to rival Ethan, 50-49, to open the year. The Beavers won their next two games, defeating Menno and Kimball/White Lake, before dropping their most recent contest against Irene-Wakonda (65-57) on Dec. 29.

Now the Beavers are looking for their biggest win of the season thus far, and will need big performances from senior forward Ethan Cheeseman and senior guard Jackson Jarding in order to achieve it.

Mount Vernon/Plankinton at Lennox 

A pair of all-state guards — Mount Vernon/Plankinton’s Reed Rus and Lennox’s Porter Ihnen — will headline this Class A matchup on Friday. 

Rus, a University of South Dakota football signee, is averaging 9.6 points per game and dished out 10 assists in MVP’s last game against Sanborn Central/Woonsocket. The Titans are 3-0 (entering Thursday’s game against Tri-Valley). 

Ihnen, a junior guard, has scholarship offers from South Dakota State and the University of South Dakota. Ihnen logged 28 points, four rebounds and three 3-pointers in a win over Waconia, Minnesota, on Dec. 29 at the Hoop City Classic. 

The Orioles are 4-1 (entering Thursday’s game against Rock Valley, Iowa), with their lone loss against No. 5 Sioux Falls Christian (93-68). 

No. 2 Pierre at No. 3 Sioux Falls Lincoln 

Pierre heads to Sioux Falls on Thursday for a Class AA contest with major seed points implications. 

The Governors and Patriots are currently No. 3 and No. 4, respectively, in the Class AA seed points standings. Pierre is 5-0 and Thursday will be its biggest test to date. The Governors have outscored their opponents by 20 points, but Thursday presents a different challenge for a couple of reasons.

For one, Pierre all-state guard Lincoln Kienholz won’t play because the future Ohio State University quarterback is playing in the All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas, this week. 

Secondly, Lincoln (2-1) is powered by 7-footer J.T. Rock, who announced his commitment to Iowa State on Wednesday. 

This season, Rock is averaging 19.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.3 blocks per game. He nearly logged a triple-double on Dec. 13 against Harrisburg, finishing with 20 points, 10 rebounds and seven blocked shots. 

RV Faith at RV Harding County 

Region 8B jockeying will be key in this one. 

The Longhorns and Ranchers figure to be among the top teams in Region 8B this season, and Saturday’s matchup will be key for postseason implications. 

Faith is 5-0 (heading into Thursday’s game vs. Timber Lake), while Harding County is 4-0 (entering Thursday’s game vs. McIntosh). 

Faith and Harding County are nearly identical in their averages this season. The Ranchers average 63.3 points per game, while the Longhorns average 66.4 points per game. Harding County allows 37.4 points per game, while Faith gives up 35 points per game.