SPORTS PREVIEW
New season takes on different feel for defending champion Kernels
BY LANDON DIERKS Mitchell Republic
—
MITCHELL
As a new season gets underway for the Mitchell High School boys basketball program, many elements from last year remain the same.
The roster is largely intact, having graduated just one regular rotation player. Head coach Ryker Kreutzfeldt is still on the sideline, his fourth season guiding the program. In Class AA, the core schedule hardly ever changes.
But as the reigning Class AA state champions, that familiar territory has taken on a new feeling for the Kernels.
“You have to have a different mentality coming into this one; it’s not the same,” Kreutzfeldt said.
“That’s something we’re going to have to work through early. If we can stay focused on everyday things, we’ll end up being all right, but there’s an adjustment period, and we’re probably going to go through that for a couple weeks, at least.”
As Kreutzfeldt explains, last year’s Kernels had several unknowns and went into the season believing it would have to battle all season long to be in position to make the state tournament. Instead, they were the No. 1 seed, compiled a 23-1 record
with 17 consecutive victories to end the season and won the program’s first state championship since 2005.
This season, the Kernels return a pair of first-team all-state performers in senior guard Markus Talley, who posted 17.3 points, six rebounds and four assists per game last season, alongside junior forward Colton Smith, who added 16.8 points, nine rebounds and three assists per game.
Also among the long list of returners is senior forward Gavin Hinker, who averaged a modest six points and four rebounds per game a year ago but steadily emerged down the
stretch, even scoring the championship-winning bucket for MHS. The perimeter trio of Landen Soulek, Parker Mandel and Sutton Thompson combined to contribute 9.1 points, seven rebounds and three assists per game last season and will look to expand their impact as seniors.
That’s not to mention a healthy contingent of junior varsity players from a year ago who could factor into the lineup for MHS, which opens the season as the No. 1-ranked Class AA team in the South Dakota Prep Media poll.
“This year, everyone would expect us to just be in the state championship again. It’s not that easy,”
Kreutzfeldt said. “How do you deal with that early? When everybody else is thinking about March, you’ve got to be thinking about December 2 (the Kernels’ opening day of practice).”
Even with the roster continuity and the amount of time invested during the offseason, the official tip-off to a new season is hardly ever easy, according to Kreutzfeldt. No matter the circumstances, settling back in and finding a practice flow that works best for everyone takes time and patience. On top of that, finding a new vocal leader is paramount for this year’s MHS roster. Last season, then-senior
Gavin Soukup stepped into that role and helped guide the Kernels to a title while also providing a level of on-court production that earned second-team all-state honors.
“I think we’re probably ahead of last year because everyone’s got some varsity experience, and we kind of know what to expect,” Talley said. “But without (Soukup), he was a big part of the team last year, so we need guys to step up and be leaders.”
Mitchell opens its 202425 schedule at Watertown on Tuesday, Dec. 17. The first week of game action also includes the West River weekend trek to face Rapid City
Stevens and Rapid City Central on Dec. 20 and 21. The Kernels host their first home games as part of the Hoop City Classic, welcoming Orono (Minn.) on Dec. 28 and Orlando Christian Prep (Fla.) on Dec. 30.
While there’s plenty to be settled in the Kernels’ camp in the early stages, Kreutzfeldt is confident that Mitchell can hit the ground running.
“I have no doubts that, come opening night, these guys will be ready to go,” Kreutzfeldt said.
“We’ve got a long way to go until then — two weeks and a day — so that’s our challenge right now. We’ve got to fall back in love with the basics.”
Landon Dierks / Mitchell Republic
Returning letterwinners for Mitchell High School boys basketball, front row from left: Luke LeBrun, Jaxson Hartman, Tyler Christensen, Lincoln Bottum, Landen Soulek, Owen Raml and Sutton Thompson; Back row: Collin Weier, Markus Talley, Gavin Hinker, Colton Smith and Parker Mandel; Not pictured: Mason Herman.
New look Kernel girls to rely on teamwork, athleticism on the floor
BY BLAKE DURHAM Mitchell Republic MITCHELL
— A new season is on the horizon for a Mitchell High School girls basketball team that’ll bring a new look to the floor.
It’s also one where the Kernels look to showcase the players’ athleticism.
The idea comes from the height of the roster, of which Mitchell will have only two players to start the year who are 5-foot-8 or taller. Playing small ball is a familiar concept to the team, leading the Kernels to focus on other areas of the game with eagerness.
Based on how practice has gone, third-year head coach Dave Brooks can tell the players are putting in hard work at the start, bringing optimism to this group.
“They were ready to get
BY NATHAN SWAFFAR
Mitchell Republic MITCHELL
the next step.
— Taking
That’s the big focus for the Mitchell High School wrestling team this year.
The Kernels are in a fairly unique position when it comes to returners. They didn’t lose a whole lot of seniors from last year’s team and all of the previous standouts from last season returned with more motivation to build on the success they’ve already achieved.
“Our focus is always going to be on getting better, improving, no matter where we’re at,” said head coach Baker Haar. “Never being complacent with our position and continuing to just build on the success that we had last year. All of our [state] placers are back so we’re working on getting them higher and bringing some more people with them.”
to basketball,” Brooks said. “The kids are ready to go, like their attitude and they’re working hard so far. … We’re pleased with the shape they came into the season with.”
The Kernels also know they come into the year off last season’s run to the No. 2 overall seed in the Class AA playoffs. Mitchell went 20-4, winning the Eastern South Dakota Conference championship and finishing in sixth place in the state tournament for the second consecutive season. It was Mitchell’s first 20-win season since 201314, and MHS has been 30-16 under Brooks the last two seasons.
From last year’s campaign, three of Mitchell’s five starters and four of its seven players mainly used in rotation are back.
In total, the Kernels
return eight letterwinners to the girls basketball program, mostly freshmen and sophomores who’ll see time at both varsity and junior varsity, with their development over the season ultimately having an influence in the team’s final standings.
“As the younger girls start to grow, we’ll be able to incorporate them into running our plays,” senior Makenzie Peterson said. “As soon as they get a hold of it, we’ll be able to substitute them in to get more legs running with what we’re going to be doing.”
“We’re going to have to work together and not one person’s going to be able to do something,” added senior Lauren Van Overschelde. “We’re all going to have to chip in, but I think everyone
knows that and is good with that.”
Van Overschelde returns to the starting lineup with fellow senior Carsyn Weich and junior Addie Siemsen, the top returning scorer after averaging 12.3 points per game in a breakout sophomore season who recently committed to Division II Wayne State College.
Peterson also returns as a steady presence who appeared off the bench last season, but after that,
sophomore Matteah Graves is the only other player back having made more than five appearances in a game last season. Knowing there’s shoes to fill following both Sawyer Stoebner and Allison Meyerink’s graduations, it will be a learning process to everyone on the bench.
For now, the focus in practice has been locking in the team’s modified zone defense and creating takeaways in transition
On the boys side of the mat, they return two state top-eight finishers from last season. Noah Bennett qualified in the 113-pound division last season only as an eighthgrader and will look to improve on his sixthplace finish. Rocky Clark was the other qualifier on the boys side. He’ll aim to make a deep run at this season’s state meet after finishing in
fourth place in the 285pound division.
The boys also return multiple other state qualifiers in Kale Hoffer (106), Van Johnson (132), Kaiden Allen (165) and Sean Foote (175).
On the girls side, they also return two state placewinners. Danny
Borja finished in fifth place in the 120-pound division and Frankie Kranz finished in seventh place in the 114-pound division. Taylor DeJong also qualified for state in the 165-pound division.
Haar said the key to overall greater success this season is continuing
to build off of last season. He said last year was mostly building the groundwork, but now it’s time to not only continue the development of those fundamentals but also to introduce new skills that will yield even greater success.
at a faster tempo than before in an effort to create scoring, going back to the athleticism the players hope to display each game.
“We’re going to have to move fast and rely on how athletic we are,” Van Overschelde said. “We’re not going to be able to sit down on the offensive end and set up plays. Every single one of us trusts one another and we’ve worked hard every single day.”
“Last year, we did a good job of building on the foundation,” Haar said. “Our fundamentals got better in our positions with our head up and our chest up. Obviously, continuing to see our fundamentals improve is always going to be something that makes us a better wrestler overall. So building on that and then getting into some stuff that might be a little more high-level wrestling, building it into high-level wrestling, but it’s got to start with a good foundation.”
For Haar, he also said he wants to see some early success over the first competitions of the season.
“I just want to see the confidence in our guys that they can go out and they can compete with everybody no matter what town they’re from or what they did last year,” Haar said. “And that’s something too that we talked about last year was making sure that we can compete. We work on getting better and competing and we want to see a little more of that competition.”
Blake Durham / Mitchell Republic
Returning letterwinner for Mitchell High School girls basketball include, front row from left: Londyn Schroeder, Londyn Hajek, Makenzie Peterson and Matteah Graves. Back row: Lauren Van Overschelde, Charleigh Collins, Addie Siemsen and Carsyn Weich.
Nathan Swaffar / Mitchell Republic
Returning letterwinner from Mitchell High School wrestling include: Front row, from left: Liliana Luque, Allyson Tilberg, Kale Hofer, Blaze Sevigny, Frankie Kranz, McKyla Linke and Dax Gukeisen; Back row: Taylor DeJong, Noah Bennett, Samari Wright, Rocky Clark, Sean Foote, Kaiden Allen and Trell Kaupp. Not pictured: Van Johnson.
BY MARCUS TRAXLER Mitchell Republic
MITCHELL — The Mitchell High School gymnastics team is hoping to show off “the heart of a champion” this season.
With seven returning seniors on a team that’s coming off a secondstraight Class AA state team championship, the Kernels are not short on talent or experience ahead of a new season, which begins Tuesday, Dec. 3 in Yankton.
MHS head coach
Audra Rew said she’s been reminding her team early in the season of what kind of talent they have and how to handle the ups and downs that come with a high school gymnastics season.
“To me a heart of a champion is being able to know how to compete when you need to compete, being able to give yourself a break when you need a break mentally, supporting your teammates, being excited, fired up, everything that we know has happened to get us to that championship status in the past,” Rew said. “They know what it takes. They’re not newcomers to it. And we’re going to need all of that this season.”
The Kernels’ roster of seniors includes Bentley Bates, Lainee Forst, Aubrey Gelderman, Keyana Kelley, Sidney Malde, Emerson Smith and Kennedy Vilhauer. The last time MHS competed as a team, the Kernels broke the school record with a flourish,
scoring 151.44 points and topping Harrisburg by nearly 1.5 points for the Class AA state team title in Pierre. That made for three state championships in the last four seasons and nine since 2007, all under Rew as coach.
“We all know we’re capable of great things. We got to trust our training and trust what we’ve been putting our time and work into this,” Bates said. “I feel like we’re just building up right now. We look great right now and we know we can look really great
in February.” Forst said the team’s experience is something that can set it apart from its competition this season.
“Everyone is used to competing at that high level and at the level that Mitchell has built over the years. I think that with that experience we’re able to do great things because we’ve been there before and we know how to go do it again,” Forst said. Mitchell will have junior Kyanna Gropper back this season at full
force after she missed nearly all of last season with a knee injury. She did return for the state meet in time to compete on uneven bars but Rew expects Gropper to be part of the all-around picture this season.
Mitchell returns Bates, who was the individual event champion on balance beam and bars and second in the Class AA all-around scoring, and junior Olivia Prunty, who was the state champion on vault and third all-around last season. Gelderman was a
top-five finisher on beam and floor, while Kelley was a top-three finisher on vault and sixth in the all-around scoring.
With that much experience, Bates said she doesn’t believe the team has a particular strength because they are so well-rounded.
“Everyone has their strong suits and everyone’s strength is different, so when you put us together that’s what just makes us an incredible team,” Bates said.
Rew said she doesn’t want her team to be at
its potential or peak this time of year, especially since the pinnacle of the season is the state meet in February, which will be held Feb. 14-15 in Watertown.
“The theme right now is just to stay calm, not worry if every little detail is perfect,” Rew said. “Gymnasts tend to be perfectionists, and so if something isn’t exactly the way they want it, they can get kind of stressed out about it. You love that about them, but right now isn’t the time to do that.”
Marcus Traxler / Mitchell Republic
Returning letterwinners for Mitchell High School gymnastics include, front row from left, McKenna Auch, Olivia Prunty, Aubrey Gelderman, Keyana Kelley and Kennedy Vilhauer. Back row: Kyanna Gropper, Abby Helleloid, Sidney Malde, Lainee Forst and Bentley Bates. Not pictured: Emerson Smith.
MCS boys basketball looking to ‘compete with confidence’ this season
BY NATHAN SWAFFAR Mitchell Republic
MITCHELL — “Compete with confidence.”
That’s the motto for the Mitchell Christian boys basketball team this season.
The Golden Eagles are starting anew in multiple regards. To start, Shawn Asbenson takes the reigns as the head coach. He follows in the footsteps of Chris Nemec, who had been at the helm for Mitchell Christian during the 2023-24 season. Secondly, the Golden Eagles will have to find ways to make up for the production of former star player and Aiden Lieber, who is now playing at Mount Marty University.
Lieber was the standout for last year’s Golden Eagles squad that went
5-17. He averaged 30.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.2 steals per game.
Asbenson said he won’t be easy to replace, but it doesn’t mean they can’t.
“We’re all going to have to pick up our fair share to make it work,”
Asbenson said. “So we’re just trying to make sure that all the kids are ready to go, ready to shoot the ball and not play timid. We’re going to play some really good teams and so you just got to be ready to play.”
Asbenson said they will have to rely on the team’s athleticism as a major strength.
“That’s going to be what we have to rely on, just our athleticism getting up and down the court,” Asbenson said.
“And that’s definitely going to be our best strength. We’ve got some
pretty decent shooters, so we expect to do that. Not a lot of height, but that’s Mitchell Christian’s motto for a lot of years. No height, a lot of speed and just get up and down the court.”
The Golden Eagles return three letterwinners from last season.
Senior Syver Enga and sophomores Luke Mentele and Silas Holdeman all bring previous experience to this year’s team, predominately with firstyear varsity players.
Outside of those three, Asbenson said Mitchell Christian could see sizable contributions from players like Micah Menning, Asbenson’s Brady, Holdeman’s younger brother Sawyer and Auston Twiggs, all of whom worked throughout the summer for this season.
“All worked on
shooting all summer long, all committed to the Warwick camps over the summer.,” Asbenson said. “They went to Sioux Falls two times, three times a week. So it’s a good thing for them to be kind of a step up as far as the dedication level and commitment level.”
MCS will have plenty of basketball classics to play in, heading to the Huron Holiday Classic on Dec. 30, the Sacred Hoops Classic at the Corn Palace on Jan. 4, the Dakota
Valley Conference Classic in Colman on Jan. 18 and the Dakota State Classic on Jan. 25 in Madison. Asbenson went back to confidence as something he wants to see the team build early and often. That will come in large part from finding a solid stoke in the shooting game.
“A lot of last year is when you have an allstate player and he’s dominating the show, a lot of kids have a pass-first mentality. And this year,
it’s got to be switched to a shoot-first,” Asbenson said. “If you have the open look, you’ve got to be able and willing to score. Like I tell them, some of these shooters, you might miss 100 in a row, but you got to shoot the 100 with confidence that you’re going to make it. That’s kind of what we got to be able to do is just play with confidence because we can’t get rattled. ... That’s the biggest thing is just compete with confidence.”
Retooled Marlins boys hockey ready to start season
Roster returns 10 letterwinners from last year
BY BLAKE DURHAM Mitchell Republic MITCHELL
— For
Mitchell Marlins boys hockey, the goal this season is simple: finish higher than sixth place at the state tournament.
To get there, the Marlins are looking for new faces to have a big hand on the ice. Mitchell comes into this season with a retooled roster, having graduated nine seniors from last year’s team that finished seventh in the standings with an 11-11 record. There will be some learning on the go as early-season games commence as the players work on getting familiar with one another.
Even though the Marlins retained 10 letterwinners from the previous season, head coach Nick Lemke stressed the importance of playing together as one cohesive unit, given all the changes in personnel.
“We just need them to continue to use each other and not get tunnel vision or maybe try to ride their individual talents and do it on their own,” Lemke said. “The experience the younger class needs to get will be very important in building their confidence and playing the right way on the ice.”
The Marlins were in the middle of the pack last season, finishing sixth in
the state with 105 goals scored and were seventh with 103 goals allowed out of 12 teams. Much of the team’s struggles a year ago were due to the amount of minutes spent in the penalty box, finishing with the secondmost penalty minutes behind Oahe, something the players will look to minimize along with other mental errors.
“Those little things can cost you a game or make or break the game,” forward Parker Denne said.
“If we can focus on those little things, like where you’re going with the puck, picking places out and skating with your head up, it’ll make a dayand-night difference for us.”
Denne returns for his senior season on the ice, having led the Marlins with 28 goals scored and was second with 19 assists from last year. With three of Mitchell’s
four leading goal scorers last year having graduated, Brody Huls and Denne’s younger brother Pacxton move up to pair with Parker on the first line.
Fellow senior Luke Jerke returns as one of the forwards on the second line, pairing with Everett Morrison and Esten Schlimgen. Connor Degen and Brennen Penne return to lead the Marlins defensemen, having worked together and with others on the roster, such as freshman Cooper Guenthner, on building chemistry on the ice.
“We just need to focus on passing and shooting the puck to get better chemistry,” Degen said. “Having these younger kids who are already playing varsity, it’s about making sure they can play with us, which’ll help a lot.”
Ian Vaughn and Gavin
Polreis return in net as freshman Sebastian Rieger gives the Marlins a third goalie option. Ultimately, the first games will show how the Marlins will respond to the pace of real game action and their composure on the ice, hoping the message of keeping things simple on the ice resonates with the roster.
“If we can clear pucks out in front of the net to the sidewall and not try to make some amazing miraculous play, we should be able to keep shots from goal,” Lemke said. “It’s just getting it out of there as quickly and as painless as possible.”
“Just having the right angle on the puck at all times,” Vaughn added. “You get faster movements throughout everything. Picking up the pace a little bit more and trying to get everyone in the right place.”
Nathan Swaffar / Mitchell Republic
Returning Mitchell Christian boys basketball letterwinners include from left: Silas Holdeman, Luke Mentele and Syver Enga.
Adam Thury / Mitchell Republic
Returning letterwinners for Mitchell Marlins boys hockey include, from left: Ian Vaughn, Coy Olson, Carson Ziehl, Luke Jerke, Connor Degen, Brody Huls, Parker Denne, Brennen Penne, Drake Grenier and Gavin Polreis.
Marlins girls hockey eager for chance for strong season
BY BLAKE DURHAM Mitchell Republic
MITCHELL — Having set a precedent for several years, the Mitchell Marlins girls hockey team wants the chance to finish this season on top.
With the parity seen in the girls hockey division, the Marlins believe the time is now.
Bringing back a mostly intact roster filled with high-level experience, Mitchell enters the year off a 10-3-1 regular-season record a year ago and a third-place finish at the state tournament. This year’s group includes nine returning letterwinners and three of the four top goal scorers on the roster.
While the level of competition is expected to keep the standings tight throughout the season, head coach Chris Tronnes knows the Marlins are eager to get on the ice and begin the run towards a high finish at state.
“It’s going to be anybody’s game,” Tronnes said. “If you go into every game with the mindset that you’re going to win or you have a chance to win and you’re going to work for it, I think we’ll be very successful. … They’re wanting to get after it and get back to playing some games.”
Throughout the preseason, much of the adjustments has been focused on creating an aggressive forecheck to produce scoring opportunities and spending time
in the defensive zone working to clear pucks and positioning players in spots to disrupt opposing attacks.
In addition, the Marlins’ roster depth will be tested with recent changes to scheduling at the girls varsity level. The South Dakota Amateur Hockey Association increased the schedule to 21 games in the regular season, with teams set to face opponents three times a year. With a minimum of seven additional games to be played at the varsity level and some of the players on the roster potentially playing up to five games between varsity and junior varsity each week, prioritizing the players’ health will be important.
“We have to make sure that we eat healthy, get plenty of rest and hydrate,” defenseman Reese Amick said. “Each person has something that they need to work on and
are trying to do that as best as possible.”
“It’s also important to keep being good teammates,” added forward Kenna Tronnes. “Just not harp on each other too much and keep being kind to each other and supporting each other.”
The support will be paramount as the players adjust to new line rotations and work with each other differently compared to last year. With last year’s leading goal scorer Brynlee Sabers, who accounted for a stateleading 31 of Mitchell’s 59 goals, now playing hockey with the Tier I New Hampshire Mountain Cats in the northeast, the Marlins will look for everyone on the ice to step up and create chances to score.
“It’s a huge role we have to fill scoring-wise,” Chris Tronnes said. “It’ll be by committee. Combined, our forward lines can be very
successful, and on the defensive side, we have that offensive ability and they’ll add to our scoring this year.”
Kenna Tronnes, who was second on the Marlins last season with 10 goals, will captain the top forward line with Ana Hotchkiss and LiVaya Mimmack, while Amick and Tristen Zimmer return to lead the defense, having combined for 13 goals and 16 assists last season.
At goalie, Kaylie O’Connor becomes Mitchell’s third netminder in as many seasons following a strong showing at JV last season and in the preseason, pairing with Addysen Longhenry.
“I expect us to come off and play hard,” Amick said, “And compete very well against some of these teams, but we’ll be really focused on who works hard and who doesn’t give up no matter what, and just keeps going.”
Blake Durham / Mitchell Republic
Returning letterwinners for Mitchell Marlins girls hockey include, front row from left: Kaylie O’Connor, LiVaya Mimmack, Ana Hotchkiss and Gina Wyatt. Back row: Julia Wyatt, Kenna Tronnes, Reese Amick, Katie Hohn and Tristen Zimmer.
BY MITCHELL REPUBLIC
Information was submitted by coaches or compiled by Mitchell Republic’s sports staff:
Andes Central/Dakota
Christian
Coach: Gordon Hooks Region: 5B
Last year’s record: 9-12
Key players: Hunter Loeffler, sr., 5-9, guard; Garth Maas, sr., 6-1, forward; Ryder Niewenhuis, sr., 6-3, guard/forward; Sabas DeHaan, sr., 5-10, guard/forward; AJ Johnson, sr., 6-3, forward/ guard; Ty Archambeau, sr., 6-4, center/forward; Isaiah Milk, jr., 6-6, forward/center; Takoda Hare, jr., 6-0, forward/ guard; Kashton Garcia, jr., 6-0, forward/center
Avon
Coach: Marshall Faulkner Region: 4B
Last year’s record: 6-16
Returning letterwinners: 11
Top returnees: Aziah Meyer, sr., 6-3, guard; Landon Mudder, sr., 5-7, guard; Trevor Eggers, sr., 6-4, forward; John Fathke, sr., 5-10, guard; Al’Shamon Gunter, jr., 6-6, forward
Top newcomers: Dominic Doom, so., 6-1, guard/ forward; Zander Fathke, 08, 5-6, guard
Coach’s comments: The guys are working hard and really looking into the little things. We will be stronger, faster and a more focused team this season that competes harder and at a higher level than last season.
Bon Homme
Coach: Zach Wevik Region: 5A
Last year’s record: 8-14
Top returnees: Landon Schmidt, sr., 6-2, forward
Top newcomers: Zach Humpal, jr., 5-9, guard; Major Aarstad, so., 5-5, guard; Logan Stark, so., 6-5, forward; Mason Jolley, so., 6-1, forward; Hunter Sobotka, so., 5-10, forward; Cooper Mudder, so., 6-3, forward; Cale Cooper, so., 6-0, guard; Devin Krueger, fr., 5-6, guard; Ethan Wagner, fr., 5-5, guard; Madden Merkwan, fr., 5-11, guard
Coach’s comments: We will be a very young team as we enter the season with our lone senior out for the season and one junior on the roster. However, we like our young group, their work ethic and willingness to improve. As the year continues, so too should our growth as a team.
Bridgewater-Emery
Coach: Scott Schultz Region: 3B
Last year’s record: 13-9
Returning letterwinners: 11
Top returnees: Jaxon Koch, sr., 6-3, forward; Macklen Weber, sr., 6-1, forward; Jason Zeeb, sr., 6-0, forward; Ben Weber, jr., 6-5, guard; Holden Wollman, jr., 6-0, guard
Top newcomers: Ryan
Wollman, sr., 5-10, guard; Peyton Roskens, jr., 6-2, forward; Parker Burke, jr., 5-9, guard; Shay Marquardt, so., 6-1, forward
Coach’s comments: The Huskies once again have a difficult schedule that should help prepare us to compete with the top teams in our region. Region 3B will once again be very competitive from top to bottom. We will need to develop some depth off the bench to help compete with the top teams in the region.
Burke
Coach: David Indahl Region: 5B
Last year’s record: 6-15
Returning letterwinners: Three
Top returnees: Quinten Bull, sr., 6-5, center; Gentry Bartling, sr., 6-3, forward; Jayder Schonenbaum, jr., 6-0, forward Top newcomers: Elijah Bartling, so., 6-2, forward; Brody Indahl, 07, 5-9, guard
Coach’s comments: We will have some big holes to fill from last year, but the players I have are eager and up to the challenge.
Canistota
Coach: Michael Richardson Region: 3B
Last year’s record: 15-6
Key Players: Austin Weber, sr., 6-1, forward; Levi Schroeder, sr., 6-1, forward; Kaleb Hjermstad, sr., 6-1, forward; Brody Roshone, sr., 5-10, guard; Brady Scott, sr., 6-2, guard; Jake Merrill, sr., 6-2, forward; Jaden Kleinsasser, sr., 6-3, center/forward; Prayden Acheson, jr., 5-11, guard/forward; Easton Miller, jr., 5-9, guard
Chamberlain
Coach: Jaylen Uthe Region: 6A
Last year’s record: 2-19
Returning letterwinners: Six Top returnees: Grady Olson, sr., 6-3, forward; Breckyn Harmon, sr., 6-4, forward; Riddik Big Eagle, jr., 6-2, guard; Blaze Knippling, jr., 6-4, center Top newcomers: Aiden Sazue, sr., 6-0, guard; Braxton Harrison, jr., 6-0, guard; Kansas HonomichlRouse, jr., 6-0, forward Coach’s comments: We’re excited to start the year with a new energy. We have a team that loves the game of basketball and expect to be competitive and improve as the year goes on.
Colome
Coach: Dustin
Christensen Region: 5B
Last year’s record: 3-17
Returning letterwinners: Three Top returnees: Jonah Musser, sr., 6-2, center/forward; Shae Munroe, sr., 5-4, guard; Tyson Wetzel, jr., 6-2, center/forward; Sam Brandsgaard, jr., 5-9, guard
Top newcomers: Kallan Totton, jr., 6-2, center/ forward; Bode Kingsley, fr., 5-10, forward/center; Ben Vandenbark, fr., 5-10, forward; Harley Supik, 08, 5-10, forward/guard
Coach’s comments: We are young and are going to start an in-season lifting program to help the kids develop. It won’t be about the wins or losses but about individual growth in basketball skills. Can’t wait to see how we end up at the end of the season.
Corsica-Stickney
Coach: Luke Bamberg
Region: 5B
Last year’s record: 13-9
Returning letterwinners: 10
Top returnees: Tyson Wentland, sr., 6-5, forward; Brock Hinker, sr., 6-4, forward
Top newcomers: Jarrett Olawsky, sr., 6-3, forward; Jett Kemp, jr., 6-0, guard
Coach’s comments:
We do not bring back a ton of varsity experience this year. We will rely on our seniors to provide leadership to our younger, more inexperienced players to get them to jell early in the year. Our team will provide some size advantages and will need to work out our quickness and foot speed in order to play different styles.
Ethan
Coach: Bryce Roth Region: 3B
Last year’s record: 16-5
Returning letterwinners: Two
Top returnees: Braedon Nebelsick, sr., 6-2, forward; Jack Bartscher, jr., 6-3, forward
Top newcomers: Davin Hohn, jr., 6-1, guard; Mark Deckert, so., 5-9, guard; Creighton Klumb, so., 6-2, forward; Kevin Ripley, so., 5-11, guard; Jaxx Kurtenbach, fr., 5-9, guard
Coach’s comments:
We will be a very youthful team, but we are excited to see how the new pieces fall into place and the chemistry they build. We are in one of the most difficult and well rounded regions in the state, with an equally difficult schedule to match. We will be tested early and often, and look to build our confidence as the season progresses.
Freeman
Coach: Lance Friesen Region: 4B
Last year’s record: 14-8
Top returnees: Sawyer Wipf, sr., 6-0, guard/forward; Chris Aasen, sr., 5-11, guard; Tate Sorensen, jr., 6-2, forward; Luke Peters, jr., 5-10, guard; David Walter, fr., 6-4, guard; Luke Miller, fr., 6-0, guard/forward; Tayden Kerrigan, fr., 5-11, guard
Top newcomers: Caden Waltner, sr., 5-10, forward; Tannen Auch, so., 6-0, forward; Oliver Waltner, so., 6-4, forward; Lane McCune, fr., 6-1,
guard; Quentin Anderson, fr., 5-8, guard; Brody Sorenson, fr., 5-10, guard; Braydan Mangel, fr., 5-9, guard Freeman Academy/ Marion
Coach: Jericho Shape Region: 4B
Last year’s record: 8-13
Returning letterwinners: 12
Top returnees: Elshadi Mesfin, sr., 6-1, guard; Karter Weber, jr., 5-11, guard Taylor Goodwin, jr., 5-10, guard; Jackson Donlan, jr., 6-2, forward; Hunter Nankivel, so., 6-2, forward
Top newcomers: Ashton Kesteloot, sr., 6-1, forward; Dominic Sperling, sr., 5-10, guard; Lincoln Anderson, sr., 5-11, guard; Titus Sperling, jr., 5-10, guard; Austin Waldner, so., 6-2, forward; Domani Butler, so., 5-11, guard; Justin Escobar, so., 5-11, guard; Gavin Freeman, so., 6-2, center Coach’s comments: We had worked
extremely hard this past offseason and improved a lot in all aspects. The expectations for the Bearcat Boys Basketball team this season are high with a lot of returning experience on the basketball court. The players on this team are extremely athletic as they look to bring that athleticism and speed to the court this season.
Gregory
Coach: Jeff Determan Region: 5B Last year’s record: 20-6, finished sixth in Class B Returning letterwinners: 14 Top returnees: Noah Bearshield, sr., 6-2, guard; Cruz Klundt, sr., 6-0, guard; Jack Bolander, sr., 6-4, forward; Rane Kenzy, sr., 6-4, forward; Cole Serr, sr., 6-4, forward; Jad Leber, sr., 5-11, guard; Nick Kenzy, sr., 6-2, guard; Colt Keiser, jr., 6-6, forward; Lincoln Juracek, jr., 5-11, guard
Top newcomers: Bo Brozik, jr., 5-10, forward; Carter Baumgartner, so., 6-3, center; Tyler Kenzy, so., 6-0, forward; Aiden Frasch, so., 5-10, guard Coach’s comments: We have experience and a lot of depth. Every season is different, so we will have to continue to develop cohesiveness and play together if we want the opportunity to make a deep postseason run.
Hanson
Coach: Tyler Tappe Region: 5A
Last year’s record: 14-9, reached Class A SoDak 16
Key players: A.J. Wilber, sr., 6-4, forward; Tye Hernandez, sr., 5-11, guard; Carter Popp, sr., 6-2, forward; Ben Wilber, sr., 6-4, forward; Sutton Dewald, sr., 5-10, guard; Nathan Wilber, jr., 5-10, guard; Cole Dewald, jr., 5-10, guard; Conner Endorf, jr., 6-1, forward
Adam Thury / Mitchell Republic Howard’s Luke Koepsell (24) attacks the basket with Winner’s Shawn Hammerbeck in defense during a Hanson Classic boys basketball game on
Jan. 20,
at the Corn Palace.
Howard
Coach: Nick Koepsell
Region: 3B
Last year’s record: 23-3, Class B state champions
Returning letterwinners: Six
Top returnees: Luke Koepsell, sr., 6-4, forward; Carson Hinker, sr., 6-3, guard; Austin Severson, sr., 6-2, forward
Top newcomers: Lucas Feldhaus, sr., 6-1, guard; Caden Schwader, jr., 6-2, guard/forward; Kolt Becker, so., 5-10, guard; Korbin Shumaker, so., 5-10, ; Chas Shumaker, fr., 6-3, ; Brody Spader, fr., 6-2
Coach’s comments:
We will once again play a very tough schedule that we hope will prepare us for postseason play. We have a great group of seniors to lead us, but we will have some early season growing pains as we work the young guys into the rotation. We have the potential to make another postseason run if we can stay healthy and be playing our best ball at the end of the season.
Kimball/White Lake/ Platte-Geddes
Coach: Donnie Hameil
Region: 5B
Last year’s record: 6-16
Key players: Jay Dee Gough, sr., 6-1, forward/ guard; Graden Holan, sr., 5-11, center/forward; Cooper Leiferman, sr., 6-1, forward/center; Park Sinclar, sr., 6-1, guard/forward
Lyman
Coach: Cooper Garnos Region: 5B
Last year’s record: 5-16
Returning letterwinners: Nine
Top returnees: Askel Ehlers, sr., 6-5, forward; Jonas Zirpel, sr., 6-0, guard; MJ Diehm, so., 5-11, guard; Dawsen Volmer, so., 6-4, forward; Cole Kieffer, fr., 6-4, forward
Top newcomers: Chase Seasaboy, so., 6-3, center; Canyon Garnos, so., 6-0, guard; Conway Collins, jr.,6-1, forward; Conor Samco, so., 5-11, guard
Coach’s comments: Many of our players have been putting in the time all year round working on their game. We will be young with a mix of some older players, as all have varsity experience.
McCook Central/ Montrose
Coach: Trent Sabers Region: 5A
Last year’s record: 7-14
Returning letterwinners: Eight
Top returnees: Mason Sabers, sr., 5-11, guard; Lane Deutsch, sr., 6-0, guard; Jackson Schmidt, sr., 6-1, forward; Ben Wiebersick, so., 6-1, guard
Top newcomers: Zane McCormick, jr., 6-5, center; Dawson Door, jr., 6-5, forward/center; Andrew
Sabers, fr., 6-0, guard; Isaac Chase, fr., 6-4, center
Coach’s comments: This year’s team will have a lot of experience coming back along with some new contributors. We will look to be competitive every night and get better as the season progresses.
Mount Vernon/ Plankinton
Coach: Jason Helling Region: 5A Last year’s record: 6-15
Key players: Isaiah Olson, sr., 5-8, guard; Brady Fox, sr., 5-8, guard; Jack Larsch, sr., 6-0, forward/center; Hagan Tlam, sr., 6-0, forward/center; Luke Baker, sr., 6-1, forward/center; Caden Barnes, sr., 5-10, guard; Riley Mayer, jr., 5-10, guard; Tyce Fiestner, jr., 5-9, guard; Dylan Rihanek, jr., 5-11, guard/forward; Tate Hegg, sr., 5-11, guard; Cole Sandland, jr., 5-11, guard/forward; Camden Stahl, jr., 5-10, forward; Derrick Fletcher, jr., 5-10, guard; Mason Karst, jr., 6-3, forward
Coach’s comments: Last season, we didn’t get to where we wanted both as a team and individually, but we put in the work this summer to set us up to have a successful season both on and off the basketball court. We return a large number of kids this year who put a ton of work this offseason in the weight room, on the basketball court, and in the team chemistry department. Our team’s number-one goal for this season is to create an identity that will last for years and become the foundation for MVP basketball to build on.
Parkston
Coach: Craig Bruening Region: 5B
Last year’s record: 14-8
Returning letterwinners: 6
Top returnees: James Deckert, sr., 6-1, forward; Brycen Bruening, so., 6-1, guard
Top newcomers: Elliott Leischner, sr., 6-7, center; Drew Braley, sr., 5-9, guard; Hayden Mette, jr., 6-3, forward; Trey Boettcher, jr., 6-0, forward; Mason Jervik, so., 5-10, guard; Reco Muilenburg, so., 5-11, guard; Grady Bowar, so., 6-1, guard
Coach’s comments: We will be young but we have some talented high basketball-IQ players. We’ll need to be able to defend the bigger teams.
Platte-Geddes
Coach: Frank Cutler Region: 6A
Last year’s record: 11-10
Key players: Hayden Sprik, sr., 5-10, guard; Braxton Breukelman, sr., 6-3, forward; Max Miller, sr., 5-11, guard; Jye Bailey, jr., 5-8, guard; Aiden Boettcher, sr., 5-10, forward; Quincy Stephens, sr., 5-10, guard
Coach’s comments:
We return two starters and two others with good playing experience. We did lose three starters from last year and will need to replace them with consistent scoring and rebounding. We will be an athletic team on the floor but will need to work hard on defense and rebounding to compete with bigger and more physical teams.
Sanborn Central/ Woonsocket
Coach: Tate Deinert
Region: 3B
Last year’s record: 11-12, reached Class A SoDak 16
Key players: Evan Easton, sr., 5-10, guard; Bryce Larson, sr., 6-0, guard; Payton Uecker, sr., 5-10, guard; Sam Baruth, jr., 6-2, guard; McCoy Schulz, jr., 6-2, guard; Eli White, jr., 5-10, guard; Grant Edwards, jr., 5-10, guard; Lanson Jensen, jr., 5-10, guard; Parker Ettswold, jr., 6-0, forward Scotland/Menno
Coach: William Massey Region: 5A
Last year’s record: First year of co-op. Last season: Scotland: 2-20; Menno: 2-19
Top returnees: Kory Keppen, sr., 5-11, guard; Bryce Sattler, sr., 6-0, guard; Trent Guthmiller, sr., 6-1, forward; Ashton Dennis, sr., 6-1, guard; Treytan Bult, sr., 6-2, forward; Kenny Kubal, sr., 5-11, guard; Izayah Ulmer, jr., 6-0, guard; Erick Buechler, jr., 6-2, forward
Top newcomers: Jarret Andretta, so., 5-8, guard; Hunter Clark, so., 6-2, forward; Micah Goehring, so., 6-1, forward; Adam Munkvold, so., 6-5, center; Jaxon Stoebner, so., 5-10, forward; Wyatt Fischer, so., 5-9, guard; Mirik Vaith, fr., 5-10, guard; CJ Bjorum, fr., 5-10, guard
Coach’s comments: New co-op should bring a spark to the basketball program at both schools,
with very good athletes that compliment each other well. We will have a lot of upperclassmen that can give us good, competitive minutes all season.
Tripp-Delmont/ Armour
Coach: Dillon Werkmeister
Region: 4B
Last year’s record: 16-6
Returning letterwinners: Four
Key players: Isaac Wunder, sr., 6-2, guard/forward; Riley Spaans, sr., 6-2, center; Dalton Westendorf, sr., 6-0, forward; Reegon Loneman, sr., 5-10, guard; Trey Bauer, sr., 6-2, forward; Daxton Comstock, jr.,6-2 , forward; Alex Werkmeister, jr., 5-8, guard; Jake Strand, jr., 5-7, guard
Coach’s comments: The team’s strengths will be rebounding and defense. The biggest challenges this year will be staying out of foul trouble and knocking down shots.
Wagner
Coach: Josh Davies
Region: 5A
Last year’s record: 12-9
Top returnees: Preston McFayden, sr., 6-0, guard; Parker Petry, sr., 6-1, forward; Brady Cournoyer, sr., 6-5, forward; Javian Pesicka, so., 5-10, guard; Jesse Zephier, so., 5-9, guard; Carlos Gallindo, so., 6-0, guard
Top newcomers: Frank Soukup, sr., 6-0, guard; Ky Arpan, jr., 6-0, guard; Cruise Koupal, fr., 6-2, forward
Wessington Springs
Coach: Joey Mitchell Region: 2B
Last year’s record: 24-2, finished fifth in Class B
Key players: Karter Mebius, sr., 6-0, forward; Sam Poncelow, sr., 5-10, guard; Ryder Michalek, sr., 6-3, forward; Branden Flowers, sr., 6-4, center; Parker Graff, jr., 6-1, guard; Colby Flowers, jr., 6-5, forward; Luke Larson, jr., 6-1, guard
Winner
Coach: Brett Gardner Region: 7A
Last year’s record: 17-5
Returning letterwinners: 10
Top returnees: Shawn Hammerbeck, sr., 6-7, center; Ryder Halligan, sr., 5-11, guard; Landon Calhoon, sr., 5-11, guard; Aiden Schroeder, sr., 6-0, guard; Zac Olson, jr., 5-8, guard; Carter Craven, so., 6-5, forward Top newcomers: Jackson Bachmann, sr., 5-7, guard; Broden Duffy, sr., 5-9, guard; Seth Heath, jr., 5-11, guard; William Jorgensen, so., 6-1, forward; Carter Foster, so., 6-3, center; Jalen Tideman, fr., 6-2, guard
Coach’s comments: We are hoping to be competitive in every game this year. Our goal is to improve throughout the year and give ourselves the best chance to be successful come February and March. We feel we have a lot of depth this year that we can use to our advantage. We will defend hard and take care of the basketball.
Adam Thury / Mitchell Republic
Ethan’s Davin Hohn drives to the basket in a boys basketball game on
Jan. 31, 2023 in Forestburg.
BY MITCHELL REPUBLIC
Information was submitted by coaches or compiled by Mitchell Republic’s sports staff:
Andes Central/Dakota Christian Andes Central/Dakota
Christian Coach: Shane Niewenhuis
Region: 5B
Last year’s record: 14-9, reached Class B SoDak 16
Key players: Adaya Arrow, jr., 5-7, guard; Josie Brouwer, sr., 5-7, guard; Leah Brown, sr., 5-6, guard; Audrey DeHaan, so., 5-10, forward; Mahpiya Irving, sr., 5-7, guard; Rory Kiyukan, jr., 5-7, guard; Gabriella Olson, sr., 5-8, forward; Halle Olson, jr., 6-0, forward; Nadia Van Zuidam, sr., 5-7, guard. Avon
Coach: Brad Poppe Region: 4B
Last year’s record: 16-6
Number of returning letterwinners: 10
Top returnees: Lila Vanderlei, sr., 5-6, guard; Kinley Doom, sr., 5-8, center; Kaeli Wallinga, sr., 5-7, forward; Lexi Vanderlei, jr., 5-8, forward; Rilyn Thury, so., 5-7, guard.
Top newcomers: Kate Swier, jr., 5-2, forward; Abby Gretschmann, jr., 5-4, forward; Jordyn Voigt, so., 5-5, forward; Breanna Hento, so., 5-7, forward; Brielle Voigt, 8th, 5-5, guard.
Coach comments: We will have some new faces and have some young ladies that need to gain experience and be ready to contribute. We are going to be working on improving each day and pushing ourselves to reach our potential. We play a very competitive schedule, so hopefully, that will prepare us for our challenging region tournament. I am excited for the season, and I am ready to see how we grow as a team along this journey.
Bon Homme
Coach: Gary Kortan Region: 5A
Last year’s record: 14-7
Key players: Addison Reynolds, so., 5-3, guard; Olivia Kaul, jr., 5-11, guard/forward;Taycee Ranek, jr., 5-9, forward/ guard; Emma Balvin, jr., 5-7, guard/forward; Kenadee Kozak, sr., 5-7, guard; Nevaeh Myers, sr., 5-10, center; Tarynn Torsney, jr., 5-7, forward/ center; Taryn Crites, sr., 5-6, forward/center.
Bridgewater-Emery
Coach: Jessie Yttreness Region: 3B
Last year’s record: 7-14
Number of returning letterwinners: Seven
Top returnees: Hayden Hofer, sr., 5-6, guard/forward; Quinn Culhane, jr., 5-8, guard; Oakley Weber, so., 5-7, guard; Macie Weber, so., 5-7, forward/ guard; Lily Hilton, so., 5-7, guard.
Top newcomers: Kadyn Glanzer, jr., 5-6, forward; Rylee Furgeson, fr., 5-10, forward.
Coach comments: The girls have dedicated hours this off-season, preparing themselves for a competitive season. With a challenging schedule ahead, our focus must remain on improving every time we step onto the court, whether it’s during practice or games. This team has potential, but our success will hinge on our ability to stay united and support one another, especially during tough moments.
Burke
Coach: Ashley Green Region: 5B
Last year’s record: 11-10
Number of returning letterwinners: Seven Top returnees: Paige Bull, sr., 6-1, center; Kailee Frank, sr., 5-9, guard/forward; Olivia Bull , sr., 5-10, center; Emmie Hausmann, jr., 5-10, guard; Annie Connot, so., 5-6, guard; Brylie Pistulka, jr., 5-4, forward; Kyrie Matucha, jr., 5-1, guard.
Top newcomers: Emmy Spencer, so., 5-4, guard; Trystan Johnson, jr., 5-9, forward; Breckynn Pistulka, fr., 5-3, guard. Coach comments: I am excited for the season to get going. We have quite a few girls returning who have some varsity experience. The younger girls coming in are hard workers just like our older girls. This is my third year with some of the girls, and we have become a family and know what we expect of them. This should be a fun and great year.
Canistota
Coach: Tyler Schumacher Region: 3B
Last year’s record: 8-13
Key players: Ellie Becker, jr., 5-9, forward; Bailey Spicer, sr., 5-3, guard; Emma Sandman, jr., 5-8, guard; Autumn Hutcheson, sr., 5-9, forward; Domino Hayes, sr., 5-8, forward; Allison Leber, jr., 5-8, guard; Jylynn Schryvers, jr., 5-4, guard. Chamberlain
Coach: Zack Nelson Region: 6A
Last year’s record: 8-13
Key players: Claire Knecht, so., 5-4, guard;
Kali Randall, jr., 5-5, guard; Libbie Gullickson, jr., 5-9, guard; Laila Saxton, sr., 5-5, guard; Lanaya Pease, jr., 5-5, forward; Taleyna McBride-Wingert, jr., 5-5, guard; Trey Speer, so., 5-5, guard; Grace Mousseau, sr., 5-10, forward; Natalie Nelson, so., 5-11, forward.
Colome
Coach: Cheyenne Heath Region: 5B
Last year’s record: 0-21
Number of returning letterwinners: Five
Top returnees: Raelynn Kingsley, sr., 5-11, center; Emme Nelsen, jr., 5-8, guard; Gracie Rohde, jr., 5-2, guard; Tila Harter, so., 5-3, guard; Anika Musser, fr., 5-7, forward/ center.
Top newcomers: Alana Supik, sr., 5-3, guard; Makayla Chambers, fr., 5-6, forward; Rayma Vobr, fr., 5-3, forward.
Coach comments: We know coming into the season that the odds are against us with low numbers on our team, but the thing that I have noticed about this group of girls is that they don’t give up. The girls are working really hard in all that I’m asking of them. We have been focusing on conditioning and strength training. And having our first game behind us, we need to focus on playing under pressure.
Corsica-Stickney
Coach: Kyle Wieczorek Region: 5B
Last year’s record: 7-12
Number of returning letterwinners: 10
Top returnees: Braylee Bordewyk, so., 5-8, guard; Claire Gerlach, so., 5-9, forward; Sophie DeLange, jr., 5-9, guard; Cali Vanden Hoek, jr., 5-3, guard; Paige Timmermans, sr., 5-6, guard; Hadynn Johnson, fr., 5-7, guard; Daryan De Vries, jr., 5-6, guard; Macayla Gerlach, so., 5-8, forward; Sydney Spaans, jr., 6-1, center; Alexis Spaans, jr., 6-1, center.
Coach comments: We have a really good combination of team speed and size and plenty of depth and experience returning to hopefully have a very successful season. We
should have a very competitive region after the realignment, and our schedule is also fairly difficult with many Class A schools and the DWU Classic. That should help us when it comes time for regions.
Ethan
Coach: Tom Young Region: 3B
Last year’s record: 22-3, third at Class B state tournament
Number of returning letterwinners: Nine
Top returnees: Marissa Storm, jr., 5-8, guard; Taziah Hawkins, jr., 5-7, guard; Ella Pollreisz, sr., 5-7, guard; Rachel Klock, jr., 5-11, forward.
Top newcomers: Sadie Mueller, so., 5-7, guard; Anna Mellegaard, so., 5-7, guard; Mariah Royston, sr., 5-7, guard; Anna Castillo, so., 5-7, guard.
Coach comments: We are hoping to improve as the year progresses, especially on the defensive end.
Freeman
Coach: Jenny Peters Region: 4B
Last year’s record: 16-6
Key players: Peyton McCune, sr., 5-6, guard; Vaida Ammann, jr., 5-5, guard; Cadence Hofer, so., 5-8, forward; Rylee Peters, so., 5-8, guard; Lindsey Maske, sr., 5-11, center; Justice Mehlhaf, sr., 5-6, forward.
Freeman Academy/ Marion
Coach: Nathan Epp Region: 4B
Last year’s record: 4-18
Number of returning letterwinners: Seven
Top returnees: Sieta Wiersema, sr., 5-11, forward; Hailey Stahl, sr., 5-8, forward; Kallie Johnson, jr., 5-9, forward; Anna Olson, jr., 5-8, forward; Karley Luke, so., 5-5, guard; Elizabeth Piehl, so., 5-7, guard; Avary Thomas, so., 5-7, forward.
Top newcomers: Ani Harutyunayan, sr., 5-3, guard; Claire Donlan, fr.,
5-7, forward; Lanae Waldner, 8th, 5-10, forward; Ariana Piehl, 8th, 5-4, guard; Faith Pekron, 7th, 5-5, guard; Bailey Hernandez, 7th, 5-3, guard; Baily Wong, 7th, 5-3, guard.
Gregory
Coach: Lonnie Klundt Region: 5B
Last year’s record: 4-18
Key players: Emily Grim, jr., 5-3, guard; Ashlyn Vosika, sr., 5-4, guard; Savannah O’Bryan, jr., 5-7, forward; Allison Stevicks, sr., 5-10, center/forward; Ellie Talsma, jr., 5-3, guard; Regan Graesser, so., 5-9, guard/forward; Asia VanDerWerff, jr., 5-10, guard.
Hanson Coach: Tyler Payer Region: 5A
Last year’s record: 17-8, eighth in Class A state tournament
Number of returning letterwinners: Three Top returnees: Cadence Jarding, sr., 5-5, guard; Kylie Haiar, sr., 5-10, forward; Ava Doyle, so., 5-8, guard; Olivia Kayser, sr., 5-7, center; Kendra Endorf, jr., 5-7, guard; Paige Kayser, jr., 5-7, forward; Grace Arend, sr., 5-9, forward.
Top newcomers: Claire Bridge, jr., 5-5, guard; Isabel Kayser, so., 5-6, forward; Hannah Easton, so., 5-8, guard; Lacey Easton, so., 5-8, guard; Jacey Schoenrock, so., 5-8, center; Dana Degen, jr., 5-9, forward.
Coach comments: We lost a majority of scoring from last year’s Class A state tournament eighthplace team due to graduation. We will look to our returners to guide our newcomers to have a successful season. We will look to be competitive in our region and to make the SoDak 16.
Howard
Coach: Danny Frisby-Griffin Region: 3B Last year’s record: 12-10
Number of returning letterwinners: Seven
Top returnees: Dakota Spader, jr., 5-8, guard; Tana Hoyer, sr., 5-7, guard; Elizabeth Albrecht, jr., 5-8, forward; Ann Connor, so., 5-9, center/forward.
Top newcomers: Reese Rudebusch, so., 5-8, guard/ forward; Kayleigh Schwader, jr., 5-11, forward/center; Ellie Becker, sr., 5-2, guard; Anna Becker, jr., 5-4, guard; Alexis Bagley, jr., 5-3, guard. Coach comments: Our goal is to be the hardest working, most competitive team in the region. We may surprise some teams with our level of play. We’re excited to get the season started.
Kimball/White Lake/ Platte-Geddes
Coach: Dayre Evans Region: 5B
Last year’s record: 9-12 Key players: Summer Skluzak, sr., 5-4, guard; Rylee McCord, jr., 5-9, guard; Sienna Gillen, jr., 5-8, guard; Sydney Stahl, sr., 5-5, guard; Kyza Johnson, jr., 5-11, forward; Lindy Kiehn, sr., 5-11, forward.
Lyman
Coach: Mark Schwiegert
Region: 5B
Last year’s record: 21-4, fourth at Class B state tournament
Key players: Kenzie Wagner, so., 5-8, forward/ guard; Brooke Montgomery, so., 5-5, guard; Ella Ehlers, so., 5-6, forward; Mak Scott, jr., 6-0, forward/guard; Brooke Palmer, sr., 5-7, forward.
McCook Central/ Montrose
Coach: Brad Struck Region: 5A
Last year’s record: 6-15
Number of returning letterwinners: 12
Top returnees: Cami McGuire, jr., 5-6, guard; Ashtyn Deknikker, jr., 5-6, guard; Mandi Schock, jr., 5-11, forward;
Ella DeKnikker, so., 5-6, guard; Mya Morrison, so., 5-7, guard; Natalie Lueth, so., 5-7, guard; Brooke Heumiller, so., 5-7, guard.
Top newcomers: Karlie Stiefvater, sr., 5-6, guard; Nora Gordon, so., 5-10, forward; Jaida Skyberg, fr., 5-7, guard.
Coach comments: We will be a young group that has had a lot of court time that should help us for this season. We will look to get up and down the floor and use our speed to our advantage. We have a tough schedule that will hopefully help us get prepared for postseason play.
Mount Vernon/ Plankinton
Coach: Preston Kristensen Region: 5A
Last year’s record: 19-7, seventh at Class A state tournament
Number of returning
letterwinners: Seven
Top returnees: Reagan Rus, sr., 5-9, guard; Alyssa Johnson, sr., 5-4, guard; Maggie Overbay, sr., 5-8, guard; Taryn Hegg, jr., 5-9, forward.
Top newcomers: Brooklyn Bosma, jr., 5-9, guard; Suri Schmidt, jr., 5-6, guard; Layce Bruns, jr., 5-7, guard; Abigail Engelland, so., 5-6, guard; Madalynn Lorang, so., 5-7, guard.
Coach comments: I’m excited about how hard this group competes on the defensive end. We will have to learn how to play together offensively, but that’s a challenge every year. We have a tough schedule that will push us to get better every game. Our goal is to be playing our best basketball once regions roll around.
Parkston
Coach: Cole Knippling Region: 4B
Last year’s record: 16-6
Key players: Lauren Ziebart, sr., 5-6, guard;
Kendall Herrmann, so., 5-6, guard; Lexi Schoenfelder, jr., 5-8, forward; Berkley Ziebart, so., 5-7, guard; Keeara Oakley, so., 5-9, forward; Morgan Maxwell, so., 5-6, guard; Brooklyn Wagner, so., 5-4, guard; Mya Thuringer, sr., 5-8, forward; Alexis Holzbauer, so., 5-6, guard; Kahris Tapio, so., 5-7, forward; Taylor Fink, sr., 5-11, center.
Platte-Geddes
Coach: Calvin Hunhoff Region: 6A
Last year’s record: 8-14
Number of returning letterwinners: Seven Top returnees: Kalli Summerville, sr., 5-7, guard; Taylor Schrank, so., 5-7, guard; Dulcie Veurink, so., 5-6, guard; Kori VanDerWerff, fr., 6-2, guard/forward.
Top newcomers: Ava Olson, so., 5-9, forward; Claire Maydew, so., 5-10, forward; Kolbi Hoffman, fr., 5-4, guard; Zana Zephier, fr., 5-7, guard.
Coach comments: We will be incredibly young this year, as our roster is one senior, four sophomores and eight freshmen. They are talented but inexperienced with a great work ethic. They understand that playing our best brand of basketball come region play is the only thing that matters.
Sanborn Central/ Woonsocket
Coach: Rob Baruth Region: 3B
Last year’s record: 11-10
Number of returning letterwinners: 10
Top returnees: Kaylie Robinson, sr., 5-9, guard; Alexa Goertz, sr., 5-9, guard; Liz Boschee, jr., 6-0, forward; Kali Hofer, jr., 5-6, guard; Makenzie Schley, sr., 5-6, guard; Emilie Lindgren, sr., forward/ center, 5-10; Cami Edwards, jr., 5-6, guard; Addy Baruth, jr., 5-6, guard; McKenzie Baruth, jr., 5-8, forward; Tori
Hoffman, jr., 5-7, forward; Addison Bartholow, so., 5-10, forward. Top newcomers: Lainey Goertz, fr., 5-8, guard; Miley Adams, so., 5-6, guard/forward; Macey Beigh, so., 5-5, guard; Jayda Hohn, fr., 5-5, guard; Ellie Hofer, fr., 5-5, guard.
Coach comments: We are looking forward to an exciting year of Blackhawks basketball. We have a really solid lineup returning this season that has a lot of game experience. We come back to Class B but will be playing in a very tough Region 3B. We also have a tough schedule that should prepare us for the playoffs.
Scotland/Menno
Coach: Todd Schlimgen Region: 5A
Last year’s record: First year of co-op. Last season: Scotland 3-16, Menno 2-19
Number of returning letterwinners: Eight
Top returnees: Trinity Bietz, sr., 5-10, forward; Lexie McNinch, jr., 5-10, guard; Emily Dvorak, sr., 6-0, forward; Kailin Odens, jr., 6-0, forward; Nora Robb, sr., 5-6, guard; Ellyana Ulmer, sr., 5-5, guard; Kyliah Bjorum, sr., 5-8, guard; Kylie Guthmiller, so., 5-6, forward.
Coach comments: We’re a first-year co-op with a new coach. The key will be daily improvement and combining two formerly separate teams into one. We do have lots of experience returning, and overall size and length are a positive.
Tripp-Delmont/ Armour
Coach: Sam Knodel
Region: 4B
Last year’s record: 13-10, reached Class B SoDak 16
Key players: Kinley Spaans, fr., 6-1, forward; Ryenn Loneman, fr., 5-8, guard; Marissa Leonard, so., 5-6, guard; Sara Bertram, so., 5-6, guard; Kattee Milian, sr., 5-3, guard; Abby Wieczorek, jr., 5-9,
forward; Mia Reiner, so., 5-11, forward; Belle Hotchkiss, so., 5-7, forward; Lillian Fechner, sr., 5-3, forward.
Wagner
Coach: Mike Koupal Region: 5A
Last year’s record: 18-4
Number of returning letterwinners: Four
Top returnees: Lydia Yost, sr., 5-9, guard/forward; Ashlyn Koupal, jr., 6-3, guard/forward; Braxton Nedved, so., 5-7, guard/forward; Hayden Knudsen, so., 5-7, forward.
Top newcomers: Genesis Patterson, sr., 5-9, forward/guard; Brooklin Nielsen, jr., 5-2, guard; Mateya Bruguier, so., 5-8, guard; Ravyn Medricky, so., 6-2, forward; Katrina Zephier, so., 5-8, guard/ forward; Hannah Holzbauer, fr., 5-7, guard/forward; Braelyn Scott, fr., 6-0, center; Jazlyn Lhotak, fr., 5-2, guard; Olivia Podzimek, fr., 5-7, guard; Mila Hopkins, fr., 5-5, guard; Stephanie Atencio, sr., 5-6, forward.
Wessington Springs
Coach: Jason Kolousek Region: 2B Last year’s record: 17-5
Key players: Logan Mohling, jr., 5-5, guard; Masynn Mebius, jr., 5-9, forward; Mariah Messmer, sr., 5-6, guard; Ashlyn Weber, sr., 5-6, forward; Sydney Richardson, jr., 5-4, guard; Addyson Orth, jr., 6-1, center; Kerstynn Heim, jr., 5-7, forward.
Winner
Coach: Bailey Meadors Region: 7A
Last year’s record: 16-5, reached Class A SoDak 16
Key players: Keelie Kuil, sr., 5-8, guard; Kylie Sachtjen, jr., 5-8, guard; Adysen Pravecek, sr., 5-5, guard; Livvy Audiss, jr., 5-8, guard; Cora Moss, sr., 5-4, guard; Ava Craven, sr., 5-11, center; Lilly Barfuss, jr., 5-8, forward; Olivia Swedlund, jr., 5-8, forward; Tessa Sieh, sr., 5-11, center.
BY MITCHELL REPUBLIC
Information was submitted by coaches or compiled by Mitchell Republic’s sports staff:
Andes Central/Dakota
Christian
Coach: Christopher Derry Region: 3B
Boys key wrestlers: Luke Dangel, jr., 126; Exavian Aungie, so., 138; Steven Nielsen, so., 157; Michael Chasing Hawk, so., 190; Brandon Waetermans, so., 285
Bon Homme/Avon
Note: Scotland is with Bon Homme/Avon for girls wrestling.
Coach: Darren Kriz Region: 3B
Boys key wrestlers: Jackson Kaul, sr., 150; Evander Walker, sr., 150; Cameron Cooper, sr., 165; Kolton Vlcek, sr., 190; Cody Sassaman, sr., 215; Aaden Kuchta, jr., 157; Luke Guthmiller, jr., 175; Caden Zomer, jr., 175; Randall Powers, jr., 285; Ryvr Larson, so., 115; Corbin Palsma, so., 132; Calvin Caba, so., 157; Carter Smith, so., 175; Isaiah Crownover, so., 215; Caleb Cuka, so., 215; Michael Branaugh, fr., 113; Jaden Bult, fr., 157; Weston Bierema, fr., 165
Girls key wrestlers: Sydney Johnson, 7th, 107; Jasmine Rueles-Hertz, so., 120; Harper Kracht, 7th, 120; Hadlee Kracht, so., 132; Britney Rueb, jr., 138; Bailey Kemnitz, 8th, 138; Peyton Hellmann, sr., 152; Ashley Tolsma, sr., 165; Hope Kemnitz, jr., 185
Burke/Gregory
Coach: Seth Webster Region: 3B
Boys key wrestlers: Judd Hansen, jr., 113; Eli Ekroth, jr., 138; Kaleb Schonebaum, sr., 190; Jhett Eklund, sr., 190; Girls key wrestlers: Daytona Paris, jr., 132; Libby Krcil, so., 145
Canistota
Coach: Joshua Popkes Region: 2B Boys key wrestlers:
Lucas Mathieu, sr., 132; Aiden Niehaus, jr., 113; Joshua Popkes Jr., so., 175; Will Globke, so., 190; Koda Popkes, fr., 138; Joseph Haag, fr., 157
Girls key wrestlers: Lola Conn, 8th, 114; Katelyn Bond, so., 165; Daniella Jimènez, sr., 185; Lily Montgomery, so., 250; Emma Carter, so., 250
Chamberlain
Coach: John Donovan Region: 3A
Boys key wrestlers: Prestyn Haugen, sr., 150; Peyton Haugen, sr., 157; Dusty Rose, sr., 215; Sutton Powers, jr., 150; Tristen Johnson, jr., 165; Xavier Donovan, jr., 175; Hunter Frederick, jr., 190; Grady George, jr., 285; Cooper Gerard, jr., 285; Brody Neilan, so., 120; Kruse Brennan, so., 150; Chase Hansen, so., 150; Jerrod Larsen, so., 165; Wyatt Mahan, fr., 144; Chisum Blum, fr., 190
Girls key wrestlers: Shelby Shrake, sr., 132; Evelyn Olson, sr., 132; Zoey Donovan, fr., 132; Aine Graesser, jr., 132; Alexandra Schmiedt, so., 132; Daniyah Dakam, so., 145; Piper Powell, fr., 185
Hanson
Coach: Rollie Fink Region: 2B
Boys key wrestlers: Stetson Riggs, jr., 190; Jamin Peterson, jr., 220; Maverick Haiar, jr., 107, Weston Switzer, so., 175; Jason Porth, so., 160; Cruze Degen, 7th, 145.
Girls key wrestlers: Elliott Abbey, 8th, 107; Sage Haiar, 8th, 107; Kathryn Jarding, fr., 135.
Howard Coach: Corbin Surat Region: 2B
Boys key wrestlers: Tate Miller, sr., 175; Calvin Halverson, sr., 215; Weston Remmers, sr., 165; Nolan Mentele, jr., 190; Gabriel Martian, jr., 215; Drew Maier, so., 138; Hoyt Kizer, so., 157; Gabe Miller, fr., 106; Kingsten Feldhaus, fr., 120; Thomas Halverson, fr., 285; Brycen Podhrad-
sky, fr., 285
Kimball/White Lake/ Platte-Geddes
Coach: Thomas Konechne Region: 3B
Boys key wrestlers: Gavin Braun, sr., 144; Tate Surat, sr., 150; Lucas Lenz, sr., 175; Iden Myers, sr., 175; Blain Mohnen, sr., 190; Gavin Walsh, sr., 190; Lanford Dekamp, jr., 126; Johnny Lenz, jr., 165; Kenyon Kuiper, jr., 175; Garret Westendorf, jr., 190; Dalton Deffenbaugh, jr., 285; Rhys Truman, so., 113; Vincent Lenz, so., 157; Kiner Kirsch, so., 215; Bentley Veurink, fr., 106; Hayes Holter, fr., 113; Remington Meyerink, fr., 126; Gunner Fuegen, fr., 138; Chevy Fees, fr., 150; Ashton Olson, fr., 157; Joseph Skluzak, fr., 165; Wyatt Walsh, fr., 165; Carter Konechne, fr., 175; Chris Baas, fr., 215
Girls key wrestlers: Taelyn Clark, 7th, 132; LaRae Severson, sr., 185; Elena Brennan, sr., 152
Lyman
Coach: Blaine Brakke Region: 3B
Boys key wrestlers: Braydon Oldenkamp, sr., 165; Jasper Penny, sr., 190; Ayden Brakke, jr., 215; Royal Lulf, so., 144; Lane Olivier, so., 157; Aja Middletent, so., 190; Jaydin Sorensen, so., 190; Desmerius McGhee, so., 285; Skyler Langenbau, fr., 165; Bennett Kinsley, fr., 215
Girls key wrestlers: Avery Martinez, 7th, 100; Aerika Janssen, fr., 126; QuAuna McGhee, sr., 126; Bella Jones, fr., 145
Marion/Freeman
Coach: Mark Bradley
Region: 2B
Last year’s state finish: 21st boys
Boys key wrestlers: Keaton Prehiem, sr., 144; Thomas Ding, jr., 157; Logun Pankratz, so., 132; Seldi Selmani, so., 132; Raymond Arnold, so., 285; Easton Tschetter, fr., 150
Girls key wrestlers: Emily Downs, 7th, 107;
Maddie Lachman, 8th, 114; Nicolle Wrobleski, 8th, 250
McCook Central/ Montrose
Coach: Scott Andal (boys), Josh Blindert (girls) Region: 2B
Boys key wrestlers: Landon Flogstad, sr., 120; Elliott Bartlett, sr., 132; Trystan Traupel, sr., 132; Jack Conn, jr., 144; Ray Sandine, jr., 144; Jacob Johnson, jr., 285; Otto Uberty, so., 138; Gavin Bowen, so., 175; Will Oyen, so., 215; Tucker Peterson, so., 215; Luke Horstman, so., 285; Caleb Hoffman, fr., 106; Channing Bartlett, fr., 126
Girls key wrestlers: Alexis Bryant, jr., 126
Mount Vernon/ Plankinton/CorsicaStickney
Coach: Shay Johnson Region: 3B
Boys key wrestlers: Keagan Hill, so., 132; Daniel Dorsey, so., 138; Paxton Nedved, so., 150; Tate Tolsma, sr., 165; Aiden Novak, sr., 285
Parkston
Coach: Dan Bonte (boys), Jessica Heinrich (girls) Region: 3B
Boys key wrestlers: Kaden Holzbauer, sr., 150; David Branson, sr., 120; Gabe Neugebauer, sr., 165; Carter Sommer, sr., 165; Kolter Kramer, sr., 190; Kash Neugebauer, sr., 190; Breckin Culbert, sr., 215; Javin Kniffen, jr., 132; Gage Reichert, jr., 175; Wyatt Anderson, jr., 190; Quayden Culbert, so., 165; Joaquin Rodriguez, so., 175; John Weber, so., 175; Gage Jodozi, so., 215; Isaac Soulek, fr., 285
Girls key wrestlers: Hadley Digmann, 8th, 250; Rylee Heinrich, 7th, 107; Eliotte Kalnbach, 8th, 120; Kenley Kalnbach, fr., 107; Randi Norgaard, jr., 152; Marlie Whitaker, fr., 120
Girls’ coach comments: With everyone so young, we have a few girls that are coming from
Adam Thury / Mitchell Republic Wagner’s Gannon Knebel (in white and red) sizes up Custer’s Parker Noem during the Class B 190-pound state title bout at the 2024 South Dakota State Wrestling Championships on Saturday, Feb. 24, at the Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
wrestling AAU that were state qualifiers. We have a good group of wrestlers eager to learn and work hard. With it being our inaugural year, we are excited to build this program and see what the future holds.
Scotland/Menno
Coach: Joe Walloch Region: 3B
Boys key wrestlers: Erren Cantrell, so., 144; Justice Brown, 8th, 106; Jackson Runyon, 8th, 215; Riley Haggan, 7th, 113; Carson Reid, 7th, 120; Sorren Mattson, 7th, 126; Bentlety Trautmann, 7th, 138; Carson Pietz, 7th, 190
Wagner
Coach: David Kocer Region: 3B
Boys key wrestlers: Octavian Kocer, jr., 132; Gannon Knebel, jr., 190; Treyton Segura, jr., 285; Kingston Brunell, so., 190; Jaylen Drapeau-Sholes, fr., 106; Wade Kreeger, fr., 157; Nelson McBride, fr., 157; Khalil Segura, fr., 165; Bennet Kuhlman, fr., 215; Richard Turner, fr., 215; Bodi Chafin, fr., 285; Michael Johnson, fr., 285 Wessington Springs/ Woonsocket/W-W
Coach: Kevin Haider (boys), Landon Wolter (girls)
Region: 3B
Boys key wrestlers: Ashton Hill, sr., 132; Tyson
Eddy, sr., 190; Holden Halvik, sr., 215; Ethan Rearick, jr., 144; Jackson Carter, so., 138; Chase Dunsmore, fr., 132; Nolan Schaller, fr., 138; Will Grohs, fr., 150; Carson Finn, fr., 157; Hayes Christensen, fr., 165; Jaspur Gran, fr., 285
Girls key wrestlers: Bailey Yost, sr., 120; Camille Rearick, fr., 145
Winner Area
Coach: Spencer Novotny (boys), Jesse Docken (girls)
Region: 3B
Boys key wrestlers: Rylan Robbins, fr., 106; Konner Osborn, sr., 132; Karson Keiser, sr., 138; Ryken Orel, jr., 144; Derek Fenenga, jr., 285
Girls key wrestlers: Jadelynn McCall, fr., 107; Jasmin Totton, 7th, 126; Nadia Millian, fr., 132; Rachel Michl, jr., 138
Coach comments: We will be led by our seniors this year. Konner Osborn and Karson Keiser are both returning state placers and I know that they want to get into that finals match. Kellen Brozik had a phenomenal season for us last year and is looking to get on the podium. Breven Bolander and Gus Bartels split time on the varsity lineup and are looking to improve and get on the podium as well.
BY LANDON DIERKS
Mitchell Republic
No matter one’s sporting preferences, the winter athletics season offers plenty of options for fans across the Mitchell region in the coming months.
From gymnastics invites to wrestling tournaments to basketball classics, here’s a short look at a dozen events to put on your sports-watching calendar for this 202425 winter season:
Jill McCormick Invitational
Dec. 21, 2024, in Mitchell
The two-time defending Class AA champions host the Jill McCormick Invitational, their largest home event, just before the winter holiday break. This year, MHS is set to welcome 15 total teams to the event. Last season, the Kernels won the competition with a score of 148.200, more than three points clear of second place.
Hoop City Classic
Dec. 27-30, 2024, at the Corn Palace
Expanded to four days of hoops action, the 14th edition of the Hoop City Classic features 21 high school games spread between Friday and
Saturday, Dec. 27 and 28, and Monday, Dec. 30. Sandwiched in the middle on Sunday, Dec. 29, Dakota Wesleyan University hosts Jamestown in men’s basketball. Included in this year’s high school field are teams from Florida, Tennessee, Nevada and Minnesota.
MCM Invitational
Jan. 3-4, 2025, in Salem
A premier early season wrestling tournament featuring a girls bracket on Friday and boys on Saturday, the McCook Central/Montrose Invitational is set to kick off the new year with 20 Class B wrestling teams in attendance.
Mid-Dakota Monster
Jan. 10-11, 2024, in Presho
One of the largest inseason wrestling tournaments in the state, the Mid-Dakota Monster features boys and girls competition. Last season, more than 330 wrestlers representing 29 teams were in attendance, spread from Lead-Deadwood to Sisseton.
Linda Collignon Invitational
Jan. 18, 2025, in Madison
A staple of the Class A gymnastics calendar, the Linda Collignon Invitational serves as an annual mid-season preview of the state championships. This season, 11 of the 13
Class A teams in South Dakota — including Kimball/White Lake and Wagner/Bon Homme — were listed on the roster of expected attendees.
Mitchell Jerry Opbroek Invitational
Jan. 18, 2025, at Mitchell High School
Part of a busy sports Saturday in the Corn Palace city, MHS hosts its home wrestling invitational full of boys and girls action on the mat. Last season, the event was wiped off the calendar due to inclement weather.
Hanson Classic
Jan. 18 and 25, 2025, at the Corn Palace
An annual showcase for many of the best basketball programs from around the state, the Hanson Classics are a staple on the January sporting calendar. This year, the girls slate (on Jan. 18) includes six squads ranked in the preseason top-five of the South Dakota Prep Media polls, while the boys lineup (on Jan. 25) features seven ranked teams.
DWU Classic
Feb. 14-15, 2025, at the Corn Palace
Another top mid-season basketball classic hosted at the Palace, the DWU Classic features girls games on Friday and boys games on Saturday for back-to-back days packed with hoops.
State gymnastics championships
Feb. 14-15, 2025, in Watertown
Back in Watertown for the first time since 2021, both classes of gymnastics descend on the Civic Arena to bring the 2024-25 season to a close. Defending state team champions are Mitchell in Class AA and Estelline/Hendricks in Class A, both having won two years in a row.
Girls wrestling regional tournaments
Feb. 20, 2025, at various locations
The continued growth of girls wrestling in South
Dakota has necessitated an addition to the wrestling slate this year in the form of four regional tournament qualifiers for the state tournament.
Host sites include Aberdeen, Clark, Rapid City and Salem.
State wrestling individual tournament
Feb. 27-March 1, 2025, in Rapid City
Top grapplers in the state take over the Summit Arena for three days of bouts as February turns to March. Split into its own weekend, the team dual state tournaments are both in Pierre this
year, with Class B on Feb. 14 and Class A on Feb. 15.
State basketball tournaments March 13-15 and 20-22, 2025, at various locations
What promises to be another memorable winter sports season is capped by back-to-back weekends of March hoops. Host locations this season include Rapid City (Class AA girls and boys), Spearfish (Class A girls), Sioux Falls (Class A boys), Huron (Class B girls) and Aberdeen (Class B boys).
Landon Dierks / Mitchell Republic Mitchell’s Colton Smith (5) fights to put up a shot from between two DeLaSalle defenders during a Hoop City Classic boys basketball game on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, at the Corn Palace.