South Dakota Series: Scoring
Italics and bold font indicate player was a 2019 All State Selection by the Sioux Falls Argus-Leader. What sets apart these leading scorers? Point totals? Three level capabilities (treys, mid-range, & rim runs) ? Drive & dish ? Scorers get…
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Continue ReadingItalics and bold font indicate player was a 2019 All State Selection by the Sioux Falls Argus-Leader.
What sets apart these leading scorers? Point totals? Three level capabilities (treys, mid-range, & rim runs) ? Drive & dish ? Scorers get headlines, and college offers (usually) after taller players – cannot teach height goes the mantra. Also more difficult to teach are quickness and foot speed, attributes found in these ladies’ DNA.. None have the same profile – all have explosiveness, 20+points can happen anytime. Mostly, each takes what a defense gives. Note: only two seniors in this group.
2021 Caelyn Valandra-Prue, White River shooting guard, averaged 24 ppg in 2019. She often takes the outlet pass and beats the defense to the rim with pure speed. Her handles favors a right-hand attack, but the left hand is excellent, forcing defenses to choose their poison. White River made the state tournament, with CVP transferring from Todd County and a maturing supporting cast under new coach Kristy Barnhart. CVP shoots well from the 3-point line and mid-range. Her artistry is blurring past defenders. That is worth the price of admission, and then some. She will become the all time leading scorer at White River and maybe ranked in class B all-time.
Bella Swedlund #23 – Photo courtesy of SF Argus-Leader2022 Bella Swedlund, Winner shooting guard, averaged 16 ppg & 6 rpg in 2019, and helped Winner go un-defeated thru the state championship. Stuff of legends, indeed. A real two-peat possibility Swedlund’s scoring, passing, movement and defense will lead the way. She attempts three’s without fear of failure, and hits 40%. Another favorite gambit involves penetration to a floater or jump-stop. No doubt, opponents will scheme to stop Swedlund with double-teams, and her response will measure growth towards a D-1 collegiate career. On paper, Jan 9th’s game versus Todd County represents a first real test; earlier opponents appear weaker.
2021 Lexi Plitzuweit, Vermillion wing, went off for 47-pts in a regular-season game in 2019. Wow!! No wonder she made All-State and holds multiple college offers. Her floor vision and leadership should return Vermillion to the state tournament. Lexi earned the reputation for hard nosed defense, a “first on the floor” attitude, and beast-mode drives. From 2019’s average of 17.3 ppg, her attacking style will most certainly increase those totals. Almost seems un-fair that opponents cannot wear shoulder pads and helmets when face-to-face with Plitzuweit’s high energy game. Schedule is light until January when Madison, Garrettson, EPJ, & West Central gauge Lexi’s young team.
Ms Grit – Lexi Plitzuweit of Vermillion Timmer Goes Vertical – Photo courtesy Rapid City Journal
2021 Haleigh Timmer, wing, is the mainstay on a STM squad with all starters returning. This team should return STM to the winner’s bracket in the state A tourney; Timmer’s average of 21 ppg will rise as needed in an ambitious schedule, featuring seven games on four trips to East River courts. Class AA teams Yankton & Brandon Valley come west at season’s end to test both Timmer’s skill progress and the team’s growth towards another championship run. Tough schedule brings no pressure, right? Expect more points, rebounds (up from 8 rpg), assists, and steals from a very fit, agile, and confident Timmer. Early test is at Watertown Dec 21st.
Alayne Benike, Castlewood – Photo courtesy of Mitchell Daily Record2021 Alayna Benike, Castlewood power forward, leaves her rivals’ laundry scattered around the court. Solid and dependable, her sophomore stats’ line reads 21-ppg & 11-rpg. Un-written but evident to all, her un-relenting energy output dominates with physical strength and great footwork. Benike’s post play features back to the basket quick spins and left/right precision off the board. Her handles are worthy of a point guard. Her drives and mid-range pull-ups draw double teams, which lead to assists. Oh, yeah, three pointers are in her wheelhouse, as well. Castlewood’s next state title run may be just around the corner. Looking forward to seeing them in Aberdeen versus Roncalli Jan 3rd.
2020 Madysen Vlastuin, SDSU commit from Lennox. A lock-down defender, Vlastuin’s offensive forte hinges on three’s and rebounding, with a mid-range game developing nicely. 17-ppg & 6-rpg. She pivots out from a defensive rebound to lead the fast break, reflected in her assist totals. Posting up has become an increasing factor as she led Lennox to a third place finish at the State A tourney. Her teammate Rianna Filippe is a D-1 guard (12-ppg & 7-rpg going to Northern), and five years together make their splendid synergy fun to anticipate. SF Christian is first foe on Dec 13th.
Cameryn Logan Ethan – Photo courtesy Mitchell Daily Record2021 Cameryn Logan, Ethan Power Forward has the big shoes of POY Karly Gustafson to fill. Only two seniors graduated and expects the returning core group to meld into the cohesive unit that Ethan is known to produce. Logan will be a major presence from baseline-to-baseline, keeping peace and order. The high/low game with Karly is gone, but Cameryn’s game sense is excellent to exploit the open cutters and spot up shooters. Screen-and-rolls benefit Cameryn, whose wise choices and shooter’s mentality mean big impacts in all stats. First game brings Hanson into Alexandria on Dec 13th. Fun times !!
2021 Morgan Edleman, Menno point guard, shows great handles and amazing “0-to-60” bursts. At 23-ppg & 8-rpg in 2019. Edelman sprints to the rim, either left or right, forcing double teams, which yields snappy passes to cutting teammates. Morgan’s spirit and exciting play almost pushed Menno onto the stage at State B’s. She has two years to make it; don’t bet against one awesome athlete taking the entire squad on her back. Summer ball with the SD Thunder proved her leadership in a new player group. Tripp-Delmont/Armour & Hanson games will test both Menno and Edelman in December.
Morgan Edelman, Menno – photo courtesy of SF Argus-Leader
2020 Katlyn Briggs, MVP Center, had a great three-sport 2019, in VB, in GBB, and spring’s discus throws. In GBB, her team came closest to a title. A 13th seed, MVP ran Hamlin off the SD Sixteen court in Madison. Losing few to graduation, MVP becomes formidable in their region with Briggs’ work inside providing offensive put-backs, intimidating, and starting breaks off the defensive rebounds. Challenging second game on 12/17 at West Central will be great to see – get there if you can ! ((Note: no images available ))
2022 Kennadi Buchholz, DeSmet wing, flashed scoring potential in 2019 despite playing second fiddle to older teammates. For example: Buchholz’s “walk-off” layup in the state semi-finals led to the ‘B’ title game. (( Kudo’s to the assist from Osthus, now playing at DWU )). In the championship, her defense impaired POY Karly Gustufson, which abetted DeSmet’s control inside the arc for the win. At 6’0″, Buchholz will assume the larger scoring role, which she is well suited to deliver. December’s game schedule is easier than January’s run versus Miller, Sioux Valley, Arlington, Clark, & Howard.
Look for the next skill article soon –