SD Class A Finalist Forecast
PGH expects STM and WInner to go full throttle into the final game Saturday night, March 21st. The two schools met previously in 2014 & in 2016 for the championship; in both, STM came out victorious. Great fun to watch…
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Continue ReadingPGH expects STM and WInner to go full throttle into the final game Saturday night, March 21st. The two schools met previously in 2014 & in 2016 for the championship; in both, STM came out victorious. Great fun to watch teams build excellence and confidence until one-and-done showdowns in March.
Winner wears out foes with waves of fresh legs. The loss of seven seniors reduces that depth advantage, but returning All-Staters Morgan Hammerback & Bella Swedlund have more-than-capable teammates. 2021 Maggie LaCompte was a stellar VB libero as Winner placed 6th; she posses a high IQ and shoots “lights-out” on three-balls. Another well-rounded standout is 2021 Kalla Bertram, known as a tight defender. Four 2022’s add scoring, rebounding etc, etc to a deep bench: Kelsey Sachtjen (5’10’), Ellie Brozik (5’8″), Jenna Hammerbeck (5’9″) & Emma Jorgensen (5’5″). Winner should play ten with high confidence, but a so-so schedule may not toughen up this year’s version. Nearly every game is shown on www.winnerwarriorslive.com – free! Don’t miss the Feb 7th rematch of Winner at STM.
St Thomas More (STM) – Following five consecutive titles, STM took sixth place in 2019, largely due to Alex Kandolin’s knee injury. She now chases after golf balls at SDSU. Again last week, a pre-season injury-depleted depth when Reese Ross (2023-5’11”) shattered forearms bones. Still, STM’s roster shows 6 others at 5’10”-or-above, a taller team than the glory days. Transfer senior Delaney Klosterman, Skyler Sullivan (2020), and Jenna Jacobsen (2021) will split point guard duties, and initiate the signature ball traps. Sullivan is the vocal hub, directing traffic, and hitting from both the perimeter, & mid-range. 2020 Kacie Copper is an NDSU track commit with bursts, hops, and great length. All-State Haleigh TImmer (2021/21-ppg) returns from summer in Nike EYBL’s top tier to energize both scoring and defense. Lizzy Elder (2020/DSU commit) closes down the paint, rebounds well, and is a physical force. 2022 Mairin Duffy is the last female baller to pop the buttons off the Duffy parents; she will play a major role. Some reserves could step up: 2021’s Emily Kandolin, Emily Johnson, and Bry Herman. A quality 2023 class will contribute varsity minutes and develop skill in JV games as well: Jada Mollman (5’10”), Scarlet Grimshaw (5’5″), and Gabbie Robbins (5’7″).
SF Christian – Fresh off their fall VB championship, eight Chargers switched over to GBB uniforms. VB schedule had 14 matches from Iowa, Minnesota, and Class ‘AA.’ Ooh, wee, you gotta believe toughness is forged in aspirational efforts versus really stout squads. SFC VB has won 6 of 7 state A’s with a tough strength of schedule. GBB does not attempt anything close, with only Unity Christian (IA) on the calendar. 2021 Lexi Unruh (6’0″) leads by example: 17-ppg & 5 steals/game. With six athletes taller than 5’10” the boards belong to SFC: namely, 2022 Kylah Van Donkersgoed (6’1″/10-ppg/6-rpg), 2020 Lauren Tims (5’11″/10-ppg/6-rpg), & 2022 Katie VanEgdom (6’0″), Caitlyn Pruis (2020/ 5’9″) and Addie DeJong (2021/5-ppg) cover the point, and defend fiercely.
West Central – 2021 Cassidy Siemonsma(6’1″) returns in the middle, with 2020 wing Cheyanne Masterson (5’9″) and 2022 Rylee Haldeman (5’5″) everywhere. Three-of-the-last-4-years, West Central made it to State ‘A.’ but that run is at risk, unless sturdy replacements are found for graduated stars. WC’s schedule has Iowa and Nebraska opponents, plus the Dak-12 can be a grind; however, no ‘AA’ teams are shown. (( Home games are shown on www.nfhsnetwork.com))
Lennox – Oriole teams placed second in 2017 and third in 2019. Now, All-State seniors Rianna Fillipi and Madysen Vlastuin take aim again on the elusive title. Time for the last March tango. Many believe in Lennox’s ultimate destiny, but focus and drive need to be aligned in the entire roster. Their 20-game schedule has no AA contests, and but a few Dak-12 challenges: the strength of schedule might be the weak link for the Orioles. (( Home games are shown on www.nfhsnetwork.com))
Mt Vernon/Plankinton – Good schedule will toughen the Titans. With their strong core players, 2020 Dacey Rihanek, 2021 Katlyn Briggs (6’0″), and 2024 Emilee Fox (5’7″), MVP should keep close in Region 5 to McCook Central’s seed points. One or two games later, the SD 16 format jumbles match-ups, so the survivor qualifies for State. Not complicated if you just win…this year, MVP catches no one by surprise.
McCook Central – Four returning players are crucial elements to a return to State for the third straight year. 2020 JC Pulse (State Track MVP), 2020 Abigail Ruler (6’3′), 2021 Madisen Koepsell (6’0″), and 2022 Ashtyn Wobig (5’9″) look ahead all season for the playoffs, starting with the final game of the season at Mt Vernon/Plankington Feb 25th.
Hamlin – Talent and coaching produce on-court success. Tim Koisti at 134-85 meets the tutor threshold. The sisters’ Wadsworth, Kami & Kylee, Brynn Alfson, Logan Keszler, Ashtyn Abraham, Brylie Arnold, McKenna Prouty, and Cami Stevenson should mesh and solidify to become stronger than 2019’s SD-16 club. All teams need “Pixie Dust” to transform skilled players into a battle-ready “Band Of Sisters.”
EditorialComment: “Lawnmover parents” mow down any perceived obstacles to their child’s playing time. Their actions cause team unity and cohesion to disappear and some superb coaches to leave. School administrators should enforce the SDHSAA guidelines on fan behaviors.