SD Class AA Finalists Forecast
4-or-5 squads in ‘AA’ could sweep to victory, each possessing deep rosters in the terms of strength, fitness, and skills. But in the final analysis, winning comes down/up to the gray matter atop each player. Some use it better than…
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Continue Reading4-or-5 squads in ‘AA’ could sweep to victory, each possessing deep rosters in the terms of strength, fitness, and skills. But in the final analysis, winning comes down/up to the gray matter atop each player. Some use it better than others.
Bite down and grind your teeth. Here are PGH’s psychic revelations for the 2020 Elite Eight in SD Class AA.
Class AA Champion Brandon Valley lost eight seniors from 2019. Conflate with new coach Mike Zerr to expect road bumps in early season. Remember that in 2019, BV had 90+ girls playing on rosters from 9th thru varsity. Can anyone say “Re-Load?” Amazing program with great internal depth. And, their headcount of summer ballers was 13 – more than any HS. By the playoffs, BV will be “That Team” no other school wants to draw in the seed point rankings. Starters on the floor are 2020’s: Hannah Behrens (6-ppg/5-rpg) & Mara Schaap (5-ppg). Then, a bevy of 2021’s Julia Kruetner, Abby Finch, India Bradfield, Andrea Cain & Emma Jarovski are veteran warriors. PGH notes strong 2022’s as well: Sidney Thue & Kylie Foss. Ten quality ballers in rotation make each game a track meet on court!
Rapid City Stevens is loaded, but young and had a head coaching change, too. New coach Travis Swartz knows his superior talent can dominate ANY other squad. USD commit Kyah Watson & Grace Martin are the 2020 sparks and leaders. 2021 Kenadi Rising (5-ppg), 2022 Jayda McNabb(5’10”), and 2022 Bailee Sobczak (6’0″/7-ppg/8-rpg) overwhelm with athleticism, length, and defensive punch. Amazing physical strength and rebounding agility are in place. Packing it into the paint won’t change Stevens’ inside control and power game..
Why not SF Lincoln? After all, returning nine seniors means experience and maturity. USD commit Morgan Hansen (14-ppg/8-rpg), Emma Osmundson (13-ppg/4-rpg), Mya Wilson (4-ppg) and Brooke Brown (6-ppg) all compete intensely. Jaydyn Fiske (6’0″/2021) maybe the upstart surprise of the Patriots’ season, based on her summer ball evolution. More of the right stuff will emerge from Kaia Jensen, Adyson Sand, Addie Fawcett, Val Higgins, & Jaida Dunn.
Why not SF O’Gorman? The Ronsiek sisters, Izzy Moore(2021/8-ppg), the Reilly sisters, Carly Kunkel (2020/6-ppg) and the Waage sisters together create a large talent pool. Toss in Allison Crouch, Soph Nielson, and Brynn Askew to compete against RC Stevens and BV, and you might have an argument for O’Gorman supremacy..
Why not SF Washington? 2021 Sydni Schetnan (11-ppg/7-rpg/6’5″) returns in the post, and has worked hard with outside expertise over the summer. Ellie Walker (2022/5’10”) complements in the paint. Out on the perimeter, Brielle Biteler (2021/5-ppg), Eden Hullinger (2021/5’4″), Jaden Warner (2021/5’8″), and Jacee Johannsen (2020/5’9″) support SFW’s half-court sets, and excel on defense. If and only if Ndjakalenca Mwenentanda blends into the team chemistry would the Warrior’s have success. NM is a gifted athlete whose acceleration and vertical are breath taking.
Why not Harrisburg? Good players in each class enhance potential for a breakout. Working with good teammates often kick starts hoopsters into rapid progress up the learning curve. Seniors Aby Phipps (6’0″/10-ppg) & Faith Van Holland (6.7-ppg) were tempered in 2019’s battles, and plan their return to the finals. 2022’s Emilee Boyer (6’0″/ 3.5-ppg), Abby Meister, and Syd Albertson might be blossoming stars, Upside growth for 2021’s Syd Hybertson, Carolyn Haar 3-ppg), Brecli Honner (8.5-ppg), Siri Anderson, and Taylor Kippes should lead Harrisburg to the State tournament.
Brookings hopes rest upon guard play. Two BIGS can keep order in the paint – 6’3″ Johanna Miller (2020/11-ppg/7-rpg) & 6’4″ Ainsley Shelsta (2022). Guards Emily Rystrom (2020/2-ppg), Regan Weisbeck (2020/3-ppg), and Kennedy Schafer (2020) must defend the arc, and show improved ball skills.
Yankton returns four senior starters, all waterbug quick and good scorers. Lack of height impairs inside play, but team confidence, speed and quickness predict more wins than 2019. All Stater Madison Wuebben (2020/15-ppg/4-rpg) ignites action with Peyton Wolfgram (2020/7-ppg/3-rpg), Saddie Fedders (2020/5-ppg/4-rpg), and Kelsey Oswald (2020/6-ppg/3-rpg). 2022 Ellie Karolevitz (6-ppg/4-rpg) is a future all-star athlete. Getting the Gazelles to state requires performance surges from a high potential group: Morgan Stahl (2020/5’10”), Paige Gullikson (2022) , Lauren Eidsness,(2020), and Gabby Pietila (2020/6’0″).
The vote is in – Rapid City Stevens takes the trophy with three D-1 talents, dazzling teamwork, and strong senior leadership. Oh, yeah, grit and motivation win the game. The 2020 title appears to be the Raiders’ to lose.