Preseason Previews: Class AA – Teams in the Southeast
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Class AA girls basketball fans get ready for a fun season! This class is packed with Division I talent in terms of players and teams with great depth and experienced coaching. Last season saw the Sioux Falls O’Gorman Lady Knights…
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Continue ReadingClass AA girls basketball fans get ready for a fun season! This class is packed with Division I talent in terms of players and teams with great depth and experienced coaching. Last season saw the Sioux Falls O’Gorman Lady Knights take home the state championship after a Quarter-Finals win 55-35 over Sioux Falls Lincoln, a Semi-Finals win 50-37 over Brandon Valley, and a championship game win over Rapid City Stevens 49-42. Will the Lady Knights repeat or will we see a new champion in 2023? The talent in this group of teams is deep and this article will dive in to cover the teams east of the Missouri and South of Interstate 90 in South Dakota’s Class AA while spotlighting some of the top prospects of the field.
Brandon Valley Lynx
Head Coach – Mike Zerr Career Record – 47-22
Assistant Coaches – Maggie Youngberg, Jeff Lockner, Ketty Paula
2021-22 Record – 18-6, Postseason Finish – ESD Champions, Co-Metro Champions, 4th Place in Class AA
Returning Contributors –
Hilary Behrens Hilary Behrens 6'1" | SG Brandon Valley | 2023 State SD – Class of 2023 – Guard/Forward – 17.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.0 APG, 4.0 SPG, All-State, Argus Leader First Five Recipient
We’ve covered the SDSU commit a ton on PGH and you are going to see her name a ton more this season. A true visionary on the court Hilary understands the game in great detail, scores from all over, and does a lot of everything well for her squad. Look for Hilary to vie for the Player of the Year Award this season!
Jaida Metzger Jaida Metzger 5'5" | SG Brandon Valley | 2023 State SD – Class of 2023 – 3.0 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 2.0 APG
Rylee Schlotman – Class of 2023
Kennedi Deckert Kennedi Deckert 5'6" | SG Brandon Valley | 2024 State SD – Class of 2024 – Class of 2024 – 4.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.0 APG
Paisley Hoff Paisley Hoff 5'9" | SF Brandon Valley | 2024 State SD – Class of 2024
Top Breakout Candidates
Kennedi Deckert Kennedi Deckert 5'6" | SG Brandon Valley | 2024 State SD – Kennedi had a big offseason according to Coach Zerr and looks poised to take on a bigger role this season.
Paisley Hoff Paisley Hoff 5'9" | SF Brandon Valley | 2024 State SD – Paisley is equally as poised for a breakout year and another player who her coach saw put in a ton of work this summer to improve her game.
Brandon Valley is coming off of a big year where they had great senior leadership, a ton of talent, and experience. This year’s squad will look to lean on Hilary Behrens Hilary Behrens 6'1" | SG Brandon Valley | 2023 State SD early on and look for players like Deckert, Hoff, and Schlotman to round out the roles that graduation left to fill. This squad looks to be very competitive and is led by one of the best basketball players in our state and has had a very productive first 4 seasons under head coach Mike Zerr. Look for this group to make some noise in February and March.
Harrisburg Tigers
Head Coach – Nick Mayer Career Coaching Record – 191-103
Assistant Coaches – Dana Bigge, Brittany Rosberg, Hailey Halling
2021-22 Record – 10-14, Postseason Finish – 6th in Class AA
Returning Contributors –
Jaylee Hofer Jaylee Hofer 5'5" | PG Harrisburg | 2024 State SD – Class of 2024 – PPG – 8.7, RPG – 2.6
Hannah Eide Hannah Eide 5'10" | SG Harrisburg | 2023 State SD – Class of 2023 – PPG – 7.5, RPG – 3.2
Abigail Flanagan Abigail Flanagan 5'11" | SF Harrisburg | 2024 State SD – Class of 2024 – PPG – 5.5, RPG – 3.2
Top Breakout Candidate
Abigail Flanagan Abigail Flanagan 5'11" | SF Harrisburg | 2024 State SD – Class of 2024 – Flanagan is a prospect who returns after playing a nice role for the Tigers squad last season. Look for that role to increase this year and expect a potentially doubled scoring output as she looks to take on a larger scoring role in 2022-23.
Sadie Merhmann – Class of 2026 – A young prospect with loads of potential keep your eye on this young lady for a breakout season!
Harrisburg will look to be competitive in Class AA and looks to be a squad full of prospects that will play a bigger role this season. Look for them to gain great experience early in the year and be competing at a high level as the postseason nears. Keep an eye on the developing juniors of Abigail Flanagan Abigail Flanagan 5'11" | SF Harrisburg | 2024 State SD and Jaylee Hofer Jaylee Hofer 5'5" | PG Harrisburg | 2024 State SD as they look to take marquee roles on this Harrisburg group.
Sioux Falls O’Gorman Knights
Head Coach – Kent Kolsrud
Assistant Coaches – Crystal Richter, Christen Riedel, Dan Hughes, Barry Mattheis
2021-22 Record – 21-3, Postseason Finish – State Champs!
Returning Contributors –
Mahli Abdouch Mahli Abdouch 5'7" | PG O'Gorman | 2024 State SD – Class of 2024
Mahli is one of the most complete basketball players in the state of South Dakota. She is electric on the floor and shows off deep shooting range and a quick step to the basket. She has great ball-handling, passing, and screening fundamentals and has one of the highest IQ’s in the area. She will lead this team in nearly every statistical category and will be a huge piece of what they do.
Bergen Reilly Bergen Reilly 6'1" | PF O'Gorman | 2023 State SD – Class of 2023
Bergen provides solid length and physicality and will look to contribute on both ends on the boards as well as scoring.
Kira Mentele Kira Mentele 6'1" | PF O'Gorman | 2023 State SD – Class of 2023
Mentele looks poised for a great senior season and is a player to keep your eye on as a stock riser!
Lucy Moore Lucy Moore 5'7" | CG O’Gorman | 2024 State SD – Class of 2025
More Contributors
Top Breakout Candidate
Aweng Akoi Aweng Akoi 6'2" | C O’Gorman | 2024 State SD – Class of 2024
Aweng is 6’2″ and is already a very developed defender at the rim. She has a knack for blocking shots and alters a ton of shots each game. Her offensive game appears to be developing and she will look to provide more on the offensive end this season in the pick-and-roll game as well as with her back to the basket.
After losing Hannah Ronsiek one could expect the returning state AA champs to take a step backwards but I believe they will continue to be a force in their class and remain contenders. Mahli Abdouch Mahli Abdouch 5'7" | PG O'Gorman | 2024 State SD is one of the most talented players in the state and will look to lead this team offensively and set the tone her the Knights. Look for senior leaders like Kira Mentele Kira Mentele 6'1" | PF O'Gorman | 2023 State SD and Bergen Reilly Bergen Reilly 6'1" | PF O'Gorman | 2023 State SD to step up and take on the void that Ronsiek left. They will get to play as the state champs all year and will look to defend their title come postseason. This will yet again be a really fun O’Gorman team to watch!
Sioux Falls Jefferson Cavaliers
Head Coach – Shaunteva Pruett
Assistant Coaches – Sarah Zirpel, Derrick Dunn
2021-22 Record – 13-11, Postseason Finish – 3rd Place State Tournament
Returning Contributors –
Cierra Watkins Cierra Watkins 5'6" | PG Sioux Falls Jefferson | 2023 State SD – Class of 2023
Cierra has one of the most complete games in the state. She does alot of everything for her squad on both ends and plays with great poise. Knock down the game-winning shot, get a stop on another team’s best, send a dime to a teammate for a score, she checks off all the boxes you look for in great basketball players. Cierra looks primed to be in player of the year conversations and looks like one of the best players Sioux Falls has to offer.
Jaidyn Dunn Jaidyn Dunn 6'1" | PF Sioux Falls Jefferson | 2024 State SD – Class of 2024
At all of 6’0″ with great athleticism Jaidyn is one of the top prospects statewide. She has to begin showing up in player of the year conversations as she looks primed to be one of the only athletes capable of averaging over 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocked shots per outing. Look for big things out of Jaidyn in her junior season.
Nancy Peter Nancy Peter 6'1" | C Sioux Falls Jefferson | 2023 State SD – Class of 2023
Nancy is a physical post player who will help set the tone for her team inside and bring a level of physicality that will pair nicely with Dunn and Watkins.
Kamryn Whiting Kamryn Whiting 5'8" | SG Sioux Falls Jefferson | 2024 State SD – Class of 2024
Torrye Nilges Torrye Nilges 5'7" | SF Sioux Falls Jefferson | 2025 State SD – Class of 2025
Top Breakout Candidate
Jaidyn Dunn Jaidyn Dunn 6'1" | PF Sioux Falls Jefferson | 2024 State SD – Class of 2024
Not your prototypical breakout type player with already having success, I still see Jaidyn taking a huge leap this season. I feel like she’s been on the verge of being discussed as an elite, top 10 talent in the entire state, and I expect her to cement herself in that category mid way through this season.
Sioux Falls Jefferson might have pulled off the upset of the year when they knocked off number 1 seeded Washington last season in the 1st round of the state tournament. A fantastic first year as a program I will be tuning in to see what some of these Cavaliers players can do with a year under their belt together in their new program. Look for Jaidyn Dunn Jaidyn Dunn 6'1" | PF Sioux Falls Jefferson | 2024 State SD and Cierra Watkins Cierra Watkins 5'6" | PG Sioux Falls Jefferson | 2023 State SD to lead this team all year and look to get this team to a state championship. They look like the favorite to win Class AA coming into the season!
Sioux Falls Lincoln Patriots
Head Coach – Matt Daly
Assistant Coaches – Zak Fogle, Scott Amundson, Marshell Byrd, Karli Soyland
2021-22 Record – 10-14, Postseason Finish – 8th Place State Tournament
Returning Contributors –
Mariah Siem Mariah Siem 5'8" | SG Sioux Falls Lincoln | 2023 State SD – Class of 2023
Siem is an athlete that provides a spark for her squad. At 5’8″ she plays with even greater length than what’s on paper, creating turnovers, and scoring over her defender. She will be a key piece to Sioux Falls Lincoln taking a jump this year in Class AA.
Addie Fawcett Addie Fawcett 5'8" | PG Sioux Falls Lincoln | 2023 State SD – Class of 2023
Addie plays with high intensity on both ends. She’s a solid 1 on 1 defender and knows how to get a stop, and on offense she continues to develop a more consistent perimeter game and looks to be one of the better options on her squad’s offense this season.
Top Breakout Candidate
Kierra Lubovich Kierra Lubovich 5'9" | PF Sioux Falls Lincoln | 2025 State SD – Class of 2025
Sioux Falls Lincoln will lean on the development of young players like Lubovich to step up and fill the void on both ends left by some seniors last season. Adyson Sand took on a large part of the scoring last season but look for Siem and Fawcett to step up their scoring outputs this year and be leaders on this team.
Sioux Falls Roosevelt Rough Riders
Head Coach – Blake Bradfield
Assistant Coaches – Gretchen Johnson, Greg Anderson
2021-22 Record – 2-19, Postseason Finish – SODAK 16
Returning Contributors –
Katie Spicer Katie Spicer 5'6" | PG Sioux Falls Roosevelt | 2023 State SD – Class of 2023
Katie is a great leader for the Rough Riders and brings some of the only varsity experience to this young squad. Look for her to have a big year for her Roosevelt squad.
More Contributors
Roosevelt will have a ton of new contributors this season that will look to adjust quickly to the varsity level and help this group compete.
Camryn Wilkinson Camryn Wilkinson 5'7" | SG Sioux Falls Roosevelt | 2024 State SD – Class of 2024
Elisabat Assefa – Class of 2024
Brooklyn Koll Brooklyn Koll 5'5" | PG Sioux Falls Roosevelt | 2025 State SD – Class of 2025
Morgan Johnson Morgan Johnson 5'8" | SF Sioux Falls Roosevelt | 2025 State SD – Class of 2025
Madison Smalley Madison Smalley 5'5" | PG Sioux Falls Roosevelt | 2025 State SD – Class of 2025
Aubreigh McCall Aubreigh McCall 5'9" | C Sioux Falls Lincoln | 2025 State SD – Class of 2025
Top Breakout Candidate
Katie Spicer Katie Spicer 5'6" | PG Sioux Falls Roosevelt | 2023 State SD – Seniors aren’t always the first thought for a breakout but this young lady looks to be. She comes in with some of the most experience on the team and looks ready to make a big impact and will likely lead her squad in most categories night in and night out.
Sioux Falls Roosevelt is a developing team that will look to make huge strides this year. Look for top prospects like Spicer, Wilkinson, and Johnson to make leaps and bounds in terms of development and get this program competing in Class AA. A lot of young prospects will get a valuable development on the Rough Riders team this season.
Sioux Falls Washington Warriors
Head Coach – Jamie Parish Career Coaching Record – 256-151
Assistant Coaches – Alicia Hess, Michaela Mayer, Dalee Stene
2021-22 Record – 22-2, Postseason Finish – State Tournament 5th Place
Returning Contributors –
Hannah Harpe Hannah Harpe 6'0" | SF Sioux Falls Washington | 2023 State SD – Class of 2023 – PPG – 4.8, RPG – 3.8, APG – 2.9, SPG – 1.2
Hannah has great length and is a solid defender. An all-around player she contributes on both ends, attacks the rim well, rebounds hard from the perimeter and is one of the better passers on the Washington roster.
Brooklyn Harpe Brooklyn Harpe 6'0" | CG Sioux Falls Washington | 2023 State SD – Class of 2023 – PPG – 11.0, RPG – 6.1, APG – 2.0, SPG – 1.3
Great length makes Brooklyn a threat on both ends of the floor. Her and her sister are both USF commits and appear poised to be leaders on this year’s Washington squad. She is a near double-double type player and looks to take over some of the scoring load left by Mwenentanda from last season.
Alexus Motley Alexus Motley 5'7" | CG Sioux Falls Washington | 2023 State SD – Class of 2023 – PPG – 8.8, RPG – 3.7, APG – 2.0, SPG – 2.0
Alexus is a high IQ player who will be a leader on this team. She has a nice perimeter jump shot and attacks off the dribble well. On defense she is disruptive and creates a ton of turnovers. She has some of the most pure athleticism in the state and looks to be a player to keep your eye on.
Grace Peterson Grace Peterson 6'0" | SF Sioux Falls Washington | 2025 State SD – Class of 2025 – PPG – 2.2, RPG – 1.6
Great length, high IQ, and the ability to score from multiple positions makes Grace a nice piece of the Warrior puzzle.
Taylor Thompson Taylor Thompson 6'0" | PF Sioux Falls Washington | 2023 State SD – Class of 2023 – PPG – 6.3, RPG – 5.7, APG – 1.9, SPG – 1.0
Thompson is a strong player in the post and will provide a much needed physicality under the basket on both ends. Look for her to provide her team with extra possessions and limit opponents to one.
More Contributors
Taryn Larson Taryn Larson 6'0" | PF Sioux Falls Washington | 2023 State SD – Class of 2025
Larson comes to Washington after transfering from Canton. She will undoubtedly have an impact at 6’2″ with incredible length and athleticism to go with it. Look for Larson to carve out a role and contribute on both ends for the Warriors.
Shaelyn Fink Shaelyn Fink 5'8" | PF Sioux Falls Washington | 2023 State SD – Class of 2023
Ava Brink Ava Brink 6'1" | C Sioux Falls Washington | 2024 State SD – Class of 2024
Isabel Carda – Class of 2024
Claire Woods Claire Woods 5'6" | CG Sioux Falls Washington | 2025 State SD – Class of 2025
Top Breakout Candidate
Grace Peterson Grace Peterson 6'0" | SF Sioux Falls Washington | 2025 State SD – Class of 2025
Grace looks like a player poised for a breakout season. She has height, length, high IQ, and the ability to score from all over. Look for Peterson to step up her numbers in all categories and varve out a nice role on her team. She played really well in the Top 250 Expo and appears to be getting better as the season nears!
Two years removed from a state championship the Warrior dynasty rolls on into another season. Led by Coach Jamie Parish this program has went on an extremely successful run with household names like Sydni Schetnan and Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda. This year’s group doesn’t appear to have players such as the latter, however they look very deep and will have plenty of tools in the shed. Look for the Harpe twins to be a focal point of this team but there will be plenty of other talented young ladies to step up around them. Deep talent, program pride, and solid leadership makes Washington a threat to return to the highest level this season.
Yankton Gazelles
Head Coach – Trey Krier Career Coaching Record – 70-141
Assistant Coaches – Amy Long, Jill Muth
2021-22 Record – 6-15, Postseason Finish – SODAK 16
Returning Contributors –
Claire Tereshinski – Class of 2025 – PPG – 10.3, RPG – 2.0, APG – 1.3
Look for Claire to play a big role this season after jumping onto the scene as a freshman and having a really productive sophomore season last year. She is a strong scorer and Coach Krier will look to get her off of the ball more and create opporunities for her to find openings in their offense. She posseses point guard skills along with a nice perimeter bag of tools to get open looks and finish at the basket. Stock is up on Tereshinski!
Macy Drotzmann – Class of 2024- PPG – 3.9, RPG – 3.1
Bailey LaCroix Bailey LaCroix 5'5" | CG Yankton | 2024 State SD – Class of 2024 – PPG – 1.2, RPG – 0.7
Cameron Koletzky – Class of 2024- PPG – 2.1, RPG – 1.4
Top Breakout Candidate
Cameron Koletzky – Class of 2024
A 5’10” forward with great length and athleticism Koletzky should take on a big role for the Gazelles this season. Keep your eye on this Junior and look for her to be a potential stock-riser!
The Gazelles return a nice group of sophomores and juniors and will look to take a step forward in Class AA this season. Former Gazelle Ellie Karolevitz who battled injuries in her career but had superb talent graduated and leaves a big void in scoring on this group. Look for Claire Tereshinki to play a big factor early on as others step up around her to fill out this roster. Players like Cameron Koletzky and Bailey LaCroix Bailey LaCroix 5'5" | CG Yankton | 2024 State SD will be needed to step up in the scoring department to get this offense rolling. Look for Yankton to be a team that takes a developmental step this season with a lot of youth coming back to the program.