First Weekend’s Top Games
Finally, the starting gate is full, sleek fillies poised to jump out, friendly bets placed, and PGH anticipates great entertainment. Let the games begin. (Bold font with italics indicate game is carried on NFHSnetwork.com (at $10/month) or for free on…
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Continue ReadingFinally, the starting gate is full, sleek fillies poised to jump out, friendly bets placed, and PGH anticipates great entertainment. Let the games begin.
(Bold font with italics indicate game is carried on NFHSnetwork.com (at $10/month) or for free on livetv.com)
PGH’s pick for Class ‘AA’ 2020 supremacy slams into 2019 champion Brandon Valley on Friday at 6:00 pm, then rumbles onto Yankton Saturday afternoon. Two outstanding games will mark early leaders among probable state tournament combatants. Kyah Watson, Jayda McNabb, and Bailee Sobczak, an all-state trio of complementary talents, should stress BV’s inexperience and interior for an initial win. BV ‘s Sidney Thue and Hilary Behrens cannot rebound well enough to succeed against the trio’s athleticism. Resorting to perimeter tries, BV’s accuracy will suffer from active guards, who harrass in a deep rotation. Saturday’s 1:00pm foe, the Yankton Gazelles, does feature excellent outside scorers and pull-up poppers. All-State Madison Wuebben, Payton Wolfgram, Saddie Fedders and Kelsey Oswald return as a strong nucleus; however, Stevens’ agility & strength inside rules the day.
Another Friday memory-maker has Mt Vernon/Plankington in Gregory at 4:00 pm CT. Emilee Fox, Dacie Rehanek, and Katlyn Briggs should overwhelm two sister combos: Brooklyn & Jessy VanDerWerff and Gracie & Brooklyn Kenzy. Both teams are state tournament contenders, starring young guards.
SF Christian visits Lennox at 6:30 Friday for an early Dak-12 showdown. Lennox’s smooth assault team should handle the challenge, with Rianna Filippe, Isabelle Ihnen, and Madysen Vlastuin in front. Caitlyn Pruis & Kylah Van Donkersgoed starred on SFC’s VB championship run. Add in all state Lexi Unruh, Lauren Tims, & Maddie DeJong to make an upset plausible. A Lennox win means not much; SFC will be substantially better in March.
(Other games with the projected winner in BOLD font.)
SF Lincoln over Watertown, 7:00 pm Friday – Morgan Hansen & Emma Osmundson versus Megan Fannin – two all-staters versus one – hmm-m-m
Elk Point/Jefferson over Canton, 7:30 pm Friday EPJ brings pressure defense for turnovers & easy buckets with Cali Davis, Lily Kempf, and Reily Connelly. Canton is young and learning How-To from their special, new coach; a work in progress.
Miller at Cheyenne/Eagle Butte Saturday 2:00 pm MT Doubling down on VB success, Miler’s height dominates Kayde Fernholz, Vonna Schlecter, Rachel Joy, & Storm Johnson. Meanwhile, defensive stars Macie Werdel and Abby Ketelhut frustrate foes outside.CEB’s Freshman flash is Daci LendsHisHorse small but often brilliant like a gamma-ray burst. Markee Shaving, Mia Paris, Sunni Dupris, Miranda Vines, and JayEllen Red Fox round out a small energetic team that annually upsets a higher-ranked squad.
Elk Point/Jefferson at Madison Saturday 3:45 pm – Bulldogs have a new coach, plus Zoey Gerry, Kendra Leighton, and Abby Brooks to repel this Dak-12 invader. (Streaming video on www.amazingmadison.com)
Hanson at Ethan in Alexandria Saturday 3:00 pm – Matchup of Mitchell-area ‘B’ powers, and Ethan gets the nod here. Camryn Logan, Jessica Bartscher, and Maddie Miller overcome the younger Beaverettes, featuring Morgan Huber, Grace Weber, Vanessa Doyle, Elizabeth Arend, and Mekiah Campbell. This contest could go either way.
Clark/Willow Lake at Sioux Valley in Volga Saturday 5:30 pm CT Too much Miakken Vincent, Abbie Schneider, and Reagan Johnson, as SV starts their march to March Madness in Rapid City. Clark relies on Saylor Burke, Olivia Sass & Charity Wabwe in the paint. 2023 Jada Burke has size, hops, and aggression; LH handles are audacious.
Faith at Kodoka Saturday at 3:00 pm MT Kadoka, led by all stater Lavin Bendt take on the confident Longhorns, starring Sydnie Schauer & Kaycee Groves. Pace, turn-overs, and proper spacing will decide.