Standout Names & Faces From Early Games
Getting to games (via on-demand streaming and in-person) often exposes PGH to un-expected performances from old and new faces. Their dedication to practice, Practice, practice pays off for team development, fan appreciation, and self-confidence. Here are hoopsters noticed around the state.…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingGetting to games (via on-demand streaming and in-person) often exposes PGH to un-expected performances from old and new faces. Their dedication to practice, Practice, practice pays off for team development, fan appreciation, and self-confidence. Here are hoopsters noticed around the state. January’s breakouts will be storied here.
Roncalli 62 Milbank 25 – A new face is 2025 Isabella Anderson (5’7″) of Milbank, with good handles and floor IQ. Milbank’s ball-handling woes will lessen when 2021 Lindsey Mertens returns from the off-season shoulder surgery.. 8 ninth-graders on varsity foster hope for better performances just ahead. Roncalli used 2022 Madelyn Bragg (6’1″) quite effectively. Much improved over 2019, Bragg flashed back-to-the-basket footwork yielding good looks and points. Both Mariah Winegar and Olivia Hanson showed crisp moves around the paint, with accurate passes and quick releases. Roncalli’s cautious guard play and zone defenses work in the NE Conference but falter against more athletic playoff teams. PGH forecasts Aberdeen Roncalli to qualify for a SD-16 sub-state contest.
West Central 57 Mt Vernon/Plankinton 39 – WC plays ten, developing bench strength for another deep run into the State ‘A’s. Even with a knee/leg brace slowing her down, the game was the Rylee Haldeman Show. Whenever Rylee entered – WC surged. Whenever Rylee entered, she delighted with assists, dropping dimes, euro-step-thru-left-hand-finishes, breakaways with a hoop and a harm, and even rebounding. How the 5’2″ jitterbug boards amidst taller trees gives witness to mastery & virtuosity.in BB fundamentals, like boxing out, snap passes, spacing, jumping screens, denial in passing lanes, & court awareness. Haldeman gets fans rocking – game changers do that. SO much fun to watch it happen. Agile and alert, 2022 Addy Kramer and 2020 Cheyanne Masterson emulated Rylee’s energy levels. MVP missed bunnies all night and could not stay in the game, which closed to 26-23 early in the second half. 2024 Emilee Fox also dropped dimes, stole, and drove to the rim, at times. The WC fresh legs’ rotation ramped up the game speed. And except for Fox, that seemed to be MVP’s un-doing. Depth is half the WC victory formula – the other half is “…When Rylee Enters….”
Chester 56 Lake Preston 45 – 2020 Makenna Larson used her track speed to defend and offend, scoring 24-pts. For Lake Preston, the silky smooth Ashlyn DeKnikker (2020, 5’10”) had 12 rebounds and 24-pts has well. Both seniors merit further looks as their leadership and styles fit into college motion offenses and each plays with hard-nosed defense.
#32 Braiden Westley – Rim RunnerColman-Egan 54 Sioux Valley 47 – 2021 Braiden Westley popped in 24, assisted by 15 points.ts from 2021 Olivia Bamberger. Offensive rebounding favored CE, 9-3; turnover totals were SV 17 – CE 10. CE outhustled the Cossacks, especially Westley with good handles, superior floor vision, and recognition.
2022 Regan Johnson was Sioux Valley’s chief threat
Deuel 55 Dell Rapids St Marys 42 – Two teams, each branded as “Cardinals” – Lefty Courtney Brown complemented Ella Heinitz’ speed and ball handling. Britney Lovre popped three’s and showed great floor vision . Good to see Macie Michelson back in the coaching box.
Elkton-Lake Benton 46 ORR 17– Sisters Hannah & Rachael Krog led the Elks to the season’s first win, 2024 Julie Trygstad displayed skills and aggressiveness to merit observation and updates.
Garretson 51 Estelline/Hendricks 31 – Lizzy Olson dominated the paint and the boards for half the game. Gotta wonder why coach goes five-in, five out ? Stars need to shine.
2021 Lizzy Olson flashes to high post –