#1’s Vs #2’s In February 7th Games
Several key contests occur in one week. Match-ups of top ranked teams in Class AA & A are the marquee showdowns; other rivalries and multi-team classics deserve mention and attention. Girls BB games on Friday, Feb 7th – Home…
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Several key contests occur in one week. Match-ups of top ranked teams in Class AA & A are the marquee showdowns; other rivalries and multi-team classics deserve mention and attention.
Girls BB games on Friday, Feb 7th – Home Teams Listed First – PGH choice is the larger font.
#2 Harrisburg Tigers – #1 O’Gorman Knights – Class AA: Both are undefeated and likely to have another collision in the State Tournament. Under the radar Harrisburg averages 56-pts/game and starts 5 PGH-ranked hoopsters: Abby Phipps (#5-2020/6’0), Carolyn Haar (#24-2021/5’4), Brecli Honnor,(#5-2021), Sydney Altenburg (#14-2021/5’5) & Sydney Hybertson (#6-2022/5’5). The Tigers are ball sharks, with excellent speed and pinpoint passing. They’ve had only two tight-ish games and used the running clock in 4 contests. O’G’s overall ball skills remain suspect unless Carly Kunkel (#30-2020/5’6) , Alison Crouch (#54-2020/5’8), or Izzy Moore (#7-2021/5’9) handle the rock. Hannah Ronsiek (#8-2022/5’10) brings sudden change offense when on the floor. Cool and calming, Emma Ronsiek makes the difference in this first meeting.
#2 STM Cavaliers – #1 Winner Warriors – Class A: Both are undefeated in 2020. STM has lost four five players to injury. Two are likely to return later this season. Haleigh Timmer (#1-2021/5’11) is enjoying the scoring punch inside from Mairin Duffy (2022/5’10), plus outside from Delaney Klosterman (2020/5’7), Scarlet Grimshaw (2023/5’5), Skyler Sullivan (2020/5’6.375″), and Jenna Jacobson (2021/5’2). Winner owns a 37 game winning streak, built on quality depth, and 3-pt accuracy from a bevy of PGH ranked prospects: Morgan Hammerbeck (#11-2020/6’0), Bella Swedlund (#2-2022/5’8), Kalla Bertram (#20-2021/5’9), and Kelsey Sachjten (#37-2022/5’10). Late fatigue favors Winner unless STM’s defensive schemes make it an FT contest in the fourth quarter. The next meeting should be March 21st at the RC Civic Center.
Deuel Cardinals – Castlewood Warriors – CW has a March 14th appointment in Spearfish to collect their second title in three years. Deuel wants to change that story. Britney Louvre (#28-2020/5’8) will bury treys until a defender comes out to challenge. Alayna Benike (#6-2021/5’11) can control tempo and pace, with plenty of backup help available.
Madison Lady Bulldogs – West Central Trojans – Grudge match that WC usually wins. Madison will need their On/Off switch set to “Turbo” when WC’s ball pressure, bench rotation, and treys start syncing. Madison’s fundamentals lag behind, allowing 2022’s Addy Kramer, Rylee Haldeman, and Josslin Jarding to dominate the contest with quick steals, accurate passing, and NBA-range 3-pointers. Two years ago Madison made the state Class A finals, while WC did so last season. Only the Hartford campus inspired new generations of ballers to practice, and aspire to excellence.
Miller Rustlers – Ipswich Tigers – 1,000-pt scorers: Kadye Fernholz (#23-2020/6’1) vs Halle Heinz (#21-2021/5’6). Rustlers are still riding high after State VB and will brand the Tigers with an “L”.
Wall Lady Eagles – Kadoka Kougars – West River Class B “cage match” between ranch communities separated by 40-miles of Badlands’ prairie. Wall’s Lilly Wagner (2021/5’11) vs Lavin Bendt (2020/5’10). Each is an All-State player, capable of dominating games. Head-to-head, they’ll need teammates to defend and score to win the day. Who steps up?
Mount Vernon/Plankinton Titans – Chamberlain Cubs – Emily Fox (#1-2024/5’7) & MVP take on Winner and Hanson in the week before. The Cubs arrive with four 6′-plus athletes ready to thwart 1,000-pt scorer Katlyn Briggs (#49-2020/5’11). She can school the young Cubs just fine. Titans have a BIG advantage in BB fundamentals.
Sioux Valley Cossacks – Flandreau Fliers – Two teams headed in opposite directions. SW Minnesota State commit Hannah Parsley (#10-2020/5’9), Tishara Hardy (2020/5’6), and Maria Parsley (2022/5’9) combine to steal, score, and defend the paint. Improved motion and floor sense make the Fliers a dark-horse squad in March.
Arlington Cardinals – Lake Preston Divers – Adjacent towns ramp up trash-talk and wagers for bragging rights. Expect to see Harley Johnson (2024/5’8) playing more to score more; the future is now!
Brookings Bobcats – Watertown Arrows – Class AA bottom feeders battle to stay above the DQ line in seed point rankings, meaning #16 or higher. (#17 & #18 stay home for playoffs.)
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18 Boys Games February 1st at Madison HS and DSU – where else can you savor 18 great games?
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February 8th at Madison – Dak-12.Conference versus North East Conference – action on two courts
Madison High School Main Gymn
11 a.m. Deuel vs Tri-Valley
12:30 p.m. Clark/Willow Lake vs Vermillion
2 p.m. Redfield vs Dakota Valley
3:30 p.m. Parkston vs West Central
5 p.m. Aberdeen Roncalli vs Lennox
6:30 p.m. Hamlin vs Tea
Madison High School Auxiliary Gym
11:45 a.m. Webster vs Canton
1:15 p.m. Tiospa Zina vs Dell Rapids
2:45 p.m. Milbank vs Sioux Falls Christian
4:15 p.m. Groton Area vs Elk Point-Jefferson
5:45 p.m. Sisseton vs Madison