South Dakota Breakout Candidates

PGH Dakotas is here to bring our audience a series of potential breakout candidates in the state of South Dakota. As I go back and watch games, I’ll identify some key players that could take their games to the next level. <span style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">[player_tooltip player_id="166652" first="Ellie" last="Lems"] </span><strong style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">- 6’0 G 2023 - Sioux Falls Christian - </strong><span style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">With VanDoenkersgoed gone to graduation, Ellie is setup to have a large scoring role. Ellie has had success on the court already, but she will have to carry the load in the scoring department for Sioux Falls Christian. She will have every opportunity to put up big and surprising numbers across the board. Ellie’s ability to score from three and score with her long 6’0 frame in the paint, will help her potentially breakout in a big way.</span> [player_tooltip player_id="166649" first="Jada" last="Burke"] <strong>- 5’9 G 2023 - De Smet - </strong>Jada is poised for a big scoring role in her Senior season. D2 commit, Buchholz, leaves a large deficit in the scoring and rebounding department, and Jada has the tools to fill in for some of that playmaking. She could also be a surprise breakout scorer and overall producer in her final season. Jada caught a lot of people’s attention in the state B tournament. <span style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">[player_tooltip player_id="403821" first="Hazel" last="Luethmers"] <strong>- 5’9 G 2026 - De Smet - </strong>The 2026 prospect was in the De Smet rotation as an 8th grader and has state tournament experience under her belt. I’m projecting some steady improvement but not a big-time breakout yet, given the team will have some Senior guards leading the way. Hazel has some good upside going forward with her lengthy frame and skill-set. There’s definitely room for growth in her game.</span> [player_tooltip player_id="403106" first="Macey" last="Wathen"] <strong>- 5’9 G 2023 - Rapid City Stevens - </strong>Macey may become one of our biggest stock-risers for next season. Stevens loses a plethora of seniors to graduation and that leaves a massive opportunity and leadership role for Macey. She can shoot and defend at a high level and should score 10+ points per game. [player_tooltip player_id="342173" first="Taaliyah" last="Porter"] <strong>- 5’8 G 2025 - Rapid City Stevens - </strong>Porter is another prospect that should take advantage to Stevens’ major loses in graduation. Taaliyah will be another major stock-riser if she becomes more assertive offensively, as she has all the tools to become a good scorer at the AA level. [player_tooltip player_id="275589" first="Bentlee" last="Kollbaum"] <strong>- 5’10 G 2025 - Elk Point-Jefferson - </strong>There isn’t a void left due to graduation, but Bentlee should take a nice step forward in her Sophomore season. She played key minutes for Elk-Point Jefferson and should naturally improve her playing strength to go with her long frame as a 5’10 guard. The hope here is to hit on many potential breakout prospects. To be mentioned, a prospect doesn’t necessarily need to be considered a 20 point scorer, but a prospect that will improve by opportunity and steady year-after-year growth, both physically and skill-wise.