South Dakota Breakout Candidates (Part 2)

[player_tooltip player_id="391801" first="Carli" last="Kuyper"] <strong>- 6’2 C 2024 - Lennox - </strong>Carli wasn’t a starter this past season, but don’t let that fool you. She’s a full 6’2 and is ready to be a starter and have a massive season. Runs the court with effort and speed. And she’ll protect the hoop with full effort as well. Using length to her advantage in class A ball. A capable finisher inside. A double-double season is on the way. [player_tooltip player_id="441460" first="Daynica" last="Witzel"] <strong>- 5’6 G 2025 - Baltic - </strong>I just came across Daynica, and she needs to be known as a future guard in the state. Definitely under the radar at this point in time. Baltic is graduating a ton of Seniors and that leaves an opportunity for the soon-to-be Sophomore guard. Daynica is already a proven playmaker at the varsity level, but she’s ready for the next step production-wise. She’s deadly from three with a smooth release and great accuracy. Can come off a screen a pull. [player_tooltip player_id="201470" first="Peyton" last="Tritz"] <strong>- 5’4 PG 2024 - Dakota Valley - </strong>Peyton is going to show up in a major way this upcoming season. Dakota Valley graduates a 20+ point scorer in Rosenquist, so there’s a major scoring void that Tritz can fill. I predict Tritz to be one of the leading three-point makers in the state. If she’s aggressive from three and as a scorer she’s good for 16+ point per game and 3+ made threes per game. She’ll be an interesting follow next season and her production numbers could be quite impressive. [player_tooltip player_id="405175" first="Mari" last="Richards"] <strong>- 6’1 F/C 2024 - Rapid City Central - </strong>The athletic power forward/center is ready to make that next step in production for Rapid City Central, because 6’2 D1 commit Hill, and starting 6’0 center Smith are off to play college basketball. I think it’s safe to assume that Richards will be penciled in as the interior starter and difference-maker in the paint. She could be another big-time stock-riser in the 2024 class. [player_tooltip player_id="389268" first="Ava" last="Hanson"] <strong>- 5’9 G 2025 - Aberdeen Roncalli - </strong> Aberdeen Roncalli will need to completely re-tool as they have three graduates that are off to D2 basketball at Northern State University. Who steps up for Roncalli? I predict 2025 guard  [player_tooltip player_id="389268" first="Ava" last="Hanson"] really steps up in a big way. She’ll be a prospect I’ll be followed closely to monitor her role in the early going of the season to see how she responds. Easily could be one of the more promising stock-risers in the 2025 class.