Huron Holiday Classic Preview: South Dakota Hoops to Watch
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Soon after Christmas Day, there are a number of marquee matchups set to take place in South Dakota girls’ basketball. The Huron Holiday Classic kicks off on December 29th and features Class B’s number 5 ranked De Smet as well…
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Continue ReadingSoon after Christmas Day, there are a number of marquee matchups set to take place in South Dakota girls’ basketball. The Huron Holiday Classic kicks off on December 29th and features Class B’s number 5 ranked De Smet as well as Howard and Jones County, both of who have received votes in Class B this year. A ton of talented prospects will be featured in this event. These will be games to watch for sure!
11 a.m. – Mitchell Christian vs. Chester
Prospects to Watch
Rebekah Strong – Mitchell Christian – 5’3″ – G – Class of 2025
Jasmyne Lessman – Mitchell Christian – 5’3′ – G/F – Class of 2023
Madelyn Nebelsick – Mitchell Christian – 5’0″ – G – Class of 2027
Emery Larson Emery Larson 5'4" | PG Chester Area | 2026 State SD – Chester – 5’5″ – G – Class of 2026
Emmerson Eppard Emmerson Eppard 5'8" | SG Chester Area | 2026 State SD – Chester – 5’9″ – G – Class of 2026
Kaylor Geraets – Chester – 5’8″ – G – Class of 2023
Jacy Wolf – Chester – 5’5″ – G – Class of 2027
Intriguing Matchups
Rebekah Strong vs. Emery Larson Emery Larson 5'4" | PG Chester Area | 2026 State SD / Emmerson Eppard Emmerson Eppard 5'8" | SG Chester Area | 2026 State SD
Strong, Larson, and Eppard are both arguably the best player on their squad. Strong will need to have a great game scoring the basketball and defending either Larson or Eppard for Mitchell Christian in this one. Look for the electric, atheltic guard Larson to be a major factor in this one, and if MC goes zone she could potentially light it up from beyond the arc. Eppard is a stat stuffer who will look to have a big game in this one. She can score, rebound, dish out passes to set up her teammates, and snags multiple steals and blocks a couple shots per game as well.
Madelyn Nebelsick vs. Jacy Wolf
Both just 8th grade kids playing up on varsity this year, no shortage of talent in these two. They both have a lot of growing to do, both literally and in the mental part of the game, but don’t sleep on these two as they are very talented for their age.
12:30 p.m. – Lower Brule vs. Faulkton
Prospects to Watch
Brilyn LaRoche – Lower Brule – 5’7″ – G – Class of 2026
Marlee Sazue – Lower Brule – 5’5″ – G/F – Class of 2026
Courtney Traversie – Lower Brule – 6’3″ – C – Class of 2023
Olivia Hadrick – Faulkton – 5’5″ – G – Class of 2024
Gabby Kast – Faulkton – 5’9″ – G/F – Class of 2023
Addison Melius Addison Melius 5'9" | SF Faulkton Area | 2024 State SD – Faulkton – 5’9″ – G/F – Class of 2024
Intriguing Matchups
Courtney Traversie vs. Addison Melius Addison Melius 5'9" | SF Faulkton Area | 2024 State SD
These two athletes both bring great value on the defensive end of the floor. At 6’3″ Traversie is a phsyical specimen who can alter shots and snag rebounds. Melius at 5’9″ and quick is a multi-steal per outing athlete who is disruptive in her own way.
Brilyn LaRoche vs. Gabby Kast
At very different stages of their careers LaRoche (freshman) and Kast (senior) both of these players are important scorers for their squads and are effective shooters from beyond the arc. Look for these two to be major parts of their squads’ offenses and let’s see who has the higher point total at the end of the night.
2 p.m. – Elkton/Lake Benton vs. Sanborn Central/Woonsocket
Prospects to Watch
Rachael Krog Rachael Krog 5'9" | CG Elkton-Lake Benton | 2023 State SD – Elkton/Lake Benton – 5’9″ – G – Class of 2023
Tevan Erickson – Elkton/Lake Benton – 5’8″ – G – Class of 2024
Kailyn Drietz – Elkton/Lake Benton – 5’8″ – G/F – Class of 2023
Malayna Hemmen – Elkton/Lake Benton – 5’6″ – G – Class of 2024
Kailynn Eggleston – Sanborn Central/Woonsocket – 5’8″ – F – Class of 2023
Liz Boschee – Sanborn Central/Woonsocket – 6’0″ – F/C – Class of 2026
Intriguing Matchups
Rachael Krog Rachael Krog 5'9" | CG Elkton-Lake Benton | 2023 State SD vs. Kailynn Eggleston
Lots of basketball has been played between the combined minutes of these two seniors. Krog looks like the best player in this game and it will be interesting to see if Eggleston can match her skill level and have an impact on this one. Both skilled scorers, and hard-working defenders, these two will factor in heavilty on the outcome of this matchup.
Tevan Erickson vs. Liz Boschee
Outside of the two athletes above, I’m looking for big scoring nights out of these two. They are both talented scorers that can get to the rim and Erickson has an outside game as well. I am looking forward to more scouting on both of thse impressive athletes. Boschee is young but at 6’0″ and athletic she is going to be a fun story to follow this season.
3:30 p.m. – Burke vs. Warner
Prospects to Watch
Elly Witt – Burke – 5’3″ – G – Class of 2023
Adisyn Indahl – Burke – 5’6″ – G – Class of 2023
Kailee Frank – Burke – 5’8″ – F – Class of 2025
Paige Bull – Burke – 6’0″ – C – Class of 2025
Ava Nilsson – Warner – 6’1″ – G – Class of 2024
Kamryn Anderson – Warner – 5’10” – F – Class of 2023
Kyra Marcuson Kyra Marcuson 5'9" | CG Warner | 2024 State SD – Warner – 5’8″ – G – Class of 2024
Intriguing Matchups
Adisyn Indahl vs Ava Nilsson
Indahl and Nilsson are the top scorers coming into this one. Both of them have impressive basketball builds with height, length, and athleticism. They both anticipate well on the defensive end and create turnovers leading to points for their team. Look for the winner of this matchup to heavily sway the outcome in this one.
Paige Bull vs Kamryn Anderson
Here’s a fun battle to watch in the paint. Both of these players are physical, willing rebounders, who can also score inside. Bull is young and developing and plays with a really impressive motor and physical paint game. Anderson has expereince on her side and is a talented scorer and rebounder with high basketball IQ.
5 p.m. – Lyman vs. Howard
Prospects to Watch
Skyler Volmer Skyler Volmer 5'9" | CG Lyman | 2024 State SD – Lyman – 5’9″ – G – Class of 2024
Mak Scott Mak Scott 6'0" | C Lyman | 2026 State SD – Lyman – 6’0″ – F/C – Class of 2026
Annie Brakke – Lyman – 5’6″ – G – Class of 2024
McKenzie Laverdure – Lyman – 5’7″ – G/F – Class of 2024
Trinity Palmquist Trinity Palmquist 5'7" | PG Howard | 2023 State SD – Howard – 5’8″ – G/F – Class of 2023
Rylee Rudebusch – Howard – 5’7″ – G/F – Class of 2023
Abby Aslesen Abby Aslesen 5'11" | SF Howard | 2024 State SD – Howard – 6’0″ – G/F – Class of 2024
Kate Connor Kate Connor 6'0" | C Howard | 2023 State SD – Howard – 6’0″ – F/C – Class of 2023
Intriguing Matchups
Mak Scott Mak Scott 6'0" | C Lyman | 2026 State SD vs Kate Connor Kate Connor 6'0" | C Howard | 2023 State SD
This is going to be a fun game to watch if you enjoy physical, old-fashioned post play! Mak Scott Mak Scott 6'0" | C Lyman | 2026 State SD has already turned in a double-double this season with a 24 point and 11 rebound performance early on, and Kate Connor Kate Connor 6'0" | C Howard | 2023 State SD has been a double-double machine her whole career. Look for this to be a battle on the interior and both of these young ladies will have a huge impact on the outcome of this one.
Skyler Volmer Skyler Volmer 5'9" | CG Lyman | 2024 State SD vs Abby Aslesen Abby Aslesen 5'11" | SF Howard | 2024 State SD
These are two of the most talented players in the classic and should make for some really high-quality basketball. Volmer has impressive length, defends hard, can get to the rim at will, and can score it also. Aslesen brings a very similar skill-set but stands at six feet tall. These two are going to lead their teams in scoring a lot of games and both project to continue their basketball careers after high school.
6:30 p.m. – DeSmet vs. James Valley Christian
Prospects to Watch
Jada Burke Jada Burke 5'9" | SG De Smet | 2023 State SD – DeSmet – 5’10” – G/F – Class of 2023
Emma Albrecht Emma Albrecht 5'6" | PG De Smet | 2023 State SD – DeSmet – 5’7″ – G – Class of 2023
Alyssa Asleson – DeSmet – 5’5″ – G – Class of 2024
Hazel Luethmers Hazel Luethmers 5'9" | SG De Smet | 2026 State SD – DeSmet – 6’0″ – G/F – Class of 2025
Alexa Goertz Alexa Goertz 5'9" | SG James Valley Christian | 2025 State SD – JVC – 5’9″ – G – Class of 2025
Rhayonna Hood – JVC – 5’6″ – G – Class of 2024
Kaylie Robinson – JVC – 5’9″ – G – Class of 2025
Lily Hofer – JVC – 5’10” – C – Class of 2023
Intriguing Matchups
Jada Burke Jada Burke 5'9" | SG De Smet | 2023 State SD vs. Alexa Goertz Alexa Goertz 5'9" | SG James Valley Christian | 2025 State SD
Both super-talented basketball players, look for each of these teams to rely on the expereince these two bring in the early going. Jada Burke Jada Burke 5'9" | SG De Smet | 2023 State SD has state-tournament experience and 4 years of playing under her belt, but don’t sleep on the very talented Goertz who has a very complete skill-set.
Hazel Luethmers Hazel Luethmers 5'9" | SG De Smet | 2026 State SD vs. Lily Hofer
Luethmers and Hofer are both really solid scorers who play off of their talented teammates listed above. Look for these two to step up on offense as the other team tries to take away their best overall scorers. Luethmers gets the pre-game nod here as she gained valuable experience in the state tournament last season as a freshman and sprouted up to 6 feet tall.
8 p.m. – Colman-Egan vs. Jones County
Prospects to Watch
Ava Mousel – Colman-Egan – 5’6″ – G – Class of 2023
Lanie Mousel Lanie Mousel 5'8" | SG Colman-Egan | 2024 State SD – Coman-Egan – 5’7″ – G – Class of 2024
Berkley Groos Berkley Groos 5'7" | SG Colman-Egan | 2023 State SD – Colman-Egan – 5’7″ – G – Class of 2023
Brynlee Landis Brynlee Landis 5'6" | CG Colman-Egan | 2026 State SD – Colman – Egan – 5’8″ – G – Class of 2026
Kaylee Voelker – Colman-Egan – 5’5″ – G – Class of 2025
Peyton Rankin Peyton Rankin 5'7" | CG Jones County | 2023 State SD – Jones County – 5’7″ – G – Class of 2023
Mallory Valburg Mallory Valburg 6'0" | PF Jones County | 2023 State SD – Jones County – 6’0″ – F – Class of 2023
Jadyn Jensen Jadyn Jensen 5'10" | SG Jones County | 2023 State SD – Jones County – 5’10” – G/F – Class of 2023
Jolie Dugan – Jones County – 5’10” – F – Class of 2023
Jacey Jensen – Jones County – 5’6″ – G – Class of 2027
Intriguing Matchups
Colman-Egan’s Gameplan vs. Jadyn Jensen Jadyn Jensen 5'10" | SG Jones County | 2023 State SD / Mallory Valburg Mallory Valburg 6'0" | PF Jones County | 2023 State SD
The most intriguing part of this game for me will come from head coach Tyler Husby and his staff, and how they plan to stop the powerful duo of Jensen and Valburg. At 5’10” and 6’0″ respecitively, these two pose a matchup problem for the scrappy, athletic, but not a ton of height Hawks.
Brynlee Landis Brynlee Landis 5'6" | CG Colman-Egan | 2026 State SD vs. Jacey Jensen
Both young players who have an important role for their team, let’s see which one of these youthful talents has the better game in this one. Both of these young athletes are going to be names to keep on your radar down the road, and are blessed to have upperclassmen to help lead them this season.