Parkston Classic Preview: South Dakota Hoops to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Soon after Christmas Day, there are a number of marquee matchups set to take place in South Dakota girl's basketball. The Parkston Classic kicks off on December 30th and features two of the Top 5 teams in Class B, Centerville (4) and Viborg-Hurley (1), as well as Wall who is receiving votes. Also featured are the undefeated Trojans from Parkston in Class A, the historically successful Dakota Valley Panthers, and 2-1 out-of-the-gates Wessington Springs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"backgroundColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-primary-background-color has-background"><strong>11 a.m. - Dakota Valley vs Wessington Springs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"textColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-primary-color has-text-color"><strong>Prospects to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='525673' first='Melina' last='Snoozy'] - Dakota Valley - 5'10" - G/F</strong> <strong>- Class of 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jorja Van Den Hull - Dakota Valley - 5'11" - G/F - Class of 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cameryn Sommervold - Dakota Valley - 5'11" - F - Class of 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='275588' first='Emersen' last='Mead'] - Dakota Valley - 5'11" - G/F - Class of 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='360367' first='Sophie' last='Tuttle'] - Dakota Valley - 5'10" - F - Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='390207' first='Avery' last='Orth'] - Wessington Springs - 6'2" - C - Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carissa Scheel - Wessington Springs - 6'0" - F - Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kirstie Munsen - Wessignton Springs - 5'8" - G - Class of 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Addyson Orth - Wessington Springs - 6'1" - C - Class of 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"textColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-primary-color has-text-color"><strong>Intriguing Matchups</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='525673' first='Melina' last='Snoozy'] vs [player_tooltip player_id='390207' first='Avery' last='Orth']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I don't necessarily expect these two to be literal matchups as their roles are much different, however, their similarity is that they are the most impactful player on the roster for both of their squads. Orth is a double-double machine, a great finisher inside, and a game-changer on defense. Snoozy is a young prospect with immense talent on both ends of the court. Look for these two to lead their squads in points as their offenses often run through them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jorja Van Den Hull vs Carissa Scheel</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Very similar skillsets these two prospects are both really long, athletic, and can be big-time scorers for their team. Scheel gets the nod in terms of all-around scoring ability and Van Den Hull gets the nod on defense as she uses her 5'11" athletic frame to get steals and block shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='360367' first='Sophie' last='Tuttle'] vs Kirstie Munsen</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams will likely put focus on stopping the major threats discussed above. Because of this, look for X-factor guards like Tuttle and Munsen to be called upon to score and play a large role in this one. Both of these players can shoot it and they are hard-working guards that help snag rebounds and pressure their opponents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"backgroundColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-primary-background-color has-background"><strong>2 p.m. - Viborg-Hurley vs Wall</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"textColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-primary-color has-text-color"><strong>Prospects to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='166689' first='Coral' last='Mason'] - Viborg/Hurley - 5'10" - G/F</strong> <strong>- Class of 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='100500' first='Denae' last='Mach'] - Viborg/Hurley - 5'9" - G/F - Class of 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Estelle Lee - Viborg/Hurley - 5'6" - G</strong> <strong>- Class of 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Charley Nelson - Viborg/Hurley - 5'3" - G</strong> <strong>- Class of 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kendra Gilbert - Viborg/Hurley - 5'6" - G - Class of 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='403792' first='Paige' last='Kjerstad'] - Wall - 5'10" - F - Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='363192' first='Rhea' last='Tucker'] - Wall - 6'0" - G/F</strong> <strong>- Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='317408' first='Nora' last='Dinger'] - Wall - 5'4" - G</strong> <strong>- Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"textColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-primary-color has-text-color"><strong>Intriguing Matchups</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='166689' first='Coral' last='Mason']/[player_tooltip player_id='100500' first='Denae' last='Mach'] vs. [player_tooltip player_id='403792' first='Paige' last='Kjerstad']/[player_tooltip player_id='363192' first='Rhea' last='Tucker']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game is loaded with talent and these four, all of who have already put up 20+ point contests will make this game worth the watch alone. All of these athletes have great length, athleticism, the ability to score from every area of the game, and a competitive mindset. Look for these pairs to combine for a lot of points, as well as stuff the stat books in every other category for their squads. I expect the winner to be the team that gets the highest production from their dynamic duo!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Estelle Lee vs. [player_tooltip player_id='317408' first='Nora' last='Dinger']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both of these young ladies are talented, athletic guards that can handle it and put it through the basket from beyond the arc. They both benefit from playing off of aggressive teammates and do a great job of setting themselves up for scoring opportunities. Potential X-factors in this game right here if the 4 mentioned above all perform well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"backgroundColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-primary-background-color has-background"><strong>5 p.m. - Parkston vs Centerville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"textColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-primary-color has-text-color"><strong>Prospects to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='329047' first='Thea' last='Gust'] - Centerville - 5'9" - G - Class of 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='432152' first='Lillie' last='Eide'] - Centerville - 5'6" - G - Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='188219' first='MaKayla' last='Heesch'] - Centerville - 5'10" - F - Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bailey Hansen - Centerville - 5'9" - F/C - Class of 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='557228' first='Mackenzie' last='Meyer'] - Centerville - 5'5" - G - Class of 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='329048' first='Keira' last='Austin'] - Centerville - 5'6" - G - Class of 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gracie Oakley - Parkston - 5'7" - G - Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lauren Ziebart - Parkston - 5'5" - G - Class of 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='100493' first='Abby' last='Hohn'] - Parkston - 5'10" - G - Class of 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='317766' first='Faith' last='Oakley'] - Parkston - 5'8" - F - Class of 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mya Thuringer - Parkston - 5'7" - F - Class of 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"textColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-primary-color has-text-color"><strong>Intriguing Matchups</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bailey Hansen vs. [player_tooltip player_id='317766' first='Faith' last='Oakley']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both of these post players are really physical, rebound the basketball, finish in the paint, and alter shots on defense. This will be a fun one and features two of the best rebounders in the area and two posts who know how to get into position to score in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='329047' first='Thea' last='Gust'] vs. [player_tooltip player_id='100493' first='Abby' last='Hohn']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both are super-skilled scorers who have unlimited range and length to get to the paint and finish, this game will feature two of the most polished skillsets in the area. They are also both long, athletic defenders. Look for these two to have a big impact on this game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='432152' first='Lillie' last='Eide'] vs. Lauren Ziebart </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Look for these two to be the primary ball handlers for their squads. They both are aggressive guards who can attack the basket and finish around the paint. Both are fairly undersized but they make up for it with determination, hustle, grit, and intensity. Look for a lot of layups and kick-out assists to come from these two talented guards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->