Parkston 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 girl’s basketball. The Parkston Classic kicks off on December 30th and features two of the Top 5 teams in Class B, Centerville…
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Continue ReadingSoon 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.
11 a.m. – Dakota Valley vs Wessington Springs
Prospects to Watch
Melina Snoozy Melina Snoozy 5'10" Dakota Valley | 2026 SD – Dakota Valley – 5’10” – G/F – Class of 2027
Jorja Van Den Hull – Dakota Valley – 5’11” – G/F – Class of 2023
Cameryn Sommervold – Dakota Valley – 5’11” – F – Class of 2025
Emersen Mead Emersen Mead 5'9" | SF Dakota Valley | 2025 State SD – Dakota Valley – 5’11” – G/F – Class of 2025
Sophie Tuttle Sophie Tuttle 5'10" | SF Dakota Valley | 2024 State SD – Dakota Valley – 5’10” – F – Class of 2024
Avery Orth Avery Orth 6'2" | C Wessington Springs | 2024 State SD – Wessington Springs – 6’2″ – C – Class of 2024
Carissa Scheel – Wessington Springs – 6’0″ – F – Class of 2024
Kirstie Munsen – Wessignton Springs – 5’8″ – G – Class of 2023
Addyson Orth – Wessington Springs – 6’1″ – C – Class of 2026
Intriguing Matchups
Melina Snoozy Melina Snoozy 5'10" Dakota Valley | 2026 SD vs Avery Orth Avery Orth 6'2" | C Wessington Springs | 2024 State SD
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.
Jorja Van Den Hull vs Carissa Scheel
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.
Sophie Tuttle Sophie Tuttle 5'10" | SF Dakota Valley | 2024 State SD vs Kirstie Munsen
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.
2 p.m. – Viborg-Hurley vs Wall
Prospects to Watch
Coral Mason Coral Mason 5'10" | CG Viborg-Hurley | 2023 State SD – Viborg/Hurley – 5’10” – G/F – Class of 2023
Denae Mach Denae Mach 5'9" | SG Viborg-Hurley | 2023 State SD – Viborg/Hurley – 5’9″ – G/F – Class of 2023
Estelle Lee – Viborg/Hurley – 5’6″ – G – Class of 2023
Charley Nelson – Viborg/Hurley – 5’3″ – G – Class of 2025
Kendra Gilbert – Viborg/Hurley – 5’6″ – G – Class of 2025
Paige Kjerstad Paige Kjerstad 5'10" | SF Wall | 2024 State SD – Wall – 5’10” – F – Class of 2024
Rhea Tucker Rhea Tucker 5'9" | SF Wall | 2024 State SD – Wall – 6’0″ – G/F – Class of 2024
Nora Dinger Nora Dinger 5'4" | PG Wall | 2024 State SD – Wall – 5’4″ – G – Class of 2024
Intriguing Matchups
Coral Mason Coral Mason 5'10" | CG Viborg-Hurley | 2023 State SD / Denae Mach Denae Mach 5'9" | SG Viborg-Hurley | 2023 State SD vs. Paige Kjerstad Paige Kjerstad 5'10" | SF Wall | 2024 State SD / Rhea Tucker Rhea Tucker 5'9" | SF Wall | 2024 State SD
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!
Estelle Lee vs. Nora Dinger Nora Dinger 5'4" | PG Wall | 2024 State SD
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.
5 p.m. – Parkston vs Centerville
Prospects to Watch
Althea Gust Althea Gust 5'10" | SG Centerville | 2025 State SD – Centerville – 5’9″ – G – Class of 2025
Lillie Eide Lillie Eide 5'6" | SG Centerville | 2024 State SD – Centerville – 5’6″ – G – Class of 2024
MaKayla Heesch MaKayla Heesch 5'9" | SG Centerville | 2024 State SD – Centerville – 5’10” – F – Class of 2024
Bailey Hansen – Centerville – 5’9″ – F/C – Class of 2023
Mackenzie Meyer Mackenzie Meyer 5'5" | CG Centerville | 2023 State SD – Centerville – 5’5″ – G – Class of 2023
Keira Austin Keira Austin 5'3" | PG Centerville | 2025 State SD – Centerville – 5’6″ – G – Class of 2025
Gracie Oakley – Parkston – 5’7″ – G – Class of 2024
Lauren Ziebart – Parkston – 5’5″ – G – Class of 2025
Abby Hohn Abby Hohn 5'10" | SG Parkston | 2023 State SD – Parkston – 5’10” – G – Class of 2023
Faith Oakley Faith Oakley 5'10" | SF Parkston | 2023 State SD – Parkston – 5’8″ – F – Class of 2023
Mya Thuringer – Parkston – 5’7″ – F – Class of 2025
Intriguing Matchups
Bailey Hansen vs. Faith Oakley Faith Oakley 5'10" | SF Parkston | 2023 State SD
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.
Althea Gust Althea Gust 5'10" | SG Centerville | 2025 State SD vs. Abby Hohn Abby Hohn 5'10" | SG Parkston | 2023 State SD
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.
Lillie Eide Lillie Eide 5'6" | SG Centerville | 2024 State SD vs. Lauren Ziebart
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.