Previewing the Class A State Tournament

The Class A State Girl's Basketball tournament is set for March 9-11 in Watertown. There are 8 quality teams that will fight for the chance to be crowned the state champs for the 2022-23 season. Each of these 8 teams is loaded with prospects we've covered and more that we are continuing to learn about. Here's a breakdown of all of the matchups and leaders for each squad. This tournament has the makings of a fun one and this will be must-watch basketball to round out the Class A season!   Game 1 - 12 PM CT - # 1 Hamlin vs. # 8 Flandreau   Hamlin Chargers   The Chargers are led by the successful and experienced head coach Tim Koisti, senior forwards Kami Wadsworth and [player_tooltip player_id='246488' first='Ally' last='Abraham'], senior guard Brooklyn Brandreit, and freshman phenom [player_tooltip player_id='375704' first='Addison' last='Neuendorf']. Wadsworth is the most physical presence in the paint in the tournament and could be argued as the most influential player in any game. Her ability to post up, catch, and finish anywhere around the rim is unmatched and she is a matchup nightmare for anyone to guard. Brooklyn Brandreit has a great stroke from beyond the arc and plays fundamentally sound, aggressive defense on the perimeter. Neuendorf is a rising star and can do a lot of everything to help her team win. Coming in at an unbelievable record of 22-0 makies it tough to argue against this Charger squad as the favorite for the Class A title, and this roster seems poised to embrace the pressure and put up big performances on the largest stage.   Flandreau Fliers   The Fliers are led by head coach Megan Severtson and a trio of talented juniors in G/F [player_tooltip player_id='181914' first='Claire' last='Sheppard'], forward [player_tooltip player_id='445077' first='Lizzie' last='Pavlis'], and guard [player_tooltip player_id='182472' first='Lily' last='Klein']. The Fliers are led by South Dakota State commit [player_tooltip player_id='181914' first='Claire' last='Sheppard'] who has had a fantastic junior season. She scores from all levels putting in around 16 points per night, over 6 rebounds and uses her vision and ability to create to dish out over 3 assists per game. Pavlis is an undervalued asset and is an absolute stat stuffer. She puts up close to double-double numbers in the points and boards categories, leads the team in assists per night with over 3.5, and also blocks almost 2 shots per night! [player_tooltip player_id='182472' first='Lily' last='Klein'] is one of the most fundamentally sound guards in the tournament, she doesn't make mistakes with the ball and puts her team in a position to have positive things happen every possession. She can hit the three, create off the dribble, and is a tough-nosed defender on the opposite end. The Fliers seem to have the odds stacked against them but keep in mind they have won 15 straight games since a loss to St. Thomas More and have upset (at least on paper) a lot of teams on their path to the state tournament!   Game 1 is going to have that "Cinderella Story" element to it and we will see what the Fliers can do to try and hand the Chargers their first loss of the season. It won't be easy as the Chargers might be the most talented team in all of South Dakota. They seem to have every ingredient necessary to win basketball games and have been a joy to watch!   Game 2 - 1:45 PM CT - # 4 Red Cloud vs. # 5 Lakota Tech   Red Cloud Crusaders   Red Cloud is led by head coach Matt Rama, talented seniors Maikole Carlow, Anjah Lamont, and Victoria Good Buffalo, along with junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='362859' first='Lolo' last='Carlow'], and freshman standout Ashlan Blount. Senior guard Maikole Carlow helps to lead a balanced attack of scoring guards including fellow Carlow, Lolo who we have written about in a variety of articles and recaps. Lolo is a dynamic scorer who can hit from three as well as attack the basket. Good Buffalo adds length and an aggressive mentality both in scoring the basketball around the basket and playing fundamental, physical defense. Blount is a young guard at 5'10" who looks like a star in the making. She's long, aggressive, has speed, and plays the game physically for a young athlete. A deep team with a plethora of talent, look for Red Cloud to be serious contenders in the State Class A Tournament.   Lakota Tech Tatanka   The Tatanka have head coach Laura Big Crow at the helm and feature talented prospects like senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='594256' first='Tawny' last='Rodriguez'] and fellow senior, center [player_tooltip player_id='178918' first='Melina' last='Shangreaux']. Younger talented guards, sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='375632' first='Jodene' last='Hunter'] and freshman Shania Ferguson add scoring and depth to this talented squad as well. Rodriguez is one of the best scorers in the tournament and is a great rebounder as well. A college-level athlete for sure she can put up double-double type numbers and provides great leadership for the Tatanka. Shangreaux is another college prospect and at 6'1" she scores in the paint, grabs anywhere from 8-10 rebounds most nights, and alters shots for the opponent with great shot-blocking instincts. Hunter and Ferguson both make over 33% of their threes and feast off of kick outs off the drive for jump shots as well as transition buckets. Lakota Tech has built a great program in a short amount of time and looks to be another really fun team to watch this year in the tournament.     This game figures to feature a lot of transition basketball and an up-tempo style. Whoever can capitalize on most of their offensive possessions figures to come out the victor in this one. Look for both squads to try and control the tempo, play aggressive "in your face" defense, and knock down a lot of open shots!   Game 3 - 6 PM CT - # 2 Wagner vs. # 7 Rapid City Christian   Wagner Red Raiders   Wagner is led by head coach Mike Koupal, a talented pair of sisters (Mike's daughters) junior Macy and freshman phenom and Division I recruit Ashlyn. Their lineup is rounded out by another pair of talented sisters, Emma and [player_tooltip player_id='304527' first='Lydia' last='Yost'], and another college-level prospect in senior Shalyane Nagel. [player_tooltip player_id='389376' first='Eve' last='Zephier'] comes in and provides a spark with scoring and distributing to her teammates as well. [player_tooltip player_id='377192' first='Ashlyn' last='Koupal']'s numbers absolutely jump off the charts and it is amazing to see what this freshman athlete can do. She comes into the tournament averaging 21 points, over 7 rebounds, nearly 3 assists, and over 2 blocked shots per game. All of this while shooting over 65% from the floor and 52% from downtown! Enough said there! Sister Macy provides more scoring, is a great rebounder, and facilitates to her teammates well, averaging over 4 assists per night. [player_tooltip player_id='100469' first='Emma' last='Yost'] is a walking double-double who scores 15-20 most contests and grabs 10 or more rebounds consistently. [player_tooltip player_id='304527' first='Lydia' last='Yost'] adds in another threat from the perimeter and Nagel is a stat stuffer who scores over 10 per night, grabs 5 or more rebounds and assists, and a few steals per game as well. The Red Raiders are one of the most well-rounded teams in all of basketball in South Dakota and might be the favorites to potentially knock off the Number 1 seeded Hamlin in a state title matchup.   Rapid City Christian Comets   The Comets of Rapid City Christian will do what they can to make sure that doesn't happen though with leaders in head coach Joe Kieffer, University of South Dakota commit and daughter of the head coach, senior [player_tooltip player_id='100478' first='Olivia' last='Kieffer'], and the super talented senior center [player_tooltip player_id='354609' first='Alexa' last='Ham']. Guards [player_tooltip player_id='375381' first='Hayden' last='Thorton'] and Savanah Aremendariz add balance and depth to a really good Comet team. Kieffer leads the scoring average of this group of athletes, averaging over 25 per game. She has a smooth outside shot, attacks the rim with high IQ and athleticism, and uses her length to grab boards and steal passes all game long. Ham is one of the ost talented post players in Class A and puts up double-double type numbers along with blocking a shot or two of her opponents per game. Olivia Keiffer could be argued as the best overall player in the tournament and will look to go out with victories as she wraps up a career scoring over 2,000 points.   Game 3 figures to be a fun one to kick off the evening. Tons of D1 talent in terms of prospects playing in this contest and two really strong teams that are solid on both ends of the basketball. Keep your eye on this one as Wagner attempts to stifle the upset-minded Comets.   Game 4 - 7:45 PM CT - # 3 Sioux Falls Christian vs. # 6 Sisseton   Sioux Falls Christian Chargers   Sioux Falls Christian seems to be near or at the top of this league year after year and head coach Dan DeJong guided this squad to a fantastic season thus far coming in at 21-2. This could possibly be the deepest team in the tournament if you consider the number of contributors that play in meaningful varsity games. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='166652' first='Ellie' last='Lems'] headlines the bunch and is a double-double type of paint presence that pairs physical post-play with pure athleticism and a guard skill-set. If there was a state-wide award for the highest motor she would get my nod. The group also gets solid contributions from the likes of seniors [player_tooltip player_id='377313' first='Peyton' last='Poppema'] and[player_tooltip player_id='100512' first='Brenna' last='Beyke'], junior [player_tooltip player_id='201463' first='Jaxsyn' last='Swift'], and sophomores[player_tooltip player_id='329050' first='Maya' last='Nelson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='448046' first='Katie' last='Vander Leest']. Poppema has a guard skillset and a 5'10" frame making her a valuable asset on both ends. Swift, Beyke, and Vander Leest can all knock down shots from beyond the arc and add a valuable shooter to the high-powered Charger offense. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='329050' first='Maya' last='Nelson'] plays a big role on a great team and is one of the highest IQ players in the tournament. She facilitates well and serves as a great calming presence who can get others organized and put in timely buckets on offense. Sioux Falls Christian has a lot of weapons and plays aggressive full court defense and has tons of kids who can score it on offense.   Sisseton Redmen   Sisseton is led by head coach Sara Lincoln, junior sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='218151' first='Hannah' last='Leverson'], and a pair of post sisters junior [player_tooltip player_id='606330' first='Chloe' last='Langager'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='392793' first='Krista' last='Langager']. This dynamic trio is supported by all-around junior guard talent [player_tooltip player_id='392792' first='Emmalee' last='Nielsen'] as well. Leverson is lights out from deep and facilitates for others on offense as well. [player_tooltip player_id='606330' first='Chloe' last='Langager'] at 6'1" is a double-double post player who knows how to use her physicality and strength to get looks in the paint. Younger sister Krista, 6'2", is a force in the paint as well and is one of the better finishers in the paint you can find as just a sophomore. [player_tooltip player_id='392792' first='Emmalee' last='Nielsen'] does a lot of everything well for the Redmen, scoring, rebounding, dishing out assists, and creating turnovers for her opponents. Sisseton has a balanced approach to the game and can score from all areas of the floor.   Game 4 is a rematch between these two squads where Sioux Falls Christian took home the win 63-54 in Madison. The Redmen will look for redemption and will no doubt work to pound the ball inside to the talented Langager sisters, and kick out on the collapse to outside threats like Leverson. Look for the Chargers to apply full court pressure and try and convert defense to offense all game long. The nightcap game looks like a great way to end Day 1 in South Dakota Class A basketball!

The Class A State Girl's Basketball tournament is set for March 9-11 in Watertown. There are 8 quality teams that will fight for the chance to be crowned the state champs for the 2022-23 season. Each of these 8 teams is loaded with prospects we've covered and more that we are continuing to learn about. Here's a breakdown of all of the matchups and leaders for each squad. This tournament has the makings of a fun one and this will be must-watch basketball to round out the Class A season!