Previewing the Class AA State Tournament

The Class A State Girl's Basketball tournament is set for March 9-11 in Sioux Falls at the Sanford Pentagon. 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 AA season!   Game 1 - 11 AM CT - # 1 Sioux Falls Washington vs. # 8 Watertown   Sioux Falls Washington Warriors   Sioux Falls Washington is led by the successful Jamie Parish. Coach Parish might be the only coach to lead a team to the state tournament in all classes, Centerville Class B, Vermillion Class A, and most recently Sioux Falls Washington Class AA. The Warriors are led on the floor by talented twin seniors, [player_tooltip player_id='100473' first='Brooklyn' last='Harpe'] and [player_tooltip player_id='100481' first='Hannah' last='Harpe'], fellow seniors [player_tooltip player_id='100475' first='Alexus' last='Motley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='166687' first='Taylor' last='Thompson'], and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='404951' first='Grace' last='Peterson']. The Harpe's can do it all as they can knock down the outside shot, attack the rim to create their own shots or create for others, rebound, and are very solid on the defensive end. Motley adds perimeter scoring an aggressive defensive mentality on the other end. Thompson is a paint presence who finishes well around the rim, rebounds hard on both ends, and alters shot on the defensive end. [player_tooltip player_id='404951' first='Grace' last='Peterson'] is a stock riser in our Class of 2025 who is contributing huge minutes as a sophomore for the Warriors. She can hit from three, has solid handles, and forces a ton of turnovers on the defensive end. Sioux Falls Washington is well coached, has impressive fundamental skill, and has great depth that will help guide them through the state tournament experience.   Watertown Arrows   The Arrows are led by head coach Chad Rohde, senior standout [player_tooltip player_id='246271' first='Jaida' last='Young'], fellow senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='246273' first='Maddy' last='Rohde'], junior guard Miranda Falconer, and sophomore stat-stuffer Emery Thury. Young might be the most aggressive guard in the tournament and it shows on both ends. She has a rare ability to create her own shot on offense and attacks the rim effectively to score and create for her team. On defense, she pressures the basketball as well as anyone in the state and is a nightmare for opposing guards. Rohde is another talented senior for the Arrows who can score it, rebound it, pass it, and works hard to get stops on the defensive end. Falconer and Thury add balance to the offense with the ability to hit from outside as well as create off the dribble, and they both rebound well and defend on the perimeter. The Arrows have upset on their minds as they use the adversity in some lost games they have battled through this year to build on a state tournament experience.   Game 1 will kick things off with a great group of talented prospects vying for a state title bid. Watertown will lean on seniors like Young and Rohde to put pressure on the Washington guards and try and create havoc and convert defense to primary offense. The Warriors will lean on their experience and depth to try and guide them through Day 1.   Game 2 - 1:45 PM CT - # 4 Sioux Falls Jefferson vs. # 5 Mitchell   Sioux Falls Jefferson Cavaliers   The Cavaliers are led by college standout, college assistant coach, and now high school head coach Shaunteva Pruett. This team is loaded with prospects who will look to contend for a state title including senior [player_tooltip player_id='100470' first='Cierra' last='Watkins'], and a deep junior class of [player_tooltip player_id='188222' first='Jaidyn' last='Dunn'], [player_tooltip player_id='201466' first='Aliyah' last='McGovern-Harrington'], and Ashlen Johnson. Watkins is one of the most well-rounded guards in the state showing off a really high basketball IQ and a ton of talent to go with it. Dunn is arguably the best shot-blocker in the tournament and possibly state-wide, and she can rebound on both ends and has a nice scoring game as well. Aliyah-McGovern adds a third scoring threat to the mix and is a really solid perimeter defender. Johnson is one of the top 3-point threats in the tournament and could be an X-factor in this one. Jefferson plays with a lot of energy, and has a very balanced team with options to score from anywhere on the court. They play really solid fundamental defense and will make it tough on any team they face in the tournament.   Mitchell Kernels   The Kernels are led by veteran head coach Dave Brooks and feature a variety of talented prospects led by junior standout [player_tooltip player_id='241312' first='Sawyer' last='Stoebner'], sophomore Lauren Van Overschelde, and freshman Addie Seimsen. Stoebner is one of the most talented prospects in the tournament and leads the way in rebounding grabbing over 11 per game. She scores on all levels and also does a fantastic job creating shots for her teammates. She's a tough-nosed defender who will get up in her opponent and make them earn every shot they take. Van Overschelde is a plus 33% three-point shooter and spots up well from the outside, benefitting from the attacks of Stoebner in being able to knock down shots. Seimsen is a really talented freshman who scores over 10 points per contest and can create off the dribble as well. This Kernel squad is the epitome of handling adversity. They had 6 straight losses leading up to the SODAK 16 but found a way to persevere and upset Brandon Valley who had beaten them by 22 only around a week before. This group appears to have learned from the obstacles they've faced this season and could be a dangerous squad for opponents in the tournament.   This game will be a rematch that saw Sioux Falls Jefferson win the first go-around 56-47. The Kernels play hard and will no doubt give the Cavaliers everything they've got to try and extend their chances at a state title. Jefferson will lean on experienced athletes like Watkins and Dunn to try and guide them through the action of Day 1.   Game 3 - 5 PM CT - # 2 Pierre T.F. Riggs vs. # 7 Rapid City Stevens   Pierre T.F. Riggs Governors   Pierre is led by experienced coach Kirk Beebout and a group of really talented athletes that features a really talented group including senior standouts [player_tooltip player_id='100484' first='Remington' last='Price'] and [player_tooltip player_id='236329' first='Ayvrie' last='Kaiser'], juniors [player_tooltip player_id='470686' first='Reese' last='Terwilliger'] and Ryan Barry, and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='377639' first='Lennix' last='DuPris']. Price is a lights-out shooter and might be the best three-point shooter in the tournament. Kaiser is a productive senior who helps in the scoring battle, rebounds, and plays physically on defense. Terwilliger is a physical post player who finishes really well when catching anywhere near the paint and is a very productive rebounder. Barry is a true facilitator who can create her own shot and set up looks for others. Dupris rounds out this superbly talented group as an all-around guard who scores, dishes out great passes with excellent vision, and creates turnovers on the defensive end. Collectively, this governor squad could be argued as the most impressive group in the tournament. They have all the pieces to win games and are true contenders for the title. They were my preseason "dark horse" in Class AA and will be fun to watch the next three days!   Rapid City Stevens Raiders   The Raiders are led by head coach Adam Dannenbring and are battle tested this season for sure. They have competed in a lot of big games this year and finished the year strong with wins over Sioux Falls Lincoln and a SODAK 16 victory over Huron. They are led by the immensely talented sophomore G/F [player_tooltip player_id='324044' first='Taaliyah' last='Porter'] who averages over 17 points per night, grabs over 6 rebounds, and adds a couple of assists and steals per contest. She's an electric scorer who is tough for any opponent to slow down. They get major contributions from 5 others as well in seniors Hailey Oswald and [player_tooltip player_id='100513' first='Gabbie' last='Love'], junior post player Isabell Higgins, and Porter's sophomore classmates Sydney Wathen and [player_tooltip player_id='417229' first='Brittany' last='Jones']. Wathen and Porter are the leading scorers on this squad in just their sophomore season. Higgins is really talented around the rim and puts up near-double-double games in a lot of contests. The Raiders have great depth with a mix of experience and youth that has found impressive team chemistry this year.   This game will kick off a great evening slate of games and will be a fun one to watch for sure. The leading scorers for each squad, Remi Price and [player_tooltip player_id='324044' first='Taaliyah' last='Porter'] will look to boast big scoring numbers early in the tournament. Both teams have impressive balance and depth on their roster so this has the makings to be a battle that might come down to the final buzzer!   Game 4 - 7:45 PM CT - # 3 Sioux Falls O'Gorman vs. # 6 Harrisburg   Sioux Falls O'Gorman Knights   The Knights always seem to put together a very competitive squad under head coach Kent Kolsrud's tutelage. This roster features an abundance of talent and it all starts with their star guard South Dakota State commit [player_tooltip player_id='182129' first='Mahli' last='Abdouch']. She is a top 3 player in her class and could be discussed as the best combo guard in the state. Teammate and senior paint presence [player_tooltip player_id='261381' first='Kira' last='Mentele'] is a fantastic shot blocker who changes the game on defense. On the offensive end, she rebounds hard to get extra opportunities and finishes well inside. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='188217' first='Lucy' last='Moore'] and sophomore forward Julia Eggert get in on the rebounding action as well and are aggressive players that contribute on both ends of the floor. Rounding out their major contributors is Padyn Peterson a talented junior guard that can score and get stops on defense. O'Gorman looks primed for a run at an opportunity to bring home the state title and will lean on the stellar play of [player_tooltip player_id='182129' first='Mahli' last='Abdouch'], the defensive abilities of [player_tooltip player_id='261381' first='Kira' last='Mentele'], and the depth around them to win games. This is a well-coached, fundamentally sound team that can win in any given contest. 3 of their 4 losses this season are to teams also competing in this tournament, Washington (x2) and Pierre.   Harrisburg Tigers   The Tigers of Harrisburg are a solid squad led by head coach Nick Mayer and a core group of seniors and juniors, [player_tooltip player_id='377314' first='Hannah' last='Eide'] (Sr.), [player_tooltip player_id='100490' first='Kayleigh' last='Hybertson'] (Sr.), [player_tooltip player_id='236332' first='Abigail' last='Flanagan'] (Jr.), and [player_tooltip player_id='377590' first='Jaylee' last='Hofer'] (Jr.). Eide and Hybertson are both really aggressive and talented forwards, both coming in at 5'10" and having great instincts in the rebounding department. Flanagan and Hofer do most of the scoring for the Tigers, both averaging around 10 points per game. They both are high-percentage shooters who can score off the dribble drive and knock down outside shots. [player_tooltip player_id='421631' first='Sadie' last='Mehrman'] is the youngest major contributor on their roster, a 5'10" freshman with a guard skill set she contributes on both ends of the floor. In a tournament with a lot of 6'0" and above athletes, the Tigers may not have that same paint presence in their lineup, but they make up for it with aggression and a willing desire to attack the glass for rebounds on both ends. The Knights will be a tough opponent but this team seems battle-tested after having a lot of tight games in both their wins and losses, getting them ready for state tournament style basketball!   The final game of Day 1 looks like a good one where SF O'Gorman took their first meeting by just 6 points. Both teams will undoubtedly have adjustments they made from that first go-around and it will be fun to see the game plan for each squad unfolds after the tipoff. Great games in Class AA this week and this one will cap off the Day 1 events.

The Class A State Girl's Basketball tournament is set for March 9-11 in Sioux Falls at the Sanford Pentagon. 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 AA season!