Top Matchups in Class A – Holiday Hoop Recaps

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>The top prospect in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='377192' first='Ashlyn' last='Koupal'] led her Red Raider squad against a scrappy Titan bunch led by another top prospect in [player_tooltip player_id='391251' first='Reagan' last='Rus']. This game featured a pair of really good prospects but it was ultimately Red Raider star [player_tooltip player_id='377192' first='Ashlyn' last='Koupal'] who put this game away for her team.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RV Class A Mount Vernon-Plankinton vs. T3 Class A Wagner</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>When:</strong> December 17th @ 6:30 PM</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Where:</strong> Plankinton, SD</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Score:</strong> 48-45 Wagner</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Prospects to Watch:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mount Vernon-Plankinton -</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='391251' first='Reagan' last='Rus'] - Class of 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Reagan is one of the most complete players in the state of South Dakota. She punishes defenses for allowing her to catch it anywhere near the paint as she has a really good mid-range game and elite footwork to beat the defense and get to the rim and finish. She's a double-double machine as she recently demonstrated in a win over McCook Central-Monstrose with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Her scoring efforts put her over 1000 points for her high school career.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taryn Hegg - Class of 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Taryn is a 5'9" F and was coming off of an 11 point and 4 rebound outing in a win over McCook Central-Montrose. She has a solid mix of athleticism and physical tools and will be a player to keep your eye on as an impact player for the Titans. She put up a game-high 19 points and brought down 8 rebounds as well in her team's tight loss.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wagner -</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='377192' first='Ashlyn' last='Koupal'] - Class of 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The number 1 prospect in the state of South Dakota will look to keep the Red Raiders on the winning side against a solid MVP Titan team. Ashlyn has D1 offers from all over the country and was following up a 31 point, 11 rebound, 7 assist, 3 steal, and 3 block performance. She can score from any area of the court and is a matchup nightmare at 6'3" and athletic with one of the highest basketball IQ's in the state. Ashlyn was held to 14 points but was a terror defensively as always and changed the game on both ends with the attention she draws.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='304527' first='Lydia' last='Yost'] - Class of 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Lydia is a talented guard who has solid handles, high-level vision and passing abilities, and a consistent ability to knock it down from beyond the arc. She was coming off of a stat-stuffing performance as she contributed 15 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals in a win over Winner. She put up 12 points in the win over MVP.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>The recently crowned number 1 team in Class A, Sioux Falls Christian squared off against Elk-Point Jefferson in a highly anticipated matchup between two of Class A's best squads. This game featured a lot of defensive pressure and a fast pace, making for a really entertaining game to tune into.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elk Point-Jefferson RV vs. #1 Class A Sioux Falls Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>When:</strong> December 20th @ 6:30 PM</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Where:</strong> Elk Point, SD</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Prospects to Watch:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Score: </strong>63-57 Sioux Falls Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elk Point-Jefferson - </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cera Schmitz - Class of 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Cera is a sparkplug on this group. She has lighting speed and can knock it down from 3 consistently. She puts a ton of pressure on defenses to come out and guard her which spreads the floor for her team allowing for more effective dribble-drive and spacing. Transition offense is another strength as she has great handles, vision, and understands how to read the defense to get her team a scoring opportunity. Cera led all scorers with 16 points and added 5 assists, 3 steals as well.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='275589' first='Bentlee' last='Kollbaum'] - Class of 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Bentlee is a long, athletic forward who has tools to contribute in every level of the game. She's a matchup nightmare as she can use her length to score over you or her quickness to go by you. Defensively she changes the game with her ability to tip passes, get steals, and block shots. Benlee poured in 15 points in the tight loss for the Huskies.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='275728' first='Ashley' last='Brewer'] - Class of 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Ashley is another matchup problem as she is 5'10" and athletic. She can step out and hit the three, or go in the paint and post you up to score. On defense she uses her length well as an effective rebounder and to alter shots. This is a really strong EPJ team that looks like a threat in Class A after a tight loss to the top of the pack. Ashley finished the contest with 8 points and 3 assists.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sioux Falls Christian -</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='448046' first='Katie' last='Vander Leest'] - Class of 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Katie is a high IQ player that fits SF Christian's style well. She's smart and understands how to create shots for herself and others. Great handles, excellent vision and passing finesse, and a fundamentally sound scoring game highlight a very balanced offensive game for this young lady. Defensively she gets after you in the press and has a knack for generating points off of turnovers.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='613984' first='Avery' last='Reitz'] - Class of 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Avery is a long, athletic forward with a guard's skillset. She has a high basketball IQ and understands how to get to effective spots to score on offense. She is aggressive off the dribble-drive and makes for a tough ask to defend as she can knock down the three if you give her space.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='329050' first='Maya' last='Nelson'] - Class of 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Maya is one of the smartest basketball players in the state of South Dakota and has been so since middle school. She is a dream point guard for a motion offense as she is an excellent communicator and teammate, and just seems to get everyone else organized around her. Pair this with her ability to knock down shots on the perimeter and you have an impact player who will look to lead this group on a return to the state tournament this year. Maya finished the game leading her team in scoring with 14 points.<br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>This matchup featured the newly rebuilt Hamlin Chargers who boast as many talented guards as pretty much anyone in the state against Flandreau who will look to new faces to lead this squad after losing the majority of their starting lineup last season. This game told us a little bit about how the new rosters will fare for both of these big name teams in Class A basketball.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong># 3 Class A Hamlin vs. Flandreau</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>When:</strong> December 17th @ 6 PM</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Where:</strong> Hayti, SD</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Prospects to Watch:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Score:</strong> 51-37 Hamlin</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hamlin - </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='375704' first='Addison' last='Neuendorf'] - Class of 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Addie is a top notch point guard with a high basketball IQ and a very advanced skillset. She has a very deep ball handling toolkit and understands how to read defenses in order to put herself and her teammates in position to score. She can beat you off the dribble or create space to knock down shots on the perimeter.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Addie Steffensen - Class of 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Coming off of a run to the Class B State Championship where they fell to Centerville, the desire to compete has to be higher than ever in Addie and her sisters. Look for her to take on a large part of the scoring load for the Chargers and continue to feature the ability to knock down shots from beyond the arc as well as get to the rim and finish off the dribble. Addie put up a game-high 18 points in a high quality Chargers W.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jo Steffensen - Class of 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Jo will team up with her sisters in a new uniform this year and look to help Hamlin find success in Class A. She's a physical guard who can score off the dribble or post up and finish on the inside. She has really good footwork and has a knack for finding ways to score around the rim. Jo finished the game with 14 points for her squad in the win.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Flandreau -</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='929571' first='Morgan' last='Sheppard'] - Class of 2028</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Morgan is the number 1 prospect in the Class of 2028 and has already been scooped up by South Dakota State University. She has great length which allows her to finish well off the post-up and the dribble, grab rebounds on both ends, and create havoc on the defensive end. She will be the primary player on both ends for this Flandreau squad this season and will be the leader of their team. In a loss to a really talented Hamlin squad she put up 17 points and 5 rebounds.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='391070' first='Sadie' last='Iott'] - Class of 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Sadie is a tough-nosed defender who played a role often guarding really good opposing guards for the Fliers last season. She is athletic, tough, and plays the game with a high IQ. This season she will be tasked with continuing her defensive dominance while contributing more in the scoring column. She finished the game with 6 points and dished out 4 assists.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->