First impressions: South Dakota 2028s, part 2

One of the most impressive prospects I've seen since my arrival in South Dakota, Biteler looks every bit the part of a top-tier prospect. The 5'9 combo guard is highly skilled, smooth, and productive, impacting the game in a variety of ways beyond scoring. Make no mistake, though: she can score! Josie shoots it beautifully from deep, has an excellent pull-up jumper, and gets to the rim with some combination of acceleration, change of speed, and body control. We love how active and engaged she is away from the basketball. She cuts hard, rebounds well, defends with focus, and creates turnovers with active hands and anticipation. Biteler also plays with a noticeably unselfish approach, consistently finding open teammates and making smart reads. It's no wonder she's getting regional scholarship opportunities.

Watching Jaton's film, it doesn't take long to understand why she was a second-team all-state selection. The 5'10 wing plays with a mature, polished game and seems to make something positive happen every time the ball touches her hands. She can score at all three levels, attack through contact, and create her own opportunities with crafty footwork and a quick first step. Kacey's shooting motion is a thing of beauty, with excellent mechanics, a silky smooth release and a quality finish. The results are predictable and pretty. Jaton has a strong basketball IQ. She sees the floor, shares the ball, rebounds, defends multiple positions, and consistently appears to make the right play. What more could you ask for? Confident, skilled, and active, Kacey looks like a player with a very bright future at the next level.

When I relocated to Sioux Falls this winter,  I was told there wasn't much crime to worry about. Apparently the locals haven't seen Weber in action because she can commit theft with the best of them. No wonder given just how much length Hayden has. Combined with good anticipation and a nice sense of timing, those long arms are a real asset. Weber also competes hard defensively, pressuring opposing guards with aggressive on-ball play. There's a scrappy edge to her game mixed with real skill and feel. She knows what to do on the offensive end of the equation, too. The 5'11 combo guard shoots the ball with confidence from deep, has quality handles, and finds a way to get to the basket. There's a lot to like here, which is why Hayden is one of the top prospects in the state.

I watched Lingren at a Hoop City practice 10 days ago and then again on film. Both were equally impressive. The 5'7 guard plays with real pace and exudes energy from the point. Emma is fast but doesn't appear to get rushed, keeping defenders off balance with her solid ball handling, quality court vision, and ability to change speeds. The pull-up jumper is especially impressive – smooth, balanced, and repeatable from the mid-range. Lingren also looks like a true floor general, making precise passes and consistently creating opportunities for teammates. Defensively, she competes with real toughness, forcing steals and battling for possessions. There's an edge to the way Emma competes that stands out. Add in the athleticism, shooting ability, and high IQ, and it's easy to see why she's regarded as a strong prospect in the Class of 2028.

The 5'10 combo guard never seems to stop moving, whether she's attacking downhill, defending, cutting, or communicating with teammates. That kind of work rate, when delivered on a consistent basis, can be the difference between scholarship or no scholarship. Combined with length, skill and athleticism, Teagen brings a nice package to the proceedings. She plays with toughness and purpose on both ends of the floor. She gets to the basket frequently, finishes well through traffic, and shows good court awareness as a passer and decision-maker. Defensively, she takes pride in the job and competes with intensity. You can also see her leadership qualities. She's vocal, engaged, and clearly invested in winning. Battle-tested by now, Teagen has the tools, size, and intangibles to make it at the next level.