South Dakota Class of 2029 Watch List, part 1

The Prep Girls Hoops South Dakota Class of 2029 Watch List begins today with the first five player evaluations. The Watch List is not a ranking of the state's top 20 freshmen. Instead, it's an introduction to 20 prospects who have distinguished themselves during our early evaluations and will be considered for the first official Freshman 50 rankings this fall. Players are presented in alphabetical order, with selections made without regard to geography, school size or AAU affiliation. Our evaluations focus on long-term college potential rather than current high school production, making this the first step in what will be an ongoing evaluation process throughout the coming season.    Andera consistently impressed us throughout the summer with a complete game that impacts both ends of the floor. The Garretson guard is listed at 5'8 but often plays bigger thanks to her athleticism, timing and ability to rebound well for her position. Harper changes speeds effortlessly, sees the floor exceptionally well and has a knack for finding openings before defenders recognize them. Offensively, Andera is equally comfortable attacking the rim, pulling up in the mid-range or knocking down shots from beyond the arc. She also embraces the defensive challenge, applying relentless pressure to opposing ball handlers while helping push the pace whenever opportunities arise.     Begeman is one of the more intriguing long-term prospects in South Dakota's 2029 class. The Clark forward brings outstanding length, mobility and versatility that immediately stand out whenever she takes the floor. Still growing into her frame, she already impacts games as a rebounder and shot blocker while showing the footwork and ball skills to play comfortably away from the basket. Begeman's fluid shooting stroke, body control and feel for the game hint at significant offensive upside as she continues to develop. Positionless players with her combination of size, athleticism and potential are always in demand, making her a prospect worth watching closely over the coming years.     Bevers is simply fun to watch. The Clark point guard plays with obvious joy and infectious energy, but underneath that enthusiasm is a highly competitive floor leader with outstanding instincts. She has an advanced feel for the game, consistently creating opportunities for teammates while remaining poised under defensive pressure. Jenny changes speeds effectively, handles the ball comfortably on the move and keeps defenders off balance with her ability to score or distribute. Her compact, repeatable shooting stroke makes her a reliable perimeter threat, while her active hands and anticipation allow her to create turnovers on the defensive end. She looks every bit the part of a true point guard.     Flatten is an intriguing two-way prospect whose athleticism and competitiveness stand out right from the get-go. Long, lean and remarkably fluid, the Colman-Egan guard attacks the basket with purpose, slipping through tight spaces before finishing with soft touch around the rim. She owns a quick first step and shoots confidently from the perimeter, but her defensive presence is equally impressive. Jolie welcomes the challenge of guarding opposing ball handlers, sitting down in a strong stance and using quick feet, active hands and excellent anticipation to make life difficult. Add in her relentless pursuit of rebounds and sneaky athleticism, and it's easy to see her long-term potential.     At 5-foot-11 with excellent length and mobility, Gerdes has many of the physical tools college coaches covet. The Lennox forward combines size with skill, allowing her to impact games in a variety of ways. Defensively, her wingspan, timing and instincts make her disruptive against players of all positions as she forces turnovers, contests shots and rebounds consistently. Offensively, Gerdes is equally versatile, capable of slashing to the basket, stepping out to knock down perimeter shots and making smart decisions with the ball in her hands. Her high basketball IQ and ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game make her one of the stronger long-term prospects in the class.

The Prep Girls Hoops South Dakota Class of 2029 Watch List begins today with the first five player evaluations. The Watch List is not a ranking of the state's top 20 freshmen. Instead, it's an introduction to 20 prospects who have distinguished themselves during our early evaluations and will be considered for the first official Freshman 50 rankings this fall. Players are presented in alphabetical order, with selections made without regard to geography, school size or AAU affiliation. Our evaluations focus on long-term college potential rather than current high school production, making this the first step in what will be an ongoing evaluation process throughout the coming season.