All-State Athlete Honors – South Dakota Class AA
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South Dakota Class AA All-State Honors were announced. This class is loaded with talent and it shows when you look at the diverse group of ladies with different skill-sets who caught the attention of basketball folks around the state. This…
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Continue ReadingSouth Dakota Class AA All-State Honors were announced. This class is loaded with talent and it shows when you look at the diverse group of ladies with different skill-sets who caught the attention of basketball folks around the state. This article will outline honors for each athlete, a short synopsis of their style of play and performance, commitments, and statistical averages. The All-State Recipients are dominated by guards and include 4 non-senior athletes that look to repeat as top athletes in their class next season. 6 out of these 10 talented athletes have committed themselves to play at the next level which leaves 4 second-team all-state players who remain eligible to bring their talent to the college level. Congratulations to the athletes, coaches, and school districts represented on this impressive list.
First Team
Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda 6'2" | SF Sioux Falls Washington | 2022 State SD- Sioux Falls Washington (Senior) – G/F
- PPG – 18.0, RPG – 8.0, APG – 2.4
- Head Coach – Jamie Parish
- Commitment – University of Texas
- The senior shot an impressive 52% overall from the floor to cap off her career at Washington. Her three-point consistency was impressive as well as she finished 40% from downtown. Mwenentanda is arguably the most complete player in the state of South Dakota, understandably helping her get scooped up to take her skills south to the state of Texas with a shot to compete for a program that looks to be on the big stage frequently in Division I Basketball.
- Sioux Falls O’Gorman (Senior) – G/F
- PPG – 18.6, RPG – 5.5, APG – 2.4
- Head Coach – Kent Kolsrud
- Commitment – Colorado State University
- Hannah is a player that demonstrates what time in the gym will do for an athlete. She has a gritty game and plays with intensity on both ends of the floor. The talented scorer is a dangerous threat from the outside and knows how to get to the rack as well. She is one of those players that you know is going to get you 15-20 points a night but can go off for over 30. Half-court or full doesn’t matter as she adjusts her level of play to any tempo. She reads and runs the floor well which translates to a player that adapts to score in any situation.
- Brandon Valley (Junior) – F
- PPG – 16.4, RPG – 3.8, APG – 2.3, SPG – 2.7
- Head Coach – Mike Zerr
- Commitment – South Dakota State University
- Behrens will continue her run of great basketball next season as she looks to continue building on this year’s season. She is a dynamic player with all the tools needed to compete at the next level, hence why South Dakota State didn’t hesitate to add her to their program. The junior forward has great length, a high level of competitive attitude, and fundamental skills to go with it. She hit 38% of her three’s this season and shot 73% from the FT line. She has a winning attitude and a skillset ready for the next level.
- Rapid City Stevens (Senior) – G
- PPG – 12.0, RPG – 8.0, APG – 5.0
- Head Coach – Adam Dannenbring
- Commitment – Air Force
- A physical specimen McNabb has great speed and strength. She does an excellent job creating for others and herself with a truly balanced skill-set. An ability to see the floor allowed her to average 5 assists per contest this season, one of the highest in the state. The Raider offense started as soon as they got a defensive board with Jayda at the helm as she sees the full floor and made passes to open teammates from the mid-court line all year for easy primary offense. Attacking the middle of the defense was natural for this guard all year as she picks her spots to score over defenders in the paint very efficiently. This highly decorated, well-rounded athlete will take her talents to the Air Force Academy.
- Sioux Falls O’Gorman (Sophomore) – G
- PPG – 13.1, RPG – 2.6, APG – 5.4
- Head Coach – Kent Kolsrud
- Commitment – South Dakota State University
- This sophomore guard is a true distributor of the basketball who knows how to set up her teammates and find her own shots as well. Her vision is excellent and she is a willing attacker who reads the defense well to know when to finish or kick off the dribble drive. Two first-team all-state athletes add up to the team that finished with a state title. The Knights are in great hands with this floor general returning to lead the charge next season.
- Rapid City Central (Senior) – F
- PPG – 12.4, RPG – 9.2, APG – 1.5
- Head Coach – Allan Bertram
- Commitment – Chicago State University
- The Cobblers send off this talented forward to Chicago State after a great season and a run to the state tournament. Hill is a talented forward who rebounds extremely well and uses her length to score in the paint. She has a great frame and athleticism combination that figures to bode well at the next level. A great shot disruptor on one end and a smooth post on the other she does a great job with her back to the basket or operating in the pick and roll. The dynamic senior is one of only a very small group in the state to average nearly a double-double per contest.
Second Team
Emilee Boyer Emilee Boyer 6'1" | C Harrisburg | 2022 State SD- Harrisburg (Senior) – F
- PPG – 14.0, RPG – 9.5, APG – 2.2
- Head Coach – Nick Mayer
- Commitment – West Texas A&M (Softball)
- South Dakota basketball lost a good one here. A physical post player with footwork, strength, and smarts, Boyer is a rarity in today’s game. A true post who can drive her shoulder through the defense and make room to score a drop-step power she found herself in many games where the Tigers could use her inside presence to win games. Averaging near a double-double per contest she led her team in rebounds in nearly every contest. The paint presence was a skilled scorer near the basket, a smart rebounder, and a physical presence on the defensive end.
- Sioux Falls Jefferson (Junior) – G
- PPG – 11.7, RPG – 4.3, APG – 2.0
- Head Coach – Shaunteva Pruett
- Commitment – None
- Nobody may have written a storyline at the start of the 2021-22 season saying that the 1st year as a program Jefferson Cavaliers would knock off the number 1 seed in the state tournament and finish third place overall in Class AA. That’s exactly what took place though and superbly talented junior guard Cierra Watkins Cierra Watkins 5'6" | PG Sioux Falls Jefferson | 2023 State SD played a big role in part doing it. She hits the three, gets to the rim off the dribble, and competes at a high level consistently on defense. Watkins is a prospect that has to be on college radars as she remains unsigned. She powered her team with 16 points in their first-round win in the state tournament. Solid handles, a smooth 3-point shot, and a competitive mindset put this player on a lot of leaderboards.
- Mitchell (Sophomore) – G
- PPG – 15.9, RPG – 9.3, APG – 3.5, SPG – 3.2
- Head Coach – Cole Knippling
- Commitment – None
- Another complete guard showing up on this all-state list is the talented 5’9″ athlete from Mitchell. A near double-double per night for a perimeter player who averages over 9 rebounds per game this kid impresses. The difference between her and the majority of the other players on this list, she did all of this as a SOPHOMORE. Look for her to lead her class in years to come in scoring, rebounds, and competing in nearly every other category. She is an explosive athlete on both ends and appears to have D1 talent. Stoebner battled through injuries later in the season so look for her to bounce back this next season and write her down as a name to watch in March next season. She is capable of putting her team on the big stage and I for one will be looking for big things from the Kernel guard next season.
- Huron (Senior) – G
- PPG – 11.9, RPG – 4.0, APG – 3.5
- Head Coach – Tim Buddenhagen
- Commitment – None
- Shreeve is a talented guard who gets it done on both ends. Coming in at only 5’5″ this kid makes up for height with toughness, intensity, and high IQ. She has deep range and knows how to get her shot off fast. Her three-point technique is smooth as she gets her feet set and has ready hands creating a quick delivery when the ball gets there. Her outside shooting combined with skilled handles makes her a very fun player to watch. She plays loose and isn’t afraid of the big moment.
- Brookings (Senior) – F/C
- PPG – 15.0, RPG – 10.3, APG – 1.1
- Head Coach – Mitch McLagan
- Commitment – None
- Six feet – Five Inches…Check! Physical Presence…Check! 4.2 GPA…Check! Walking Double-Double…Check! The Brookings senior stands out physically and had a fantastic senior season on and off the court. She positions herself well on the inside and is a great scorer in the post. She is a shot disruptor on defense and scoops up rebounds on both ends. Shelsta remains unsigned and could be argued as one the best post players that hasn’t found a home at the next level.
- Yankton (Senior) – G
- PPG – 15.0, RPG – 7.5, APG – 2.6
- Head Coach – Trey Krier
- Commitment – Northwestern (Iowa)
- The list is rounded out by Ellie Karolevitz Ellie Karolevitz 5'10" | CG Yankton | 2022 State SD , a 5’10″ senior guard for the Yankton Gazelles. Her story has included battling injury, enduring ups and downs in the regular season, and a whole lot of solid performances with her name attached to them. She is a player who impresses with high IQ play and a team mindset. Perimeter shooting, aggressive attacks to the middle of the paint, and physicality on the boards and defensively blend well for making a complete game for the talented guard. The experiences Ellie has had appear to have prepared her well for the next level as she takes her talents to the state of Iowa at Northwestern University.
Congratulations to the athletes, coaches, and school districts represented on this impressive list.