Huron Holiday Classic Preview: South Dakota Hoops to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Soon after Christmas Day, there are a number of marquee matchups set to take place in South Dakota girls' basketball. The Huron Holiday Classic kicks off on December 29th and features Class B's number 5 ranked De Smet as well as Howard and Jones County, both of who have received votes in Class B this year. A ton of talented prospects will be featured in this event. These will be games to watch for sure!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"backgroundColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-primary-background-color has-background"><strong>11 a.m. - Mitchell Christian vs. Chester</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"textColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-primary-color has-text-color"><strong>Prospects to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rebekah Strong - Mitchell Christian - 5'3" - G - Class of 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jasmyne Lessman - Mitchell Christian - 5'3' - G/F - Class of 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Madelyn Nebelsick - Mitchell Christian - 5'0" - G - Class of 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='488318' first='Emery' last='Larson'] - Chester - 5'5" - G - Class of 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='488317' first='Emmerson' last='Eppard'] - Chester - 5'9" - G - Class of 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kaylor Geraets - Chester - 5'8" - G - Class of 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jacy Wolf - Chester - 5'5" - G - Class of 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"textColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-primary-color has-text-color"><strong>Intriguing Matchups</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rebekah Strong vs. [player_tooltip player_id='488318' first='Emery' last='Larson']/[player_tooltip player_id='488317' first='Emmerson' last='Eppard']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Strong, Larson, and Eppard are both arguably the best player on their squad. Strong will need to have a great game scoring the basketball and defending either Larson or Eppard for Mitchell Christian in this one. Look for the electric, atheltic guard Larson to be a major factor in this one, and if MC goes zone she could potentially light it up from beyond the arc. Eppard is a stat stuffer who will look to have a big game in this one. She can score, rebound, dish out passes to set up her teammates, and snags multiple steals and blocks a couple shots per game as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Madelyn Nebelsick vs. Jacy Wolf</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both just 8th grade kids playing up on varsity this year, no shortage of talent in these two. They both have a lot of growing to do, both literally and in the mental part of the game, but don't sleep on these two as they are very talented for their age.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"backgroundColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-primary-background-color has-background"><strong>12:30 p.m. - Lower Brule vs. Faulkton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"textColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-primary-color has-text-color"><strong>Prospects to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brilyn LaRoche - Lower Brule - 5'7" - G - Class of 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marlee Sazue - Lower Brule - 5'5" - G/F - Class of 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Courtney Traversie - Lower Brule - 6'3" - C - Class of 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Olivia Hadrick - Faulkton - 5'5" - G - Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gabby Kast - Faulkton - 5'9" - G/F - Class of 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='246719' first='Addison' last='Melius'] - Faulkton - 5'9" - G/F - Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"textColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-primary-color has-text-color"><strong>Intriguing Matchups</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Courtney Traversie vs. [player_tooltip player_id='246719' first='Addison' last='Melius']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two athletes both bring great value on the defensive end of the floor. At 6'3" Traversie is a phsyical specimen who can alter shots and snag rebounds. Melius at 5'9" and quick is a multi-steal per outing athlete who is disruptive in her own way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brilyn LaRoche vs. Gabby Kast</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At very different stages of their careers LaRoche (freshman) and Kast (senior) both of these players are important scorers for their squads and are effective shooters from beyond the arc. Look for these two to be major parts of their squads' offenses and let's see who has the higher point total at the end of the night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"backgroundColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-primary-background-color has-background"><strong>2 p.m. - Elkton/Lake Benton vs. Sanborn Central/Woonsocket</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"textColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-primary-color has-text-color"><strong>Prospects to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='188473' first='Rachael' last='Krog'] - Elkton/Lake Benton - 5'9" - G - Class of 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tevan Erickson - Elkton/Lake Benton - 5'8" - G - Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kailyn Drietz - Elkton/Lake Benton - 5'8" - G/F - Class of 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Malayna Hemmen - Elkton/Lake Benton - 5'6" - G - Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kailynn Eggleston - Sanborn Central/Woonsocket - 5'8" - F - Class of 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Liz Boschee - Sanborn Central/Woonsocket - 6'0" - F/C - Class of 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"textColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-primary-color has-text-color"><strong>Intriguing Matchups</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='188473' first='Rachael' last='Krog'] vs. Kailynn Eggleston</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lots of basketball has been played between the combined minutes of these two seniors. Krog looks like the best player in this game and it will be interesting to see if Eggleston can match her skill level and have an impact on this one. Both skilled scorers, and hard-working defenders, these two will factor in heavilty on the outcome of this matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tevan Erickson vs. Liz Boschee</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Outside of the two athletes above, I'm looking for big scoring nights out of these two. They are both talented scorers that can get to the rim and Erickson has an outside game as well. I am looking forward to more scouting on both of thse impressive athletes. Boschee is young but at 6'0" and athletic she is going to be a fun story to follow this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"backgroundColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-primary-background-color has-background"><strong>3:30 p.m. - Burke vs. Warner</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"textColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-primary-color has-text-color"><strong>Prospects to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elly Witt - Burke - 5'3" - G - Class of 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Adisyn Indahl - Burke - 5'6" - G - Class of 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kailee Frank - Burke - 5'8" - F - Class of 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Paige Bull - Burke - 6'0" - C - Class of 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ava Nilsson - Warner - 6'1" - G - Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kamryn Anderson - Warner - 5'10" - F - Class of 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='375279' first='Kyra' last='Marcuson'] - Warner - 5'8" - G - Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"textColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-primary-color has-text-color"><strong>Intriguing Matchups</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Adisyn Indahl vs Ava Nilsson </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Indahl and Nilsson are the top scorers coming into this one. Both of them have impressive basketball builds with height, length, and athleticism. They both anticipate well on the defensive end and create turnovers leading to points for their team. Look for the winner of this matchup to heavily sway the outcome in this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Paige Bull vs Kamryn Anderson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a fun battle to watch in the paint. Both of these players are physical, willing rebounders, who can also score inside. Bull is young and developing and plays with a really impressive motor and physical paint game. Anderson has expereince on her side and is a talented scorer and rebounder with high basketball IQ.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"backgroundColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-primary-background-color has-background"><strong>5 p.m. - Lyman vs. Howard</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"textColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-primary-color has-text-color"><strong>Prospects to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='182474' first='Skyler' last='Volmer'] - Lyman - 5'9" - G - Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='388883' first='Mak' last='Scott'] - Lyman - 6'0" - F/C - Class of 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Annie Brakke - Lyman - 5'6" - G - Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>McKenzie Laverdure - Lyman - 5'7" - G/F - Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='375559' first='Trinity' last='Palmquist'] - Howard - 5'8" - G/F - Class of 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rylee Rudebusch - Howard - 5'7" - G/F - Class of 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='375561' first='Abby' last='Aslesen'] - Howard - 6'0" - G/F - Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='188478' first='Kate' last='Connor'] - Howard - 6'0" - F/C - Class of 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"textColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-primary-color has-text-color"><strong>Intriguing Matchups</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='388883' first='Mak' last='Scott'] vs [player_tooltip player_id='188478' first='Kate' last='Connor']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is going to be a fun game to watch if you enjoy physical, old-fashioned post play! [player_tooltip player_id='388883' first='Mak' last='Scott'] has already turned in a double-double this season with a 24 point and 11 rebound performance early on, and [player_tooltip player_id='188478' first='Kate' last='Connor'] has been a double-double machine her whole career. Look for this to be a battle on the interior and both of these young ladies will have a huge impact on the outcome of this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='182474' first='Skyler' last='Volmer'] vs [player_tooltip player_id='375561' first='Abby' last='Aslesen']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These are two of the most talented players in the classic and should make for some really high-quality basketball. Volmer has impressive length, defends hard, can get to the rim at will, and can score it also. Aslesen brings a very similar skill-set but stands at six feet tall. These two are going to lead their teams in scoring a lot of games and both project to continue their basketball careers after high school.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"backgroundColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-primary-background-color has-background"><strong>6:30 p.m. - DeSmet vs. James Valley Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"textColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-primary-color has-text-color"><strong>Prospects to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='166649' first='Jada' last='Burke'] - DeSmet - 5'10" - G/F - Class of 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261609' first='Emma' last='Albrecht'] - DeSmet - 5'7" - G - Class of 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alyssa Asleson - DeSmet - 5'5" - G - Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='403821' first='Hazel' last='Luethmers'] - DeSmet - 6'0" - G/F - Class of 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='317858' first='Alexa' last='Goertz'] - JVC - 5'9" - G - Class of 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rhayonna Hood - JVC - 5'6" - G - Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kaylie Robinson - JVC - 5'9" - G - Class of 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lily Hofer - JVC - 5'10" - C - Class of 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"textColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-primary-color has-text-color"><strong>Intriguing Matchups</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='166649' first='Jada' last='Burke'] vs. [player_tooltip player_id='317858' first='Alexa' last='Goertz']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both super-talented basketball players, look for each of these teams to rely on the expereince these two bring in the early going. [player_tooltip player_id='166649' first='Jada' last='Burke'] has state-tournament experience and 4 years of playing under her belt, but don't sleep on the very talented Goertz who has a very complete skill-set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='403821' first='Hazel' last='Luethmers'] vs. Lily Hofer</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Luethmers and Hofer are both really solid scorers who play off of their talented teammates listed above. Look for these two to step up on offense as the other team tries to take away their best overall scorers. Luethmers gets the pre-game nod here as she gained valuable experience in the state tournament last season as a freshman and sprouted up to 6 feet tall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"backgroundColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-primary-background-color has-background"><strong>8 p.m. - Colman-Egan vs. Jones County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"textColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-primary-color has-text-color"><strong>Prospects to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ava Mousel - Colman-Egan - 5'6" - G - Class of 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442016' first='Lanie' last='Mousel'] - Coman-Egan - 5'7" - G - Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='497183' first='Berkley' last='Groos'] - Colman-Egan - 5'7" - G - Class of 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='441998' first='Brynlee' last='Landis'] - Colman - Egan - 5'8" - G - Class of 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kaylee Voelker - Colman-Egan - 5'5" - G - Class of 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='388645' first='Peyton' last='Rankin'] - Jones County - 5'7" - G - Class of 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='246177' first='Mallory' last='Valburg'] - Jones County - 6'0" - F - Class of 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='246223' first='Jadyn' last='Jensen'] - Jones County - 5'10" - G/F - Class of 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jolie Dugan - Jones County - 5'10" - F - Class of 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jacey Jensen - Jones County - 5'6" - G - Class of 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"textColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-primary-color has-text-color"><strong>Intriguing Matchups</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Colman-Egan's Gameplan vs. [player_tooltip player_id='246223' first='Jadyn' last='Jensen']/[player_tooltip player_id='246177' first='Mallory' last='Valburg']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The most intriguing part of this game for me will come from head coach Tyler Husby and his staff, and how they plan to stop the powerful duo of Jensen and Valburg. At 5'10" and 6'0" respecitively, these two pose a matchup problem for the scrappy, athletic, but not a ton of height Hawks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='441998' first='Brynlee' last='Landis'] vs. Jacey Jensen</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both young players who have an important role for their team, let's see which one of these youthful talents has the better game in this one. Both of these young athletes are going to be names to keep on your radar down the road, and are blessed to have upperclassmen to help lead them this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->