- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,272,583
- Reaction score
- 59
Jan. 29—As the calendar winds down on January, the number of undefeated South Dakota high school basketball teams is dwindling.
Across all six classes, just six squads have yet to stumble.
This week's South Dakota Full Court Press highlights that exclusive group, taking a look at how each team has reached this point and the road that lies ahead. (All team records through Jan. 28.)
One reason for success: Brandon Valley boasts a talented roster, headlined by reigning Class AA player of the year Alyvia Padgett. Taking her game to an even higher level as a senior, the Minnesota State-Mankato commit is averaging 27.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 3.2 steals per game.
Best wins: The Lynx captured the state's attention right away, snapping a 50-game win streak by two-time defending Class AA state champion O'Gorman in the season opener. Most recently, Brandon Valley notched a 33-point beatdown of Aberdeen Central, which is the No. 3 team in the seed-point standings.
Biggest hurdles ahead: A tricky three-game stretch in early February could be all that stands between the Lynx and an undefeated regular season. In succession, Brandon Valley visits fifth-place Rapid City Stevens, then fourth-place Sioux Falls Washington, before hosting a 15-2 squad from Marshall (Minn.). The only other opponent on the Lynx's schedule currently above .500 is 8-3 Mitchell.
One reason for success: No stranger to sustained success, Mahpiya Luta has picked up where it left off a year ago behind a veteran roster. Led by established seniors like Ashlan Carlow-Blount, Mya Mills and transfer Shania Ferguson, Mahpiya Luta has extended its regular-season win streak to 54 games in a row.
Best wins: Winning four games in four days, Mahpiya Luta secured a Lakota Nation Invitational five-peat in December, then tipped off 2026 by dismantling defending Class B champion Bennett County by 45 points. Mahpiya Luta also came out on top of No. 2-ranked Lennox 66-56 at the Hanson Classic.
Biggest hurdles ahead: Two teams above .500 remain on the schedule, but Mahpiya Luta gets the benefit of hosting both: Rapid City Christian on Feb. 3 and St. Thomas More on Feb. 10.
One reason for success: Perhaps no team in South Dakota high school basketball flew under the radar to start this season more than the Hawks. Colman-Egan was 19-3 last season, but in a loaded Region 3B, the Hawks were cut down before the statewide postseason by eventual state runner-up Sanborn Central/Woonsocket. Though Colman-Egan graduated five seniors, the group of returning talent has carried that momentum forward.
Best wins: While the Hawks haven't yet run into one of the other top contenders in the Class B standings, their slate isn't short on good wins. Arguably the best result on Colman-Egan's slate so far was a win over Class A West Central, which is 9-3. Earlier in the year, the Hawks took down Class A Flandreau at the Entringer Classic and 9-5 Wessington Springs at the Huron Holiday Classic.
Biggest hurdles ahead: Colman-Egan's regular-season finale against region rival Chester, which is seventh in the Class B seed-point standings, looms large. Also, look out for a road trip to 8-4 Freeman and a home date with 8-5 Deubrook Area.
One reason for success: Roster continuity has allowed the Raiders, who graduated just one senior from last season's state tournament team, to hit the ground running. Among the key returners are Mak Scott, another lone senior on this year's roster, alongside sophomore sister Jordyn Scott, plus the likes of Bree Smart, Kenzie Wagner and Brooke Montgomery.
Best wins: Just before the New Year, Lyman stole the attention of many across the state by beating Mitchell, now 8-3, in a rare Class B-versus-Class AA showdown at the Hoop City Classic. Since then, the Raiders have added notable wins over ranked squads in Corsica-Stickney at the Midwest Miracles Classic and Class A Mobirdge-Pollock at the Hanson Classic.
Biggest hurdles ahead: As it stands, every opponent remaining on Lyman's schedule has a winning record. That includes a trip to defending state champion Bennett County, one-loss Highmore-Harrold and one-loss Sioux City, Iowa, program Bishop Heelan in Sioux Falls.
One reason for success: Three all-state players from last season — seniors Sam DeGroot and Sam Ericsson and junior Brody Schafer — are back in the fold for a Lincoln squad that went 22-2 and powered through every Class AA team not named Mitchell a year ago.
Best wins: The Patriots handed Sioux Falls Roosevelt its lone loss of the season so far by a 19-point margin at the Presidents Bowl Classic. Lincoln also has a 13-point win over Harrisburg and a 25-point blowout of Huron, two other top Class AA squads.
Biggest hurdles ahead: Friday night, Lincoln gets its shot at revenge against Mitchell, then comes 9-2 Tea Area and 9-1 Watertown, both of which are in the top four of the seed-point standings. A highly anticipated rematch with Roosevelt is set for Feb. 17.
One reason for success: The Trojans were already on the rise, going from 12-10 two years ago to 21-4 last year, and they've kept on that sky-high trajectory with many key players back this season. Leading the way, junior guard Connor Mebius is as dynamic as they come, and 6-foot-10 senior forward Will Kuhl presents many challenges with his size and ability to stretch the floor. Plus, West Central hired longtime St. Thomas More coach Dave Hollenbeck, with more than 500 career wins to his credit, to take the program to the next level.
Best wins: West Central hasn't shied away from top opposition. The Trojans are responsible for the lone losses taken by defending champion Sioux Falls Christian and Clark/Willow Lake. They've also beaten other potential Class A state tournament teams such as Vermillion, Groton Area, Pine Ridge, St. Thomas More and Lennox.
Biggest hurdles ahead: In Saturday's Dakota XII-NEC Clash, West Central takes its shot at one-loss Hamlin. The night before is a trip to 8-3 Flandreau. After that, only 6-4 Madison has a winning record on the rest of the Trojans' schedule.
While there are no undefeated teams left representing the Class B boys at this stage in the season, Viborg-Hurley (11-1) was the last member of the club left standing and currently sits atop the seed-point standings. Brady Schroedermeier is performing at a level that will likely put him on the short list for Class B player of the year, and the Cougars are almost certainly benefiting from another season learning from coach Shane Warwick. Prior to being defeated by Class A Hamlin at the Hanson Classic on Jan. 24, the Cougars already had six victories against teams that are up to eight wins or more, including top Class B squads Freeman and Wall and Class A Pine Ridge. Viborg-Hurley plays Marty (8-1) at the Blizzard Buster Classic in Irene on Saturday in a meeting of the only two Class B teams with one loss. Like Viborg-Hurley, the Braves' lone loss came against a Class A opponent in Pine Ridge.
Continue reading...
Across all six classes, just six squads have yet to stumble.
This week's South Dakota Full Court Press highlights that exclusive group, taking a look at how each team has reached this point and the road that lies ahead. (All team records through Jan. 28.)
One reason for success: Brandon Valley boasts a talented roster, headlined by reigning Class AA player of the year Alyvia Padgett. Taking her game to an even higher level as a senior, the Minnesota State-Mankato commit is averaging 27.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 3.2 steals per game.
Best wins: The Lynx captured the state's attention right away, snapping a 50-game win streak by two-time defending Class AA state champion O'Gorman in the season opener. Most recently, Brandon Valley notched a 33-point beatdown of Aberdeen Central, which is the No. 3 team in the seed-point standings.
Biggest hurdles ahead: A tricky three-game stretch in early February could be all that stands between the Lynx and an undefeated regular season. In succession, Brandon Valley visits fifth-place Rapid City Stevens, then fourth-place Sioux Falls Washington, before hosting a 15-2 squad from Marshall (Minn.). The only other opponent on the Lynx's schedule currently above .500 is 8-3 Mitchell.
One reason for success: No stranger to sustained success, Mahpiya Luta has picked up where it left off a year ago behind a veteran roster. Led by established seniors like Ashlan Carlow-Blount, Mya Mills and transfer Shania Ferguson, Mahpiya Luta has extended its regular-season win streak to 54 games in a row.
Best wins: Winning four games in four days, Mahpiya Luta secured a Lakota Nation Invitational five-peat in December, then tipped off 2026 by dismantling defending Class B champion Bennett County by 45 points. Mahpiya Luta also came out on top of No. 2-ranked Lennox 66-56 at the Hanson Classic.
Biggest hurdles ahead: Two teams above .500 remain on the schedule, but Mahpiya Luta gets the benefit of hosting both: Rapid City Christian on Feb. 3 and St. Thomas More on Feb. 10.
One reason for success: Perhaps no team in South Dakota high school basketball flew under the radar to start this season more than the Hawks. Colman-Egan was 19-3 last season, but in a loaded Region 3B, the Hawks were cut down before the statewide postseason by eventual state runner-up Sanborn Central/Woonsocket. Though Colman-Egan graduated five seniors, the group of returning talent has carried that momentum forward.
Best wins: While the Hawks haven't yet run into one of the other top contenders in the Class B standings, their slate isn't short on good wins. Arguably the best result on Colman-Egan's slate so far was a win over Class A West Central, which is 9-3. Earlier in the year, the Hawks took down Class A Flandreau at the Entringer Classic and 9-5 Wessington Springs at the Huron Holiday Classic.
Biggest hurdles ahead: Colman-Egan's regular-season finale against region rival Chester, which is seventh in the Class B seed-point standings, looms large. Also, look out for a road trip to 8-4 Freeman and a home date with 8-5 Deubrook Area.
One reason for success: Roster continuity has allowed the Raiders, who graduated just one senior from last season's state tournament team, to hit the ground running. Among the key returners are Mak Scott, another lone senior on this year's roster, alongside sophomore sister Jordyn Scott, plus the likes of Bree Smart, Kenzie Wagner and Brooke Montgomery.
Best wins: Just before the New Year, Lyman stole the attention of many across the state by beating Mitchell, now 8-3, in a rare Class B-versus-Class AA showdown at the Hoop City Classic. Since then, the Raiders have added notable wins over ranked squads in Corsica-Stickney at the Midwest Miracles Classic and Class A Mobirdge-Pollock at the Hanson Classic.
Biggest hurdles ahead: As it stands, every opponent remaining on Lyman's schedule has a winning record. That includes a trip to defending state champion Bennett County, one-loss Highmore-Harrold and one-loss Sioux City, Iowa, program Bishop Heelan in Sioux Falls.
One reason for success: Three all-state players from last season — seniors Sam DeGroot and Sam Ericsson and junior Brody Schafer — are back in the fold for a Lincoln squad that went 22-2 and powered through every Class AA team not named Mitchell a year ago.
Best wins: The Patriots handed Sioux Falls Roosevelt its lone loss of the season so far by a 19-point margin at the Presidents Bowl Classic. Lincoln also has a 13-point win over Harrisburg and a 25-point blowout of Huron, two other top Class AA squads.
Biggest hurdles ahead: Friday night, Lincoln gets its shot at revenge against Mitchell, then comes 9-2 Tea Area and 9-1 Watertown, both of which are in the top four of the seed-point standings. A highly anticipated rematch with Roosevelt is set for Feb. 17.
One reason for success: The Trojans were already on the rise, going from 12-10 two years ago to 21-4 last year, and they've kept on that sky-high trajectory with many key players back this season. Leading the way, junior guard Connor Mebius is as dynamic as they come, and 6-foot-10 senior forward Will Kuhl presents many challenges with his size and ability to stretch the floor. Plus, West Central hired longtime St. Thomas More coach Dave Hollenbeck, with more than 500 career wins to his credit, to take the program to the next level.
Best wins: West Central hasn't shied away from top opposition. The Trojans are responsible for the lone losses taken by defending champion Sioux Falls Christian and Clark/Willow Lake. They've also beaten other potential Class A state tournament teams such as Vermillion, Groton Area, Pine Ridge, St. Thomas More and Lennox.
Biggest hurdles ahead: In Saturday's Dakota XII-NEC Clash, West Central takes its shot at one-loss Hamlin. The night before is a trip to 8-3 Flandreau. After that, only 6-4 Madison has a winning record on the rest of the Trojans' schedule.
While there are no undefeated teams left representing the Class B boys at this stage in the season, Viborg-Hurley (11-1) was the last member of the club left standing and currently sits atop the seed-point standings. Brady Schroedermeier is performing at a level that will likely put him on the short list for Class B player of the year, and the Cougars are almost certainly benefiting from another season learning from coach Shane Warwick. Prior to being defeated by Class A Hamlin at the Hanson Classic on Jan. 24, the Cougars already had six victories against teams that are up to eight wins or more, including top Class B squads Freeman and Wall and Class A Pine Ridge. Viborg-Hurley plays Marty (8-1) at the Blizzard Buster Classic in Irene on Saturday in a meeting of the only two Class B teams with one loss. Like Viborg-Hurley, the Braves' lone loss came against a Class A opponent in Pine Ridge.
Continue reading...
