The 2014-15 high school basketball season is underway in South Dakota. Many teams hold a dream that only six in the state will acomplish, by bringing home a state championship come March. Which team or teams do you think will bring home a state title in basketball this season? Here's what a few sports analysts think.
Girls Basketball Favorites (according to KWSN/KSFY poll)
Class AA- Sioux Falls O'Gorman is the early favorite for the girls AA class. Last season the Knights finished in third place at the state tournament, when they were beaten by Mitchell in the semi-final round. They're overall record in 2013-14 was 18-7. The top two key players for the O'Gorman Knights team are Jssica Mieras and Dalee Stene, and last season combined they averaged over 21 points per game.
Class A- St. Thomas More was the class A state champion in girls basketball last season, and some are predicting similar results for 2014-15. Last season, their only loss was a road game in Nebraska against Croften.
Class B- Warner is the obvious favorite for girls class B basketball, as they've won it the past two seasons. On top of that, they have three returning starters to their squad. The Monarchs are known for their strong defense, as last season they allowed just over 30 points a game. Ashley Rozell is a senior who leads the Warner team. Rozell is a two-time all-state performer along with being a three-year starter with the Monarchs. She averaged 18.5 points a game last season with six rebounds and four assists.
Boys Basketball Favorites (according to KWSN/KSFY poll)
Class AA- The boys basketball favorite for 2014-15 is Sioux Falls Lincoln. Last season, the team made a run in the post-season as they upset No. 1 ranked Huron and then went on to beat Sioux Falls Washington, punching their ticket to the state championship game. The Patriots were defeated by Sioux Falls Roosevelt in the championship game, but with four returning starters and as the runner up champs of last year, they fall into this seasons championship discussion.
Class A- Clark/Willow Lake is the early favorite for the boys A class, as they are returning four starters from last seasons 19-3 team. The Cyclones were defeated by Sioux Valley in last years championship game, but they feel they can bounce back to a better season this year. Clark/Willow Lake likes to run a man-to-man defense, and when speed is combined, they make themselves tough to score on.
Class B- Platte-Geddes is similar to many other teams in the the state of South Dakota. They were a runner up in last years state tournament, and they're returning most of their starters. Last season the Black Panthers went 19-7 and steamrolled their way through the playoffs until losing to James Valley Christian in the championship game. They'll make it tough on offenses by changing their gears from zone to man-to-man. They also have a consistent offense, who has experience to put them in high percentage shot situations.
Below is this years Hardcourt preview show featuring Erik Thorstenson (KSFY Sports Director), Matt Peterson (Weekend Sports Anchor), and Brad Green (Editorial Coordinator and Freelance reporter with the Argus Leader)
KSFY/KWSN Rankings (as of Dec.15, 2014)
Girls AA
- Sioux Falls O’Gorman
- Sioux Falls Lincoln
- Pierre
- Brookings
- Sioux Falls Roosevelt
Girls A
- St. Thomas More
- Sioux Valley
- Tri-Valley
- Winner
- West Central
Girls B
- Warner
- SC-Woonsocket
- Summit
- Sully Buttes
- Ethan
Boys AA
- Sioux Falls Lincoln
- Sioux Falls O’Gorman
- Sioux Falls Washington
- Sioux Falls Roosevelt
- Yankton
Boys A
- Clark-Willow Lake
- Dell Rapids
- Madison
- St. Thomas More
- Sioux Valley
Boys B
- Platte-Geddes
- Potter County
- White River
- Langford Area
- Arlington
Do you agree with the current rankings? Who is being left out of the discussion? Is there a team who could surprise everyone?
Follow us on twitter @SDPBSports, and let us know what you're thinking. We'd like to hear your thoughts. You can also follow me on twitter: @Nate_WekSDPB
