Last season there were five area teams that qualified for state boys’ basketball tournaments and each one looks to be in hunt for another serious run again this winter.
Northeast Conference members Clark-Willow Lake, Groton, and Hamlin were all at the State A tourney, while Aberdeen Christian and Castlewood competed in the State B event. Each of those squads return plenty of key personnel to be right in the mix this season.
Groton returns all five starters from last year’s team and already owns a quality win over Hamlin. The Tigers are led by returning all-state member Ryder Johnson, but feature a balanced attack.
Hamlin, runner-up last year and state champion two years ago, lost some key pieces to graduation, but Jackson Wadsworth brings back big-game experience. Expect freshman Owen Taschner to play a key role this season.
Clark-Willow Lake will be tough to deal with again this season. Led by 6-foot-8 sophomore all-stater Sullivan Felberg, the Cyclones have the personnel to match up with anybody.
Defending State B champion Castlewood lost some standout players to graduation, but the Warriors still have quality members with experience on the state’s biggest stage. Kamden Keszler and Brody Bass will help to carry the load this winter.
Aberdeen Christian returns four starters and several key reserves. The Knights will be led by junior all-state member Brooks Jett, and once again has quality size along the front line.
Among other key players to keep an eye this season include Miller’s Isaak Hunter, a multiple-sport standout who gained all-state recognition a year ago, and Wes Wittler of Sully Buttes, who is a past all-state player in both basketball and football.
Expect another strong season from Leola-Frederick, which competed in the State B tourney two years ago, and the Tigers of Ipswich, who are coming off a standout football season, and have speed and athleticism at multiple positions. Ipswich fell to eventual state champion Castlewood in SoDak 16 action last year.
Caleb Richmond of Wolsey-Wessington is one of the most athletic players in the region, while Hitchcock-Tulare will be led by Patrick Maynard and Devin Enander. Also, look for Langford Area’s Kassen Keough to put up big numbers this season, while state track and field champion Ethen Schwenn will help to power Wilmot.
