Rod's Sunday Take N Things

The High School basketball season is over in South Dakota. Or at least the winter portion of the season. Now the off season, or the most important season begins. What I saw from the state tournaments is 1) Jared Hannigan of Aberdeen Central is hands down the best boys basketball player in the state in any class, bar none. Sioux Falls O'Gorman was hands down, the best team in AA. Madison's convincing win over St. Thomas More in the A tournament ended any argument there. And White River was the best in the State B tournament. Still not sold that the Tigers were the overall best in the State in that class but in the 3 games when they had to be, they were. So they get the braggin rights for a year.

Now, the gauntlet has been tossed in Class AA boys. Right now the GDC, and to be more specific, the Sioux Falls Schools are better than anyone any ESD school can throw out there. And it does not look like it will change anytime soon. Watertown is the last ESD team to win a state boys championship back in 2008. O'Gorman has won three of the last 4 titles in 06, 07 and 10. Lincoln of course won it last year. Pierre had their shot in 06. Huron last year and Aberdeen Central in 07 and last night. Hmmm, seems to me that if you can get out of District 3AA, which does not change from year to year to year compared to districts in the other two classes, you got a chance, but that is a story for another time. Anyway for the boys it is time for the ESD to gather their arms and retake the State's top spot. Next years' best hope that I see are Pierre, Watertown and Brookings, not neccisarly in that order. Brandon Valley could also be in the mix. Huron may have the overall best player returning next year in Luke Carr, who played very well this weekend as a sophomore. Aberdeen Central, Huron, Mitchell and Yankton look to me to have the most work ahead of them. I would not count Mitchell and Huron out however. They have two coaches who almost will their players to win in Gary Munsen and Tim Buddenhagen. Out west, I look for Sturgis to be the team to beat. Stevens may have a new head coach next year, or at least the rumors are out there. Rapid City Central loses alot while Spearfish will be young again and Douglas, who knows. Alot depends on the U.S. Air Force there. I really think games next year between Pierre and Brookings and Pierre and Watertown are going to be fun ones to watch. The two biggest questions I have are 1) Who will progress the most in the offseason. And 2) will any of us survive coach Munsen? He is South Dakota boys basketball answer to the Timex Watch or Engergizer bunny. Just keeps going and going and ticking away.