Blog

It’s time once again to name our MidcoSN Player of the Year for South Dakota Class B high school basketball.

With every class, it’s not a task I take lightly. I talk to coaches, players, media members and others who follow the game closely. I watch dozens of games throughout the season with subjective eyes and come up with a list of contenders – and ultimately choose the player of the year in each class.

Every year I think to myself, "Wow there’s never going to be another class as talented as this one." Then, the following year, I’m surprised and impressed with another great crop of student-athletes.

Class B Girls

Caelyn Valandra-Prue – White River 

27.4 PPG | 8 RPG | 3.4 APG | 73 steals | 48 blocks

Caelyn Valandra-Prue is an amazing player and has an amazing story. She fought back from a devastating knee injury in 2020 and came back even stronger this year. She was the go-to-girl on the Tigers and helped her team to their first state championship in school history. As big of a threat as she was on offense, it was her defense that makes her the best in the class. Caelyn plans to run track at the University of South Dakota next year.

Class B Boys

Kalen Garry, Jr. – De Smet 

23 PPG | 7 RPG | 3 APG | 58 FG% | 46 3-FG%

Kalen is now a two-time MidcoSN Player of the Year. He led his team in scoring, rebounding, three-pointers and free-throw percentage. De Smet didn’t lose a single game in their class this year in large part because of Kalen Garry.

"Kalen had another great season for us. Leading us in scoring, Rebounding, FG%, 3ptFG%, FT%. He has become a more vocal leader on the floor, in the huddle, and in the locker room," said his Head Coach Jeff Gruenhagen. "He is a competitor and a great teammate. His hard work and dedication make him great."

MORE SD HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL 

2021 SD High School Basketball Player of the Year: Class AA

2021 SD High School Basketball Player of the Year: Class A