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SD Class AA Girls Basketball State Tournament Preview

The girls basketball AA State tournament is set to begin Thursday at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls! O'Gorman has gone wire to wire in the polls at number one by going undefeated. All the home teams won in the SoDak 16 to make a very strong field. Here is a look at the matchups. 

Noon CT 

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  1. O’Gorman 21-0

58.6

30.4

Coach Kent Kolsrud "We are excited--good group coming back. Have some veteran experience. Hard working group that should have good team chemistry." They have the top defense in the state and one of the top playmakers in future Jackrabbit, Mahli Abdouch.

8) Stevens 13-8

51.6

44.5

Coach Adam Dannenbring "

We have just one senior playing this season.  The team is fast, but defense against taller players and rebounding are concerns because we don't have a player over six feet tall on the roster.  Offensively, transition baskets and outside shooting will be the keys to the team scoring points." The Raiders do have the leading scorer in the class with Taaliyah Porter and she can make things happen on the court. 

  • O’Gorman won on 2/2 47-35

 

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4) Jefferson 16-5

52.8

39.5

Head Coach Shaunteva Pruett likes the team makeup. "This year we will continue to focus on our defense and how we can let our defense create our offense. We're a team that likes to create havoc on defense but need to make sure that the havoc is not coming back on us." 

The Cavaliers graduated 5 seniors from last year’s squad that finished 3rd last season. They return 3 out of the 5 starters from the 2022-2023 season and added a freshman in Brinley Altenburg who leads the team in scoring. Jefferson hasn't lost a quarterfinal game in school history (2 years). 

 

5) Pierre 15-6

51.0

41.1

 Head Coach Kirk Beebout "We need to go back to basics and rebounding, we need to reinforce the fundamentals as we get into these big games,"

Pierre is led by junior guard Lennix DuPris, senior Ryann Barry and senior post Reese Terwilliger. All three are threats to score in different ways. Last season Pierre made a run to the championship game. 

  • Pierre won on 2/20 51-47



6:00 PM CT 

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2) Mitchell 19-2

52.1

42.6

Head Coach Dave Brooks,

"Our team's success has been a product of hard work, we didn't plan on having the type of season that we have had. It's back to just go play and can we get back to who we are and just have some fun." 

Their leader Sawyer Stoebner is just 5-9 but plays much bigger. She has taken the time to improve and has been the heart and soul of the Kernels this season. 

7) Harrisburg 13-8

51.5

45.2

 The last time these teams played in January Mitchell got the two point win. Jaylee Hofer and Abby Flanagan led the Tigers and they held Mitchell star Sawyer Stoebner to 10 points. 

Head Coach Nick Mayer,

"We have three starters returning as well as our first two off the bench from last year.  We have a unique combination of veteran players and young kids vying for their shot. Our defense is a major strength of ours, we are very excited about our team this season.  Our kids have put in a lot of work this offseason and we hope that pays dividends for us now."

 

  • Mitchell  won on 1/20 46-44




6:00 PM CT 

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3) Brandon Valley 17-4

55.4

42.3

 Coach Mike Zerr

"We've got an athletic and deep group. Fun to have that depth and see it develop." 

Alyvia Padgett and Ava Kellenberger are super competitive sophomores who have really grown this season. Kennadi Deckert brings a very solid senior presence and Madison Geiver could be voted most improved post player in the class this year. 

6) Spearfish 15-6

51.5

40.2

 After losing to Brandon Valley on February 16 the Spartans have turned it up. They'vs increased their scoring in the last four games and have shown they can play with anyone in the state. They're led by juniors Jozie Dana and Mya Kochuten who both average double-digit points. 

  • BV won on 2/16 49-37


Filed Under Basketball | Varsity Sports | SD High School