Preview look at SoDak 16 Class A and B state-qualifying games involving area squads

Ir's down to "win-or-go home" for eight area Class A and B girls basketball teams scheduled to play in SoDak 16 state-qualifying games across the state on Thursday.

In Class A, that's No. 1 seed Sisseton, No. 7 Aberdeen Roncalli, No. 9 Florence-Henry and No. 12 Mobridge-Pollock.

In Class B, it's No. 1 Arlington, No. 6 Warner, No. 11 Herreid-Selby Area and No. 15 Northwestern.

Thursday's winners advance to state tournaments March 7-9 at the Dacotah Bank Center in Brookings (Class A) and the Summit Arena at the Monument in Rapid City (Class B).

Let's look at each of the matchups involving area teams:

More: Talented Class A basketball squads seeking state-tourney berths and more

Class A (No. 1 Sisseton vs. No. 16 Tri-Valley)

The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday in the Watertown Civic Arena, a place that Sisseton's girls basketball teams have enjoyed a ton of success in through the years. That includes a third-place finish in the 2023 state A tournament.

The appearance at state last March was the first since 2012 for the Redmen, who pretty much returned their entire lineup for head coach Sara Lincoln. The result has been a 20-1 record and a No. 4 ranking in the state Class A poll. The Redmen were No. 1 for much of the season before losing to No. 3 Sioux Falls Christian 70-62 in early February.

Sisseton has good size with sisters Krista (6-foot-2 junior) and senior Chloe (6-1 senior) and a talented group of permiter players including 5-5 senior point guard Hannah Leverson (a Minnesota State Mankato recruit), 5-8 senior Emmalee Nielsen and 5-8 junior Alexia Quinn.

Tri-Valley (12-10) could be in for a long night, but there's a catch. The Mustangs lost only 48-43 to Sioux Falls Christian, as if comparing scores is a good idea.

Class A (No. 7 Aberdeen Roncalli vs. No. 10 Mount Vernon-Plankinton)

Roncalli (19-3) and MVP (17-5) are set to square off at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Huron Arena.

Coach Derek Larson guided Roncalli to the state Class A championship in 2021 and led the team to a consolation title in the state B tourney in 2022. The Cavs are trying to get back to the State A with a lineup spearhead by 5-6 guards Camryn Bain and Maddie Huber and 5-10 junior Ava Hanson.

It won't be easy against a MVP team that beat defending state runner-up Wagner in Region 5A. The Titans feature 5-8 senior guard Emilee Fox, a South Dakota State recruit who has scored more than 2,000 points in her career, and 5-9 junior guard Reagan Rus.

Class A (No. 8 Hanson vs. No. 9 Florence-Henry)

The Beaverettes (16-5) and the Falcons (17-5) meet in a rematch at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Madison High School.

Hanson was the 2022 state Class A runner-up and is led by veteran coach Jim Bridge, who passed former McIntosh and Aberdeen Central coach Dawn Seiler, as the state's all-time winningest coach in girls basketball. He now has 635 wins and a lineup led by 5-9 senior Eliza Oltmanns, among others.

The story here is Florence-Henry, which has never qualified for a state girls basektball tournament as a co-op. Only Henry, which made it to the State B in 1987, has ever played at state between the two schools. The Falcons earned this shot by beating defending state A champion Hamlin in the Region 2A semifinals.

Senior standout Caylin Kelly and fellow starting classmates Taylor Watson, Haley Hlavacek and Reese Schmidt have been knocking on the door of state tourneys in volleyball and basketball these past few years, but this is their final chance.

Don't be surprised if this one goes down to the wire. Florence-Henry edged Hanson 47-45 in the regular season.

Class A (No. 6 Tea Area vs. No. 12 Mobridge-Pollock)

The Titans (18-4) and Tigers (17-4) will hit the court at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the Huron Arena.

The battle won't be easy for a Mobridge-Pollock team that last made it to state in 2011. The squad is led by 5-10 junior Charley Henderson.

Tea Area, which has never qualified for state, is a battle-tested team that is set to move up to Class AA and join the Eastern South Dakota Conference this fall. They also feature South Dakota State recruit Katie Vasecka, a 6-1 senior guard some people feel is the best player in the state.

The Titans have played seven Class AA teams this winter and are 4-3.

Class B (No. 1 Arlington vs. No. 16 Gayville-Volin)

Two teams looking to end state-tourney droughts are set to battle at 6 p.m. Thursday at Madison High School, Arlington (20-2) has made only two state-tourney trips in history, the last coming in 2011 (State B). Gayville-Volin (15-7) made its only trip to state in 2014.

Former Watertown standout Tara (Heiser) King has turned the program around at Arlington and features a very athletic that featured junior twins Addalyn and Jolyssa Steffensen and their younger sister Isabelle, a freshman. All three are listed at 5-8 along with senior Harley Johnson and sophomore Jaelyn Huntimer.

The fourthp-rated Class B Cardinals may lack a strong presence inside, but can make things tough for opponents with their quickness and have a number of players who can shoot or drive.

Gayville-Volin is led by 5-6 sophomore guard Taylor Hoxeng, who is averaging nearly 17 points per game.

Class B (No. 6 Warrner vs. No. 11 Herreid-Selby Area)

Warner (20-2) and Herreid-Selby Area (15-7) will play at 7 p.m. Thursday in Ispwich and although the two teams have played a number of common opponents this season, they just haven't played each other.

Coach Tina Winter's Monarchs own wins over Leola-Frederick Area and Faulkton Area, teams that won close games over HSA this winter.

Senior twins Lauren and Kyra Marcuson, 6-1 junior Kyleigh Schoipp and 6-0 senior Ava Nilsson have not only been talented players for Warner's dominant volleyball teams, but also lead the way on the basketball court.

Coach Ryan Yackley's Wolverines are led by 6-0 senior Jada Rossow and her younger sister Jordyn, a 6-0 sophomore.

Warner last played at state in 2019 and HSA in 2021.

Class B (No. 2 Harding County vs. No. 15 Northwestern)

The third-rated Ranchers put their 21-0 record on the line against the 13-9 Wildcats at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Timber Lake High School.

The two teams didn't pay any common opponents and haven't been to state since 2005 (Northwestern) and 2009 (Harding County).

Claire Verhulst a 5-4 senior guard, averages 11.7 points per game and Bailey Verhulst, a 5-2 junior, 9.2 ppg. for a balanced Ranchers team.

Coach Jason Sparling's Wildcats may seem overmatched, but they can certainly hope that Harding County is another West River team that bulked up on a light schedule. Northwestern ha s a young team with no seniors that is led 5-8 sophomore Josie Sparling, 5-10 sophomore Ashley Haven, 6-2 junior Ana Ratigan and 5-6 freshman Tara Blachford.

Other Class A SoDak 16 Games

No. 2 Sioux Falls Christian (19-2) vs. No. 15 Miller (15-7), 6 p.m. at Salem

No. 3 Flandreau (22-0) vs. No. 14 Hill City (18-4), 7 p.m. at Chamberlain

No. 4 Vermillion (18-4) vs. No. 13 Winner (16-4), 6:30 p.m. at Menno

No. 5 Mahpiya Luta (Formerly Red Cloud) (21-0) vs. No. 12 Belle Fourche (16-4), 7:30 p.m. at Hot Spring

More: Class A Hamlin, Sisseton and Florence-Henry and Class B Arlington lead the pack

Other Class B SoDak 16 Games

No. 3 Centerville (20-2) vs. No. 14 Tripp-Delmont/Armour (13-9), 7 p.m. at Irene

No. 4 Ethan (19-2) vs. No. 13 Andes Central-Dakota Christian (14-8), 7 p.m. at Parkston

No. 5 Wall (18-4) vs. No. 12 Colman-Egan (15-7), 5:30 p.m. at Fort Pierre (Stanley County HS)

No. 7 Lyman (19-2) vs. No. 10 Kadoka Area (15-6), 7 p.m. at Murdo

No. 8 Lemmon (19-3) vs. No. 9 James Valley Christian (15-6), 6:30 p.m. at Gettysburg

Follow Watertown Public Opinion sports reporter Roger Merriam on X (formerly known as Twitter) @PO_Sports or email: rmerriam@thepublicopinion.com

This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: SoDak 16 Class A and B Girls Basketball Preview