Watertown, Aberdeen Central teams and area girls' squads set for SoDak 16

Ten area teams, including Watertown and Aberdeen Central's boys and girls, get a chance this week to punch their tickets to upcoming state high school basketball tournaments.

Class AA girls' SoDak 16 state-qualifying games are set for Friday, followed by boys' SoDak 16 games on Saturday. Winners advance to state tourneys March 9-11 at Sioux Falls (girls) and March 16-18 at Rapid City (boys).

Area Class A girls basketball teams Hamlin, Milbank and Sisseton and Class B teams Leola-Frederick Area, Warner and Castlewood are slated to play in SoDak 16 state-qualifying games on Thursday. Winners advance to state tourneys March 9-11 at Watertown (Class A) and Huron (Class B).

Here's a look at each of the SoDak 16 matchups involving area teams this week:

Class AA Girls

No. 8 Watertown (11-9) hosts No. 9 Sioux Falls Lincoln (8-12), 7 p.m. Friday: No matter what happens, the Arrows are making history in this game. Since Class AA teams started SoDak 16 playoffs in 2018, Watertown has never hosted a state-qualifying game.

At stake for Watertown is its first state-tournament berth since 2009.

"We had many goals to start the season. We wanted to win the ESD (Eastern South Dakota Conference) title, host a SoDak 16 game and make it back to the state tournament," said Watertown head coach Chad Rohde. "We've certainly been able to achieve some of our goals, but we're not satisfied and we're not finished."

Lincoln beat Watertown in the Civic Arena 53-50 on Jan. 31, using a 17-6 surge in the fourth quarter to get the win over an Arrow team led by senior guard Jaida Young.

"Lincoln is a scary team. They know how to stay together and not give up," said Rohde. "They're a lot like us in that they'll play hard the entire 32 minutes."

Rohde said the Patriots scored a bunch of points off offensive rebounds and free throws in the previous matchup and that's something the Arrows will need to correct on Friday.

"I've said it all along that our defense is what motivates us and set us up to do some pretty good things on the offensive end," he said.

No. 13 Aberdeen Central at No. 4 Sioux Falls Jefferson (16-4), 6 p.m. Friday: Jefferson was rated No. 1 at times during the season and ended as the No. 2 teams in the poll, but the Rough Riders haven't been dominant.

The Golden Eagles gave the Cavaliers all they wanted last week before falling 55-52 in a game at Jefferson, so Aberdeen Central shouldn't be fazed.

Senior guard Taryn Hettich and 6-0 freshman center Taryn Hermansen are among the leaders for coach Mikayla Arechigo's Golden Eagles.

Class AA Boys

No. 14 Watertown (7-13) at No. 3 Mitchell (16-4), 6 p.m. Saturday in the Corn Palace: A loss to Aberdeen Central in the regular-season final dropped the Arrows a couple of spots in the SoDak 16 standings, but each of the possible matchups would have been tough for Watertown.

Mitchell downed Watertown 63-47 in the Civic Arena on Feb. 18 with 26 points from 6-foot-4 freshman Colton Smith and 18 from senior guard Dylan Soulek. The fourth-rated Kernels are 9-1 at home this winter.

"They're 16-4 for a reason. They're very good. They have outstanding post play, great guards and kids who have played in the state tournament before so they understand what this all means," said Watertown head coach Pat McClemans.

The undersized Arrows did record seven wins and have been very competitive against a lot of teams, despite not matching up well with most of them.

Any hopes of making it back to the state Class AA tournament for the first time since 2015 is likely going to come down to Watertown's 3-point shooting. Juniors Dylon Rawdon, Jake Olson and Kohen Kranz are among the leaders for the Arrows.

"We'll likely have to be in double figures on made 3's and not on the low end," said McClemans. "I think the most we've made in a game this season is 11 or 12 and I think the reality is we're going to have to make 12 or more. We have to find a way to get to 60 points or more."

No. 13 Aberdeen Central (6-12) at No. 4 Yankton (15-5), 2 p.m. Saturday: As mentioned above, coach Brent Norberg's Golden Eagles moved up a few spots with a win over Watertown but still drew a rated team (No. 5 Yankton) in the SoDak 16.

Drew, Mac and Rugby Ryken are leaders for the Yankton team that recorded a 59-47 regular-season win over the Golden Eagles.

It seems likely that Aberdeen Central could need a big game from senior guard Spencer Barr to have a shot at settling the score with the Bucks.

Class A Girls

No. 16 Milbank (14-7) vs. No. 1 Hamlin (21-0), 7 p.m. Thursday in the Watertown Civic Arena: The two Northeast Conference foes are set to meet again with a state tournament berth on the line. Hamlin won the regular-season matchup 69-35.

Senior cousins Kami Wadsworth and Ally Abraham and freshman guard Addie Neuendorf are the leaders for Coach Tim Koisti's Chargers, who have been on a mission all season after finishing second in each of the past two state Class A tournaments. Hamlin wants another chance at the title.

A tall task awaits Milbank, the Bulldogs have enjoyed a strong season head coach Brian Pauli. They're playing in the SoDak 16 for only the second time and first since Class A adopted the playoff system in 2016-17. Senior Maurina Street and sophomore guard Isabella Anderson are two of Milbank's leaders.

No. 10 Parkston (16-6) vs. No. 7 Sisseton (19-2), 7 p.m. at Thursday in Volga: Sisseton won four Class A state titles between 2000 and 2011 but hasn't been back to state since 2012. Coach Sara Lincoln's squad fell one game short last winter, losing to Sioux Falls Christian in the SoDak 16.

The Redmen haven't been ranked in a solid Class A division, but they're good. Sisters Krista (6-2 sophomore) and Chloe (6-1 junior) Langager provide a formidable 1-2 punch inside and there's also talent on the outside led by junior guard Hannah Leverson.

Class B Girls

No. 16 Leola-Frederick Area vs. No. 1 Wolsey-Wessington (20-2), 6 p.m. Thursday in the Huron Arena: Coach Jeff Kosters, who led Hamlin High School to state football title, is trying to lead LFA back to the state tournament for the first time since 2016. Junior Sofia Losure is a leader for the Titans.

Wolsey-Wessington, the state's No. 2-rated team, await with a talented team led by 6-4 senior and Arizona State recruit Mallory Miller. Both schools have lengthy state-tournament droughts. Wessington's only appearance came in 1976 and Wolsey's lone appearance in 1977.

No. 12 Warner (16-6) vs. No. 5 Wall (17-5), 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Fort Pierre: Wall is seeking a repeat trip to state after finishing eighth last winter. Warner has been at state since winning the consolation championship in 2019.

Coach Tina Winter's Monarchs have a number of talented athletes who led Warner to another state Class B volleyball championship last fall, a group spearheaded by senior Kamryn Anderson and juniors Ava Nilsson and Kyra and Lauren Marcuson.

No. 10 Timber Lake (16-5) vs. No. 7 Castlewood (15-7), 6 p.m. Thursday at Redfield: Coach Tyler Snaza's Warriors avenged a regular-season loss to Arlington the Region 2B semifinals and need one more to win to make it back to the State B. Castlewood missed the state tourney last winter after losing to eventual champion Viborg-Hurley in the SoDak 16.

Senior standouts Maddie Horn and Mackenzie Everson and the rest of the Warriors get the chance to make up for that on Thursday.

Complete SoDak 16 Pairings

CLASS AA GIRLS (FRIDAY)

• No. 16 Sioux Falls Roosevelt (1-19) at No. 1 Sioux Falls Washington (17-3), 6 p.m.

• No. 9 Sioux Falls Lincoln (8-12) at No. 8 Watertown (11-9), 7 p.m.

• No. 15 Brookings (5-15) at No. 2 Pierre (17-3), 6 p.m.

• No. 10 Huron (8-11) at No. 7 Rapid City Stevens (13-7), 7 p.m.

• No. 13 Aberdeen Central (7-11) at No. 4 Sioux Falls Jefferson (16-4), 6 p.m.

• No. 12 Mitchell (8-12) at No. 5 Brandon Valley (15-5), 6 p.m.

• No. 14 Rapid City Central (6-14) at No. 3 Sioux Falls O'Gorman (16-4), 5 p.m.

• No. 11 Spearfish (10-9) at No. 6 Harrisburg (15-5), 6 p.m.

CLASS A GIRLS (THURSDAY)

• No. 16 Milbank (14-7) vs. No. 1 Hamlin (21-0), 7 p.m. in the Watertown Civic Arena

• No. 15 Tea Area (13-9) vs. No. 2 Wagner (21-1), 6 p.m. in Mitchell's Corn Palace

• No. 14 Lennox (16-6) vs. No. 3 Sioux Falls Christian (20-2), 7 p.m. at Harrisburg High School

• No. 13 Garretson (15-7) vs. No. 4 Red Cloud (19-2), 6 p.m. at Winner High School

• No. 12 Flandreau (18-4) vs. No. 5 St. Thomas More (17-4), 6 p.m. at Pierre High School

• No. 11 Dupree (17-5) vs. No. 6 Lakota Tech (17-4), 7 p.m. at Rapid City Central High School

• No. 10 Parkston (16-6) vs. No. 7 Sisseton (19-2), 7 p.m. at Sioux Valley High School

• No. 9 Miller (18-4) vs. No. 8 Rapid City Christian (18-4), 7 p.m. at Philip

CLASS B GIRLS (THURSDAY)

• No. 16 Leola-Frederick Area (16-6) vs. No. 1 Wolsey-Wessington (20-2), 6 p.m. in the Huron Arena

• No. 15 Corsica-Stickney (13-8) vs. No. 2 Ethan (19-2), 7:30 p.m. in Mitchell's Corn Palace

• No. 14 Lyman (14-7) vs. No. 3 Viborg-Hurley (19-3), 6 p.m. at McCook Central School

• No. 13 Harding County (14-8) vs. No. 4 Sully Buttes (19-3), 7 p.m. at Mobridge High School

• No. 12 Warner (16-6) vs. No. 5 Wall (17-5), 6:30 p.m. at Stanley County High School

• No. 11 Wessington Springs (16-6) vs. No. 6 Howard (18-4), 7:30 p.m. in the Huron Arena

• No. 10 Timber Lake (16-5) vs. No. 7 Castlewood (15-7, 6 p.m. at Redfield High School

• No. 9 Centerville (17-5) vs. No. 8 Jones County (17-4), 6 p.m. at Chamberlain Armory

CLASS AA BOYS (SATURDAY)

• No. 16 Rapid City Stevens (5-15) at No. 1 Sioux Falls Jefferson (18-2), 4 p.m.

• No. 9 Harrisburg (13-7) at No. 8 Brandon Valley (13-7), 3 p.m.

• No. 15 Rapid City Central (6-14) at No. 3 Sioux Falls Lincoln (17-3), 3 p.m.

• No. 10 Sturgis (10-9) at No. 7 Sioux Falls Roosevelt (12-8), 3 p.m.

• No. 13 Aberdeen Central (6-12) at No. 4 Yankton (15-5), 2 p.m.

• No. 12 Huron (7-13) at No. 5 Sioux Falls Washington (14-6), 2 p.m.

• No. 14 Watertown (7-13) at No. 3 Mitchell (16-4), 6 p.m. in the Corn Palace

• No. 11 Sioux Falls O'Gorman (7-13) at No. 11 Pierre (13-7), 3 p.m.

Follow Watertown Public Opinion sports reporter Roger Merriam on Twitter @PO_Sports.

This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: SoDak 16 winners qualify for upcoming state basketball tournaments.