Girls’ basketball teams from across the state are getting geared up and preparing to make a run to the state tournaments, which will take place March 7-9. The Class A tournament will be in Brookings and the Class B tournament will be in Rapid City.

Here is a look at area teams and players from across northeast and north central South Dakota:

Class A

The defending champs from Hamlin lost just three seniors from their undefeated state championship team last season, but one of those seniors they must replace is all-state talent Kami Wadsworth, who moved on to play collegiately at the University of Sioux Falls. The Chargers return a pair of key playmakers in sophomore Addison Neuendorf and senior Marissa Bawdon, while they will also rely on several younger players to step into bigger roles.

Sisseton finished the 2022-2023 season with a third-place finish at the Class A state tournament. The Redmen did not lose a single senior, and will rely on seniors Hannah Leverson, Emmalee Nielsen, Rylie Huff, and Chloe Langager, while also counting on juniors Krista Langager and Ruby Rice. Look for the Langager sisters to anchor the post for the Redmen, creating matchup nightmares for opponents, as both are over 6-feet tall.

The Milbank Bulldogs lost to Hamlin in the SoDak 16 last season, and lost four seniors from last year’s squad, including first team all-conference selection Maurina Street. Despite the graduation losses, the Bulldogs bring back several key players, including juniors Isabella Anderson and Claire Snaza.

Groton lost in the Region 1A semifinal to Milbank last season. The Tigers lost three seniors, but return several experienced players that saw success in soccer and volleyball this past fall. Returning Groton players to watch include all-conference selection Sydney Leicht, as well as Laila Roberts and Faith Traphagen.

Florence-Henry lost to Red Cloud in the SoDak 16 two years ago and to Flandreau in Region 2A semifinal action last season, and are now ready to make yet another run to try to qualify for the co-op’s first state tournament appearance. The Falcons lost five seniors from last year, but return several key players, including seniors Taylor Watson, Reese Schmidt, and Caylin Kelly, to lead the team this season.

Miller lost to Rapid City Christian in the SoDak 16 last season, while also losing five key seniors to graduation. Several young players will need to step up and fill big roles for the Rustlers. Look for players such as juniors Aleah Schlechter and Morgan Kolda, as well as sophomores Gracen Werdel, Jolie Palmer, Kate Lichty, and Paige Werdel to make a larger impact this season.

Mobridge-Pollock lost to Dupree in the Region 6A semifinals last season and also lost four key seniors that will need to be replaced, including three team captains. However, the Tigers do return senior captain Reagan Weisbeck, as well as Charley Henderson, although they will need to see younger players step into major roles.

Class B

Leola-Frederick lost to Wolsey-Wessington in the SoDak 16 to end last season, but the good news for the Titans is they return a majority of their roster this year. First team all-conference selections Laura Sumption and Sofia Losure return, along with second team all-conference selection Chloe Arneson. With plenty of returning experience, the Titans have the pieces to make another deep postseason run.

Warner lost to Class B runner-up Wall in the SoDak 16, and will look to pick up right where it left off last season. The Monarchs lost just three seniors, and return a core group of athletes this season, including five seniors that have plenty of experience. First team all-conference selection Ava Nilsson and honorable mention selection Lauren Marcuson will be a pair of players to keep an eye on for Warner.

Castlewood finished in fifth place at last season’s Class B state tournament, and despite losing five seniors, including Madeline Horn and Mackenzie Everson, return several players with the experience to make another deep postseason run. The Warriors return seniors Presley Knecht, Ella Hunter, and Gracie Haug, among others, and added experience gained in the state volleyball tournament this fall should help Castlewood during the season.

Wolsey-Wessington earned a third-place finish in its first-ever state tournament appearance. However, the Warbirds must replace four starters from last year’s team, meaning young players will have to step up this year. Lone seniors Payton Kemnitz and Lainey Uttecht will attempt to lead the young Warbirds, but another trip to the state volleyball tournament could pay dividends in regards to having experience in big games.

Despite losing four seniors from last season’s eighth-place state tournament team, Sully Buttes returns one of the top guards in Class B in Stevie Wittler, who scored her 1,000th career point last season while averaging 15 points and four assists per game and earning third team all-state honors. The senior will look to lead a relatively young and inexperienced team this season.

Northwestern returns a pair of first team all-conference members in junior Adriana Ratigan and sophomore Ashley Haven as the Wildcats will look to improve on a 13-8 campaign last season.

(Note: Previews on the Aberdeen girls’ basketball teams will run in the near future).