The road to this year’s Class B state boys’ basketball tournament in Aberdeen begins this week as teams from across the state will compete in region tournaments. A total of 16 teams will advance to next week’s SoDak 16, with the final eight teams heading to the state tournament, March 14-16 at Wachs Arena.

Here is a look at three regions in the area:

Region 1B

Tonight, Tuesday, and Friday at higher seeds

Leola-Frederick is the top seed in this region after completing the regular season with just one blemish, losing only to Faulkton. The Titans rattled off 12 consecutive wins before that setback, and have the talent to make a deep postseason run.

Aberdeen Christian is the two seed, and after a 1-4 start to the season, won 12 consecutive games before a late season loss to Potter County. The Knights have improved throughout the season and can cause foes issues with their size and length.

Waverly-South Shore is the third seed and lost to potential semifinal opponent Christian by just two points earlier this season. The Coyotes have the size and athleticism to give teams problems.

Warner and Hitchcock-Tulare should have an interesting first-round game, and have the talent to pull off an upset in the postseason.

Teams W L

Leola-Frederick 19-1

Aberdeen Christian 14-6

Waverly-South Shore 14-6

Warner 9-11

Hitchcock-Tulare 8-12

Britton-Hecla 4-16

Northwestern 5-15

Wilmot 5-15

Langford Area 0-20

Tonight’s Game: Langford Area at Wilmot, 7 p.m.

Tuesday’s Games: Langford Area-Wilmot winner at Leola-Frederick, 7 p.m.; Hitchcock-Tulare at Warner, 7 p.m.; Northwestern at Aberdeen Christian, 7 p.m.; Britton- Hecla at Waverly-South Shore, 7 p.m.

Friday’s Games: 7 p.m. at the highest remaining seeds.

Region 2B

Tonight, Tuesday and Friday at Arlington, De Smet and Castlewood

The three-time defending state champions of De Smet are once again the top seed in this region, and are also once again among the favorites to win the state title. The Bulldogs suffered setbacks to Dell Rapids St. Mary, Hamlin, and Castlewood, but have several quality wins on their resume, including victories over Howard, St. Thomas More, Canistota, Sioux Valley, and Wolsey-Wessington.

Castlewood is the second seed and after winning the first 10 games of the season, suffered a one-point loss to Viborg-Hurley at the Hanson Classic. The Warriors also had setbacks against Class A foes Hamlin and Sioux Valley, but have quality wins over Dell Rapids St. Mary and De Smet. Castlewood is led by senior guard Lane Tvedt and 6-foot-9 junior center Bryon Laue.

Wolsey-Wessington is the third seed entering region play. The Warbirds have been a solid team this season with just four losses, to Sully Buttes and Sanborn Central-Woonsocket before dropping back-to-back games against rated squads Wessington Springs and De Smet late in the season.

Teams W L

De Smet 17-3

Castlewood 17-3

Wolsey-Wessington 16-4

Deubrook Area 10-10

James Valley Christian 11-9

Iroquois-Lake Preston 4-16

Oldham-Ramona-Rutland 4-16

Arlington 3-17

Flandreau Indian 0-17

Tonight’s Game: Flandreau Indian at Arlington, 6 p.m.

Tuesday’s Games at De Smet: Flandreau Indian-Arlington winner vs. De Smet, 6 p.m.; Deubrook Area vs. James Valley Christian, 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday’s Games at Castlewood: Castlewood vs. Oldham-Ramona-Rutland, 6 p.m.; Wolsey-Wessington vs. Iroquois-Lake Preston, 7:30 p.m.

Friday’s Games at Huron: 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Region 6B

Monday, Tuesday, and Friday at higher seeds

Faulkton is the top seed in this region and is led by the school’s all-time leading scorer, Layne Cotton, who set the school record for career points on the same night he scored a single-game school record 52 points. The Trojans will be a handful in the postseason as they look to qualify for their first-ever state tournament appearance.

After the first half of its season ended with a 6-5 record, Potter County has since found its stride, finishing out the regular season winning seven of its last nine games. During the latter half of their schedule the Battlers picked up key wins over Faulkton and Aberdeen Christian. Potter County once again boasts an athletic group that will be tough for any foe.

The two-time defending Class B runner-ups from Lower Brule enter as the third seed, and although the Sioux have struggled at times, they have gained valuable experience in time to make another postseason run to the state tournament.

Ipswich began the season winning 10 of its first 11 games, but struggled down the back half of the season, winning just two of its final nine games. Although the Tigers have had recent struggles, they have the talent to compete with anyone.

After a rough start to the season, Highmore-Harrold has found success as it enters region tournament action as the fifth seed. The Pirates began the season 3-6, but have since won eight of their last 11 games.

Sully Buttes, which has lost multiple games in the closing seconds, enters as the sixth seed in the region. The Chargers are led by sophomore guard Wesley Wittler and have a rich basketball history.

Teams W L

Faulkton 14-5

Potter County 13-7

Lower Brule 10-9

Ipswich 12-8

Highmore-Harrold 11-9

Sully Buttes 9-11

Lyman 5-15

Herreid-Selby Area 3-17

Sunshine Bible Academy 1-16

Tonight’s Game: Sunshine Bible Academy at Herreid-Selby Area, 7 p.m.

Tuesday’s Games: Sunshine Bible Academy/Herreid-Selby Area winner at Faulkton, 7 p.m.; Highmore-Harrold at Ipswich, 7 p.m.; Lyman at Potter County, 7 p.m.; Sully Buttes at Lower Brule, 7 p.m.

Friday’s Games: 7 p.m. at highest remaining seeds.