While there is plenty of parity in the field for this year’s State B Boys’ Basketball Tournament, it also features a mix of familiar faces as well as unfamiliar ones.

It all begins with the three-time defending state champions from De Smet. The Bulldogs feature plenty of returning experience, including seven seniors that are looking to cap off their high school careers with their fourth state title. Although many consider De Smet to be the favorite, coach Jeff Gruenhagen believes the tournament is wide open.

“I think the field is wide open for this year’s tournament,” Gruenhagen said. “I give the edge to the teams that have been here regularly the past few seasons. White River, Viborg-Hurley, Castlewood, and De Smet I think have all played very tough schedules and have experience in Aberdeen in the B tournament.”

Viborg-Hurley is playing in its eighth state tournament in 14 years of program history, including qualifying in five of the last six state tournaments. However, the Cougars are still in search of their first state title. Coach Galen Schoenefeld said the tournament features plenty of parity this year.

“This is probably one of those years where if you could play the tournament multiple times you come out with a different champion each time,” Schoenefeld said.

White River has been a tourney regular for nearly two decades. The Tigers are playing in their 19th consecutive State B tournament. They have won four state titles in that span. White River coach Eldon Marshall is pleased that his team in the top seed, but knows there are plenty of challengers in the field.

“Our guys earned that number one seed. I thought we played a pretty strong schedule to get that one seed, but at the same time the teams that are here, are here for a reason and the seedings go out the window,” Marshall said. “You step on the floor you have to be ready to play, and be playing your best basketball, and I feel like we are right now.”

Castlewood has been one of the top teams in the state all season and is appearing in its third consecutive state tournament. The Warriors, who were rated number one in the final prep poll of the season, are in search of their first state title since 2001, and are led by senior guard Lane Tvedt and 6-foot-9 junior center Bryon Laue.

The local favorite in the tournament is Leola-Frederick; however, it has been nearly two decades since the Titans have played in the State B tournament. They played in back-to-back tourneys in 2004 and 2005, and this season boast a 22-1 record heading into the tournament.

Howard is making its first trip to a state tournament since finishing runner-up in the 1995 State A tournament. The Tigers’ last State B appearance came in 1964, when they took home the state championship. Howard coach Nick Koepsell said he expects the tournament to be competitive.

“I don’t see a clear favorite in this year’s tournament,” Koepsell said. “I believe all eight teams have the potential to make a run and all 12 games will be competitive.”

Wessington Springs is making its first tournament appearance in three decades. The Spartans’ last tournament came in 1994 in the State A tournament, while their lone State B appearance came in 1967. Like many of the other coaches, coach Kenny Huether believes the tournament is wide open.

“I think all eight teams that got here are top 10 Class B teams,” Huether said. “No flukes this year, and it should be a real entertaining tournament.”

Gregory is making its first appearance in the State B tournament since finishing seventh in 2015, and just its second state tournament since playing in the State A in 1963. The Gorillas are led by their lone senior, 6-foot-7 forward Daniel Mitchell. While Gregory coach Jeff Determan pointed to White River, De Smet, Castlewood, and Viborg-Hurley as potential favorites, he also noted it is a balanced field entering the tournament.

Today’s opening round pairings have White River vs. Viborg-Hurley at noon, Wessington Springs vs. Howard at 1:45 p.m., De Smet vs. Gregory at 6 p.m., and Castlewood vs. Leola-Frederick at 7:45 p.m.

Here is a look at each team in the field:

Castlewood Warriors (20-3)

Key Players: Lane Tvedt (15.8 points per game, 101 assists, 56 steals), Bryon Laue (15.5 ppg, 235 rebounds, 41 blocks), Jamison Keszler (10.7 ppg, 99 assists), Luke Baumberger (8.1 ppg, 83 rebounds).

Thoughts on opening round opponent Leola-Frederick: “Leola-Frederick plays a different style than what we have seen,” Castlewood coach Paul Raasch said. “They like to play up tempo and also pressure full court on defense. We will have to play poised and control the tempo in this one.” 

What the Warriors need to do to have a chance to win the championship: “We will have to defend, rebound, and value the ball all three days,” Raasch said.

De Smet Bulldogs (20-3)

Key Players: George Jensen (12.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 35 blocks), Tom Aughenbaugh (10.9 ppg, 64 assists, 29 steals), Kadyn Fast (10. 3 ppg, 60 assists, 42 steals), Grant Wilkinson (10 ppg, 6.9 rpg), Trace Van Regenmorter (8 rpg), Britt Carlson (7.1 ppg, 30 steals).

Thoughts on opening round opponent Gregory: “Gregory is a very good team that has a lot of experience returning,” De Smet coach Jeff Gruenhagen said. “Daniel Mitchell is very good inside and out.  We have to limit his rebounding and keep him from getting close to the rim post touches.  Gregory has a balanced scoring attack with Klundt and Bearshield able to drive and shoot from deep, along with some physical inside players that pick up a lot of (offensive) boards. Very well coached and can defend with several different schemes. We will have to bring our best to get into the semifinals Friday.”

What the Bulldogs need to do to have a chance to win the championship: “We will have to bring our best defensive effort and really get up and play hard,” Gruenhagen said. “We pride ourselves on ‘D’ and contesting every shot all night long. We have found the defense and rebounds can really help you on a night when you’re not shooting well. Controlling the boards is a very big key this year as many of the teams are taller than we are or very close to us in height.”

Gregory Gorillas (19-4)

Key Players: Daniel Mitchell (14.9 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 54 blocks), Noah Bearshield (14 ppg, 37 assists), Cruz Klundt (12.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 72 steals, 88 assists), Lincoln Juracek (5.2 ppg).

Thoughts on opening round opponent De Smet: “Obviously really good, senior-laden, start five seniors, and just big and athletic, and obviously three-time state champs,” Gregory coach Jeff Determan said. “We obviously got our hands full, but we feel like we match up fairly well size-wise (and) athletic ability. They probably have us a little bit in experience, but we’re excited and we’re ready to take’em on.”

What the Gorillas need to do to have a chance to win the championship: “Well first of all, we can’t turn the ball over, and second of all we have defend and we have to rebound, things that we’ve been doing well all year,” Determan said. “So hopefully we can stay consistent and just do what we’ve been doing all year and be the same team we’ve been.”

Howard Tigers (20-3)

Key Players: Luke Koepsell (16 ppg, 7.3 rpg), Kolt Koepsell (14.7 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 2.5 bpg), Colby Claussen (7.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.8 apg), Taiden Hoyer (6.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.8 apg), Logan Mentele (7.5 pp g, 49 3-pointers).

Thoughts on opening round opponent Wessington Springs: “We played Wessington Springs back in December, so we are somewhat familiar with them,” Howard coach Nick Koepsell said. “They are a very athletic team and can beat you in a variety of ways. They only have one loss on the season so we know we will need to play great to give ourselves a chance.”

What the Tigers need to do to have a chance to win the championship: “If we can limit our turnovers and knock down some shots from the perimeter with consistency, we will have a chance in every game,” Koepsell said. “If our perimeter guys can make shots, it will open things up for our posts. If we can do those things along with our defense, we will give ourselves am shot.”

Leola-Frederick Titans (22-1)

Key Players: Noah Kippley (17.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 70 assists), Brayden Sumption (13.2 ppg, 74 assists, 103 3-pointers), Milo Sumption (6.1 rpg) Ethan Petrich (4.7 rpg).

Thoughts on opening round opponent Castlewood: “Castlewood is a real strong opponent,” Leola-Frederick coach Brock Pashen said. “There is a reason they have been atop the polls throughout the season.”

What the Titans need to do to have a chance to win the championship: “Our depth and bench production will need to play really well,” Pashen said. “We will need to convert scoring opportunities when they present themselves to Milo, Gavin (Nickelson), Ethan, Westyn (Thorpe), Winston (Clark), Titus (Kippley), Jace (Thorpe), and Taylor (Himanga). With our pace of play we have to take care of the ball.”

Viborg-Hurley Cougars (18-5)

Key Players: Nick Hanson (22 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 34 assists, 31 blocks, 21 steals), Brady Schroedermeier (12.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 47 assists, 34 steals), Bryson Morrison (7.3 ppg, 59 assists, 27 steals), Nolan Kolthoff (6.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 75 assists, 21 steals).

Thoughts on opening round opponent White River: “White River is a very good team with an excellent coach,” Viborg-Hurley coach Galen Schoenefeld said. “Each team will try their best to limit the effectiveness of the leading scorer for the other side. The team that can do that the best and have other players step up is likely to be the one to come out on top.”

What the Cougars need to do to have a chance to win the championship: “Offensively, when we are at our best, we are sharing the ball and getting a reversal or two when we don’t have something in transition. We usually rebound the ball well on both ends of the floor,” Schoenefeld said. “Defensively, we have mostly played man, but have the ability to play other defenses effectively. Our depth is better than most.”

Wessington Springs Spartans (22-1)

Key Players: Parker Graff (17.1 ppg, 113 rebounds, 55 assists, 38 steals), Ryder Michalek (14.7 ppg, 185 rebounds, 88 assists, 66 steals, 39 blocks), Colby Flowers 9.4 ppg, 152 rebounds, 57 assists, 38 blocks), Brock Krueger 8.4 ppg, 143 rebounds, 80 assists, 38 steals), Blake Larson (6.9 ppg, 108 rebounds, 98 assists, 31 steals).

Thoughts on opening round opponent Howard: “Really good defensive team,” Wessington Springs coach Kenny Huether said. “They’re long and they’re physical. They’re a team that doesn’t give up points easily and everything you get against them has to be earned.”

What the Spartans need to do to have a chance to win the championship: “You got to put three strong days together in a row. That’s the key,” Huether said. “You have one off day and at this level that’ll get you beat. It starts with day one and all you focus on, and if you get that accomplished then you get to move on.”

White River Tigers (21-2)

Key Players: Nicolas Marshall (26.2 ppg, 4.9 assists per game, 2.5 steals per game), Jordan Uhlir (13.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.5 spg), Ray Crow (7.4 ppg), Evastine Wright (6.7 ppg, 5 rpg), Mackenzie Wike (6.5 ppg).

Thoughts on opening round opponent Viborg-Hurley: “They’re a very good team. They’re experienced. They were here last year. They’ve got guys that know how to win, especially their coach. They know what they need to do and that’s why they’re here,” said White River coach Eldon Marshall. “They’ve got size in the (Nick) Hanson kid. Bryson Morrison, he’s smart and plays real heady basketball, and does a lot of things for them well. The (Brady) Schroedermeier kid can shoot it, the (Nolan) Kolthoff kid can shoot it.”

What the Tigers need to do to have a chance to win the championship: “I think just relying on what we’ve been doing all year. We’ve got to rely on our defense. That’s something that I really felt that we’ve improved on all year. The guys have really worked hard to get better in practice every day,” Marshall said. Rebounding will also be key, according to Marshall. “Just outworking people and playing together, and of course rebounding. You can play all the great defense in the world, but if you don’t get the rebound it doesn’t matter.”