This year’s Class B State Boys’ Basketball Tournament will look a bit different.

Some of the perennial powers which have been staples at the tourney in the past did not make it this year like White River, which had competed in the tourney for 17 straight years, De Smet, which won three of the last four state titles and was runner-up a year ago, and defending state champion Howard.

However, there are plenty of familiar squads in the field who return loads of state tourney experience like Castlewood, making its fourth straight trip, Viborg-Hurley, which has qualified five of the past seven seasons, Aberdeen Christian which has qualified five of the past six seasons.

So now that three of last year’s top four finishers are gone, who is the favorite to take the throne?

There appears to be a trio of squads just slightly ahead of the others: top-seeded Castlewood, second-seeded Dell Rapids St. Mary, and third-seeded Viborg-Hurley, which was rated number one in the final Prep Media poll.

“All year it seemed like you had Castlewood, Viborg-Hurley and DRSM at the top and then a bunch of other teams,” said Freeman coach Lance Friesen. “It is a loaded field this year and we are excited to play the best teams in the state.”

Fourth-seeded Wessington Springs was also among the top teams in Class B all season, but recently lost all-stater Parker Graff to a torn ACL.

“Castlewood has rightfully earned the favorite being the number one seed, but also playing one of the most competitive schedules at our level; this ultimately prepares them for a state tournament, getting to face a high level of competition almost every night they take the court,” said Wessington Springs coach Joey Mitchell. “With that, St. Mary’s cannot be ruled out, along with Viborg-Hurley; both teams have a couple of really good players and then players that compliment those others nicely.”

Of course, nobody really wants to wear the target on their back, so the coaches of Castlewood, DRSM and Viborg-Hurley each picked the others as pre-tourney favorites.

With the tourney yet to start, everyone has an equal chance of winning three straight games.

“We are excited to get on the court and make the most of the opportunity,” said Wall coach Ryan Kjerstad. “We are confident that we will compete well with all the teams and if we can execute, feel like we have a great chance to make a run.”

One thing is for certain, there will be plenty of excitement and intensity as the tourney gets underway on Thursday at Wachs Arena.

“There is not one single team I wouldn’t say does not have a shot at the championship;” Mitchell said, “ultimately it’s March Madness – who is going to show up and do the work. … It should make for an exciting weekend in Aberdeen.”

Here are the opening round pairings for Thursday, followed by capsule looks at each team:

8 Lyman (17-6) vs. 1 Castlewood (21-2), Noon

5 Wall (17-6) vs. 4 Wessington Springs (21-2), 1:45 p.m.

7 Aberdeen Christian (18-5) vs. 2 Dell Rapids St. Mary (22-1), 6 p.m.

6 Freeman (19-4) vs. 3 Viborg-Hurley (21-2), 7:45 p.m.

Aberdeen Christian (18-5)

Starters/Key Reserves: Jett Johnson (5.3 points per game), Dylan Hofer (6.6 ppg), Ellis Russell (3.4 ppg, 5.2 rebounds per game), Luke Kaiser (10.1 ppg), Brooks Jett (15.1 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 65 percent field goal), Grady Jett (5.9 ppg), Raymond Rodriguez-Martinez (3.2 ppg), Ethan Biel (3.6 ppg, 43 percent three-point), Lincoln Kaiser.

Assess your first-round matchup against Dell Rapids St. Mary and the keys to winning that contest: “Dell Rapids is a very good team. They have some nice guards who can get to the rim as well as shoot the three. They also have some size and can beat a team with offensive rebounds,” said Christian coach Matt Rohrbach. “They have an impressive record and have played some really good competition this season. We are excited for the chance to play them. We need to continue to play our brand of basketball which is controlling the pace, taking great shots, rebounding and playing with the excitement of being together for three more games.”

What will your team need to do to have a chance to win the championship: “We have to continue to work on winning possessions and fighting for every 50/50 ball,” Rohrbach said. “I have been really pleased with our composure and positive energy throughout this region run. Our mindset is to continue to play every possession as hard and focused as we can. I believe if we do that we can continue to be a tough out. Often times these games come down to shot selection and communication. I believe this team has grown in both of those areas and I am excited for them to get a chance to represent Aberdeen Christian at the state tournament.

Castlewood Warriors (21-2)

Starters/Key Reserves: Luke Baumberger (6.7 ppg, 3.9 rbg), Brody Bass (11.4 ppg, 5.2 rbg), Bryon Laue (16.5 ppg, 12.3 rbg, 61 percent field goal), Kamden Keszler (6 ppg, 3.1 rbg, 74 assists, 44 steals), Jamison Keszler (15 ppg, 87 assist, 40 steals); Bennett Johnson, Tyson Manley, Trevor Everson.

Assess your first-round matchup against Lyman and the keys to winning that contest: “Lyman is a good young team that plays with high energy,” said Castlewood coach Paul Raasch. “They are long and athletic. We will have to defend well and control the boards.”

What will your team need to do to have a chance to win the championship: “Keep things simple,” Raasch said. “Focus on the opponent that day and defend, rebound, and value the ball.”

Dell Rapids St. Mary’s (22-1)

Starters/Key Reserves: Trimmier Hanson (9.9 points per game, 78 steals), Trevor Beckman (25.5 ppg, 7.9 rebounds per game, 108 assists, 78 steals), Jake Kopsas (6.3 ppg, 4.4 rbg), Maverick LeBrun (20.5 ppg, 11.1 rbg, 62 percent field-goal), Lincoln LeBrun (3 ppg); Walker Warwick, Jaxon Baumberger (73 percent free throw)

Assess your first-round matchup against Aberdeen Christian and the keys to winning that contest: Obviously, being the first game at ‘State’ for this group will be key to get through the first-quarter nerves. We have an upper-class led team which hopefully helps get us through any jitters,” said DRSM coach Colby Fitzgerald. “Aberdeen Christian has a bit of a size advantage on us so controlling the rebounding margin will be key for Thursday evening.”

What will your team need to do to have a chance to win the championship: “We need to be sound defensively. Stay out of foul trouble. Win the rebounding battle,” Fitzgerald said. “Have 1-2 players to have an above average game offensively that may not have been a common theme throughout the season.

Freeman (19-4)

Starters/Key Reserves: David Walter (19 points per game, 7.3 rebounds per game), Tate Sorensen (14 ppg, 6.5 rpg), Luke Peters (9.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg , 2 apg), Tayden Kerrigan (6.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.1 apg), Sawyer Wipf (2.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg);  Luke Miller (4.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg), Chris Aasen (6.8 ppg, 1.8rpg), Oliver Waltner (1.5ppg, 1.8rpg), Tannen Auch.

Assess your first-round matchup against Viborg-Hurley and the keys to winning that contest: “Viborg-Hurley has had a dominant season. They are just so long and athletic. They also are skilled and well-coached,” said Freeman coach Lance Friesen. “It is important that we adjust to their size and length and stay aggressive. Number one, we must be able to rebound. Number two, we will need to find a way to make hustle plays to get a bucket each quarter from our effort. Number three, we will need to make sure to take care of the ball and be physical against their pressure man to man or 1-3-1 half-court trap. Lastly, we will need to continue to make shots down the stretch while playing as a team.”

What will your team need to do to have a chance to win the championship: We have preached defend, rebound and take care of the ball. Also, getting to the foul line gets more important the farther into the postseason you get,” Friesen said. “It has been a long time since our school has been to the State Tournament (1999). So, it will also be important to enjoy the experience but to focus on playing basketball at the highest level.

Lyman (17-6)

Starters/Key Reserves: Aksel Ehlers (11.6 points per game, 4.2 rebounds per game), Conway Collins (2.8 ppg, 3.3 rbg, 51 assists), Dawsen Volmer (12.6 ppg, 5.7 rbg, 41 assists), MJ Diehm (15.4 ppg, 96 assists, 61 steals, set a school record for assists), Cole Kieffer (7.9 ppg, 6.5 rbg, 61 percent field goal); Canyon Garnos (3.8 ppg, 2.1 rbg), Chase Seaboy (6.6 ppg, 4.7 rbg, 63 percent field goal), Red Sazue.

Assess your first-round matchup against Castlewood and the keys to winning that contest: “Castlewood is favored to win the tournament. They are the number one seed,” said Lyman coach Cooper Garnos. “Low turnovers, rebounding, execution on both ends of the court, and be who we are.”

What will your team need to do to have a chance to win the championship: “Three great games, taking it one game at a time and not looking beyond that, and preparation,” Garnos said.

Viborg-Hurley (21-2)

Starters/Key Reserves: Nick Hanson (19.5 points per game, 8.2 rebounds per game, 68 percent field goal), Brady Schroedermeier (11.1 ppg, 3.6 rbg, 83 assists, 63 steals), Owen Niederbaumer (9.4 ppg, 47 rbg (77 percent free throw), Bradyn Morrison (9 ppg), Jake Austin (5.8 ppg, 35 assists, 34 steals), Nolan Koltoff (3.6 ppg, 2.8 rbg, 39 assists), Rafe Goettertz, Brenner Gerdes.

Assess your first-round matchup against Freeman and the keys to winning that contest: ”Freeman beat us early in the year, so we know we have a battle right out of the gate,” said Viborg-Hurley coach Shane Warwick. “They are well coached and have had a great season, so we will have to be better defensively, take care of the basketball, and limit second-chance points for them.”

What will your team need to do to have a chance to win the championship: “We need to defend, rebound and take care of the ball,” Warwick said.

Wall (17-6)

Starters/Key Reserves: Emmet Dinger (20 points per game, 6.8 rebounds per game, 71 percent field goals), Teelan Kjerstad (19.5 ppg, 4.3 rbg, 115 assists, 79 steals), Jace Mohr (7 ppg, 4 rbg, 99 assists), Younger Amiotte (4.2 ppg, 6.1 rbg, 67 assists, 66 steals), Dawson Handcock (6.3 ppg, 4.8 rbg), Trevor Schulz (10.8 ppg, 4.2 rbg, 46 assists).

Assess your first-round matchup against Wessington Springs and the keys to winning that contest: “Wessington is a solid squad. They really look to play through Flowers at the post, especially now that Graff is missing from perimeter play,” said Wall coach Ryan Kjerstad. “If we can do a good job defending inside, and force contested shots from the perimeter, while limiting most possessions to only one shot we like our chances.”

What will your team need to do to have a chance to win the championship: “We need to play great defense and limit opponents to only one shot,” Kjerstad said. “If we play good defense and rebound the basketball, we have plenty of offensive firepower.”

Wessington Springs (21-2)

Starters/Key Reserves: Karter Mebius (11.5 points per game, 3 rebounds per game, 50 assists), Wesley Molnar (3.3 ppg, 3.6 rbg, 97 assists, 79 steals), Sam Poncelow (3.6 ppg, 3.4 rbg), Colby Flowers (16.5 ppg, 8.7 rbg, 52 assists, 43 steals), Ryder Michalek (11.5 ppg, 6.2 rbg); Luke Larson (3.6 ppg, 3.4 rbg), Brandon Flowers (4.5 ppg, 4.2 rbg), Grady Gran, Haiden Boschee.

Assess your first-round matchup against Wall and the keys to winning that contest: “Wall is a very athletic, fast and talented team. All five-plus players can and will look to score the basketball from the 3-point line or attacking the rim off the dribble,” said Wessington Springs coach Joey Mitchell. “They like to play a fast-paced, up and down type of style with man full court run and jump pressure on defense carrying over into the halfcourt with the same style. Key points for us to have a chance at winning are handling the ball pressure, staying disciplined on defense – guarding the 3-point line and dribble drive, and offensive execution – handling the pressure and finishing.”

What will your team need to do to have a chance to win the championship: “For a chance at the title, we would have to continue to do what we have been learning to do all year. It would require discipline at both ends of the court,” Mitchell said. “Defensively, contesting all shots, guarding the drive – making guys earn it by finishing overtop without fouling; rebounding on the first shot then offensive execution; passing up a “good” shot for a “great” shot and understanding when these are needed; not settling for one shot on the offensive end and rebounding for second-chance opportunities; valuing the basketball each and every possession while showing up with the right mindset, leadership and togetherness.”