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Aberdeen Christian’s Brooks Jett drives to the hoop on Freeman’s Oliver Waltner during a 2025 State B tournament game. Both teams return to the Barnett Center for this year’s state tourney. Aberdeen Insider file photo by Robb Garofalo.
Viborg-Hurley Cougars
No. 1 seed, 20-3
Head coach: Shane Warwick
Best wins: Freeman, Leola/Frederick, Wall, Wessington Springs, Bridgewater-Emery.
What to know: The top-seeded Cougars have had plenty of success in recent history, but are still seeking their first state championship in boys basketball. Northern State graduate Shane Warwick is in his second season as head coach. Viborg-Hurley downed second-seeded Freeman 73-64 in the first game of the season while opening with 11 straight victories.
Freeman Flyers
No. 2 seed, 21-2
Head coach: Lance Friesen
Best wins: Lyman, Bridgewater-Emery, Wessington Springs, Wall, Parkston.
What to know: After winning the Class 9AA state football championship in fall, the Flyers are looking to do the same on the hardwood. David Walter, a 6-foot-5 sophomore, will have to be reckoned with by opponents. He wasn’t at full speed because of an illness during last season’s State B. The Flyers took sixth in 2025, which was their first appearance since 1999.
MORE: ‘Playoff Dylan’ says he’ll be ready as Aberdeen Christian braces for State B
De Smet Bulldogs
No. 3 seed, 19-4
Head coach: Jeff Gruenhagen
Best wins: Wessington Springs, Dawson-Boyd (Minn.), Estelline/Hendricks, Deubrook Area (twice).
What to know: The Bulldogs return to Aberdeen after a year away. From 2019 through 2024, they were in every State B championship game, winning in 2021, 2022 and 2023. The 2020 tourney was canceled because of COVID-19. Big man Grant Wilkinson is 6-foot-9 and around 300 pounds. He’s committed to play offensive line at South Dakota State.
Aberdeen Christian Knights
No. 4 seed, 20-3
Coach: Matt Rohrbach
Best wins: Leola/Frederick, Sioux Falls Lutheran, Warner (twice), Waubay-Summit.
What to know: Christian has qualified for six of the last seven state tournaments, but has never won a title. The Knights feature a balanced offensive attack as all five starters are capable of scoring in double figures. Two of their three losses were against Class A schools — Groton and Milbank. Their only Class B loss was 52-48 at Timber Lake on Jan. 17.
Bryon Laue, center, and his Castlewood teammates place their team sticker on the champions line of the 20205 State B tournament bracket following their 52-31 win over Viborg-Hurley. Both teams also qualified for the State B this season. Aberdeen Insider file photo.
Castlewood Warriors
No. 5 seed, 20-3
Coach: Paul Raasch
Best wins: Waubay/Summit, De Smet, Deubrook Area, Wessington Springs, Estelline/Hendricks.
What to know: Paul Raasch is one of just four coaches in state history to have led teams to both basketball and football state titles. When the Warriors claimed the State B crown last season, he filled the only open spot on his resume. He also coached Langford to the 2015 Class 9B football championship. Castlewood is undefeated against Class B teams this year.
MORE: Longtime coach Paul Raasch to be honored during State B tournament
Wall Eagles
No. 6 seed, 19-4
Coach: Ryan Kjerstad
Best wins: Lyman, Sanborn Central/Woonsocket, Hill City, Kadoka Area.
What to know: Like Freeman, Wall won a state football championship, claiming the Class 9A title in November. Junior Teelan Kjerstad scored two touchdowns in that game, but has been a menace on the basketball court, averaging 28 points a game. He’s scored 48, 43 and 42 points in games this season. In basketball, he’s coached by his father, Ryan Kjerstad.
Sully Buttes Chargers
No. 7 seed, 18-5
Coach: Brian White
Best wins: Stanley County, Dupree, Lyman, Winner.
What to know: The Chargers qualified for the State B 14 times between 1997 and 2020, including eight straight times starting in 2005. They were champions in 2018 and 2009. This marks their first season back to Wachs Arena since 2020. Assistant coach Scott Senftner is the son of Mark Senftner, who won four titles coaching the Sully Buttes girls basketball team.
MORE: Basketball isn’t most important story in life of former Harlem Globetrotter Seth Franco
Lyman Raiders
No. 8 seed, 17-6
Coach: Cooper Garnos
Best wins: Bridgewater-Emery, Kadoka Area (twice), Stanley County, Leola/Frederick.
What to know: Last year, the Raiders advanced to the State B as a No. 12 seed in the SoDak 16. This season, they were the No. 10 seed, but never trailed in downing seventh-seeded Leola/Frederick 59-46. Lyman has an aggressive defense that has held 10 opponents to 41 points or less and 16 to 53 points or less, though some top competition has fared better.
