Dec. 12—MITCHELL — High school basketball season is officially off and running across South Dakota.
Here’s a look at 16 of the top returning girls basketball players in the Mitchell Republic coverage region, listed in alphabetical order by last name:
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Braylee Bordewyk, jr., Corsica-Stickney: Posting 17 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists and four steals per game last season, the 5-foot-9 guard earned Class B honorable mention all-state status. Bordewyk’s efforts helped spur an eight-win improvement, as the Jaguars went 15-7 and played in the Class B SoDak 16.
Liz Boschee, sr., Sanborn Central/Woonsocket: Helping guide the Blackhawks on a run to the Class B state championship game last season, the 6-foot-1 forward garnered Class B player of the year and first-team all-state honors. As a junior, the Northern State signee recorded 20.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and three steals per game.
Sophie DeLange, sr., Corsica-Stickney: Another top contributor toward the Jaguars’ resurgence, the 5-foot-10 guard averaged 12 points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals a year ago. DeLange was also named to the all-Great Plains Conference team.
Emmie Hausmann, sr., Burke: The 5-foot-11 guard/forward notched 14.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game last season, as the Cougars went 13-9. Hausmann was recognized as an all-South Central and Great Plains Conference player.
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Taryn Hegg, sr., Mount Vernon/Plankinton: A key contributor in the Titans’ return to the Class A state tournament, the 5-foot-10 forward pitched in 12.2 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. Hegg was named the the all-Southeast South Dakota Conference second team, as MVP posted a 19-7 record.
Ashlyn Koupal, sr., Wagner: Ranked as the No. 13 recruit in the class of 2026 by the 247Sports composite, Koupal is the reigning South Dakota Gatorade player of the year and Mitchell Republic player of the year. Powering the Red Raiders back to the Class A state tournament last season, the 6-foot-3 forward/guard put up 22.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 3.5 blocks and 2.3 steals per game with a quadruple-double, two triple-doubles and 10 double-doubles along the way.
Keeara Oakley, jr., Parkston: One of multiple standout sophomores for the Trojans last season, the 5-foot-9 forward scored 11.3 points per game and was an all-Southeast South Dakota Conference second team selection. Oakley’s contributions helped push Parkston to a 21-5 mark and fifth place at the Class B state tournament.
Halle Olson, sr., Andes Central/Dakota Christian: Tabbed as an all-Little Missouri Valley, South Central and Great Plains Conference performer, Olson was a key piece in the Thunder’s 16-6 campaign. Olson, a 6-foot-1 forward, posted nine points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.9 blocks and 2.3 steals per game as a sophomore in 2023-24.
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Rylee Peters, jr., Freeman: Building on a big freshman season, Peters posted 16.5 points, 8.7 rebounds and four steals per game, earning an honorable mention all-state nod. The 5-foot-9 guard was also named to the all-Cornbelt Conference first team for her part in the Flyers’ 15-6 season.
Taycee Ranek, sr., Bon Homme: The 5-foot-10 forward/guard offered 12.1 points and 8.3 rebounds per game for the Cavaliers last season. For her efforts, Ranek was named to the all-Little Missouri Valley Conference team.
Kylie Sachtjen, sr., Winner: The 5-8 guard was named to the all-Southeast South Dakota Conference second team and all-Big Dakota Conference squad, as the Warriors went 12-10 last season. As a sophomore in 2023-24, Sachtjen averaged 8.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, two assists and 3.3 steals per game.
Mak Scott, sr., Lyman: A versatile 6-foot forward, Scott stuffed box scores to the tune of 18.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.8 steals and 1.5 blocks per game as the Raiders went 20-5 and made the Class B state tournament a year ago. The Augustana commit owns the Lyman career (1,681) and single-game (40) scoring records.
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Addie Siemsen, sr., Mitchell: Twice a Class AA all-state honorable mention pick, the 5-foot-8 guard posted 12.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and two assists per game, helping the Kernels to a 16-8 finish last season. The newly minted Mitchell Republic volleyball player of the year is a women’s basketball signee for Augustana.
Marissa Storm, sr., Ethan: A third-team all-state honoree last season, the 5-foot-6 guard notched 14.9 points, 4.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game for a Rustlers’ squad that went 18-4. The sharpshooter is signed to continue her basketball career with NAIA power Dordt University.
Dani VanDerWerff, so., Gregory: The youngest player on this list, VanDerWerff was placed on the all-Southeast South Dakota Conference first team and the all-South Central Conference squad last season. As a freshman, the 5-foot-10 forward recorded 16.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.8 steals per game.
Berkley Ziebart, jr., Parkston: Another member of the Trojans’ exceptional class of 2027, the 5-foot-6 guard was selected to the Class B all-state second team. Also an all-Southeast South Dakota Conference first-team pick, Ziebart led Parkston in scoring at 15.8 points per game to go with 3.4 rebounds and 2.2 steals per contest.
