Connect with us

High School Sports

These college basketball rosters are still one piece away from 2026 title contention

If you’re like me, you’re still coming down from the euphoria of one of the best Final Fours we have ever seen. Three close games featuring comeback victories in each, complete with an all-time classic in Houston/Duke and an unforgettable ending to the Florida/Houston championship game, showed just how compelling and dramatic it can get […]

Published

3 weeks ago

on

These college basketball rosters are still one piece away from 2026 title contention

If you’re like me, you’re still coming down from the euphoria of one of the best Final Fours we have ever seen. Three close games featuring comeback victories in each, complete with an all-time classic in Houston/Duke and an unforgettable ending to the Florida/Houston championship game, showed just how compelling and dramatic it can get on college basketball’s biggest stage.

Advertisement

A huge part of what made that weekend so tremendous was the quality of the four teams in San Antonio. Florida, Houston, Auburn and Duke all rank among the best teams we have seen in terms of separating themselves from the rest of the field. All four were complete squads.

We may not see such a loaded final weekend for a long time. However, that does not mean we cannot hope for a repeat next year. Below are five teams — including a couple of familiar faces — that appear capable of reaching the heights of this season’s elite squads. Each team has a clear All-America candidate (or multiple), plus continuity and upside in the supporting cast. All could use one more crucial piece via the transfer portal, though, one that would complete the roster in such a way that would give them an immense ceiling.

One additional reminder: The transfer portal does not close to new entrants until April 22. That means the teams below could still lose a piece or two. It also means the perfect option to fill their current need may not yet be publicly available; the back-channels of player acquisition in 2025 are the wild, wild west.

Purdue

Presumed core: PG Braden Smith, F/C Trey Kaufman-Renn, G Fletcher Loyer, C Oscar Cluff, G C.J. Cox, G Gicarri Harris, C Daniel Jacobsen
Hole to fill: Athletic wing scorer and defender
Portal candidates: Terrance Arceneaux, Cedric Coward, Tyrell Ward

Any team that returns the point guard and coach combination of Braden Smith and Matt Painter is going to be nationally relevant. Throw in another All-American in double-double machine Trey Kaufman-Renn and experienced guards in Fletcher Loyer, CJ Cox and Gicarri Harris, and Purdue is going to get plenty of preseason love.

The Boilermakers have already solved their biggest issue from last season: a lack of true interior size. With TKR frequently manning the center spot, Purdue did not have any rim protection. South Dakota State transfer Oscar Cluff is an enormous presence at the rim, and getting Daniel Jacobsen, who started the first two games of the season, back from a broken leg should dramatically improve the interior defense.

Advertisement

However, the portal departures of Myles Colvin (Purdue) and Camden Heide (Texas) opened up a void for a versatile wing defender who can make shots. The Boilermakers saw Terrance Arceneaux (Houston) up close and personal in the Sweet 16, and he’d immediately check the necessary boxes. Cedric Coward (Washington St.) should also be in the mix despite an injury-shortened 2024-25, and Tyrell Ward (LSU) has the lethal shooting ability to bury defenses that help too much on Purdue’s other scorers.

If the competition for those guys is too fierce, the Boilermakers could certainly dig a little deeper for a role piece from the mid-major ranks, as well. Someone like Josh Omojafo (Robert Morris) or Keshawn Williams (Colorado St.) could be more cost-effective additions.

Duke

Presumed core: F Cameron Boozer, G Isaiah Evans, G Darren Harris, F Maliq Brown, G Caleb Foster, C Patrick Ngongba, G/F Shelton Henderson, F Nikolas Khamenia
Hole to fill: Steady veteran ball handler with size
Portal candidates: RJ Luis Jr., Dan Skillings Jr., Mike Sharavjamts, Jeremiah Williams, Blake Harper

Duke’s ability to dominate the high school recruiting trail allows it to construct elite teams in a slightly different way than its brethren. And last year’s team had the advantage of a generational two-way talent in Cooper Flagg, who completely rewired what was possible for a team made up of mostly freshmen and carefully selected grad transfers.

Cameron Boozer is an immensely productive rookie who, along with his twin brother Cayden, did nothing but win in high school and on the AAU circuit. As outstanding as he is, though, he is not quite on Flagg’s level, so Jon Scheyer and the Blue Devils will need to carefully construct the roster to make sure it fits well together.

One edge the Blue Devils can repeat from last year is building a gigantic, switchable group that has an embarrassment of positional size riches. Cayden Boozer is listed at 6-4, 205 pounds, by 247 Sports; he could be the smallest player on the roster. Scheyer and his staff will be on the hunt for the next Sion James as a bulky perimeter piece who can shoulder some ball-handling duties. RJ Luis Jr. would be quite the coup as the reigning Big East Player of the Year, while Dan Skillings (Cincinnati) and Mike Sharavjamts (Utah) bring some intriguing skill packages from the Big 12. Jeremiah Williams is big but probably doesn’t offer enough shooting. Blake Harper (Howard) is younger and would be taking a massive leap in competition, but he has the academic connection and oozes upside. Considering Duke’s tremendous basketball resources, the Blue Devils could go in many different directions.

Advertisement

Florida

Presumed core: F/C Alex Condon, F Thomas Haugh, C Rueben Chinyelu, C Micah Handlogten, G Denzel Aberdeen, G Isaiah Brown, G/F CJ Ingram, G Alex Lloyd, G Urban Klavzar
Hole to fill: Big-time veteran point guard
Portal candidates: Xaivian Lee, Duke Miles, Malachi Smith, Dylan Darling

As of now, the reigning national champion Gators return arguably the deepest frontcourt in the country. Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh, Rueben Chinyelu and Micah Handlogten all bring size and physicality, and Haugh’s bubbling skill level means Florida has some spacing, as well.


The national champion Gators return arguably the deepest frontcourt in the country. (James Gilbert / Getty Images)

The trick is replacing a star-studded backcourt trio (Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin, Will Richard) that fueled Florida’s meteoric rise from middling SEC squad to the pinnacle of the sport. Denzel Aberdeen should be all over preseason breakout candidate lists, and the Gators have younger options in sophomores Isaiah Brown and Urban Klavzar and top 50 freshmen CJ Ingram and Alex Lloyd.

As talented as that group is, Florida badly needs a big-time veteran backcourt addition to boost its chances at repeating as champs. Xaivian Lee is the jewel of the remaining point guard group, a hyper-productive stat stuffer at Princeton who would slide into Todd Golden’s scheme perfectly. The Gators are squarely in the mix for his services, but if they miss out, they’ll have to identify a gem among other options like Duke Miles (Oklahoma), Malachi Smith (Dayton) and Dylan Darling (Idaho State).

BYU

Presumed core: G AJ Dybantsa, G Rob Wright III, F Richie Saunders, F/C Keba Keita, G Dawson Baker, F Mihailo Boskovic, C Xavion Staton
Hole to fill: Athletic 3-and-D wing
Portal candidates: Terrance Arceneaux, Cedric Coward, Mekhi Mason, Devan Cambridge

The infinite money tree in Provo has the Cougars set up to contend for a national title. From its branches, BYU has plucked the nation’s top recruit in AJ Dybantsa, giving the Cougars a guaranteed star for 2025-26. He will form a devastating 1-2 scoring punch with Richie Saunders, who blossomed last season alongside an elite passer in Egor Demin.

Speaking of which, BYU swiped sophomore Rob Wright from Big 12 rival Baylor to fill its point guard need. With plenty of size, most notably rebounding monster Keba Keita, the Cougars are generally loaded in the paint, as well.

Advertisement

However, the departures of Trevin Knell, Kanon Catchings, Trey Stewart, Mawot Mag and Dallin Hall cleaned out the Cougars’ wing rotation. Coach Kevin Young needs to crack open the NIL war chest one more time to bring in a versatile wing who can fill in the blanks around Dybantsa, Saunders and shooter Dawson Baker. Terrance Arceneaux (Houston) would be a perfect fit, though he may be leaving Kelvin Sampson’s teams for more shots, which he would not find in Provo. Cedric Coward (Washington St.) would be a steal after getting hurt last season, while Devan Cambridge (Texas Tech) also sat out most of the year. Mekhi Mason (Washington) is more of a bargain option who might be more content in a complementary role. Options abound for BYU at this spot, though.

Texas Tech

Presumed core: F JT Toppin, G Christian Anderson, F LeJuan Watts, G Donovan Atwell, G/F Tyeree Bryan, C Federiko Federiko
Hole to fill: Additional ball handler/creator on the perimeter
Portal candidates: Duke Miles, Malachi Smith, Ahmad Nowell

The Red Raiders have fewer pieces back than some of the other teams on this list. But when two of the returners are All-American JT Toppin and potential all-conference guard Christian Anderson — yes, he’s that good — the foundation is rock solid. That inside-outside duo will form a lethal ball screen pairing,

Coach Grant McCasland and his staff have quickly done a tremendous job reloading in the portal, most notably with LeJuan Watts, a mismatch forward with outstanding passing acumen who should slide perfectly into the void left by Darrion Williams. The Red Raiders also loaded up on shooting via Donovan Atwell (UNC Greensboro) and Tyeree Bryan (Santa Clara), two wings with size who combined to make 162 3s at a 41 percent clip.

Atwell and Bryan are not great on-ball creators, though. Coupled with the graduation of Elijah Hawkins plus Kevin Overton’s decision to transfer, the ball-handling burden on Anderson would be immense in the current structure of the roster. Jazz Henderson, a tiny but mighty point guard who redshirted last year, is an in-house candidate for more minutes, but finding another piece is necessary. Duke Miles (Oklahoma) recently decommitted from Virginia and would be a great fit. Malachi Smith (Dayton) is a veteran option, while Ahmad Nowell (UConn) would be an upside swing.

Other top teams with near-complete rosters: Houston, Arizona, UConn

(Top photo of Duke basketball: Elsa / Getty Images)

5
Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

High School Sports

Massachusetts high school sports highlights for May 6

Natick boys’ volleyball handed top-ranked Brookline its first loss of the season in a thrilling five-setter. Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe On a rainy Tuesday that saw almost the entire baseball and softball slate get washed away, we do a lot of catching up from a weekend stocked with high school sports news. But […]

Published

5 hours ago

on

May 7, 2025

By

Massachusetts high school sports highlights for May 6

Natick boys’ volleyball handed top-ranked Brookline its first loss of the season in a thrilling five-setter. Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe

On a rainy Tuesday that saw almost the entire baseball and softball slate get washed away, we do a lot of catching up from a weekend stocked with high school sports news.

But first, the recaps: Scoreboard | Boys’ lacrosse | Girls’ lacrosse | Boys’ volleyball | Girls’ tennis | Boys’ tennis

1. Milestones and walk-offs

The milestones were few on a quiet Tuesday night, but Bedford senior Jackson Malio scored four goals, pushing him past 100 for his career in a 12-5 win over Tewksbury and Whitman-Hanson junior captain Shannon Balfe scored her 100th goal in a 17-5 loss to Scituate.

On Monday, Braintree senior Bella Duffy netted her 250th goal as part of a six-goal day to beat Pembroke, 15-5, Westford senior Kassidy Carmichael, committed to Ohio State, recorded her 500th career point, Foxborough senior captain Cate Noone notched her 300th career point, and Ipswich juniors Allie Wile and Jade Wilcox both reached 100 career caused turnovers.

Tuesday offered just one walk-off victory, when sophomore Andrew Kelly finished off his hat trick with an overtime goal that handed Masconomet a 9-8 win over Peabody.

2. Daily lacrosse leaderboard

Goals

Alex Morin, St. John Paul II, 7

Nathan Tremlett, Medford, 7

Raegan Dillon, Swampscott, 6

Nick Emsing, BC High, 6

Sara MacLeod, Billerica, 6

Jack Webb, Walpole, 6

Victoria Thermidor, Acton-Boxborough, 6

James Carr, Brookline, 5

Trey Kean, North Andover, 5

Ryan Jenness, Lexington, 5

Alex Fivek, Concord-Carlisle, 5

Brayden Mattera, Walpole, 5

Joselyn Silva, Beverly, 5

Jude Sloman, Shawsheen, 5

Leo Torres, Brookline, 5

Akira Umbrello, St. John Paul II, 5

Points

Mattera, Walpole, 10

Tremlett, Medford, 10

Kean, North Andover, 9

Dillon, St. John Paul II, 8

Sophie Philbrick, St. John Paul II, 8

Richardson, St. John Paul II, 8

Webb, Walpole, 8

Ryan Wilson, Brookline, 8

LaRosa, South Shore, 7

Emsing, BC High, 6

Charlie Hostetter, Falmouth, 6

Jenness, Lexington, 6

Mario LaRosa, South Shore, 6

MacLeod, Billerica, 6

Victoria Pierro, Swampscott, 6

Russo, Swampscott, 6

Silva, Beverly, 6

Aidan Stone, Monomoy, 6

3. Two hot topics for hockey committee

At Tuesday’s MIAA Hockey Committee meeting in Franklin, the re-introduction of the Division 1A tournament (Super 8) and changing the margin of victory were hot topics of discussion.

Single elimination vs. double elimination and whether a new format is needed sparked the Super 8 debate. With all other state tournaments being single elimination, issues arose over the equity of a double-elimination format. The committee will continue its dialogue in future meetings, with more data needed to evaluate all options.

Mike Flaherty, the Duxbury bench boss and coaching representative to the committee, presented changing the margin of victory. Currently, hockey uses a three-goal cap for power rankings.

Flaherty noted the margin of victory alters how coaches game plan, especially when it comes to pulling a goalie. The main goal of the proposal, from the coach’s perspective, would be to give kids more ice time.

“I think a reduction would go a long way in helping our game,” said Flaherty. “The biggest part for us is, how do we get more kids involved? The coaching side, we can handle — that’s our own decision, how we want to handle it. But how do we get more student-athletes playing? I think that’s a big part of it.”

Needham girls’ coach Allison Furano-Foster echoed Flaherty’s statements.

“Any time you introduce these variables, you’re thinking about something else other than winning the game and playing your kids,” she said.

The MIAA will run data for how one-goal and two-goal margins would have affected past seedings for further discussion at the next meeting, set for September.

4. College corner

Middlebury’s Hope Shue, a Dover-Sherborn alumna, became the fifth women’s lacrosse player to win the NESCAC Offensive Player of the Year award in back-to-back seasons. She also earned her fourth All-NESCAC accolade with a spot on the First Team for the third straight season. Shue led the league in goals (63) and points (88). She is the school’s all-time leader in goals (283) and points (360) as they enter the NCAA Tournament with an at-large bid.

Amherst freshman Lily Samoska, a Hingham graduate, was voted NESCAC Rookie of the Year, the third Mammoth since 2018 to garner the honor. She started all 16 games in net, finishing with a 10.22 goals against average and 6.25 saves per game. Amherst also received an at-large bid to the NCAA Division 3 Tournament.

Also making the all-NESCAC First Team was Hanover’s Maggie Coughlin (Middlebury), Bedford’s Allie Zorn (Tufts), Boxford’s Madeline Delaney (Tufts), Reading’s Kiara Tangney (Wesleyan), and Scituate’s Kylie Wilson (Middlebury).

Keene State’s Lola Varricchione, a Mansfield High graduate, was the only freshman chosen for all-Little East Conference second team after finishing the season with 33 goals and 14 assists.

5. Commitment central

Andover quarterback Dominic Papa announced his commitment to Husson University after posting 50 total touchdowns and 4,722 total yards as a senior. Papa threw for 4,180 yards and 43 touchdowns, completing 58 percent of his passes, adding seven rushing touchdowns and 600 yards on the ground.

Two football commitments came out of Lynn, where St. Mary’s 6-foot-1-inch senior cornerback/wide receiver Devell Pamplin announced his commitment to Curry and 5-10, 215-pound defensive end/offensive guard Adrian Lule put pen to paper to play at Husson.

Marshfield senior Nathan Looney made his commitment to run at UMass official in a signing ceremony.

6. Coaching carousel

Winchester boys’ basketball JV coach Mike Borgasano is heading home, taking over the varsity program at his alma mater, Woburn. Borgasano is an ESL teacher at Kennedy Middle School in Woburn.

Beverly announced the hiring of girls’ volleyball coach Rory Harmon, the school’s former JV coach and a 2021 graduate. The former defensive specialist is also currently the head coach at Avidity Volleyball Club, bringing five years of coaching experience across all ages.

Andover High announced the hiring of former NFL offensive tackle Pete Clifford as offensive line and run game coach. Clifford, who played at Michigan State, was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2008 and later signed with the Titans and Jets.

7. Diving into swim awards

On Sunday, the Eastern Mass Swim Coaches Association held its Hall of Fame induction and presented awards at the Natick Elks Lodge.

Joining the EMISCA Hall of Fame were coach Michael Gavin (Waltham, Weston), diving coach Rebecca Driscoll (Haverhill, Chelmsford, St. John’s Prep, Andover, North Andover, Central Catholic, Reading), and official Bob Young, who served from 1972-2005 and was a founding member and first league assignor of officials.

The college scholarships were presented to Paul E. Phillips (Clark University) and Abby Brady (MIT), the Peter Foley Student Athlete of the Year winners were was Zuri Ferguson (Attleboro) and Isabela Teixeira (Acton-Boxborough), the Priscilla Davis Silver Service Award went to John A. Pelli, the Richard “Whit” Whitworth Courage award went to Duxbury’s Henry Perda, and the Jack McDonald Award was given to Wellesley’s Doug Curtin.

8. Odds and ends

Georgetown’s Aidan Carroll, a 2020 BC High graduate, was selected in the first round of the Premier Lacrosse League draft. The attack was taken seventh overall by the Whipsnakes. Carroll’s former BC High teammate Carter Rice, now at Syracuse, was taken in the fourth round by the Redwoods.

Uxbridge native and St. Mark’s forward Caiden Pellegrino was taken in the seventh round (102nd overall) by the Sioux Falls Stampede in the USHL Phase I Draft. His St. Mark’s classmate, William Manchuso, a Stow native, was selected by the Sioux City Musketeers in the 11th round (180th pick) of the USHL Phase II Draft.

Arlington defenseman Kurt Beck was selected in the eighth round, 119th overall, by the Youngstown Phantoms; Catholic Memorial defenseman Colin Yandle was selected 131st overall by the Madison Capitols; and Troy Hamelin was taken out of Pope Francis with the 188th pick by the Musketeers.

Nobles teammates Alex Munoz and LJ Bianchi won the first high school tournament hosted at the Boston Pickleball Club at Hyde Park last weekend. They took home gold from a pool of competitors from Westwood, Cardinal Spellman, Dedham, Needham, and Governor’s.

Brendan Kurie can be reached at brendan.kurie@globe.com. Follow him on X @BrendanKurie. Cam Kerry can be reached at cam.kerry@globe.com.

7
Continue Reading

High School Sports

Highlights from high school track and field meet at Milbank

MILBANK — Milbank’s Emmett Hanson, Clark-Willow Lake’s Kamryn Nesheim and Groton Area’s girls relays each took advantage of some nice weather to turn in notable performances May 6 in the Valley Queen Cheese Invitational track meet. Athletes from 12 area high schools competed in the meet. Milbank cruised to the boys division title with 218 […]

Published

7 hours ago

on

May 7, 2025

By

Highlights from high school track and field meet at Milbank


MILBANK — Milbank’s Emmett Hanson, Clark-Willow Lake’s Kamryn Nesheim and Groton Area’s girls relays each took advantage of some nice weather to turn in notable performances May 6 in the Valley Queen Cheese Invitational track meet.

Athletes from 12 area high schools competed in the meet.

Milbank cruised to the boys division title with 218 points. Great Plains Lutheran followed at 98, Groton Area 77.5, Aberdeen Roncalli 60.5 and Britton-Hecla 56.

Clark-Willow Lake took the girls division with 166.5 points. Milbank and Groton Area tied for second at 121.5, followed by Webster Area at 81 and Aberdeen Roncalli 46.5.

Zayda Townsend of Milbank, second from left, beats Addison Byer of Florence-Henry (left), Cadence Bochek of Clark-Willow Lake (third from left) and Siera Wenzl of Milbank to thefinish line in the girls' 400-meter dash during the Valley Queen Cheese Invitational track and field meet on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Milbank. Byer took second, Bochek third and Wenzl fourth.

Stars of the meet

Hanson, a senior, had a big day for the host Bulldogs. He not only swept the hurdle races, taking the 110-meter hurdles in 15.08 seconds and the 300s in 41.7, he also anchored Milbank’s winning 800 (1:33.17) and 1,600 (3:37.15) relays that also included Graham Lightfield, Harley Zemlicka and Bryan Meyer.

Nesheim, a freshman distance runner, opened her day by anchoring the Cyclones to a runner-up finish in the 3,200 relay (10:07.33). She ended her day by winning the three individual distance races (800 in 2:29.03; 1,600 in 5:27.20; and 3,200 in 12:58.29.

Groton Area’s girls won four relays: 800 (1:48.82), 1,600 (4:07.8), 3,200 (9:51.40) and sprint medley (4:35.76). Kella Tracy and Taryn Traphagen each ran on all four relays and McKenna Tietz and Laila Roberts each three. Faith Traphagen and Ryelle Gilbert joined Tracy and T. Traphagen on the winning 3,200 relay, which broke the old meet record of 9:55.2 set by Aberdeen Roncalli in 2012.The record was the only one broken in the meet, but a number of personal records were set by individuals.Runners, from left, Keegen Tracy of Groton Area, Micah Holien of Great Plains Lutheran, Rylan Thue of Hamlin, Henry Witt of Webster Area and James Behan of Aberdeen Roncalli sprint to the finish in their boys' 100-meter dash heat during the Valley Queen Cheese Invitational track and field meet on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Milbank. Holien won the event, followed by Tracy and Thue.Other multi-event winnersOther multiple event winners in the boys division included Micah Holien (100 dash, 11.2 and 200 dash, 22.42) and Hessel Andringa (long jump, 20-5 and triple jump, 40-5) of Great Plains Lutheran.Jayden Schwan of Groton Area won the 1,600 run (4:50.32) and also anchored the winning 3,200 relay (8:44.94) that also included Jace Johnson, Tristin McGannon and Blake Pauli.THE LAST 35: Writer Roger Merriam’s look at the athletic success of area high schools from 1985 through 2020

Paytyn Marlow of Langford Area (100 dash, 12.85 and long jump, 15-9) and Zoe Nichols of Clark-Willow Lake (100 hurdles, 16.21 and high jump, 4-11) each won two individual events in the girls division.

Tietz also took the 300 hurdles (49.11) to go along with her relay wins in the 800 and 1,600.

Clark-Willow Lake's Kamryn Nesheim leads Ryelle Gilbert of Groton Area and Alyvia Geffre of Tri-State in the girls' 1,600-meter run during the Valley Queen Cheese Invitational track and field meet on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Milbank. Nesheim won, followed by Gilbert and Geffre.

Other event winners

Ethan Schwenn of Wilmot (400, 51.75), Hayden Karli of Great Plains Lutheran (800, 2:07.35), Jeter Scoular of Milbank (3,200, 11:17.19), Lawson Novy of Milbank (shot put, 48-0), Tate Everson of Hamlin (discus, 140-6), Jakob Steen of Clark-Willow lake (javelin, 150-4), Chaz Vietor of Britton-Hecla (high jump, 5-11) Samuel Rick of Milbank (pole vault, 12-3) each added event wins in the boys division.

Roncalli won the 400 relay in 46.49 with runners James Behan, Parker Grieben, Aiden Fisher and Brody Weinmeister. Sisseton runners Brett Hansen, Caden Gibson, Mario Alverez and Ryder Graff combined to win the sprint medley relay in 3:52.18.

Cadence Bochek of Clark-Willow Lake (200 dash, 26.97), Zayda Townsend of Milbank (400 dash, 1:00.31), Katie Braun of Webster Area (shot put, 34-3), Shali Laurence of Tri-State (discus, 117-10), Sidney Johnson of Sisseton (javelin, 105-6), Rylee Scoular of Milbank (pole vault, 9-9) and Gabby Thomas of Roncalli (triple jump, 33-6.25) also took individual events in the girls division.

Madison Brenden, Nevaeh Reitz, Kadee Frankfurth and Kelsey Hofer led Clark-Willow Lake to victory in the 400 relay (51.89).

Complete results of the meet are available at www.athletic.net.

Milbank runners, from left, Harley Zemlicka, Emmett Hanson, Graham Lightfield and Bennett Hunt head to the finish in the boys' 110-meter hurdles during the Valley Queen Cheese Invitational track and field meet on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Milbank. Hanson won, followed by Lightfield and Zemlicka. Hunt placed fifth.

Follow Watertown Public Opinion sports reporter Roger Merriam on X (formerly known as Twitter) @PO_Sports or email: rmerriam@thepublicopinion.com

5
Continue Reading

High School Sports

TSSAA football

TSSAA football: Columbia Central spring practice highlights News Sports Entertainment Opinion Advertise Obituaries eNewspaper Legals Following a 6-5 season in 2024, Columbia Central football conducts a practice in preparation for its spring scrimmage against Shelbyville Central. Harrison Campbell © 2025 www.columbiadailyherald.com. All rights reserved. 5

Published

8 hours ago

on

May 7, 2025

By

TSSAA football


TSSAA football: Columbia Central spring practice highlights

© 2025 www.columbiadailyherald.com. All rights reserved.


5
Continue Reading

High School Sports

Athletes from 13 area schools compete in Milbank's Valley Queen Cheese Invite track meet

MILBANK — Milbank’s Emmett Hanson, Clark-Willow Lake’s Kamryn Nesheim and Groton Area’s girls relays each took advantage of some nice weather to turn in notable performances May 6 in the Valley Queen Cheese Invitational track meet. Athletes from 12 area high schools competed in the meet. Milbank cruised to the boys division title with 218 […]

Published

8 hours ago

on

May 7, 2025

By

Athletes from 13 area schools compete in Milbank's Valley Queen Cheese Invite track meet


MILBANK — Milbank’s Emmett Hanson, Clark-Willow Lake’s Kamryn Nesheim and Groton Area’s girls relays each took advantage of some nice weather to turn in notable performances May 6 in the Valley Queen Cheese Invitational track meet.

Athletes from 12 area high schools competed in the meet.

Milbank cruised to the boys division title with 218 points. Great Plains Lutheran followed at 98, Groton Area 77.5, Aberdeen Roncalli 60.5 and Britton-Hecla 56.

Clark-Willow Lake took the girls division with 166.5 points. Milbank and Groton Area tied for second at 121.5, followed by Webster Area at 81 and Aberdeen Roncalli 46.5.

Zayda Townsend of Milbank, second from left, beats Addison Byer of Florence-Henry (left), Cadence Bochek of Clark-Willow Lake (third from left) and Siera Wenzl of Milbank to thefinish line in the girls' 400-meter dash during the Valley Queen Cheese Invitational track and field meet on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Milbank. Byer took second, Bochek third and Wenzl fourth.

Stars of the meet

Hanson, a senior, had a big day for the host Bulldogs. He not only swept the hurdle races, taking the 110-meter hurdles in 15.08 seconds and the 300s in 41.7, he also anchored Milbank’s winning 800 (1:33.17) and 1,600 (3:37.15) relays that also included Graham Lightfield, Harley Zemlicka and Bryan Meyer.

Nesheim, a freshman distance runner, opened her day by anchoring the Cyclones to a runner-up finish in the 3,200 relay (10:07.33). She ended her day by winning the three individual distance races (800 in 2:29.03; 1,600 in 5:27.20; and 3,200 in 12:58.29.

Groton Area’s girls won four relays: 800 (1:48.82), 1,600 (4:07.8), 3,200 (9:51.40) and sprint medley (4:35.76). Kella Tracy and Taryn Traphagen each ran on all four relays and McKenna Tietz and Laila Roberts each three. Faith Traphagen and Ryelle Gilbert joined Tracy and T. Traphagen on the winning 3,200 relay, which broke the old meet record of 9:55.2 set by Aberdeen Roncalli in 2012.The record was the only one broken in the meet, but a number of personal records were set by individuals.Runners, from left, Keegen Tracy of Groton Area, Micah Holien of Great Plains Lutheran, Rylan Thue of Hamlin, Henry Witt of Webster Area and James Behan of Aberdeen Roncalli sprint to the finish in their boys' 100-meter dash heat during the Valley Queen Cheese Invitational track and field meet on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Milbank. Holien won the event, followed by Tracy and Thue.Other multi-event winnersOther multiple event winners in the boys division included Micah Holien (100 dash, 11.2 and 200 dash, 22.42) and Hessel Andringa (long jump, 20-5 and triple jump, 40-5) of Great Plains Lutheran.Jayden Schwan of Groton Area won the 1,600 run (4:50.32) and also anchored the winning 3,200 relay (8:44.94) that also included Jace Johnson, Tristin McGannon and Blake Pauli.THE LAST 35: Writer Roger Merriam’s look at the athletic success of area high schools from 1985 through 2020

Paytyn Marlow of Langford Area (100 dash, 12.85 and long jump, 15-9) and Zoe Nichols of Clark-Willow Lake (100 hurdles, 16.21 and high jump, 4-11) each won two individual events in the girls division.

Tietz also took the 300 hurdles (49.11) to go along with her relay wins in the 800 and 1,600.

Clark-Willow Lake's Kamryn Nesheim leads Ryelle Gilbert of Groton Area and Alyvia Geffre of Tri-State in the girls' 1,600-meter run during the Valley Queen Cheese Invitational track and field meet on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Milbank. Nesheim won, followed by Gilbert and Geffre.

Other event winners

Ethan Schwenn of Wilmot (400, 51.75), Hayden Karli of Great Plains Lutheran (800, 2:07.35), Jeter Scoular of Milbank (3,200, 11:17.19), Lawson Novy of Milbank (shot put, 48-0), Tate Everson of Hamlin (discus, 140-6), Jakob Steen of Clark-Willow lake (javelin, 150-4), Chaz Vietor of Britton-Hecla (high jump, 5-11) Samuel Rick of Milbank (pole vault, 12-3) each added event wins in the boys division.

Roncalli won the 400 relay in 46.49 with runners James Behan, Parker Grieben, Aiden Fisher and Brody Weinmeister. Sisseton runners Brett Hansen, Caden Gibson, Mario Alverez and Ryder Graff combined to win the sprint medley relay in 3:52.18.

Cadence Bochek of Clark-Willow Lake (200 dash, 26.97), Zayda Townsend of Milbank (400 dash, 1:00.31), Katie Braun of Webster Area (shot put, 34-3), Shali Laurence of Tri-State (discus, 117-10), Sidney Johnson of Sisseton (javelin, 105-6), Rylee Scoular of Milbank (pole vault, 9-9) and Gabby Thomas of Roncalli (triple jump, 33-6.25) also took individual events in the girls division.

Madison Brenden, Nevaeh Reitz, Kadee Frankfurth and Kelsey Hofer led Clark-Willow Lake to victory in the 400 relay (51.89).

Complete results of the meet are available at www.athletic.net.

Milbank runners, from left, Harley Zemlicka, Emmett Hanson, Graham Lightfield and Bennett Hunt head to the finish in the boys' 110-meter hurdles during the Valley Queen Cheese Invitational track and field meet on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Milbank. Hanson won, followed by Lightfield and Zemlicka. Hunt placed fifth.

Follow Watertown Public Opinion sports reporter Roger Merriam on X (formerly known as Twitter) @PO_Sports or email: rmerriam@thepublicopinion.com

2
Continue Reading

High School Sports

Golfers from 13 northeastern South Dakota schools compete in tourney at Cattail Crossing

WATERTOWN — Medalists Blaize Amdahl of Webster Area and Brynn Roehrich of Clark-Willow Lake carried their teams to titles on May 6 in the Great Plains Lutheran Invitational at the Cattail Crossing Golf Course. Golfers from 13 northeastern South Dakota high schools competed in the tourney. Amdahl shot an even-par 72 and won the boys […]

Published

8 hours ago

on

May 7, 2025

By

Golfers from 13 northeastern South Dakota schools compete in tourney at Cattail Crossing


WATERTOWN — Medalists Blaize Amdahl of Webster Area and Brynn Roehrich of Clark-Willow Lake carried their teams to titles on May 6 in the Great Plains Lutheran Invitational at the Cattail Crossing Golf Course.

Golfers from 13 northeastern South Dakota high schools competed in the tourney.

Amdahl shot an even-par 72 and won the boys division by three shots. Roehrich shot a 1-over 73 and won the girls division by 13 strokes.

Roehrich is the defending state Class B champion.

Brynn Roehrich of Clark-Willow Lake follows through after hitting her tee shot on No. 3 Red during the Great Plains Lutheran Invitational golf tournament on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at Cattail Crossing Golf Course in Watertown.

The tournament kicked off a key stretch of upcoming high school events at Watertown’s two courses (Cattail Crossing and the Prairie Winds Golf Club).

The Pre-Region 1B and Region 1B tourneys, which will include a number of the golfers who competed in the GPL Invite, are scheduled for May 12 and May 19 at CCGC.

The state Class B tourneys are slated for June 2-3 at CCGC (boys) and PWGC (girls).Watertown, which competes in Class AA girls’ golf, is scheduled to host the Watertown Invite on May 20 at CCGC.Blaize Amdahl of Webster Area hits a putt on No. 4 Red during the Great Plains Lutheran Invitational golf tournament on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at Cattail Crossing Golf Course in Watertown.Boys Division HighlightsTeam Scores — 1. Webster Area, 233; 2. Clark-Willow Lake, 235; 3. Hamlin, 235; 4. Doland, 267; 5. Estelline-Hendricks, 276; 6. Wolsey-Wessington, 276; 7. Great Plains Lutheran, 277; 8. Florence-Henry, 287; 9. Waverly-South Shore, 302; 10. Bowdle, 303; 11. Arlington, 309; 12. Waubay-Summit, 326; 13. Wilmot, 337.Top 20 Individuals — 1. Blaize Amdahl, Webster Area, 72; 2. Carson Meadors, Waverly-Southore, 75; 3. Aiden Abraham, Hamlin, 76; 4. Jackson Wadsworth, Hamlin, 78; 5. Cade Gaikowski, Clark-Willow Lake, 78; 6. Kaden Wookey, Clark-Willow Lake, 78; 7. Ty Bergh, Florence-Henry, 79; 8. Wyatt Schlagel, Clark-Willow lake, 79; 9. Larz Tvedt, Wolsey-Wessington, 80; 10. Thomas Kuecker, Webster Area, 80; 11. Kaiden Weinreis, Doland, 81; 12. Briggs LaBrie, Doland, 81; 13. Seth Lesnar, Webster Area, 81; 14. Elyk Swiden, Hamlin, 81; 15. Kooper Wookey, Clark-Willow, 82; 16. Maverick Clausen, Clark-Willow lake, 83; 17. Michael Dorsett, Webster Area, 83; 18. Bryce Veflin, Arlington, 85; 19. Miles Olson, Clark-Willow Lake, 86; 20. Barrett Pommer, Great Plains Lutheran, 86.Girls Division HighlightsTeam Scores — 1. Clark-Willow Lake, 262; 2. Estelline-Hendricks, 306; 3. Waverly-South Shore, 323; 4. Wilmot, 389; 5. Great Plains Lutheran, 399.Top 20 Individuals — 1. Brynn Roehrich, Clark-Willow Lake, 73; 2. Olivia Knox, Doland, 86; 3. Faith Roehrich, Clark-Willow Lake, 87; 4. Ayla Texley, Estelline-Hendricks, 87; 5. Sage Gaikowski, Waubay-Summit, 89; 6. Clara Heuer, Waverly-South Shore, 93; 7. Bailee Ninke, Webster Area, 94; 8. Lita Fryer, Estelline-Hendricks, 101; 9. Malory Nelson, Clark-Willow Lake, 102; 10. Addison Walkins, Great Plains Lutheran, 103; 111. Chloe Hagstrom, Clark-Willow lake, 106; 12. Gracie Decker, Doland, 110; 13. Mia Coester, Webster Area, 111; 14. Brylie Schlotterbeck, Waverly-South Shore, 112; 15. Reese Jacobson, Hamlin, 117; 16. Andrea Koustrup, Waverly-South Shore, 118; 17. Mackenzie Court, Estelline-Hendricks, 118; 18. Rhyanna Rudebusch, Wilmot, 122; 19. Natalie Thaden, Wilmot, 126; 20. Allie Duenwald, Estelline-Hendricks, 135.GOLFERS TO WATCH: Aberdeen Central’s Braun, Clark-Willow Lake’s Roehrich top list of returning area golfers

Follow Watertown Public Opinion sports reporter Roger Merriam on X (formerly known as Twitter) @PO_Sports or email: rmerriam@thepublicopinion.com

3
Continue Reading

High School Sports

Sussex Academy girl's soccer blanks Delmar in Henlopen South showdown

3 hours ago GEORGETOWN, Del. – Sussex Academy girl’s soccer took down Delmar 1-0 on Tuesday in Georgetown. The teams played to a 0-0 draw in the first half, thanks in part to the efforts of Wildcats goalkeeper Lily Baker, who stood tall against consistent pressure from the Seahawks’ offense. The match remained scoreless until […]

Published

10 hours ago

on

May 7, 2025

By

Sussex Academy girl's soccer blanks Delmar in Henlopen South showdown

GEORGETOWN, Del. – Sussex Academy girl’s soccer took down Delmar 1-0 on Tuesday in Georgetown.

The teams played to a 0-0 draw in the first half, thanks in part to the efforts of Wildcats goalkeeper Lily Baker, who stood tall against consistent pressure from the Seahawks’ offense.

The match remained scoreless until Sussex Academy final broke through with just over 20 minutes to play. Maya Hastings sent a ball into a box that found the foot of Natalie Roblero Chavez in a dangerous position. Roblero Chavez sent it to a cutting Addyson Bleile in the heart of the box who finished past the outstretched arms of Baker.

The freshman Bleile’s goal proved to be the difference in the game, giving Sussex Academy a 1-0 victory over Henlopen South foe Delmar.

After the game, Seahawks Head Coach Chase Humphrey talked about how his group was finally able to break through, saying, “Just keeping our discipline. At the beginning of the first half we were forcing things too much, gave them goal kicks, played into space for no reason. I think once we settled down in the second half and found feet and broke them down, Addy [Bleile] had a great finish and that was all we needed.”

Sussex Academy moves to 10-3 with the victory, with Delmar falling to 10-2-1.

5
Continue Reading

Most Viewed Posts

Trending