Youth and Wisdom Collide: A Dynamic Mix on South Dakota’s Class A Boys Basketball All-State Team

The future of South Dakota high school basketball is dazzlingly bright, but its present remains firmly in the capable hands of legendary scorers. The 2024 Class A boys basketball all-state first team, as selected by the South Dakota Basketball Coaches Association, is a masterclass in balance—a harmonious blend of seasoned veterans writing the final chapters of historic careers and talented underclassmen authoring their opening statements. This year’s elite squad isn’t just a list of top performers; it’s a narrative of record-breaking farewells and the promising dawn of a new era.

A Junior Standout Claims the Throne

In a classification often dominated by senior stars, Sioux Falls Christian junior guard Brant Wassenaar ascended to the pinnacle, earning the coveted Class A Player of the Year honor. This marks the fourth time in seven years a junior has claimed the award, signaling a trend of early excellence. Wassenaar’s season was a model of breathtaking efficiency and all-around dominance. The 6-foot-4 standout averaged 22.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game, but the true story is in the shooting percentages.

Converting a remarkable 64.6% of his field goals, nearly 39% from three-point range, and 85% from the charity stripe, Wassenaar operated with a surgical precision that belied his age. His selection as player of the year is less about outshining the historic scoring feats of others and more about validating a complete, two-way game that makes his teammates better. As he looks toward his senior campaign, Wassenaar isn’t just the reigning POY; he’s the new benchmark for holistic excellence in Class A.

Legendary Farewells and Unbreakable Records

If Wassenaar represents the future, the senior trio on the first team authored finales for the ages. Their careers didn’t just end; they exploded in a supernova of points, records, and indelible memories.

Pine Ridge senior guard Marvin Richard III didn’t just lead the state in scoring; he orchestrated a season-long tribute to offensive artistry. Averaging a staggering 30.3 points per game, Richard saved his most iconic moment for the postseason. On March 3, in the Region 7A playoffs, he shattered a 73-year-old state record, pouring in 73 points to surpass the mark set by Argonne’s Delbert Gilliam in 1953. His final career tally of 2,689 points places him sixth on South Dakota’s all-time scoring list. With a stat line of 6.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 92 steals to go with his scoring, Richard proved to be a relentless force. His next stop is the University of South Dakota, where his scoring prowess will be welcomed with open arms.

Meanwhile, Vermillion senior guard Trey Hansen was crafting his own legacy in the southeast corner of the state. The 6-foot-4 dynamo posted 25.9 points, eight rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game, cementing his status as one of the most versatile threats in the class. Hansen’s sharp shooting—44% from beyond the arc—stretched defenses thin, creating opportunities for his all-around game to flourish. His crowning achievement this season was becoming Vermillion’s all-time leading scorer, a testament to his consistency and longevity as a premier offensive weapon.

Completing the senior triumvirate is Hamlin guard Jackson Wadsworth. A floor general for one of the state’s consistently top programs, Wadsworth’s inclusion speaks to his leadership, basketball IQ, and clutch performance. While the spotlight often shines on volume scorers, Wadsworth’s value to the Chargers’ system—his defensive tenacity, playmaking, and timely scoring—made him an indispensable piece and a clear all-state selection in the eyes of the state’s coaches.

The Underclassmen Charge: The Next Wave Arrives

The presence of two non-seniors beyond Wassenaar on the first team is a clear signal: Class A basketball is in gifted hands for years to come. These players aren’t waiting their turn; they’re demanding attention now.

West Central junior guard Connor Mebius earned his first-team stripe with a combination of athleticism and skill that makes him a nightmare matchup. His ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor, from scoring in bunches to locking down opponents, provides West Central with a cornerstone for a potentially huge 2025 campaign. Mebius represents the high-ceiling talent that defines the next wave.

Perhaps the most intriguing selection is Clark/Willow Lake sophomore forward Sully Felberg. To crack the first team as a sophomore is a rare feat, reserved for special talents. Felberg’s inclusion suggests a player with a mature, multifaceted game that transcends his age. As a forward, his ability to score, rebound, and defend at a high level against older competition points to a trajectory that could see him dominating the class for the next two seasons. He is the embodiment of the “future is now” theme of this year’s team.

Analysis and What Lies Ahead for Class A Basketball

This year’s Class A all-state first team provides a fascinating lens through which to analyze the state of the game. The coexistence of historic senior scorers and elite underclassmen creates a unique dynamic.

• The Evolution of the Star Player: The team showcases different blueprints for success. Richard and Hansen were high-usage, prolific scorers who carried immense offensive loads. Wassenaar, while also a high scorer, achieved his efficiency through a more integrated, all-court game. This suggests coaches value both paradigms.
• A Passing of the Torch: With three first-team seniors departing, the landscape will shift dramatically in 2025. The immediate void creates a massive opportunity for the returning juniors and Felberg to expand their roles and narratives, setting up potentially legendary senior seasons.
• Recruiting Impact: Richard’s commitment to USD highlights the in-state Division I pipeline, while the performances of Wassenaar, Mebius, and Felberg will undoubtedly draw increased collegiate interest from all levels in the coming years.

Predictions for the 2025 Season are already taking shape. Brant Wassenaar, as the returning Player of the Year, will be the preseason favorite for the award and will shoulder the burden of high expectations. Connor Mebius will be tasked with leading West Central as “the guy,” and Sully Felberg will aim to transition from promising sophomore to unquestioned superstar. The battle for next year’s first team spots will be fierce, with a new crop of seniors and emerging juniors looking to join the ranks of the elite.

Conclusion: A Celebration of Every Chapter

The 2024 Class A boys basketball all-state first team is more than an honor roll; it’s a complete story. It celebrates the breathtaking culmination of careers that have reshaped record books and inspired communities, like those of Marvin Richard III and Trey Hansen. It acknowledges the established excellence of players like Jackson Wadsworth. Simultaneously, it warmly welcomes the ascendant talents of Brant Wassenaar, Connor Mebius, and Sully Felberg, whose best days are still ahead.

This unique blend of youth and experience is what makes high school sports profoundly compelling. It reminds us to savor the legendary performances of today while eagerly anticipating the stars of tomorrow. In South Dakota Class A basketball, the present was spectacular, and the future, as evidenced by this talented roster, is blindingly bright.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.