Ten Area Stars Set to Shine at Historic 38th 3-Class Shootout in Salem

The final buzzer on their high school careers has sounded, but for ten elite athletes from the Watertown and Aberdeen region, the opportunity for one more iconic performance awaits. The 38th edition of the First Dakota National Bank 3-Class Shootout, scheduled for Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the McCook Central Auditorium in Salem, will showcase the state’s premier senior talent, with a strong contingent of northeastern South Dakota players ready to leave their mark on this prestigious all-star event.

A Showcase of Small-Town Excellence

This annual event is more than just an exhibition; it’s a celebration of South Dakota’s deep-rooted basketball culture, where communities rally behind their homegrown stars. The inclusion of ten players from our area underscores the region’s status as a consistent producer of high-level talent. From the powerhouse programs to the tight-knit Class B schools, these athletes have carried their teams on deep playoff runs and captivated local fans for years. Now, they converge on Salem for a final, collective showcase.

The northeastern South Dakota players selected represent a diverse array of skills and stories:

• Class B Girls: Hazel Luethmers (De Smet), Matatya Gouws (Deubrook Area), Hadlee Holt (Iroquois-Lake Preston).
• Class A Girls: Blake Thompson (Mobridge-Pollock), Talya Vincent (Sioux Valley), Amari Ward (Sioux Valley).
• Class B Boys: Grant Wilkinson (De Smet), Chance Schoenfeld (Deubrook Area).
• Class A Boys: Ryder Johnson (Groton Area), Keegen Tracy (Groton Area).

This list is a testament to the competitive fire cultivated in gyms across the prairie. For players like Sioux Valley’s Vincent and Ward, who shared the court as teammates, it’s a chance to dominate together one last time. For rivals, it’s an unprecedented opportunity to join forces and display the unified strength of area basketball.

Event Format and Can’t-Miss Schedule

The 3-Class Shootout All-Star Games employ a unique and thrilling tournament-style format that guarantees competitive action. Unlike a standard all-star game, the setup creates natural bragging rights between the classifications. The action unfolds at the McCook Central Auditorium, a classic venue known for its electric tournament atmosphere.

The full schedule for March 28, 2026, is as follows:

• 1:00 PM: Class AA Girls vs. Class A Girls
• 2:30 PM: Class B Girls vs. Winner of AA/A Girls
• 4:00 PM: Class AA Boys vs. Class A Boys
• 5:30 PM: Class B Boys vs. Winner of AA/A Boys

Adding to the excitement, a high-flying dunk contest will be held between the two boys’ games, offering a showcase of athleticism that is sure to bring the crowd to its feet. This format ensures every game has stakes, as teams battle not just for individual glory, but for class supremacy.

Expert Analysis: Players to Watch

While every all-star brings talent, several area players are poised to have a particularly profound impact on their games based on their high school pedigrees and skill sets.

In the Class B girls game, keep an eye on De Smet’s Hazel Luethmers. Coming from a program with a legendary winning tradition, Luethmers is accustomed to high-pressure moments. Her likely matchup against the likes of Sanborn Central-Woonsocket’s Liz Boschee or Corsica-Stickney’s Sophie DeLange in the second game will be a marquee clash of B heavyweights. For the Class A girls, the Sioux Valley duo of Talya Vincent and Amari Ward provides a ready-made chemistry that most all-star teams lack. Their intuitive play could be the key to unlocking the Class AA defense and advancing to the championship round.

On the boys’ side, Groton Area’s pair of Ryder Johnson and Keegen Tracy will be fascinating to watch. Having played together for years, their synergy will be a significant advantage for the Class A boys against typically more physically imposing Class AA competition. For the Class B boys, Deubrook Area’s Chance Schoenfeld has the type of dynamic scoring ability that thrives in an up-tempo all-star setting, where defensive structures are looser and playmakers can shine.

Predictions and Lasting Legacy

Predicting all-star games is always a challenge, but the area’s influence will be felt. The Class A girls, bolstered by the Sioux Valley core and Mobridge-Pollock’s Blake Thompson, have a legitimate shot at upsetting Class AA and making a run at the overall title. The Class B girls, featuring our trio of Luethmers, Gouws, and Holt, will be a formidable underdog with the talent to challenge anyone if they find a quick rhythm.

For the boys, the Class A team featuring the Groton Area standouts will be a tough out. However, the Class B squad, often fueled by a chip-on-the-shoulder mentality, could be the story of the night. With players like De Smet’s Grant Wilkinson, who knows what it takes to win on the biggest stages, they are capable of pulling off an upset in the 5:30 PM finale.

Ultimately, the 38th First Dakota National Bank 3-Class Shootout is about more than wins and losses. It’s a final salute. It’s a chance for communities from De Smet to Mobridge, from Groton to Iroquois, to travel to Salem and witness their heroes don a different jersey—one that says “Northeastern South Dakota” in spirit. These ten players have already cemented their legacies at home. On March 28, 2026, they will unite to cement the area’s reputation as a true powerhouse of South Dakota high school basketball.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.