PAGE 8 PLAIN TALK • PRESS & DAKOTAN n WINTER SPORTS 2015 Hoeck: Check Out These Hardwood Highlights BY JEREMY HOECK jeremy.hoeck@yankton.net Between South Dakota and Nebraska, and classics and tournaments, area basketball fans will again have plenty of quality of action to follow this season. Jeremy While there will be a handful of noteworthy regular season showdowns, it will be the matchups at the various classics and tournaments will that will provide the highlights to the 2015-16 seasons. Here are 10 events to watch in both boys’ and girls’ basketball: HOECK Boys Mike Miller Classic, Dec. 29 Wynot will face Ethan at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls. Parkston Classic, Dec. 29 Alcester-Hudson, Dakota Valley, Irene-Wakonda, Parkston and Scotland will all face competitive teams from across the state at this annual event in Parkston. Creighton Holiday Tourn., Dec. 30 Creighton, Hartington-Newcastle and Wausa will all be in action at this annual event. Parker at Hanson, Jan. 15 The matchup of Class B state tournament teams from last season will see Hanson (champion) host Parker (fifth place). Yankton at Watertown, Jan. 16 This will be a rematch of last Rory O’Malley, 3, and the Centerville Tornadoes join their Tri-Valley Conference rivals in hosting the TVC boys’ classic on Jan. 16 at Laddie E. Cimpl Arena on the Mount Marty College campus. The girls’ programs from the TVC host their event on Jan. 30 at Cimpl. year’s region final, where Watertown reached state and ended Yankton’s season. Tri-Valley Conference Classic, Jan. 16 Alcester-Hudson, Centerville, Avon, Freeman Academy, Scotland, Gayville-Volin, Irene-Wakonda, Platte-Geddes and Viborg-Hurley will all be in action at Cimpl Arena. Dakota State Shootout, Jan. 23 Bon Homme, Freeman, Menno, Viborg-Hurley and Wynot will all take the court that day in Madison. Hanson Classic, Jan. 23 Alcester-Hudson, Parkston and Vermillion will all take the Corn Palace court in Mitchell. Sanford Pentagon Classic, Feb. 6 Irene-Wakonda will play Red Cloud, and Parker and ViborgLindsey Hale, 34, and the Yankton Gazelles end their pre-Christmas Hurley will also be in action in Sioux schedule at Sioux Falls Washington on Dec. 22. The 2014-15 state champion Warriors, coached by Yankton native Jamie Parish, ended Falls. the Gazelles’ season in the District 2AA Tournament. Irene-Wakonda at Wynot, Feb. 9 This could be a fantastic lateseason matchup between potential state tournament teams from each state. Girls Edith Sanford Breast Center Pentagon Classic, Dec. 19 Four area teams (Avon, ViborgHurley, Crofton and Wynot) will all be in action, with the highlights being the Crofton vs. Sioux Falls O’Gorman game, and the Wynot vs. St. Thomas More matchup. Yankton at Sioux Falls Washington, Dec. 22 Wynot at Crofton, Dec. 30 The matchup between Nebraska powerhouses always draws a huge crowd. CNOS Foundation Classic, Jan. 9 Crofton joins the annual tournament in Sioux City, joining Dakota Valley. The Warriors face Bishop Heelan in the event. St. Thomas More at Elk Point-Jefferson, Jan. 9 This will be a rematch of last season’s Class A state championship game. Gayville-Volin at Viborg-Hurley (Viborg), Jan. 14 The matchup of District 10B foes will pit the last two state tournament entrants out of that region, Gayville-Volin (2014) and ViborgHurley (2015). Hanson Classic, Jan. 16 Andes Central-Dakota Christian, Crofton, Elk Point-Jefferson and Viborg-Hurley will all be in action at the Corn Palace in Mitchell. Tri-Valley Conference Classic, Jan. 30 A total of 11 area teams will take the court at Cimpl Arena, on the The Gazelles will visit the defending Class AA state champions, who are coached by Yankton native Jamie Parish. Parkston Classic, Dec. 28 Four area teams (Gayville-Volin, Irene-Wakonda, Parkston and Wagner) will all be playing in the daylong event that attracts competitive teams from across the state. The addition of Gayville-Volin will mean head coach Matt Malloy will return to his hometown. Viborg-Hurley at Elk Point-Jefferson, Dec. 29 A matchup of state tournament The Watertown Arrows ended the 2014-15 season for Yankton. Bradey teams will pit Viborg-Hurley (fifth, Sorenson (33) and the Bucks get their first shot at revenge on Jan. 16 Class B) against EPJ (runner-up, in Watertown. Class A). McKenzie Mennenga, left, and the Elk Point-Jefferson Huskies host St. Thomas More on Jan. 9. The game is a rematch of the 2015 Class A state championship game. LEFT: Coach Bill Hansen (standing, right) and the Viborg-Hurley Cougars return to the Edith Sanford Breast Center Pentagon Classic for a pre-Christmas girls’ basketball feast on Dec. 19. The Cougars face Warner at 3 p.m., Avon draws Hanson at 9 a.m., Crofton faces O’Gorman at 4:30 p.m. and Wynot plays St. Thomas More at 6 p.m. in the all-day hoops event. We’re on your team { for care. 1104 west 8th street, yankton, sd 57078 } www.YanktonMedicalClinic.com 2410 Broadway Ave., Yankton, SD 57078 (605) 665-8717 walk-ins welcome: M-F: 5 pm to 9 pm Sat & Sun: Noon to 5 pm 605-665-7841 clinic Hours: M-F: 8 am to 5 pm Sat: 8:30 am to Noon