LOCAL SPORTS 8-14-23

The Yankton Bucks have been selected third in Class 11-AA in the South Dakota Football Coaches Association preseason poll that was released yesterday.

            Defending state champions Pierre took the top spot with 24 of 26 first place votes, with state runner-up Tea in 2nd.

            Other area teams named in the preseason polls were Bon Homme, who received votes in class 9-AA, and Avon who received votes in class 9-B.

*Class 11-AA Poll Below, Full Preseason Polls for all Classes Listed at End*

Class 11-AA Preseason Poll:

  1. Pierre
  2. Tea
  3. Yankton
  4. Brookings
  5. Aberdeen Central

Receiving Votes: Watertown

            The 2023 Yankton High School Fall Sports Kickoff will be held this evening in the  Yankton High School commons.

            Food will be served beginning at 5:30, and coaches from every YHS fall sport will speak during the event, beginning shortly after 6:00 PM.

The Yankton Bucks golf team opens their 2023 season today, as they compete in day one of the Warrior-Lynx Invite.

Day one of the invitational will be held at the Brandon Golf Course, beginning at 2:00 PM this afternoon, while day two will take place at the Bakker Crossing Golf Course, beginning at 8 AM Tuesday.

Yankton Bucks and Gazelles soccer are both coming off of season opening losses on Friday as they return to action tomorrow afternoon at Crane-Youngworth Field to take on Harrisburg.

Harrisburg are the defending state champions on the girls side, and were the team to eliminate the Gazelles from the playoffs last season.

The Gazelles will play at 4:00 PM tomorrow with the Bucks to follow. Coverage on KYNT and KYNTV begins at 3:30. Brayden Butler will be on the call.

Yankton Gazelles tennis is 2 and 0 to start the season, following a 5 to 4 win over Pierre and a 9 to 0 sweep of  Rapid City Central.

Every Gazelle got a win across the two duels, with Nora Krajewski (Kra-ski), Sabrina Krajewski (Kra-ski), Addison Gordon, and Karalyn Koerner going undefeated in singles play. The duo of Nora and Sabrina Krajewski also went undefeated in double play during the meet.

The Gazelles will return to the courts tomorrow, as they travel to Vermillion for a triangular against the Tanagers and Lennox, beginning at 1:00 PM.

The Lesterville Broncs of the South Central League ended their season as the Class B State Runner-Up, as they fell to Canova 4 to 0 on Sunday.

Lesterville were given the tournament’s sportsmanship award following the conclusion of the tournament, while Tabor’s Riley Rothchadl posted a .769 average to claim the tournament’s batting title.

South Dakota High School Football Preseason Polls (Class 11-AAA through 9-B):

Class 11-AAA:

  1. Harrisburg
  2. Sioux Falls Jefferson
  3. Brandon Valley
  4. Sioux Falls Lincoln
  5. O’Gorman

Receiving Votes: Sioux Falls Roosevelt, Sioux Falls Washington

Class 11-AA:

  1. Pierre
  2. Tea
  3. Yankton
  4. Brookings
  5. Aberdeen Central

Receiving Votes: Watertown

Class 11-A:

  1. Dell Rapids
  2. West Central
  3. Canton
  4. Sioux Falls Christian
  5. Madison

Receiving Votes: Dakota Valley, Lennox, Beresford

Class 11-B:

  1. Winner
  2. Elk Point-Jefferson
  3. Sioux Valley
  4. Hot Springs
  5. Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan

Receiving Votes: McCook Central-Montrose, St. Thomas More, Tri Valley

Class 9-AA:

  1. Wall
  2. Parkston
  3. Howard
  4. Hamlin
  5. Hanson

Receiving Votes: Elkton-Lake Benton, Bon Homme, Platte-Geddes, Viborg-Hurley

Class 9-A:

  1. Gregory
  2. Warner
  3. Canistota
  4. Wolsey-Wessington
  5. Castlewood

Receiving Votes: Lyman, Harding County-Bison, Timber Lake.

Class 9-B:

  1. Hitchcock-Tulare
  2. De Smet
  3. Herreid-Selby Area
  4. Corsica-Stickney
  5. Faulkton Area

Receiving Votes: Dell Rapids St. Mary, Kadoka, Sully Buttes, Avon