Mar. 2 -- Completing a wire-to-wire regular-season run atop the South Dakota Prep Media polls, Sioux Falls Lincoln checked in as the unanimous No. 1 in the final Class AA boys basketball rankings of the season released on Monday.
The Patriots enter the postseason with a 20-0 record and ended the regular season as the unanimous No. 1 for a second year in a row. Lincoln garnered all 21 available first-place votes this week, marking the 12th straight poll as unanimous No. 1 dating back to Dec. 22. Only the preseason poll and the first in-season poll didn't have the Patriots uncontested at the top spot.
Behind Lincoln, Huron slotted in at No. 2, a position the Tigers took over last week. Prior to that, Sioux Falls Roosevelt spent six weeks at No. 2, but the Rough Riders came in at No. 3 in the final poll. Harrisburg lept over Watertown in the final week to claim the No. 4 ranking, and the Arrows slipped to No. 5.
Tea Area, which was in a tie for No. 5 last week, is one of four others receiving votes this week, joined by Sioux Falls Washington, Brandon Valley and O'Gorman.
The Class AA boys basketball SoDak 16 round is set for Saturday, March 7.
Here is a breakdown of the final rankings.
The South Dakota Prep Media basketball polls for the week of March 2, 2026, are listed below. First-place votes are indicated in parentheses and teams are ranked by total points received.
- Sioux Falls Lincoln (21), 20-0, 105;
- Huron, 16-4, 78;
- Sioux Falls Roosevelt, 16-4, 69;
- Harrisburg, 15-5, 40;
- Watertown, 15-5, 17.
Others receiving votes: Tea Area 2, Sioux Falls Washington 2, Brandon Valley 1, O'Gorman 1.
Moved up: No. 4 Harrisburg (from No. 5 tie).
Moved down: No. 5 Watertown (from No. 4), Tea Area (from No. 5 tie).
- West Central (20), 20-0, 209;
- SF Christian (1), 18-1, 190;
- Clark/Willow Lake, 18-2, 167;
- Hamlin, 17-3, 145;
- Lennox, 15-5, 125;
- St. Thomas More, 15-5, 98;
- Groton Area, 16-4, 75;
- Vermillion, 15-5, 66;
- Stanley County, 18-2, 40;
- Mahpiya Luta, 17-3, 27.
Others receiving votes: Cheyenne-Eagle Butte 7, Sioux Valley 5, Pine Ridge 1.
Moved up: None.
Moved down: None.
- Castlewood (13), 17-3, 197;
- De Smet (1), 16-4, 181;
- Freeman (6), 18-2, 179;
- Viborg-Hurley (1), 17-3, 141;
- Wessington Springs, 16-4, 128;
- Parkston, 17-3, 95;
- Aberdeen Christian, 17-3, 86;
- Wall, 16-4, 74;
- Sully Buttes, 15-5, 44;
- Deubrook Area, 14-6, 13.
Others receiving votes: Sanborn Central/Woonsocket 6; Leola/Frederick Area 4; Estelline-Hendricks 2; Lyman 2; Bridgewater-Emery 2; Centerville 1.
Moved up: No. 6 Parkston (from No. 7).
Moved down: No. 7 Aberdeen Christian (from No. 6).
- Brandon Valley (20), 20-0, 104;
- O'Gorman (1), 19-1, 85;
- Rapid City Stevens, 16-4, 55;
- Sioux Falls Washington, 16-4, 43;
- Aberdeen Central, 14-6, 16.
Others receiving votes: Sioux Falls Jefferson 6; Mitchell 3; Spearfish 2; Tea Area 1.
Moved up: No. 3 RC Stevens (from No. 4).
Moved down: No. 4 SF Washington (from No. 3).
(Note: the final week of the Class A and Class B girls basketball polls was Feb. 23, ahead of the regional postseason tournaments.)
- Mahpiya Luta (21), 19-0, 210;
- Hamlin, 19-1, 184;
- Lennox, 17-3, 162;
- Wagner, 17-2, 151;
- Sioux Falls Christian, 16-4, 131;
- Sioux Valley, 18-2, 103;
- Clark/Willow Lake, 17-3, 82;
- Aberdeen Roncalli, 16-4, 44;
- West Central,,,;
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