PARKSTON -- Three undefeated Mitchell area high school boys basketball teams will put early-season unbeaten records on the line at the seven-game, 14-team Parkston Boys Classic on Monday in Parkston.
The Parkston Classic boys basketball tournament features six area teams competing throughout the day in Parkston. The games start at 10:30 a.m. with Ethan vs. Chester Area; Sully Buttes vs. Dakota Valley at 12 p.m.; Hitchcock-Tulare vs. Canistota at 1:30 p.m.; Centerville vs. Corsica/Stickney at 3 p.m.; Hanson vs. Alcester-Hudson at 4:30 p.m.; Parkston vs. Miller at 6 p.m.; and McCook Central/Montrose vs. Vermillion at 7:30 p.m.
The three Mitchell area teams that are off to strong starts early in the 2014-15 season are Canistota (2-0), Hanson (3-0) and Parkston (3-0).
"When you are around Mitchell, there are a lot of basketball fans. You are in basketball country for this state," Canistota head coach Pat Jolley said. "We are looking forward to competing at the Parkston Classic again this year, because there is a lot of quality teams, good coaches and always a good turnout of fans."
The Hawks have opened the season with a pair of wins over Irene-Wakonda and Freeman. Jolley, who is in his 27th year of being a head coach, said his team has played strong defense in its first two games, but needs to continue to improve on offense.
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"We are happy with where we are at defensively at this point," Jolley said. "On offense, we need to get into a little more of a rhythm, and we are working on that."
Canistota finished last year with a 12-10 record, but returned nine letterwinners and added four Marion basketball players to the team.
"It's been good for our team, because we now have 21 kids out for high school basketball," Jolley said. "When you add two juniors and two seniors with previous varsity experience, it really helps make practices more competitive."
Heading into the matchup against Hitchcock-Tulare, Jolley said his team will need to play well in the Parkston Classic in order to remain unbeaten.
"Everything we get offensively, we are going to have to work hard for," he said.
Juniors Shay Jolley and Mason Decker are both averaging 15 points per game in the Hawks early-season wins, and Jolley expects both players to help his team on Monday.
Joining Canistota as an undefeated member of District 8B are the 3-0 Hanson Beavers. Earning wins over Ethan, Menno and Avon, as well as averaging 65 points per game, the Beavers are receiving votes in the Class B polls.
In Class A, Parkston heads into the 6 p.m. matchup against Miller after starting the season on a three-game win streak. The Trojans are averaging 49 points per game and have earned wins over Tripp-Delmont/Armour, Avon and Chamberlain.
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Parkston Boys Classic
Monday in Parkston
10:30 a.m.: Ethan vs. Chester Area
Noon: Sully Buttes vs. Dakota Valley
1:30 p.m.: Hitchcock-Tulare vs. Canistota
3 p.m.: Centerville vs. Corsica/Stickney
4:30 p.m.: Hanson vs. Alcester-Hudson
6 p.m.: Parkston vs. Miller
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7:30 p.m.: McCook Central/Montrose vs. Vermillion
