RAPID CITY - Rapid City Stevens will defend its state championship when the Class AA state tournament gets under way on Thursday. But the Raiders will do so as the No. 3 seed.

The Raiders (23-6 overall) open tournament play on Thursday at 6 p.m. against No. 6 Sioux Falls Lincoln (16-10) during the first round of the tournament, which will be held at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City.

Stevens won the tournament last year in Sioux Falls, knocking off previously unbeaten Pierre in the tournament final.

Rapid City Central (20-5) is the No. 8 seed and will face off with top-seeded Aberdeen Central (20-2) in the tournament's opening game at noon.

Other Class AA first-round matchups include No. 4 Watertown (16-7) and No. 5 Pierre (15-7) at 2 p.m. and No. 2 Sioux Falls Roosevelt (19-3) facing No. 7 Sioux Falls Washington (13-11) at 8 p.m.

In Class A, No. 5 seed St. Thomas More (27-7) returns to the state tournament and will face No. 4 Sioux Falls Christian (22-8), the defending state champions. Game time is set for 2 p.m. The Cavaliers finished fourth last year, losing to Harrisburg in the third-place game.

Other first-round games include No. 1 Wagner (30-1) facing No. 8 Winner (19-10) at noon, No. 3 Miller (25-5) against No. 6 Milbank (21-5) at 6 p.m. and No. 2 Harrisburg taking on No. 7 Sisseton (23-7) at 8 p.m.

There will be a new champion in Class B.

Last year's champion, Warner, does not return, opening the door for someone else to claim the title. Last year's runner-up, Arlington, returns and is the No. 3 seed. Arlington (30-3) will open tournament play at 6 p.m. against No. 6 Kimball (26-2).

Top-seed Chester Area (25-1) opens against No. 8 Faulkton (19-13) at noon, while No. 4 Philip (30-3) faces No. 5 Mt. Vernon (25-1) at 2 p.m. and No. 2 Northwestern (28-0) takes on No. 7 Harding County (30-4) at 8 p.m.