The 2024 SDHSAA state boys basketball tournaments began Thursday from Sioux Falls (AA), Rapid City (A), and Aberdeen (B). Here's a recap from the quarterfinal round, and schedule for Friday.
Quarterfinal Round
Class AA
No. 1 Mitchell 69 No. 8 Sioux Falls Jefferson 61
Top seeded Mitchell outlasted Sioux Falls Jefferson 69-61 in Thursday’s quarterfinal round. As a team, the Kernels shot 46%, compared to the Cavaliers who shot 48%. Free throws being the difference as Mitchell recorded 19-points from the charity stripe. Markus Talley led the Kernels in scoring with 22-points. Colton Smith also recorded 16-points for Mitchell, along with ten rebounds. Sioux Falls Jefferson was led in scoring by Damaris Fields, who scored 16-points in the contest.
No. 5 Sioux Falls Washington 52 No. 4 Sioux Falls Roosevelt 45
Despite a second half surge, Washington defeated Roosevelt 52-45 on Thursday in the quarterfinals. As a team, the Warriors shot 46% from the field. They were led by Thomas Hoffman, who finished with 17-points and four steals. Lucas Johnson also scored 14-points and grabbed nine rebounds for Washington. Hayden Goff put up 14-points for Roosevelt and Nasar Ismail scored 13-points.
No. 2 Harrisburg 71 No. 7 Watertown 56
Harrisburg is moving onto the semifinals after a 71-56 win over Watertown. The Tigers were led by Jacoby Mehrman, who finished with 27-points and three steals. Camden Phipps also contributed 20-points for Harrisburg. As a team, the Tigers shot 52% from the field. Dylon Rawdon led Watertown in scoring with 21-points.
No. 3 Brandon Valley 63 No. 6 Huron 48
On what would be an emotional night, Brandon Valley defeated Huron 63-48 in the quarterfinal round. Prior to the game, they held a moment of silence at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center to honor long-time Lynx boys basketball coach Brent Deckert, who passed away Wednesday after a battle with cancer. Landon Dulaney led Brandon Valley in scoring with 18-points. As a team, the Lynx shot 44% from the field. CJ Gainey led the scoring for Huron with 15-points in the contest.
Class A
No. 1 Sioux Falls Christian 74 No. 8 Vermillion 48
Sioux Falls Christian steamed past Vermillion 74-48 in impressive fashion in the quarterfinal round. The Chargers 50% from the field and were led by Griffen Goodbary, who finished with 20-points and four blocks. Brant Wassenaar also contributed 14-points and nine rebounds. Vermillion was led by Bryson Skogsberg, who put up 15-points in the game.
No. 5 Dakota Valley 62 No. 4 Pine Ridge 58
Dakota Valley survived a late game rally to defeat Pine Ridge 62-58 in the quarterfinals. The Panthers shot 42% from the field, but it was their rebounding and second chance points that was the difference down the stretch. Dakota Valley finished +12 in the rebounding differential. Luke Bruns and Jaxson Wingert both finished with 24-points for the Panthers. Pine Ridge was led by Marvin Richard III, who dropped 30-points in the contest.
No. 2 Hamlin 46 No. 7 Groton Area 45
Hamlin survived a last second attempt to defeat Groton Area 46-45 in the quarterfinals. This matchup was incredibly even. Groton Area shot 43% from the field, while Hamlin shot 42%. Both teams tied with 13 turnovers and tied in the rebounding category too. Easton Neuendorf scored 17-points for the Chargers, and he recorded five assists too. Tyson Stevenson also scored 10-points for Hamlin. Groton’s top scorer was Lane Tietz, who finished with 12. Ryder Johnson also scored 10-points for the Tigers in the loss.
No. 6 Rapid City Christian 75 No. 3 Sioux Valley 72
Rapid City Christian upset third seeded Sioux Valley 75-72 in thrilling double overtime fashion on Thursday night from Rapid City. The Cossacks shot 45% in the game, which was better than the Comets, who shot 35%, but Rapid City Christian scored more points off of turnovers and outrebounded. They also shot more efficiently from the charity stripe. Benson Kieffer scored 25-points and Simon Kieffer knocked down 23-points for the Comets. Max Engebretson was the leading scorer for Sioux Valley with 20-points.
Class B
No. 1 White River 72 No. 8 Viborg-Hurley 57
White River shot an impressive 55% from the field enroute to a 72-57 win over Viborg-Hurley on Thursday. Jordan Uhlir dropped 21-points for the Tigers. He also recorded four rebounds and a couple steals. Nicolas Marshall also scored 20-points for White River with seven assists. Nick Hanson led Viborg-Hurley in scoring with 17-points.
No. 5 Howard 53 No. 4 Wessington Springs 38
Howard is moving onto the semifinals after a 53-38 win over Wessington Springs. The Tigers shot 51% from the field, while the Spartans shot 31%. Kolt and Luke Koepsell combined for 37-points for Howard. Parker Graff was the leading scorer for Wessington Springs with 14-points.
No. 2 De Smet 41 No. 7 Gregory 38
De Smet topped Gregory in thrilling fashion 41-38 on Thursday night to advance to the semifinals. George Jensen knocked down a three off the glass with 1-second to play to give the Bulldogs a three-point win. Jensen scored 14-points in the game for De Smet. He also had six rebounds. Kadyn Fast also scored 14-points for the Bulldogs. Gregory’s top scorer was Cruz Klundt, who finished with 13-points in the game.
No. 3 Castlewood 72 No. 6 Leola/Frederick Area 67
Castlewood outlasted Frederick Area 72-67 on Thursday in Aberdeen to advance to the semifinals. The Warriors were led by Bryon Laue, who finished with 25-points, eleven rebounds, and four blocks. Jamiso Keszler also put up 20-points for Castlewood. Brayd Sumpton led Leola/Frederick with 23-points, six boards, and two steals.
Friday Schedule
Class AA
Consolation Semifinals
No. 4 Sioux Falls Roosevelt vs No. 8 Sioux Falls Jefferson – 12 pm CT
No. 6 Huron vs No. 7 Watertown – 1:45 pm CT
Semifinals
No. 1 Mitchell vs No. 5 Sioux Falls Washington – 6 pm CT
No. 2 Harrisburg vs No. 3 Brandon Valley – 7:45 pm CT
Class A
Consolation Semifinals
No. 4 Pine Ridge vs No. 8 Vermillion – 12 pm MT
No. 7 Groton Area vs No. 3 Sioux Valley – 1:45 pm MT
Semifinals
No. 1 Sioux Falls Christian vs No. 5 Dakota Valley – 6 pm MT
No. 2 Hamlin vs No. 6 Rapid City Christian – 7:45 pm MT
Class B
Consolation Semifinals
No. 4 Wessington Springs vs No. 8 Viborg-Hurley – 12 pm CT
No. 6 Leola/Frederick vs No.7 Gregory – 1:45 pm CT
Semifinals
No. 1 White River vs No. 5 Howard – 6 pm CT
No. 2 De Smet vs No. 3 Castlewood – 7:45 pm CT
