The 2024 SDHSAA state boys basketball tournaments came to an end on Saturday with three incredible championship games. Two went to overtime, while the other was decided by just one-point.
Mitchell won their first state championship since 2005, Hamlin claimed its first since 1983, and Howard celebrated a championship for the first time since 1964.
Class AA
Championship: No. 1 Mitchell 46 No. 3 Brandon Valley 45
Mitchell defeated Brandon Valley in thrilling fashion 46-45 to win the ‘AA’ state title. A Josh Olthoff shot at the horn fell short, clinching the championship for Mitchell. The Kernels were led by Gavin Soukup, who scored 16-points. Marcus Talley also had nine points for Mitchell. Josh Olthoff and Brayden Anderson each had 13-points for Brandon Valley.
3rd Place: No. 2 Harrisburg 50 No. 5 Sioux Falls Washington 48
Harrisburg took down Washington 50-48 in thrilling fashion due to a last second shot by Camden Phipps. Phipps finished with 17-points for the Tigers. Braeden VanBockern had 12-points and a couple steals defensively for Harrisburg as well. Lubab Kambalo, Jhace Woods, and Thomas Hoffman all had 10-points for Washington in the loss.
5th Place: No. 8 Sioux Falls Jefferson 60 No. 7 Watertown 58
Jefferson won the ‘AA’ consolation championship with a 60-58 victory over Watertown. The Cavaliers shot 45% in the game from field, and they won the rebound battle by +14. Jefferson was led by Dawson Sechser, who scored 14-points, and Mason Payne, who put 13-points in the scoring column. Dylan Rawdon was the top scorer for Watertown with 27-points.
7th Place: No. 6 Huron 63 Sioux Falls No. 4 Roosevelt 58
Huron defeated Roosevelt 63-58 in the ‘AA’ seventh place game on Saturday. Free throws were the difference in this contest as 21-points for the Tigers came at the charity stripe. Blake Ellwein led Huron with 26-points and seven rebounds. He also had two blocks and two steals defensively. The Rough Riders were led by Kamari Thomas, who finished with 12-points.
Class A
Championship: No. 2 Hamlin 53 No. 1 Sioux Falls Christian 50 (OT)
For the first time since 1983, Hamlin has won a boys state basketball championship. They defeated Sioux Falls Christian 53-50 on Saturday to clinch the title. Hamlin shot 45% from the field. Tyson Stevenson finished with 16-points for Hamlin, while Easton Neuendorf dropped 12-points. Griffen Goodbary led Sioux Falls Christian with 19-points and ten rebounds.
3rd Place: No. 5 Dakota Valley 78 No. 6 Rapid City Christian 73
Dakota Valley took down Rapid City Christian 78-73 in the ‘A’ third place game. The Panthers shot 51% in the game, but it was kept close with the Comets winning the turnover and rebounding battle. Dakota Valley was led by Luke Bruns, who finished with 19-points and ten rebounds. Jaxson Wingert also scored 17-points for the Panthers. Rapid City Christian was led by Benson Kieffer, who scored 29-points, and Simon Kieffer who contributed 24-points.
5th Place: No. 3 Sioux Valley 69 No. 4 Pine Ridge 51
Sioux Valley defeated Pine Ridge 69-51 in the consolation championship. The Cossacks shot an impressive 60% from the field, which was in big part due to the performance by Alec Squires, who went 9 of 10 for 21-points and grabbed 17-rebounds. Marvin Richard III led the scoring for Pine Ridge with 19-points.
7th Place: No. 7 Groton Area 67 No. 8 Vermillion 49
Groton Area rolled past Vermillion on Saturday afternoon 67-49 in the ‘A’ seventh place game. Lane Tietz finished with 25-points and six rebounds to lead the way for the Tigers. Jacob Zak also contributed 15-points and grabbed nine rebounds for Groton Area. Vermillion was led by Connor Roerig and Zoan Robinson, who both scored 13-points in the game.
Class B
Championship: No. 5 Howard 60 No. 2 De Smet 55 (OT)
In what was a crazy end to regulation with both teams scoring a pair of buckets in the closing seconds, Howard defeated De Smet 60-55 to win their first boys basketball championship since 1964. The Tigers shot 56% from the field. Kolt and Luke Koepsell led the way for the Tigers, combining for 40-points in the contest. Kolt also led the team in rebounds with 13 in the title game. Kadyn Fast scored 18-points for De Smet.
3rd Place: No. 3 Castlewood 74 No. 1 White River 54
Castlewood defeated White River 74-54 on Saturday night in the 3rd place game. The Warriors shot 53% from the floor, and outrebounded the Tigers 43-21. Bryan Laue (20), Jamison Keszler (18), and Lane Tvedt (17) combined for 55-points for Castlewood. Nicolas Marshall was the leading scorer for White River with 31-points in the game.
5th Place: No. 4 Wessington Springs 55 No. 6 Gregory 51
Wessington Springs won the consolation championship in ‘B’ on Saturday with a 55-51 performance against Gregory. The Spartans shot 53% from the field. Wessington Springs was led by Parker Graff, who scored 17-points, and Colby Flowers, who added 14-points towards the total. Noah Bearshield and Daniel Mitchell both scored 15-points for Gregory.
7th Place: No. 8 Viborg-Hurley 84 No. 6 Leola/Frederick Area 75
Viborg-Hurley defeated Leola/Frederick Area 84-75 on Saturday. The Cougars shot an impressive 67% from the floor. Viborg-Hurley also went +9 in the rebound category. Brady Schroedermeier led the Cougars with 25-points. Nick Hanson also scored 19-points and grabbed eleven rebounds for Viborg-Hurley. Leola/Frederick Area’s Brayd Sumption put up 19-points in the contest.
