For the first time in nearly forty-years, Bennett County has won a state girls basketball title. The Warriors defeated Sanborn Central/Woonsocket 71-61 on Saturday night in Huron at the ‘B’ state tournament.
Bennett County entered the tourney as the No. 3 seed, losing just two games all year. In the quarterfinal round, they snuck past Parkston 51-49. They then knocked off Centerville, the top seed and defending state champions, 44-41 in the semifinals. On championship night, with the lights the brightest, the Warriors once again rose to the occasion for a ten-point win and the state championship.
Reagan and Peyson O’Neill, a freshman and an eighth grader, helped lead the way throughout the state tournament for Bennett County, and the title game was no different. Reagan finished with 25-points, 14 rebounds, and three steals, while Peyson scored 18-points, grabbed five rebounds, and contributed with five steals. Thomiah Poor Bear also played a role with 15 points and seven assists for the Warriors.
Despite a lot of production from the youth on the roster, the senior leadership from Alasandra Salomon, Thomiah Poor Bear, and Sophia May was crucial in the teams success.
“We’ve got three seniors and we’re going to miss them a lot, but they set the tone here and we’re going to keep on,” said Bennett County head coach Shawna Evans. “It’s tradition now.”
Coach Evans also mentioned how the state title is the reward for the effort and determination that her squad has had.
“It’s well deserved. They all put in the work. We didn’t become basketball players in November. We’ve been doing this for years to train for this,” explained Evans. “It’s like we said earlier, “it’s bigger than us.” This is for everyone back home, all the little girls watching – it’s exciting.”
Sometimes when you have younger players playing a lot of minutes, a moment can become too big. But that wasn’t the case with this year’s Bennett County team. Not only did they want to make it to the state tournament, but they wanted to run the table when they got there. Mission accomplished for the Warriors.
“The fellowship that led us on Wednesday night when we got here, they really sent us a good message about competing and always being your best, and putting your best foot forward,” Evans told. “I think the girls really took it to heart, because all weekend that’s exactly what they’ve been doing.”
It was the first trip back to the state tournament for Bennett County since 2007, and now they’ve won their first title since 1986. For the people of Martin and Bennett County, this was a run that will now forever be etched in sports history.
