Game Notes - SD Boys Basketball State Tourneys Hit Semi-finals


The South Dakota Boys Basketball State Tourneys opened Thursday with several teams donning the "Cinderella slipper." In 12 first-round match-ups across three classes, just five seeded teams stayed alive for a shot at the championships. The top two ranked teams in Class A - #1 Clark/Willow Lake and #2 Aberdeen Roncalli - lost as did #4 Spearfish in the opening round. In Class AA, #3 Brookings fell as did #4 Huron. In Class B, #1 White River and #3 Dupree moved on while the #2 (James Valley Christian) and #4 (Potter County) teams fell. 

So what is in store for tonight? Should be interesting. Two top seeds, Roosevelt and White River, are alive while #3 Madison in the top seed in Class A left to contend for a title. Should be fun.

AA – Roosevelt, Brandon Valley, Pierre and Lincoln Advance to Semis

Sioux Falls Roosevelt, Class AA’s top seed, has advanced to the semifinals with an impressive opening win (73-43 over Rapid City Stevens). They will meet Brandon Valley, winner of eight straight, which advanced in a big win over Huron. Pierre, led by Zach Hansen’s 30 points, also move into the final four where they meet SF Lincoln, which upset #3 seed Brookings.

@ Sioux Falls Arena

#1 Sioux Falls Roosevelt (22-1) vs. #5 Brandon Valley (17-6)
#2 Pierre (18-5) vs. #6 Sioux Falls Lincoln (13-11)

#1 Sioux Falls Roosevelt Notes:  Lee Taylor's Rough Riders squad (22-1) advanced to the AA semifinals with a convincing 73-43 win over Rapid City Stevens (10-14). The Rough Riders will now face Brandon Valley, a team they defeated 82-55 earlier this season. Roosevelt has won six of seven games by double digits and four by 20. The Rough Riders were led by Brandon Boggs who scored 23 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the field. He was 6-of-6 from the foul line. Tyler Howard scored 13 points to hit the 1,000 point milestone on the nose and become Roosevelt’s second player in history to accomplish the feat (John Sivisend, 1,382, 1992-96). He also had seven rebounds and two assists. Nate Cole had 12 points, six assists and two rebounds. Off the bench the Rough Riders received a big contribution from Colton Kooima, who averages 3.9 ppg but had 15 points, knocking down 5-of-7 from 3-point range. Overall the Riders were 27-of-55 from the field for 49.1%, including 9-of-20 for 45% from the 3-point line. At the foul line, Roosevelt finished 10-of-13. The Rough Riders, which led 32-22 at halftime, outscored the Raiders, 41-21, in the second half. Roosevelt had a 36-12 edge in the paint and a 12-2 margin over fast-break points. Steven Schaeffer had 13 for Rapid City. As they head to the semifinals, Roosevelt has not lost to a South Dakota opponent this season, improving to 20-0 vs in-state opponents. Howard leads the team with 12.6 ppg with 2.9 rpg, hitting 51% from the field. Guard Nate Cole averages 11.4 ppg and has team-highs in assists (95) and steals (55) while making 81% from the foul stripe. Brandon Boggs is scoring 11.1 ppg and grabbing 5.3 rpg while making 47% from the field. Also scoring in double digits is guard Jeremiah Clark at 10.2 ppg. Clark, who has 56 assists, hits 52% from the field and 77% at the charity stripe. The Rough Riders also start Lucas Wilber, a standout wide receiver on the Roosevelt playoff football team last fall. He averages 7.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg and hits a team-high 57% from the floor. Others contributing for Roosevelt include Trevon Moody (2.8 ppg), Chris Phillips (4.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg), Josh Kirkwold (4.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg) and Kooima (3.9 ppg). Roosevelt, which out rebounds opponents 29.3 to 25.3, rolled through Districts by defeating O'Gorman, 67-52, as Cole had 24 points. They defeated #2 Brookings, 62-38, in a District title game called by Taylor as his team's top defensive effort of the year. For the season, the Rough Riders have made 49% (582-1,197) from the floor and 69% (286-412) at the foul stripe, as well as 37.5% (132-352) from 3-point range. Clark is one of three Roosevelt players with at least 20 3’s on the season. He is 26-of-62 (41.9%) while Cole is 24-66 (36.4%) and Kooima, 23-of-55 (41.8%). Howard has hit 17-of-48 (35.4%) and Boggs, 15-of-44 (34.1%).  Roosevelt, which was ranked #1 for the final 10 weeks of regular season in the KSFY/KWSN poll (Dec. 17, 2012), has scored at least 70 points in 15-of-23 games. The Rough Riders own a 1,664-to-1,203 scoring edge, which breaks out to 72.35-to-52.30 ppg and a 20.05 per game victory margin.  Roosevelt, which has only lost to an out-of-state foe in ranked Marshall, Minn., has won by double digits 18 times with 11 wins by at least 20 points. They have also scored 80 or more points seven times.

#5 Brandon Valley Notes: The Lynx (17-6), which has eight straight wins, are a team on a roll. The Lynx, led by 20 points from Nic Petersen, advanced to a semifinal date with #1 Roosevelt by rolling past Huron, 62-29. After leading 15-12 after one quarter, BV outscored Huron, 47-17 over the final three stanzas of play. Peterson made 8-of-9 field goals, including his only 3-point shot, in leading the team to a win. Most of his points came off drives to the basket. Jacob Adams had 10 points while Adam Bauer and Chase Marso each score nine. The team made 25-of-46 shots from the field for 54.3 percent, including 14-of-24 (58.3%) in the first half. The Lynx forced Huron into 19 turnovers and had a 26-20 rebound advantage. BV advanced to the AA tourney by defeating SF Washington, 56-43, and SF Lincoln, 71-43. The Lynx, which has 10 wins by double figures, own a 1,287-to-1,109 scoring differential, which breaks out to 55.96-to-48.22 or a 7.74 victory margin. Directed by 12th-year coach Brent Deckert, BV, is making their 11th tourney appearance. The Lynx last won a state title in 1998 with a 63-58 decision over O'Gorman. The Lynx are hitting 41% from the field on 444-of-1,070 shooting, including 31% (212-of-348) on 3-point shooting. They have hit 60.2% (237-of-394) from the charity stripe. Chase Marso leads the team in scoring with 17.13 ppg (394 points) and 4.2 rpg. He has hit 42.2% (143-of-339) from the field, including 54-of-1526 for 35% from 3-point range. Marso has seven games over 20 points, including two with 30 points or more. His high is 36 points vs. Rapid City Central when he knocked home 9-of-14 from 3-point range. Five times, he has hit four or more 3’s in a game. Junior Jacob Adams, who has 16 double digit scoring games and a high of 27 vs. Lincoln on Jan. 25, averages 12.39 ppg (285 points) with 5.7 rpg. Nic Peterson, who has 14 double figure scoring games and a high of 26 vs. Lincoln on March 1, averages 11.8 ppg (272 points) with 3.7 rebounds per game. He has made 39-of-116 for 34% from 3-point range. Senior Adam Bauer has averaged 5.9 ppg, 3.4 apg and 3.1 rpg while Jacob Bruget provides 3.3 ppg and 4.3 rpg for the Lynx.

#2 Pierre Riggs Notes:  The Governors (18-5), the preseason #1, has advanced into the AA semifinals after a 60-47 win over Rapid City Central. In the victory, standout center Zach Hansen scored 30 points and had seven rebounds while Lane Severyn added 16 points and 11 boards. Hansen made 14-of-20 shots from the field, including a three-pointer, and had two blocks. Pierre made 24-of-55 shots from the field for 43.6%, including 7-of-22 from three-point range. They were just 5-of-8 from the foul stripe. Nathan Miller had 14 points and seven rebounds for Rapid City Central. This is Pierre’s 38th appearance in the state AA tourney. To get to the Sioux Falls Arena, Pierre defeated Aberdeen Central, 61-38, and Huron, 49-48, to win Districts. The Governors, which last won a state crown in 1982 (Rapid City Central, 56-43) and also have titles in 1979 (Rapid City Central, 68-57) and 1944 (Huron, 29-28), has lost five games by a combined 11 points this year. The Governors, directed by head coach Terry Becker, may feel that they are also a team with a great title shot. They have 16 wins in 17 games with 14 by double figure totals.  Pierre has a 1,481-to-1,192 scoring differential, which breaks out to 64.39-to-52.82 ppg or a per game victory margin of 11.57.  Severyn and Hansen are headed to SDSU and Creighton, respectively, to play basketball and showed their DI prowess on Thursday. Severyn now has 1,444 career points (Pierre school record), 644 rebounds (Pierre school record) and 192 3-point field goals. He has 476 points (20.69 ppg) and 194 rebounds (8.7 rpg) this season. Hansen has 1,330 points (2nd all-time at Pierre) with 638 rebounds. He has 467 points (20.33 ppg) and 187 rebounds (8.1 rpg). Pierre also features Austin Christopherson (4.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg), Nick Rabern (3.0 ppg), Garret Pochop (4.0 ppg, 4.0 apg) along with Cooper Walton (5.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg), Cody Honeywell (4.0 ppg) among others.

#6 Sioux Falls Lincoln Notes: The Patriots advanced to the AA semifinals with a hard-fought, 53-48 win over #3 seed Brookings. SF Lincoln, which is making their 30th state tournament appearance since finishing second in the 1968 State A, rallied from a 17-9 deficit to win as Adam Jaros had 16 points and made 8-of-9 free throws, including a pair late when Brookings was trying to rally. Brookings, which was led by Tyler Nagy with 16 points, fell to 11-2 in games decided by seven points or less. Addison Park scored 12 for the Patriots while also pulling down seven boards. Overall, Lincoln hit 16-of-42 shots from the field for just 38.1% and made 5-of-17 shots from three-point range. The difference was their ability to convert free throws. The Patriots made 16-of-19. They also held a 29-26 edge in rebounding. Lincoln had to fight over a Brookings charge late. After leading by nine points, the Bobcats closed the game with a 8-1 run to a single point but the Patriots, despite losing point guard Nermin Krdzalic to injury, held on to move into the semifinals. Lincoln, which is making their eighth tournament appearance in nine years, won titles in 1970 (58-51 over Yankton), 1976 (89-63 over Yankton), 1995 (79-51 over Rapid City Stevens) and 2009 (59-31 over Huron). The Patriots were second four other times as they have made eight finals appearances Led by head coach fourth-year head coach Jeff Halseth (56-37), the Patriots advanced to the state tournament with a 73-59 win over Watertown in a region play-in game. In District 2AA, they defeated SF Washington, 53-50, and then lost to Brandon Valley, 71-43. The Patriots, which average 61.2 ppg and give up 57.1 for a 3.9 ppg victory margin, are led by four double digit scorers. Guard Nermin Krdzalic averages 11.7 ppg, 3.2 rebounds, 4.2 apg and 2.4 spg. He is hitting 71.9% from the foul line. Center Addison Park is scoring 11.6 ppg with 6.0 rebounds while hitting 52.4% from the floor. Guard Adam Jaros provides 10.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.04 apg and 2.4 spg. Jaros is hitting 43.2% from the field and 72.2% at the foul stripe. In addition forward Luke Meyers (3.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg) and Mlik Dunn (5.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg) and Vince Walker (4.1 ppg) provide key contributions off the bench. Lincoln out rebounds opponents, 32.3-to-31.7. They hit 44.8% from the field to their opponents 39.7%. At the foul line, they own a 66.9% to 62% edge. Lincoln also averages 9.3 steals per game and nearly 14 assists.


Class A – Platte/Geddes, Tea Area, Mobridge-Pollock, Madison in A Semis
In Class A, the top two seeds, #1 Clark/Willow Lake (21-1) and #2 Aberdeen Roncalli (16-5) were upset in the quarterfinal round of the tournament on Thursday in Rapid City.

@ Rapid City Rushmore Plaza Civic Center

#8 Platte-Geddes (16-8) vs. #5 Tea Area (21-3)
#7 Mobridge-Pollock (19-5) vs. #3 Madison (22-2)  

#5 Tea Area Notes: The Titans (21-3), which are led by head coach Chris Fechner (2nd season at Tea; 12th overall, 111-81), advanced to the Class A semifinals with a 60-53 win over #4 seed Spearfish (18-6). Tea Area was paced by Connor Shaull who had 23 points and seven rebounds, hitting 3-of-9 from three-point range. Overall, he made 8-of-16 field goals. Riley Knutson added 11 points for the Titans, which advanced into the school’s first-ever final four appearance (state semifinals). Mitchell Nissen scored six, Chase Deckert, seven and Gunnar Ensz, nine. Tea Area rallied to defeat Dakota Valley, 57-55, in the Region 4A final. Tea Area advanced to the region final with a 57-38 win over Lennox. The Titans nearly went out in the first round, needing a last-second shot to slide by Harrisburg, 45-43. Tea Area owns a 1,449-to-1,108 scoring differential, which breaks out to a 60.37-to.46.16 edge and a victory margin of 14.21. The Titans have won 12 games by double figure totals and seven by 20 points or more. 

#8 Platte-Geddes Notes: The Black Panthers (16-7), directed by head coach Frank Cutler, has advanced to the Class A semifinals by upsetting previously unbeaten and #1 seed Clark/Willow Lake. Now Platte-Geddes will try and advanced to the state title game for the first time since 2009 and win its first state crown since 2008, when they defeated Madison 55-42. Platte-Geddes has made 14 other state appearances as Platte for 16 in total. They won the district tournament with a 62-27 win over Bon Homme followed by a 60-29 decision of Parkston. In the Region 5B final, they defeated McCook Lake-Montrose, 51-47. Coby Johnson led the Black Panthers to the upset with 22 points, including 18 in the second half. Platte, which led 21-19 at halftime, stretched the edge to double digits in the early parts of the fourth quarter. CWL’s all-state performer Skyler Flatten finished with 16 points and has 1,672 points in his career. Platte-Geddes, which is averaging 57 ppg and allowing 49 ppg, is led by 6-4 sophomore Coby Johnson (13.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg) and three seniors averaging nine per game. They include 6-0 guard Richard Sternberg (9.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.0 apg), 5-11 senior guard Tate Van Zee (9.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg) and 6-1 senior guard Matthew Randall (9.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg). Platte-Geddes out rebounds opponents by a 32-to-29 margin while hitting 47% from the field, 35% from three-point range and 65% at the foul line.

#7 Mobridge-Pollock Notes: Mobridge-Pollock (19-5) pulled the second major upset of the day with a 67-52 decision over Aberdeen Roncalli. The Tigers built a 13-2 lead in the first quarter and led by 20 with six minutes left in the half. Roncalli cut the lead to 40-30 in the third quarter but were unable to draw any closer. Mobridge-Pollock was led by Michel Heumiller with 26 points, hitting 10-of-12 shots, including 3-of-4 from three-point range. Daniel Roberts added 12 for the Tigers. This is M-P’s first-ever appearance at the State A in its current co-op. However, Pollock went to the B tourney in 1993 and 1994 while Mobridge has made 18 appearances with its last one in 2004. So, combined, this will be the program’s 21st appearance. As Mobridge, the Tigers claimed championships in 1943 (27-26 over Dell Rapids) and 1944 (29-26 over Madison). They made their first-ever appearance in 1922 and finished second in 1951. Led by head coach Tim Frederick, the Tigers were just 10-12 a year ago but put together a solid season, which included a 15-game winning streak after opening the season with three straight losses. After closing the season with two losses, they have won four straight as they head to the semifinals in A. The Tigers won District 11A with a 60-53 win over Stanley County and an 87-77 shootout in the championship with Cheyenne-Eagle Butte. The Tigers defeated Miller, 55-45, to win the Region 8A title. The squad averages 65.54 ppg (1,573 total points) and allow 49.21 ppg (1,181 total points) for a 16.33 victory margin.  

#3 Madison Notes: The Bulldogs (22-2) won their ninth straight as the Bulldogs rolled into the State A semifinals with a 70-34 decision over Pine Ridge (14-9). In the nine consecutive wins, Madison has won by at least 13 points or more. In addition, they now have won 20 games this season by double figure totals with 13 by 20 points or more. will make their 23rd state tournament appearance, has been ranked nearly all-season. Madison has won four championships in 1921 (29-21 over Mitchell), 1945 (30-28 over Webster), 2009 (48-40 over Platte-Geddes) and most recently in 2010 (58-47 over St. Thomas More). The Bulldogs have finished runner-up five times for nine total championship game appearances. They advanced to the State A with a 69-52 win over Dell Rapids in Region 3A. They claimed District 5B with a 101-42 win over Flandreau Indian School and then hammered Elkton-Lake Benton, 84-62. Madison, directed 8th-year head coach Michael Ricke (176-39, .818), the Bulldogs have compiled an impressive 334-to-190 ppg margin in postseason play. The Bulldogs own a 1,644 ppg-to-1,099 scoring differential or 68.5-to-45.79 ppg, which breaks out to a Class A-best 22.71 points per game victory margin. In the quarterfinal win over Pine Ridge, Madison rolled to a 46-16 halftime lead and was never threatened. They were led by Tyler Wiebe with 15 points while Jesse Brown had 12 points and 10 rebounds. Madison is led by a duo of double digit scorers including Trae Vandeberg at 11.6 ppg and 5.2 rpg. He is one of six Madison players with at least 14 3’s on the season. Vandeberg is shooting 50.5% (98-of-195) from the floor, including 20-of-52 for 39.2% from long distance. He is also a 72.9% shooter from the foul line on 47-of-65 shooting. Jesse Brown puts in 11.0 ppg while hauling in 6.7 rebounds. He has hit 50% from the floor (110-of-222). Tyler Wiebe averages 9.3 ppg and 8.6 rpg (team-high). Jacob Giles (7.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg), Mason Sullivan (8.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg) and Braxton Olson (8.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg) and Preston Nordling (5.3 ppg) are all major contributors on a deep and balanced team.  Aside from Vandeberg, Nordling (11-of-43), Olson (19-of-50), Eli Roemen (17-of-52), Giles (14-of-41) and Sullivan (18-of-42) have double digit 3-point conversions. Madison is shooting 46.2% (636-of-1,377) from the field, They out rebound opponents, 36.7-to-22.0.

Class B - White River, South Central, Viborg-Hurley and Dupree Reach Semifinals
White River had their lowest output of the season in a 51-33 win over Langford Area but stay alive for a shot at a second straight title and fourth in six years. Viborg-Hurley upset #2 James Valley Christian and will battle explosive Dupree with their star Nate Widow (tourney-high 34 points) tonight. White River's 51 points is their lowest total this season but they still are averaging nearly 88 points per game.

@ Barnett Center in Aberdeen

#1 White River (23-1) vs #5 South Central (22-2)
#7 Viborg-Hurley (22-2) vs. #3 Dupree (23-1)  

In the Class B semifinals, teams have combined for six losses among the four teams and have 90 wins.

#1 White River Notes: The Tigers (23-1) has reached the State B’s final four for the eighth consecutive year, quite an accomplishment for head coach Eldon Marshall and his White River contingent. The Tigers defeated Langford Area, 51-33, but had problems at times putting up points. They led 14-3 after one quarter and 22-9 at halftime. A 19-10 edge in the third quarter was more normal for this high-scoring outfit. In the fourth quarter, Langford had a 14-10 edge. Overall, White River was packed b Wyatt Krogman with 14 points, three rebounds, five assists, steal and block. Joe Cameron had 14 points, eight rebounds, three blocks and  steals while Matt Gillen scored 10 points. High-scoring guard Nic Waln was held to just one basket to go with four rebounds and six steals. White River hit 19-of-45 shots from the field for 42.2%, although they were just 2-of-15 from 3-point range. They made 11-of-15 from the foul line. Langford Area was led by Bo Fries with 11 points and Drew Planteen with 12. Still the Tigers rank as one of the highest scoring teams in South Dakota prep basketball history. As they seek their second consecutive “B” crown, White River brings has an 87.71 points per game average. They have totaled 2,105 points on the season, while allowing 1,143, or 47.62 ppg.  White River won state titles in 1955 (56-55 over Hayti), 2008 (66-50 over Langford), 2010 (66-63 over Hitchcock-Tulare), and 2012 (52-43 over Viborg-Hurley) and is looking for a fifth this year. They also made tournament appearances in 1949, 1956, 1993, 2006 (4th), 2007 (3rd), 2009 (2nd) and 2011 (2nd).  The Tigers defeated Oelrichs (20-2), 83-55, to win the Region 7B title for the eighth straight season. Earlier, they defeated Kadoka area, 120-21, and Jones County, 102-55, in the districts. A huge favorite to repeat, White River has scored 86 points or more 13 times, 90 points 10 times with six games over 100. The defending champs, who will be looking to win their fourth title in six years, have an incredible 40.09 points per game victory margin. White River has won 22-of-24 games by at least 12 points and 19 by 20 or more. They have scored 96 or more points four of six games games and has 88 or more in seven of the last 11 games with four over 109 points (109, 112, 120). White River, led by head coach Eldon Marshall (226-58, 12 seasons; 206-38 at White River, 10 seasons), features all-state guard Wyatt Krogman, a magician on the floor, who is headed to Black Hills State. He scored 17.62 ppg (423 points) with 2.3 rpg and 7.2 apg. He has totaled 1,895 points (14.8 ppg career average) with 468 rebounds, 767 assists. He has had at least 157 assists in four straight seasons and 77 or more in five straight (2008-09, 77; 2009-10, 157; 2010-11, 190; 20-11-12, 172; 2012-13, 171). Krogman also has 374 steals, including 80 this season, and 16 blocks. In terms of his points per year, Krogman scored 213 in 2008-09; 314 in 2009-10; 480 in 2010-11; 465 in 2011-12; and 423 in 2012-13. That is three straight seasons of at least 423 points or more for the standout guard. He has hit 49% from the field on 678-of-1,376 shooting. On three-pointers, he has totaled 96-of-314 for 31% and has hit 443-of-641 for 69% from the foul line. Nic Waln, a second-team all-state selection a year ago, averages 17.3 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 2.0 spg and 1.6 apg, and now has 1,256 career points. He has scored 371 or better in three straight years (395, 2010-11; 448, 2011-12; and 371 in 2012-13). Waln is one of the team’s three-point guns. In his career, he has made 182-of-447 for 41.7%. In fact over the past three years, he has made 54 3’s or more, including 68-189 in 2010-11; 54-of-109 in 2011-12 and 55-of-134 in 2012-13. Guard Joe Cameron, who had a season-high 34 points in a win over James Valley Christian in Ft. Pierre, averages 16.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.2 apg, 3.2 spg. Center Tavis Burbank averages 10.2 ppg and 7.4 rebounds while forward Matt Gillen puts up 8.7 ppg, 7.8 rpg and 1.7 spg. Burbank is hitting 68% from the floor with all four starters with 50 percent or better from the field. On the bench, Gilbert Morrison hits 9.1 ppg while grabbing 2.7 rpg. Tre Iyotte provides 4.9 ppg while Cory Rogers scores 2.7 ppg.  

#5 South Central Notes: South Central (22-2) advanced to the State B semifinals with a 64-54 win over Potter County at the State B Tournament on Thursday. Tyler Frank had 18 points and nine rebounds while Sam Hazen scored 19 and Dakota Votaw, 12, for South Central, which advanced to the B semifinals for the first time in their current co-op. South Central made 21-of-36 shots from the field for 58.3%, including 4-of-6 from three-point range. The win ended Potter County’s 22-game winning streak. Kole Hawkinson had 12 points, while Tanner Heuer and Chayce Hall had 11 with Tate Nafziger scoring 10. This is the first time in the current co-op of Bonesteel, Fairfax and Burke. Bonesteel qualified for the B in 1941 and 1959  while Burke made it in 1957 and Fairfax advanced to the tourney in 1952 and 1958. So, in reality, this will be the school’s combined first state appearance since 1959 or some 54 years. South Central advanced to State with a 63-62 win over Ethan in a 6B regional final. They rolled to a District 12B crown after wins over Tripp-Delmont/Armour, 58-32, and Dakota Christian, 60-41.  South Central has outscored opponents, 1,310-to-1,007 or a points per game margin of 54.58-to-41.96 (12.62 victory margin). Clearly head coach Clayton Steele's team plays tight defense as South Central has held 14 teams under 44 points and has 14 wins by double digits, including six by 20 points or more. They are 4-0 in games decided by no more than four points, including a 2-0 mark in overtime games. Leading the way for South Central is forward Tyler Frank, who averages 17.7 ppg with 7.3 rpg while hitting 55% from the field. He also doles out 3.8 apg and averages 1.4 spg. Two other players average double figures including center Sam Hazen at 11.0 ppg and 8.2 rpg and point guard Dakota Totaco, who scores at 11.4 ppg clip while dishing out 5.8 dimes and hauling in 3.0 rebounds. Also in the mix is Garrett Bruns (3.8 ppg) and Josh Tuttle (8.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg). Zach Sebern (3.3 ppg) is a solid contributor off the bench. South Central averages 28.6 rebounds per game and hits 46% from the field, 57% from the foul line and 11.6 steals.

#3 Dupree Notes: Dupree (23-1), which has won 20-straight games, has advanced to the State B semifinals after rallying for a 71-63 win over Arlington (17-5). Dupree, which was 7th a year ago, advanced to the tourney with a 66-51 win over Faith in Region 8B. Dupree is led by head coach Jim Hood, who has guided the team for 10 seasons and coached for 27 years. Dupree, which has not lost to a South Dakota opponent this season, features one of the best players in Class B in Nate Widow, who has scored 1,119 career points, and rugged 6-1 forward Kash Deal, whose brother Kaden is an assistant coach on the team. Widow, who averages 25.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg and 3.0 spg and 2.1 apg., has scored over 30 points nine times this year, twice scoring 37 points. Widow hit 15-of-28 shots, including 3-of-8 from 3-point range and 1-of-4 from the foul line, and scored 34 points to lead Dupree past Arlington on Thursday.  Widow, who hits 52% from the field, has made 65-of-172 shots from three-point range for 38 percent. Deal, who is a saddle bronc rider during summers, averages 12.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.0 apg and 2.0 steals has made 54% of his field goal attempts. He has 982 career points after scoring 12 vs. Arlington. Led by the senior duo, Dupree rolled to a District 15B crown with a 70-37 win over McIntosh and a 70-36 decision against Timber Lake. Widow has 82 in three postseason games. Dupree has scored over 90 points in 4-of-8 games. The Tigers own a 1,812-1,100 point differential or a margin of 75.5 -to-45.83 ppg and a per game victory margin of 29.67. Dupree has scored 90 points or more eight times with 20 victories in double digits. Dupree is making a  fourth tourney appearance (1982, 1984, 2012). 

#7 Viborg-Hurley (22-2) outscored #2 seed James Valley Christian, 10-2, in overtime for a 55-47 quarterfinal win. The Cougars were led by senior Tyler Gerdes with 19 points and six rebounds along with two assists and two steals. Gerdes hit 8-of-10 shots from the field. Andrew Hora was a big factor inside with 13 points, 19 rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Guard Jack Huether had 12 points and three boards for V-H, which hit 43.9% from the field on 18-of-41 shooting. They were just 4-of-19 from 3-point range and made 15-of-20 from the foul stripe. V-H is led by 6-6 forward Andrew Hora (13.6 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.5 bpg), forward Tyler Gerdes (10.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.7 apg) and guards Jack Huether  (10.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.7 apg) and Trevor Jacobsen (10.6 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.5 spg). The Cougars are now one win away from making their third consecutive state title games in two different classes. A victory over Dupree would send them to a second straight B title game. A year ago, they fell to White River, 52-43, in a B final (finished 23-3) and was runner-up to St. Thomas More, 63-47, in Class A two years ago. V-H, which defeated Canistota, 50-44, in the Region 4B final, is making make a 10th state tournament appearance. While Viborg-Hurley doesn't have a championship in its current co-op, it can claim one with Hurley, which won a title in 2007 over Mitchell Christian, 44-42. Otherwise, the schools have had a combined four top-3 finishes. V-H is led by head coach Galen Schoenefeld, who is in his 10th season (14th overall) and has a 204-126 record, including 194-59 with the Cougars. V-H won District 8B with a 59-35 win over Alcester-Hudson and a 43-40 decision over Centerville in the championship. Overall, Viborg-Hurley has a 1,501-to-1,036 overall scoring edge against opponents, which breaks out to 62.54-to-43.17 ppg or a victory margin of 19.37 ppg. This squad has made 564-of-1,226 field goals for 46.01%, including 140-of-417 for 33.6% from 3-point range as well as 233-of-350 for 63.7% from the foul stripe. Jacobsen is the leading 3-point shooter at 42.4% on 43-of-106 conversions. Four players have at least 20 three-pointers on the season. Huether has 28 (77 att.), Hora, 23 (69 att.) and Gerdes, 20 (60 att.).





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