Tanagers upset unbeaten Hamlin; Bearcats knock off Little Wound

Posted

BROOKINGS – Top-seeded and three-time defending champion St. Thomas More, fifth-seeded Webster Area, seventh-seeded Vermillion and third-seeded Lennox posted quarterfinal wins in the Class A State Girls’ Basketball Tournament on Thursday at Frost Arena.

• St. Thomas More 57, Madison 32

• Webster Area 57, Little Wound 50

• Vermillion 49, Hamlin 43

• Lennox 63, Dell Rapids 58

In today’s semifinals, the Cavaliers (22-0) face the Bearcats (20-4) at 6 p.m. and the Tanagers (18-6) take on the Orioles (21-2) at 7:45 p.m.

The Lady Bulldogs (15-9) take on the Lady Mustangs (20-3) at noon and the Chargers (22-1) face the Quarriers (18-5) at 1:45 p.m. in consolation semifinal action.

STM has won four of the past five state titles.

• St. Thomas More 57, Madison 32

Dru Gylten scored 29 points in 19 1/2 minutes of action to lead the Cavaliers past the Lady Bulldogs.

The 5-foot-11 senior went 12-of-14 from the field, including 5-of-6 from 3-point range, and also grabbed six rebounds.

STM opened up a 13-6 lead after a quarter, was ahead 28-16 at halftime and pushed the margin to 45-27 through three.

Jayden Bies went 3-of-6 from long range and added 15 points. Aislinn Duffy chipped in with six markers and Klaire Kirsch four as both players grabbed five boards. Alex Kandolin came up with three of the team’s nine steals.

The Cavaliers shot 43.8 percent (21-of-48) from the field, including a 9-of-21 clip from downtown, and committed six turnovers.

Madison managed just 24.4 percent (10-of-41) shooting and gave the ball away 15 times.

The Lady Bulldogs’ Jessi Giles had 14 points. Anna Theophilus added six points, Olivia Rud five and Nicole Brown four. Brown also notched 11 rebounds.

ST. THOMAS MORE 57, MADISON 32

Madison (15-9)

Olivia Rud 2-3 0-2 5, Nicole Brown 0-4 4-7 4, Valorie Nowstrup 0-0 0-0 0, Kyla Kasuske 1-2 0-0 2, Jessi Giles 5-17 2-2 14, Anna Theophilus 2-8 0-2 6, KEnna Nighbert 0-2 0-0 0, Brianna Steuerwald 0-1 0-0 0, Maddie Gerry 0-2 1-5 1, Kendra Leighton 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 10-41 7-18 32.

St. Thomas More (22-0)

Jayden Bies 5-10 2-2 15, Dru Gylten 12-14 0-1 29, Klaire Kirsch 1-7 1-2 4, Ashley Wojcik 0-1 0-0 0, Aislinn Duffy 2-7 2-4 6, Kayla Jacobson 0-1 1-2 1, Skylar Sullivan 0-0 0-0 0, Alex Kandolin 1-4 0-1 2, Ciara Benson 0-1 0-0 0, Tintin Almqvist 0-3 0-0 0, Haleigh Timmer 0-0 0-2 0, Liz Elder 0-0 0-1 0. Totals 21-48 6-15 57.

Madison           6 10 11   5 – 32

STM               13 15 17 12 – 57

3-point goals – M 5-20 (Theophilus 2-8, Giles 2-9, Rud 1-1, Kasuske 0-1, Leighton 0-1), STM 9-21 (Gylten 5-6, Bies 3-6, Kirsch 1-4, Duffy 0-1, Jacobson 0-1, Kandolin 0-1, Benson 0-1, Almqvist 0-1). Rebounds – M 33 (Brown 11), STM 37 (Gylten 6). Assists – M 7 (Theophilus 2), STM 9 (Kirsch 3). Steals – M 2 (Kasuske, Giles), STM 9 (Kandolin 3). Blocks – M 3 (Brown 2), STM 4 (Kirsch 2). Turnovers – M 15, STM 6. Total fouls – M 18, STM 18. Fouled out – Kasuske.

• Webster Area 57, Little Wound 50

Haley Rithmiller posted a double-double as the Bearcats prevailed.

Webster was ahead 9-7 after a quarter, the score was tied at 23-all at halftime and Little Wound was up 37-36 through three.

The Bearcats opened the fourth frame with an 8-0 run, with six of the points coming at the free-throw line.

Lindsey Shoenbeck made a pair of freebies to make it 38-37 with 7:50 remaining and added a bucket in the lane 2 minutes later. Olivia Breske and Rithmiller added two foul shots apiece to give Webster a 44-37 cushion with 5:05 showing on the clock.

The lead reached eight points – 47-39 – with 4:25 left, before Little Wound rallied.

Jacynda Blacksmith hit a trey to cut the deficit to 50-47 with 2:17 to go and Janay Jumping Eagle knocked down a trey to pull the Lady Mustangs within 51-50 with 1:30 to play.

The Bearcats went 6-of-6 from the charity stripe down the stretch to seal the win.

Breske made two with 34 seconds left; McKenzie Volesky added a pair with 18 seconds remaining; and Breske knocked down two more with 6 seconds showing on the clock.

Rithmiller, a 5-foot-10 senior, finished with 24 points, 14 rebounds, seven steals and three blocks.

Breske added 18 points and eight boards. Volesky chipped in with eight points and Shoenbeck six.

There were 47 fouls, as the teams combined to go 36-for-60 at the free-throw line. Four Lady Mustang starters fouled out.

For Little Wound, Paula Yellow Boy posted a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds before fouling out. She blocked four shots.

Miracle Spotted Bear, who also fouled out, and Blacksmith added 10 markers apiece.

The Lady Mustangs committed 21 turnovers.

WEBSTER AREA 57, LITTLE WOUND 50

Webster Area (20-4)

Olivia Breske 5-15 8-12 18, Mariah Volesky 0-3 0-0 0, Lindsey Shoenbeck 2-3 2-2 6, McKenzie Volesky 2-6 4-7 8, Haley Rithmiller 7-17 10-17 24, Taylor Ryan 0-0 0-0 0, Faith Shoemaker 0-0 0-0 0, Alecia Vogl 0-0 0-0 0, Kayla Fischer 0-1 1-2 1, Emily Breske 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 16-46 25-40 57.

Little Wound (20-3)

Janay Jumping Eagle 2-6 2-2 7, Katerri Weston 2-8 0-0 5, Chelsea Iron Crow 0-0 0-0 0, Paula Yellow Boy 5-11 5-8 15, Miracle Spotted Bear 3-12 2-3 10, Chante Ferguson 0-0 0-0 0, Eva Bull Bear 1-5 1-2 3, Jacynda Blacksmith 4-7 1-5 10, Sophia Hatten 0-0 0-0 0, Rayna White Eyes 0-0 0-0 0, Mia Vadquez 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 17-50 11-20 50.

Webster                     9 14 13 21 – 57

Little Wound               7 16 14 13 – 50

3-point goals – WA 0-6 (O. Breske 0-1, E. Breske 0-1, Volesky 0-2, Rithmiller 0-2), LW 5-16 (Spotted Bear 2-4, Jumping Eagle 1-4, Weston 1-4, Blacksmith 1-4). Rebounds – WA 39 (Rithmiller 14), LW 43 (Spotted Bear 12). Assists – WA 1 (Volesky), LW 8 (Jumping Eagle 4). Steals – WA 11 (Rithmiller 7), LW 4 (Jumping Eagle, Yellow Boy, Spotted Bear, Bull Bear). Blocks – WA 4 (Rithmiller 3), LW 7 (Yellow Boy 4). Turnovers – WA 15, LW 21. Total fouls – WA 20, LW 27. Fouled out – Jumping Eagle, Weston, Yellow Boy, Spotted Bear. Technical fouls – Spotted Bear.

• Vermillion 49, Hamlin 43

The Tanagers used a strong start and solid finish to hand the Chargers their first loss of the season.

Vermillion was up 14-5 after 8 minutes and led by as many 16 points – 31-15 – in the second quarter. Hamlin scored the final six points – Stacia West had four points and Lexi Wadsworth added a basket – to pull with 31-21 at the break.

The Tanagers regained a double-digit advantage early in the third, before the Chargers used a 12-0 spurt to get back in it.

Grace West hit two free throws and knocked down a 3-pointer to get it going. Wadsworth turned a steal into a breakaway layup, Chloe Grantham connected from deep and Grace West scored again following a Logan Keszler steal as Hamlin went ahead 35-34.

Vermillion’s Kasey Jensen hit a shot at the buzzer to make it 36-35 heading to the fourth.

Brynn Alfson’s putback put the Chargers back on top early in the fourth.

Wadsworth hit a free throw with 5:50 left and Alfson had a basket with 5:14 to go to give Hamlin a 40-36 cushion.

Vermillion answered in the form of back-of-back 3-pointers from Maddie Regnerus and Lexi Plitzuweit to move on top 42-40 with 2:46 showing on the clock.

Stacia West’s hoop tied the score at 42 with 2:21 to go.

Wadsworth made a foul shot with 1:19 left to give Hamlin its final lead.

Jensen made a pair of foul shots to put the Tanagers on top for good at 44-43 with 51 seconds showing on the clock. She made two more with 41 seconds remaining to make it 46-43.

The Tanagers left the door open down the stretch, going 3-of-8 from the line over the final 30 seconds; however, the Chargers couldn’t capitalize on the other end.

Jensen led Vermillion with 14 points. Haleigh Melstad added nine points; Emily Bye, Regnerus and Madisen Martinez tallied six markers apiece.

Melstad came up with five of the team’s 17 steals as the Tanagers forced 26 turnovers. Jensen dishedout five assists.

For Hamlin, Wadsworth posted a double-double of 14 points and 14 rebounds to go with three assists.

Notes: Vermillion outscored Hamlin 36-9 from long range. … The teams combined to go 17-of-37 from the line. … The Chargers held a 47-22 advantage on the glass.

VERMILLION 49, HAMLIN 43

Vermillion (18-6)

Kasey Jensen 4-11 4-6 14, Maddie Regnerus 2-3 0-0 6, Madisen Martinez 2-5 0-0 6, Haleigh Melstad 2-11 3-10 9, Emily Bye 2-5 0-0 6, Jadia Anderson 1-5 0-0 3, Kasey Herbster 1-2 0-0 2, Lexi Plitzuweit 1-4 0-1 3. Totals 15-46 7-17 49.

Hamlin (22-1)

Lexi Wadsworth 5-16 4-7 14, Reagan Nebel 0-1 0-0 0, Grace West 2-7 4-5 9, Chloe Grantham 3-5 0-0 8, Stacia West 2-4 2-4 6, Brynn Alfson 3-9 0-4 6, Faith Leiseth 0-0 0-0 0, Logan Keszler 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 15-43 10-20 43.

Vermillion                   14 17   5 13 – 49

Hamlin                        5 16 14   8 – 43

3-point goals – V 12-32 (Regnerus 2-3, Martinez 2-3, Bye 2-5, Jensen 2-7, Melstad 2-7, Plitzuweit 1-3, Anderson 1-4), H 3-11 (Grantham 2-2, G. West 1-2, Nebel 0-1, Wadsworth 0-6). Rebounds – V 22 (Melstad 5), H 47 (Wadsworth 14). Assists – V 11 (Jensen 5), H 5 (Wadsworth 3). Steals – V 17 (Melstad 5), H 6 (Keszler 2). Blocks – V 4 (Jensen 2), H 0. Turnovers – V 14, H 26. Total fouls – V 18, H 16. Fouled out – G. West.

• Lennox 63, Dell Rapids 58

Madysen Vlastuin – a 6-foot freshman – totaled 22 points, 10 rebounds, four blocks, two assists and two steals.

Riley Peters added 17 points and Courtney Weeldreyer 10 as both players grabbed six boards.

Lennox was up 23-13 at halftime and pushed the margin to 15 points – 23-8 – at the 2:01 mark of the second and the margin was still 11 points – 27-16 – when Dell Rapids used a 13-3 spurt to pull within 30-29. Arial Hoffman, Averi Pankonen and Emma Paul each hit a 3 during the run.

Lennox was up 33-29 heading to halftime following Megan Hinker’s trey with 42 seconds to go in the half.

Lennox again pushed the advantage back to 11 points – 43-32 – with 4:20 to go but an 11-0 Dell Rapids run – which featured a pair of 3s from Paul and another from Sydney Stofferahn – put the Quarriers 44-43.

Vlastuin’s charity toss with 1:22 to go knotted things at 44-all.

The fourth period featured four ties and five lead changes.

Vlastuin’s free throws with 3:49 to go pulled Lennox even at 52-52. The Orioles moved ahead 54-52 with two free throws from Riley Peters with 3:09 to go.

Vlastuin scored again with 2:51 showing on the clock and Rianna Fillipi scored following a Vlastuin steal with 1:23 left to make it 58-52.

Dell Rapids cut the deficit to three points twice, the latter coming at 61-58 with 22 seconds left. But that was as close as the Quarriers would get.

LENNOX 63, DELL RAPIDS 58

Dell Rapids (18-5)

Aspen Hansen 0-4 1-2 1, Averi Pankonen 1-1 1-2 4, Ravyn Hoffman 1-3 0-0 3, Kaylee Hennen 2-5 0-0 5, Emma Paul 6-15 2-4 17, Regan Stone 0-0 0-0 0, Sydney Stofferahn 1-1 0-0 3, Kali Graham 1-5 1-1 3, Arial Hoffman 1-5 0-0 3, Jayda Knuppe 8-12 3-8 19. Totals 21-51 8-17 58.

Lennox (21-2)

Megan Hinker 1-1 0-0 3, Tiffany Plimpton 0-0 0-0 0, Madysen Vlastuin 5-13 11-13 22, Abbie Strasser 0-1 0-0 0, Riley Peters 5-12 3-4 17, Courtney Weeldreyer 4-10 0-0 10, Bailey Nelson 0-0 0-0 0, Rianna Fillipi 3-6 1-2 7, Leslie Fillipi 0-0 0-0 0, Jordan Kruse 0-3 4-4 4. Totals 18-46 19-23 63.

Dell Rapids                 13 16 15 14 – 58

Lennox                       23 10 11 19 – 63

3-point goals – DR 8-19 (Paul 3-8, Pankonen 1-1, Stofferahn 1-1, Hoffman 1-2, Hennen 1-3, Hoffman 1-4), L 8-19 (Peters 4-8, Weeldreyer 2-5, Hinker 1-1, Vlastuin 1-3, Fillipi 0-1, Strasser 0-1). Rebounds – DR 35 (Graham, Knuppe 7), L 31 (Vlastuin 10). Assists – DR 14 (Hoffman, Hansen 3), 6 (Vlastuin, Fillipi 2). Steals – DR 3 (Paul 2), L 7 (Peters 4). Blocks – DR 6 (Hoffman 5), L 5 (Vlastuin 4). Turnovers – DR 13, L 8. Total fouls – DR 17, L 15. Fouled out – None.