The Sioux Valley boys’ basketball season came to an end on Saturday night as the Cossacks fell to Hamlin in the semifinals of the Region 2A Playoffs.

The Cossacks defeated Florence/Henry 62-60 in the first round of the Region 2A Playoffs on Friday night. Sioux Valley then lost 77-46 to the Chargers on Saturday night.

Sioux Valley finished the season with a record of 12-10.

Friday

Sioux Valley 62, Florence/Henry 60

Tobin Squires basket with 34 seconds left gave the Cossacks a two-point lead and then multiple stops by Sioux Valley in the final 30 seconds gave Sioux Valley the win on Friday night.

After the basket from Squires, the Cossack defense forced a turnover with 10 seconds left. Brady Hiltunen then missed two free throws, but Ty Bergh’s shot at the buzzer did not fall and the Cossacks came away with the victory.

Sioux Valley led 14-12 at the end of the first quarter. The Cossacks then extended the lead to 30-26 by halftime. Florence/Henry outscored Sioux Valley 21-14 in the third and took a 47-44 lead into the fourth. Sioux Valley then trailed 54-48 with 5:25 to play but went on a 10-4 run to tie things up with 2:41 to go. The two teams traded baskets before Squires' game winner.

Sioux Valley shot 40.4% from the field and was 6-of-23 from three. Squires had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Maverick Nelson and Hiltunen each had 20 points. 

The Falcons shot 37.7% from the field and were 8-of-19 from three. Carson Vavruscka had 25 points to lead Florence/Henry. Bergh had 16 points and seven boards. 

The Falcons had a 31-27 advantage in rebounds. Sioux Valley had 10 turnovers and Florence/Henry had 12. The Cossacks were 14-of-30 at the free throw line and the Falcons were 12-of-17.

Saturday

Hamlin 77, Sioux Valley 46

Strong ends to both halves on Saturday led to the Chargers blowing out the Cossacks. 

Hamlin led 17-15 at the end of the first quarter. The Chargers then outscored the Cossacks 24-10 in the second quarter and led 41-25 at halftime. Hamlin extended its lead to 59-40 by the end of the third quarter and then outscored Sioux Valley 18-6 in the final frame.

Sioux Valley shot 36.4% from the field and was 4-of-16 from beyond the arc. Nelson had 17 points to lead the Cossacks. Hiltunen had 12 points. 

Hamlin shot 56.9% from the field and was 13-of-25 from three. Jackson Wadsworth had 22 points and Easton Nuendorf had 21 points. Evan Stormo had 13 points.

Hamlin won the rebound battle 23-22. The Cossacks had 13 turnovers and the Chargers had seven. Sioux Valley was 10-of-11 at the free throw line and Hamlin was 6-of-10.