The Yankton Bucks were crowned Class AA boys basketball state champions on Saturday night, as they defeated the Mitchell Kernels 65-61 in Rapid City, with Bucks seniors Mac, Rugby, and Drew Ryken being named to the all-tournament team.
The state title wraps up a historic year for the Bucks, head coach Chris Haynes, and multiple individual players. For Chris Haynes, the victory gives him his second state title in his 11-year stint at the helm of the program, in a season that saw him eclipse former Bucks head coach Bob Winter as the winningest coach in team history. For Drew and Rugby Ryken, it was a season that saw them both rewrite the YHS record books, as Rugby set new high marks in assists in a game and season, while Drew accomplished the same feat for 3-pointers in a season, as well as tying the record for most 3-pointers in a single game. Lastly for Michael Mors and his family, Michael joins his father, his mother, and his older brother Matthew as state champions during their high school careers.
The victory also wraps up the high school basketball careers of eight seniors, as Mac Ryken, Drew Ryken, Rugby Ryken, Cody Oswald, Michael Mors, Isaiah Schelhaas, Cooper Grotenhuis, and Joshua Sheldon end their time as members of the Bucks basketball program at the peak of Class AA basketball.
Congratulations to the Bucks staff and players, the 2023 Class AA Boys Basketball State Champions.
The Mount Marty Lancers opened up GPAC play yesterday against the Briar Cliff Chargers, earning a 10-9 extra innings victory in game one, and leading in game two 9-5 when the game was suspended after the third inning due to lack of lighting at the field.
Kiko Nunez has led the way for the Lancers so far as he went 6-for-6 with two home runs and five RBI. The Lancers and Chargers will continue their series today, as they wrap up their suspended game from last night, before taking part in their regularly scheduled double-header beginning at 1:00 PM. All games will take place in Sioux City, Iowa.
Yankton High School will be hosting a first ever “Spring Sports Kickoff” event tomorrow night at 5:30 PM.
The event will take place at the YHS Commons, with YHS Spring coaches speaking beginning at 6:00 PM. Athletic trainer Trevor Woods, head girls’ golf coach Brett Sime, head boys’ tennis coach Ryan Hage, head softball coach Jill Muth and head track and field coach Geoff Gross will all speak at the event.
Entry to the event is free and open to the public.
The South Dakota State Jackrabbits women’s basketball team were eliminated from the 2023 NCAA women’s basketball tournament last night, as they fell to top seeded Virginia Tech 72-60 in the round of 32.
Myah Sellend led the Jacks with 19-points and 9-rebounds, and Paige Meyer and Haileigh Timmer also scored 12-points apiece. With the loss, the Jackrabbits end the season with a (29-6) overall record, going undefeated in conference play, and winning the Summit League Tournament.
South Dakota Boys Basketball State Tournament Results (Final Round):
In Class AA:
- Yankton defeated Mithcell 65-61 to win the state title, Mitchell finished as runners-up.
- Sioux Falls Jefferson topped Sioux Falls Lincoln 65-56 to finish 3rd, Lincoln finished in 4th place.
- Pierre beat Harrisburg 68-67 in the 5th place game, Harrisburg finished in 6th place.
- Sioux Falls Roosevelt defeated Sioux Falls Washington 58-56 in the 7th place game, Washington finished the tournament in 8th.
In Class A:
- Dakota Valley defeated Sioux Falls Christian 54-48 to win their second straight state title, SF Christina finished the tournament as runner-up.
- Hamlin topped Elk Point-Jefferson 53-40 in the 3rd place game, EPJ finished in fourth.
- Sioux Valley outlasted St. Thomas More 34-33 in the 5th place game, St. Thomas More finished the tournament in 6th.
- Hot Springs beat Mt. Vernon-Plankinton 60-50 in the 7th place game, Mt. Vernon-Plankinton finished in 8th place.
In Class B:
- De Smet defeated Lower Brule 62-48 to win the state championship, Lower Brule finished as runners-up
- Aberdeen Christian beat White River 70-65 in the 3rd place game, White River finished in 4th place.
- Castlewood topped Viborg-Hurley 46-41 in the 5th place game, Viborg-Hurley finished in 6th.
- Ethan defeated Faith 75-56 in the 7th place game, Faith finished the tournament in 8th.
