ABERDEEN – Lower Brule had the outside shooting and quickness, but a size advantage helped De Smet to another championship.
6’10” post player Damon Wilkinson, dominating inside, scored 18 points with 20 rebounds Saturday as De Smet defeated Lower Brule 62-48 to win the Bulldogs’ third consecutive Class B boys state championship at Northern State University’s Barnett Center.
De Smet (23-3) became the first boys team to win three straight Class B titles since Webster from 1946-48.
Lower Brule (22-4) led through much of the first quarter, but De Smet had a 27-26 lead at halftime.
The Bulldogs, spurred by Wilkinson’s play and the outside shooting of Tom Augenbaugh, built their lead to seven after three quarters.
Augenbaugh hit four three-pointers and scored 16 points.
Brian LaRoche, Jr. had 16 points and Gavin Thigh 15 for Lower Brule, who lost to De Smet in the championship game for the second straight season.
Lower Brule was limited to 34% field goal shooting, made only five-of-23 three-pointers and saw De Smet have a 42-27 rebound advantage.
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