ABERDEEN – De Smet’s state championship reign looked to be in serious jeopardy Thursday, but the two-time defending titlists rallied for a 51-47 win over Viborg-Hurley in the first round of the SDHSAA Boys Class B State Basketball Tournament at Northern State University’s Barnett Center.
Viborg-Hurley led by 15 in the first half before the Bulldogs rallied.
Top seed Lower Brule advanced to a Friday semifinal with White River, which will be a rematch of a three-overtime semifinal win for Lower Brule in 2022.
Aberdeen Christian will play De Smet in the second semifinal. The Knights held off Ethan.
Aberdeen Christian 57, Ethan 47
Aberdeen Christian (22-2) advanced to its second semifinal in three years behind 15 points from Malek Wieker and 13 points by Ethan Russell. The Knights held Ethan to 33% shooting.
Riley Endres led Ethan (20-4) with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Kody Klumb scored 15 and Drake Gustafson had 10.
De Smet 51, Viborg-Hurley 47
De Smet (21-3) was down 26-11 with 3:05 left in the first half before rallying. Kasen Janssen hit a three-pointer with three minutes left to give the Bulldogs a 48-47 win. George Jensen hit another three-pointer with 1:28 left to provide the final margin.
Kadyn Fast and Damon Wilkinson each scored 14 for De Smet. Janssen had 12.
Nick Hanson led Viborg-Hurley (20-4) with 16 points. Brady Schroedermeier and Kobee Sherman scored 10 points apiece for the Cougars.
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