By Ryan Deal

605 Sports

The fundraisers have continued through the 2023-24 season. In addition to Viborg-Hurley, schools near and far away have lent their support through fundraisers and social media posts. 

“It's incredible the amount of support from the people that you think are your competitors or in some cases rivals,” Schoenefeld said. “Yet they’re obviously able to put the big picture first and give support. It’s great to see the support and one of the benefits of living in South Dakota and living in a small town.”

The support is not lost on Kobee, who didn’t want to single out one school over the other. He appreciates it all the same. 

“It warms your heart knowing there are so many good people out there,” Sherman said. “Even though everyone says how bad our world is, there’s so many amazing people in this world.”

Sherman has undergone physical therapy and chemo treatments the past several months. He recently made a trip to Texas to get a second opinion and “they do feel like they have this cancer in a stage where they want it. I am definitely not cured but they are making progress and they are very happy with their progress.”

Sherman said right now his knee “is actually doing very, very well. I have recovered from my knee super well. I am up walking as normal.”

“I can’t run as well or anything like that,” he added. “But my recovery has gone very well and I am thankful that the doctors did the surgery that they could do on my leg without full amputation and the knee is doing good and they are just going to keep chipping away at this cancer process. As everybody knows it’s not a short process, but we keep chipping away and keep fighting as hard as we can. We will win this battle in the end.” 

Kobee Strong apparel was scattered throughout South Dakota after Viborg-Hurley's Kobee Sherman was diagnosed with bone cancer. (Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)

In the meantime, Sherman is still living his life as a Viborg-Hurley senior. He goes to physical therapy twice a week, basketball practice every day and lifts weights when he can. 

“When I have been feeling good off chemotherapy, I have been able to get back into the weight room and lift some weights with my friends, which I am very thankful to do,” Sherman said. 

Sherman has also drawn inspiration from Conrad Adam, a former Pierre High School standout, who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2013. 

Adam was forced to miss his senior basketball season and the cancer later required the amputation of his left leg above the knee. Viborg-Hurley assistant coach Mason Madsen attended college at the University of South Dakota with Adam, leading to a relationship with Sherman. 

They’ve communicated over the phone and Sherman hopes to meet Conrad, a Sioux Falls resident, in the future. 

“I have looked up to him for a long time and it’s just inspiring to see somebody that was in my shoes make it,” Sherman said. “He’s living an amazing life right now and he has a family and that’s all I could ever ask for is to make it through this healthy and to be able to fulfill my life.”

Meanwhile, he’s fulfilling his role as a motivator for Viborg-Hurley. Sherman is an active voice on the Cougars’ bench and assists with watching film, drawing up plays and being an emotional leader. 

“I want to be there for them and I want to be a cheerleader on the end of the bench,” Sherman said. “I want to help coach when they need me to help coach. I also just want to be there for them however they need it because these guys deserve the world for how hard they work.”

The players and Viborg-Hurley faithful also show their appreciation every chance they get. Whether it’s prom or Senior Night for football and basketball, the Cougars’ fans roar every time Sherman’s name is announced at a public event. 

The Sherman applause happened again when he received his medal at the SoDak 16 victory over Faith on March 5 in Fort Pierre.

And it was no surprise to Schoenefeld.   

“It’s what I expected,” Schoenefeld said. “But it means a lot obviously. Our community has been there throughout and I wouldn’t have expected anything different.”

The Canistota and Viborg-Hurley girls and boys basketball players, coaches and cheerleaders pose for a picture earlier this season in Canistota. (Laurel Seubert / Courtesy Photo)

Sherman hopes to give back to his community in the future. Next year, Sherman will attend Southeast Tech in Sioux Falls, pursuing a business administration degree and hopes to eventually teach business at Viborg-Hurley. 

“I want to be back here for the community that supported me throughout all this,” Sherman said. “Because I wouldn’t ever want to leave this place.”

Up next, the Cougars will play in the Class B boys basketball tournament, coming up on one year since Sherman’s last ever game action. It’s also where Sherman developed more lasting relationships with players and fans from across the state. 

They in turn became Kobee Strong supporters and rallied around Sherman during his battle with cancer. 

“Everybody in this whole state should be recognized for this cancer journey,” Sherman said. “It wasn’t just me. It wasn't just our community that’s going to beat this cancer. It was the whole entire state and I want everybody to just thank God for the family time that they get. The time with their friends. The time they get to play sports and just be more grateful for everything that they have.”