Black Hills Conference announces divisional format for volleyball and basketball, beginning with the 2026-27 school year
Rapid City Christian's Liza Kieffer (12), Maddison Kooiman, right, and Taylin Hermanson (18) celebrate a kill from Breklyn Hermanson, left, during a match against Campbell County (Wyo.) on Sept. 15 at Hart Ranch. (Matt Gade / 605 Sports)
SPEARFISH — The Black Hills Conference (BHC), consisting of 11 member schools, will adopt a two-division format for basketball and volleyball conference championship competition.
The change is designed to provide greater scheduling flexibility, better accommodate member schools' needs, and preserve the longstanding rivalries and traditions that define the conference.
New Conference Divisions:
Rushmore Division: Douglas, Rapid City Christian, Spearfish, St. Thomas More, and Sturgis.
Crazy Horse Division: Belle Fourche, Custer, Hill City, Hot Springs, Lead-Deadwood, and Mahpiya Luta.
Each school must play every team within its division at least once during the regular season.
Schools may also schedule contests against teams from the opposite division; however, those contests will not count toward divisional conference standings. At the end of the regular season, the BHC will recognize a divisional champion in both basketball and volleyball for each division.
The new format balances competitive opportunities with the scheduling demands facing member schools. By focusing standings on in-division competition, the BHC establishes a clear path to divisional championships while preserving opportunities for cross-division matchups and maintaining the rivalries that are an important part of the conference's history.
The BHC remains committed to providing meaningful competition and positive experiences for student-athletes while honoring the traditions that make the conference unique.