GILLETTE, Wyo. — Pine Ridge’s Marvin Richard III started his junior season with a bang on Dec. 12-14. 

The Thorpes played at the Remax Invitational, facing off against Bismarck Century, North Dakota, Cody, Wyoming, and Campbell County, Wyoming. 

Richard III, a first-team all-stater last season, was in mid-season form to tip off the season. Against North Dakota Class AA No. 4 Bismarck Century, Richard III pumped in a career-high 49 points in a 76-63 defeat. Richard III finished 14-of-23 from the field, 5-of-13 at the 3-point line and 16-of-18 at the free-throw line.  

Richard III’s performance tied the Pine Ridge single-game scoring record, set by Will Garnier in 1966. The other Pine Ridge boys basketball players to score 40 or more points include Fontaine Saltes (47), Brent Brewer (43) and Jess Heart (40). 

Richard III added a 34-game performance in a 52-48 win over Cody. Richard III went 11-of-24 from the field, 5-of-15 at the 3-point line and 7-of-9 at the foul line. 

Richard III scored 35 points in a 76-66 loss against Campbell County to cap off the tourney. He went 8-of-20 from the field, 3-of-13 at the 3-point line and 16-of-19 at the free-throw line. 

Through the first three games, Richard III is averaging 39.3 points per game. Richard III and the Thorpes will play in the Lakota Nation Invitational on Dec. 18-21 in Rapid City. 

De Smet’s Grant Wilkinson sets school record

DE SMET — De Smet junior boys basketball player Grant Wilkinson rebounded his way atop the school record books on Dec. 13.

A 6-foot-9 junior center amassed 24 points and 27 rebounds in De Smet’s 53-38 win against Deubrook Area. Wilkinson’s 27 rebounds set the De Smet single-game record, breaking his brother Damon Wilkinson’s record of 25 boards in 2023.

Baltic, De Smet dedicate courts to long-time coaches 

Baltic and De Smet dedicate their courts to long-time coaches on Dec. 13. 

Baltic dedicated its court to Bob Sittig, while De Smet dedicated its court to Marv McCune. 

At Baltic, Sittig recorded a career coaching record of 299-96. Under his leadership, the Baltic girls basketball team made seven state tournaments and captured state championships in 1995, ‘96, ‘98, 2001, and ‘03.

He was named South Dakota Girls Basketball Coach of the Year in 1995 and 2001 and was also named South Dakota Assistant Boys’ Basketball Coach of the Year in 1993.

Sittig was inducted into the South Dakota Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2021 and the South Dakota High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2022.

At De Smet, McCune coached De Smet to multiple state titles in basketball and football. McCune led De Smet to basketball championships in Class B in 1987 and ‘95 and in 1999 for Class A.

McCune also coached De Smet to the Class 11A state football title in the first year of the playoff format in 1981. De Smet was also the mythical state Class 11B champion in 1980 with McCune at the helm.

McCune was named to the 2006-2007 class of the South Dakota High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame.