We are one week removed from another South Dakota high school basketball season, and there’s still a buzz in the air about our exciting finish. 

The season was filled with parity, and the boys championship night was a microcosm of that. The three championship games gave us one of the more memorable nights in recent hoops history. We saw Mitchell clip Brandon Valley by one point, Hamlin knock off Sioux Falls Christian in overtime and Howard edge De Smet in overtime. 

The season is now behind us (ugh), but it’s still time to put a bow on the 2023-24 South Dakota girls and boys basketball season with some of the best moments.

Eighth-grade sensation

Vermillion’s Taylor Reuvers etched her name in South Dakota hoops lore at the Class A girls basketball tournament. 

The Vermillion eighth-grader, all 5-foot-3 of her, drilled big shots to help the Tanagers earn their first state championship since 2007. In the semifinals, Reuvers’ 3-pointer helped Vermillion outlast Sisseton 50-47 for a date with Tea Area.

Against the Titans, Reuvers hit some clutch late free throws as Vermillion rallied from a double-digit deficit for a 60-54 victory. 

Reuvers, an all-conference performer, has already accomplished so much for the Tanagers and still has four years of high school basketball left. 

The “She’s a freshman!” chants by Vermillion fans will be in full force next year. 

Tornado takeover

No state champ had a better story than the Centerville Tornadoes. 

In the 2016-17 season, Centerville was without a high school girls basketball team and built its program with multiple underclassmen through the years. The Tornadoes’ run to the title included three straight single-digit win seasons and multiple double-digit losses in recent years. 

Centerville’s then-underclassmen were key players in the championship run and delivered the first state championship in program history, knocking off Arlington 62-44 in Rapid City. 

Centerville, which has three seniors, will be among the title contenders next season as their story continues to be written. 

Mitchell makeover 

How about those Mitchell Kernels?

It wasn’t long ago Mitchell, a one-time Class AA dynasty, slogged through multiple single-digit win seasons and its passionate fans longed for the glory years again.

A few conference championships and one state title later, the Mitchell Kernels are back. Mitchell’s 46-45 win over Brandon Valley punctuated a 23-1 season and its first boys basketball state championship since 2005. 

The buzz around Mitchell basketball is back and the Corn Palace is to poppin’ on game nights once again.  

Hamlin hoists Class A championship 

Cliche alert: it’s tough to beat a team three times in one season.

That was the case for Sioux Falls Christian, which was being anointed by many as the best team in the state, regardless of class. 

Hamlin took two swings at Sioux Falls Christian, falling 54-52 and 61-53 during the regular season. Hamlin won the one that mattered most, outlasting Sioux Falls Christian 53-50 for its first boys basketball state championship since 1983. 

We could be in line for more Chargers vs. Chargers contests in the near future. The championship game was littered with underclassmen, featuring just two seniors and Sioux Falls Christian will bring everybody back. 

They will likely run into each other at the Dak-XII/NEC Clash next season as this budding Class A rivalry could add another chapter. 

Howard wins Class B in epic fashion 

In an overtime thriller for the ages, Howard outlasted De Smet 60-55 for the Class B boys basketball state championship at an electric Wachs Arena. 

The contest featured momentum swings, a George Jensen buzzer beater and multiple players delivering on the biggest stage. 

In the end, it was Howard knocking off De Smet for its first state boys basketball championship since 1964. The win was Howard’s first over De Smet in 10 tries and it spoiled the Bulldogs’ shot at a four-peat. 

Howard, which is more known for football and wrestling, captured an elusive state basketball title after years of hoops frustrations. 

Sioux Falls Washington coach Jeff Tobin wears a T-shirt in honor of former Brandon Valley coach Brent Deckert, who died on March 13 after a bout with lung cancer. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

Kobee Strong

In March 2023, Viborg-Hurley’s Kobee Sherman was diagnosed with bone cancer and was told he’d never play high school sports again. 

The Viborg-Hurley community rallied around Sherman, along with several other schools around the state. Kobee Strong became a rallying cry for Sherman and fundraisers were plenty for the Viborg-Hurley senior. 

Sherman became an emotional leader for the Cougars, who again qualified for the Class B boys basketball tournament and his outlook on life was nothing but positive. 

“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.”