By Rodney Haas
605sports.com

ABERDEEN — Upsets and Cinderellas are probably the two best words to describe March Madness, and the Class B boys tournament has both in the form of Aberdeen Christian.

The Knights took care of the upset when they defeated No. 2 seed Canistota 55-49 on Thursday, and the clock has yet strike midnight for this Cinderella following Friday’s 60-53 win over Dell Rapids St Mary’s.

The win has Aberdeen Christian knocking on the door of its first state title a year after the Knights watched their first ever trip to the tournament wiped out because of COVID.

Perhaps the unfinished business from last year has the Knights bound and determined to make the most of this year’s tournament as Aberdeen came out on fire Friday — hitting 7 of 12 first half 3-point shots for 58 percent.

Aberdeen jumped out to a 26-16 lead after the first quarter and led 36-26 at halftime. The Knights continued to dominate in the third — taking a 46-34 lead heading into the final eight minutes.

Ethan Russell led Aberdeen Christian (20-4) with 18 points while Malek Wieker had 17 points and Jackson Isakson rounded out the scoring with 12 points.

Connor Libis led Dell Rapids St. Mary’s (19-6) with 14 points while Ashau Roach-Valandra added 12 points and Ty Brown had 10 points.

Aberdeen Christian will play top seed De Smet in the Class B championship game after the Bulldogs took care of No. 4 seed Viborg-Hurley 56-44 earlier Friday night.