By Ryan Deal 

605 Sports

Once the shot dropped through the net, Mobridge-Pollock took a 49-48 lead over St. Thomas More in the SoDak 16 on March 6. And then a sea of Tiger fans erupted at the Faith gymnasium. 

“It was loud and it was exciting,” Hettick said. “But for that half a second, it felt like the whole place was just silent. Just waiting to see whether that was going to drop off the front side or drop in. It just happened to be just right.”

St. Thomas More, however, still had 10 seconds to work with and called a timeout. But the Cavaliers’ shot as time expired was no good, setting off the Tiger celebration. 

“I was just in immediate excitement,” Henderson said. “Tears of joy honestly. I couldn’t believe it.” 

“It was probably the most rewarding feeling I have ever felt,” Hettick added. “Just watching the girls meet in the middle of the floor and embrace each other. They all dove in a pile in the middle of the floor and just the elation from them as a team and that they did it together and accomplished one of the biggest goals they’ve all had set.”

Henderson’s shot sealed Mobridge-Pollock’s first Class A state tourney appearance since 2011. And Hettick said it was fitting Henderson delivered the game-winning shot. In addition to the game-winner, Henderson scored 13 of her team-high 15 points in the second half. 

“It’s so awesome to see that for her because of all the work that she’s put in,” Hettick said. “Obviously it’s great for every girl, but ultimately when you get into that postseason it’s really about the seniors because it’s their last chance to experience one.”

Mobridge-Pollock's Charley Henderson dribbles the ball against Sully Buttes earlier this season. (Jay Davis / Mobridge Tribune)

Henderson and the Tigers then experienced small-town hoops hysteria first hand. The Tigers received a police escort back into Mobridge, with 30-40 cars honking their horns and flashing their lights on main street. 

“That was really cool,” Henderson said. “It just shows how much our community cares for us and shows their support. So that’s awesome.”

For the Tigers, it was a huge sigh of relief to get over the SoDak 16 hump. Between basketball and volleyball, the Tigers have been 0-5 in the SoDak 16 the past four seasons. 

“It was like finally,” Henderson said. “I knew we could do it though. I had no doubt that we weren't going to make it to state. It was a big relief to finally have made it my senior year especially.”

Henderson, a three-year starter and four-year varsity contributor, has developed into a double-digit scorer for the Tigers. She’s currently averaging 10 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. Henderson has logged more than 500 points, 200 rebounds, 60 assists, 50 steals and 25 3-pointers during her career. 

“It’s been amazing to watch her grow as a player and as a leader,” Hettick said. “She’s really come a long way and has become such a key part of the program. Not only on the court but off the court. She does things the right way and the younger kids can all look up to her. She’s just been huge for us.”

Mobridge-Pollock's Charley Henderson puts up a shot earlier this season. (Jay Davis / Mobridge Tribune)

At 5-foot-10, Henderson is Mobridge-Pollock’s tallest player and is forced to play more in the post. But Henderson and the Tigers rely on their speed to push the ball in transition. 

“Our goal is to push the ball every game,” Henderson said. “Look for the open passes up the court to get fastbreaks as much as we can, especially with our diamond press. That helps a lot, and our quickness does. So we can get to those traps and get all those steals and open shots out of those.”

The Tigers feature a balanced scoring attack, with Blake Thompson (16.8 ppg), Konold (11 ppg) and Henderson (10 ppg) averaging in double figures. Bain (7.1 ppg), Faith Heil (6.1 ppg) and Jayda Thompson (3.1 ppg) also chip in offensively. 

“One of us might not be having the best night and there’s two other girls stepping it up and having the best night of their lives,” Henderson said. “We have a lot of trust in each other.”

The Tigers will play Hamlin at 1:45 p.m., MT in the opening round of the Class A state tournament on March 13. 

For Henderson, the three-day tourney will cap off her competitive playing days. Henderson will attend Stewart Cosmetology School in Sioux Falls and then will get her marketing and management degree at Lake Area Technical College in Watertown. 

But her and these Tigers will be remembered for sending Mobridge-Pollock back to the state tournament. 

“It’s an honor to be in that group of girls to be able to do that,” Henderson said. “But I had no doubt that we wouldn't do it and if there was going to be any group of girls to do it, it was going to be this group. I had so much hope in us this year.”