Class AA

Sioux Falls Jefferson 47, Sioux Falls Washington 43

RAPID CITY — Sioux Falls Jefferson pulled off one of the bigger upsets in Class AA girls state tournament history Thursday as the No. 8 seeded Cavaliers upset No. 1 seed, and defending AA state champion Sioux Falls Washington, 47-43.

Trailing 41-36 with 4:59 remaining the Cavaliers turned up the heat on the defending champions. Taliyah Hayes converted a steal into a basket as the Cavaliers took their first lead of the 2nd half, 44-43. Cierra Watkins made one-of-two free throws to make the score 45-43.

Sioux Falls Washington failed on several attempts to tie the game in the last minute before a blocked shot led to a layup for Jaidyn Dunn that sealed the upset for the first-year high school.

Watkins led the Cavaliers charge with 16 points. Aliyah McGovern-Harrington and Dunn each scored 12 points as Sioux Falls Jefferson advanced to Friday’s semifinals where they will play Rapid City Stevens. 

Sioux Falls Washington was led by Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda who finished with 19 points and six rebounds. Alexus Motley finished with nine points and four rebounds. Hannah Harpe and Brooklyn Harpe combined for seven points and 12 rebounds. The Warriors play Rapid City Central Friday in the consolation bracket. 

Rapid City Stevens 40, Rapid City Central 34

RAPID CITY — Leading 32-31 with 2:10 remaining Rapid City Stevens closed the game on an 8-3 run to earn a win Thursday at the Class AA tournament in Rapid City. 

Macey Wathen made 5-of-9 3-pointers and led the Raiders with 17 points. Bailey Sobczak finished with eight points and nine rebounds. Taaliyah Porter added six points and two assists for the Raiders.

Rapid City Stevens will play Sioux Falls Jefferson in Friday’s semifinals. 

Sadie Glade knocked down 3-of-6 3-pointers and led Rapid City Central with 11 points. Josie Hill added eight points and seven rebounds. Amarae Rinto added six points for the Cobblers. 

Rapid City Central will play Sioux Falls Washington in Friday’s consolation bracket. 

Sioux Falls O’Gorman 55, Sioux Falls Lincoln 35

RAPID CITY — Sioux Falls O’Gorman opened their AA state tournament Thursday on an 11-0 run and never looked back winning handily in Rapid City. 

Hannah Ronsiek made 7-of-12 shots from the floor and finished with a game high 18 points. Kira Mentele added ten points with Mahli Abdouch contributed eight points and five assists. Bergen Reilly chipped in six points and six rebounds for the Knights. 

Sioux Falls O’Gorman plays Brandon Valley in Friday’s semifinals. Mariah Siem led Sioux Falls Lincoln with nine points and five rebounds. Alaina Sorensen and Kierra Lubovich eached scored eight points for the Patriots. 

Sioux Falls Lincoln plays Harrisburg in Friday’s consolation bracket. 

Brandon Valley 43, Harrisburg 39

RAPID CITY — Kylie Foss hit a pair of late free throws as Brandon Valley held on for a win Thursday at the Class AA state tournament in Rapid City. 

Foss led Brandon Valley with 16 points while also grabbing six rebounds and notching two steals. Hilary Behrens finished with 15 points and a team leading eight rebounds. Tessa Bower added six points for the Lynx. 

Brandon Valley plays Sioux Falls O’Gorman in the late game of Friday’s semifinals. 

Emilee Boyer posted a double-double for Harrisburg with 16 points and 15 rebounds. Sydney Hybertson added night points for the Tigers with Kayleight Hybertson contributing eight rebounds. 

Harrisburg meets Sioux Falls Lincoln in Friday’s consolation semifinals.