The state got its first introduction to the Bennett County girls basketball team last season, but they aren’t done yet.

The Warriors took home its first girls basketball championship since 1986 after defeating Sanborn Central/Woonsocket, 71-61, in the title game. 

BC was the five-seed in the state tournament last season and graduated just one starter from their championship squad a year ago, returning two all-state sisters in Reagan and Peyson O’Neill for their repeat bid.

Storylines to Watch 

Will Bennett County run it back?: After winning its first girls basketball championship since 1986 last season, the Warriors are hungry for more. Bennett County graduated just one starter from last season’s squad and returns a multitude of weapons, including all-state second-teamers Reagan and Peyson O’Neill.

Can Sanborn Central/Woonsocket bounce back?: The Blackhawks made its first appearance in the Class B girls basketball tournament since 2017 and made the most of it, falling shy of a state championship to Bennett County. Returning all-state forward and Northern State basketball commit Liz Boschee will look to get the Blackhawks back to the state tournament in her senior year.

Waubay-Summit welcomes big transfer in 2025: The Mustangs will welcome one of the best players in Class B girls basketball this season, landing Wilmot transfer Addison Heinje. A 5-foot-11 junior guard, Heinje averaged over 27 points and eight rebounds last season and will provide a big boost for Waubay-Summit this season. Heinje has scored over 1,000 points in her career and broke the single-game points record for Wilmot, scoring 50 points in one game as a freshman.

Players to Watch

Note: These players were all-staters in the 2024-25 season. 

Elizabeth Boschee, Sanborn Central/Woonsocket: A 6-foot senior, Boschee was a first-team all-state selection last season and was named the Class B player of the year. Boschee, a future Northern State University women’s basketball player, averaged 19.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.5 steals and two assists per game. She has 1,309 points and 542 rebounds in her career, both third all-time in SCW girls basketball history. She’s also dished out 153 assists. 

Mak Scott, Lyman: A 6-foot senior, Scott was a first-team all-state selection last season. She averaged 18.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.8 steals and 1.5 blocked shots per game. Scott has scored 1,681 career points, a Lyman girls basketball record.

Jaelyn Huntimer, Arlington: A 5-foot-8 senior guard, Huntimer was first-team all-stater last season. She averaged 23.6 points, six rebounds and three assists per game. She has totaled 1,257 career points. 

Izzie Eide, Centerville: Eide, a 5-foot-8 sophomore, Eide is already an accomplished scorer for the Tornadoes. Last season, she earned Class B all-state second-team honors, averaging 17.8 points, five rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. 

Brynlee Landis, Colman-Egan: Landis was a second-team all-stater last season. The senior averaged 20 points and seven rebounds per game during her junior campaign. She added 52 steals. 

Reagan O’Neill, Bennett County: O’Neill, a multi-sport star, was a second-team all-stater last season as a freshman. She averaged 12.3 points, 9.5 assists and recorded 77 steals for the state champs last season. 

Hazel Luethmers, De Smet: Luethmers was a second-team all-stater in the 2024-25 season. She averaged 21.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and added 87 steals for the Bulldogs. 

Berkley Ziebart, Parkston: Ziebart was a second-team all-stater last season as a sophomore. She averaged 15.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and added 58 steals for the Trojans. 

Peyson O'Neill, Bennett County: Just a freshman, O’Neill was a second-team all-stater for the Warriors during her eighth-grade season. O’Neill, who is a multi-sport star like older sister Reagan, averaged 15 points, 7.2 rebounds and added 87 steals. 

Addison Heinje, Waubay-Summit: After starring at Wilmot, Heinje transferred to Wilmot this season. A third-team all-stater last season, Heinje averaged 27.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game in 2024-25. 

Marissa Storm, Ethan: A third-team all-stater last season, Storm averaged 15 points, 4.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game for the Rustlers. 

Jacy Wolf, Chester: A 5-foot-7 junior, Wolf was a third-team all-stater last season. She averaged 17.6 points, 4.4 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game. She added 80 steals. 

Mataya Gouws, Deubrook Area: Gouws was an honorable mention all-stater last season. A 5-foot-11 post player, Gouws averaged 13.3 points, six rebounds and added 43 steals for the Dolphins. 

Braylee Bordewyk, Corsica-Stickney: Bordewyk earned Class B all-state honorable mention honors last season. She averaged 17 points, six rebounds and 4.7 assists per game. She added 88 steals during her sophomore season. 

Rylee Peters, Freeman: Peters was a Class B all-state honorable mention player last season. She averaged 16.5 points and nine rebounds per game for the Flyers. She added 84 steals during her sophomore campaign. 

Amree Vander Vorst, North Central: Vander Vorst was a Class B all-state honorable mention performer last season. She averaged 19.4 points and six rebounds per game, while adding 65 steals during her sophomore season.