605 Sports Staff

Over the years the Custer boys basketball program has had some great teams and great players. Names like Lance Luitjens, Derek Paulsen, Paige Paulsen, Nick Redden, Paul Schaffer, Derek Ballard and Trevor Long jump off the page for basketball fans and the Wildcats championship resume, state titles in 1990, ‘92, ‘93, ‘98 and ‘02, along with five runner-up finishes speaks for itself. 

When the name Custer comes up, people don’t often lump Hermosa into that same sentence. The town located 20 miles northeast of Custer sends their players and has sent some great ball players to Custer and on Feb. 16 the Custer boys did something special to recognize the impact those Hermosa players had on the program. 

Hermosa built a new school last year. Custer played their home game against Lead-Deadwood on Feb. 16 in this gym - Photo Courtesy of Tracey Kelley

“We’ve had so many kids over the years from Hermosa that we just wanted to honor them,” Custer boys basketball coach Paul Kelley said. 

The regularly scheduled home game against Lead-Deadwood, scheduled for Feb. 16 was played in a brand new gym in Hermosa. The Custer players even donned Hermosa uniforms to commemorate the occasion.  

“Every team that probably won a state championship for Custer probably had a kid from Hermosa that contributed,” Kelley said. “They built a new gym over there last year and we decided to play a game there. The kids andt the fans absolutely loved it.” 

Custer sophomore Cody Dirkes attacks the basket while wearing a Hermosa uniform - Photo courtesy of Tracey Kelley

For one game this year the Custer Wildcats were transformed to the Hermosa Hornets. 

“I have five kids this year on our team from Hermosa,” Kelley said. “Hopefully we will wear them again in the near future.”