By Ryan Deal

605 Sports

ABERDEEN — The ‘Dogs felt like underdogs and that was bad news for Class B. 

The De Smet High School boys basketball team continues its stranglehold on Class B boys basketball, winning a third consecutive state championship on Saturday. 

It was De Smet’s eighth overall boys basketball state championship and its second in a row over Lower Brule, this one a 62-48 win at a rocking Wachs Arena.  

“It’s definitely better because it’s our senior year,” said De Smet all-state center Damon Wilkinson. “Everybody gave us the underdog look and it was definitely nice.”

This one was extra sweet for the current cast of Bulldogs, who other than returning starters Wilkinson and Kadyn Fast, were primarily role players from last season. Last season’s team graduated a stellar senior class, including all-staters Kalen Garry and Rett Osthus. 

“They paved a big path for us,” De Smet junior reserve Tom Aughenbaugh said. “So we wanted to feel right back where they were and we did.”

The Bulldogs, who entered the state tournament as the No. 3 seed, received huge contributions from a number of different ‘Dogs than last season. 

“It feels amazing,” Fast said. “A lot of people didn't think we could get here again, but the seniors last year just showed us what we needed to do to get back.” 

Photos from the Class B state championship between the De Smet Bulldogs and Lower Brule Sioux (via @605_sports) #sdpreps #SDHoops23 https://t.co/PtjZMSCDsa pic.twitter.com/wPM7VMNjS0

�" Matt Gade (@mattgadephotog) March 19, 2023

But at the center of the dominance was Wilkinson, a 6-foot-10 senior post player. He punctuated his final high school basketball game with 18 points and 20 rebounds. The Bulldogs (23-3) dominated the boards by a 42-27 margin. 

“That’s what we preach, defense and rebounds the whole state tournament,” Wilkinson said. “Every time we came to the locker room, defense and rebounds.”

Wilkinson’s teammates helped him shoulder the load again on Saturday. Aughenbaugh poured in 16 points off the bench. Fast added 10 points and six assists.  

Aughenbaugh, who Wilkinson referred to as the “Hidden Sniper,” nailed four of De Smet’s seven 3-pointers. 

“He’s that guy,” De Smet coach Jeff Gruenhagen said. “He tied the school record this year with seven threes and that’s what the guys look for him to do.” 

The Bulldogs benefited from Lower Brule double and triple teaming Wilkinson, who again looked to make the extra pass to his teammates. 

“That’s what he wants us to do,” Aughenbaugh said. “If we miss he gets the rebound and if we make it, we make it.”

The Sioux (22-4) were led by Brian LaRoche Jr., with 16 points and Gavin Thigh with 15 points. Ellwyn Langdeau scored 10 points. 

It was the fourth meeting in the past three seasons between the teams. The Bulldogs have won all four meetings, but unlike last season’s 49-26 state championship result, the Sioux stayed within striking distance.

The game featured 14 lead changes and six ties, while De Smet held a 27-26 halftime lead. 

“You have to match them point for point, basket for basket,” Gruenhagen said. “We didn’t want to give up a bunch of threes. So we figured we better get out there and get after them.”

The Bulldogs seized control in the second half. Aughenbaugh hit a pair of huge 3-pointers in the second half, including one to beat the shot clock, giving De Smet a 50-42 lead with 4:50 left. 

“Those were big,” Fast said. “We had Tommy Aughenbaugh come off the bench and hit a few big shots for us.”

The lead later extended to double figures and the raucous Bulldog faithful relished the final seconds off the clock. De Smet became the first Class B team to three-peat since Webster from 1946-48.

“They didn’t expect us to win,” Wilkinson said. “But our community did and they always had our backs. It was great.”