Maleighya Estes’ 2,214 career points weren’t by accident. 

The White River senior girls basketball player buttoned up her career with a win and as one of the state’s all-time leading scorers on Saturday. Estes scored a game-high 27 points as White River edged Wall, 54-52, for seventh-place at the Class B state girls basketball tournament at the Watertown Civic Arena. 

Estes scored 74 points (24.6 per game) at the three-day tournament and her 2,214 career points are good enough for 17th most all-time in South Dakota girls basketball history. 

And her coach, Jared Bouman, said it’s no surprise given the dedication to her craft. 

“I don’t think a lot of people know how hard she works and the time and energy and effort she puts into being the kid she is,” said Bouman, who also praised Estes for her 3.9 grade point average. “She’s just an all-around great kid. She’s one of the kids that will be in the gym every morning at 6. It’s no accident she’s where she is at.”

White River's Maleighya Estes attacks the basket against Wall on Saturday in Watertown. (Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)

Estes was instrumental in White River’s two-year run, which included the 2021 state championship and a 43-6 record the past two seasons. During the state championship run, Estes hit a buzzer beater to propel White River to a semifinal win over Corsica-Stickney. 

The Tigers defeated Castlewood the following night to cap a 24-1 season and their first-ever state championship. 

“I’ve definitely learned a lot these past two years than I have in the past five,” Estes said. “So I am just very thankful to be with coach Bouman and coach (Troy) Krogman and my girls and especially the seniors last year. I’ve been blessed.”

Last season, White River graduated Caelyn Valandra-Prue, who finished eighth on the all-time scoring list with 2,534 career points. That meant the scoring load would be put on Estes’ shoulders and she was ready for it.

“I knew I had to take a big step,” Estes said earlier this season. “I was very motivated and right after the season I didn’t take a break. I just kept going and I just killed myself in the offseason.”