MITCHELL — Hamlin exacted a measure of revenge and snapped a 62-game winning streak in the process.

Class A No. 3 Hamlin pulled away from Class A No. 2 Dakota Valley for an 84-62 victory at the Hanson Classic on Saturday. Hamlin halted Dakota Valley’s 62-game winning streak, which was two away from tying the state’s all-time winning streak set by Armour from 1978-80. 

“We didn't worry about the winning streak too much,” Hamlin guard Easton Neuendorf said. “We just came in and played them and that came with the ‘W.’ ”

Instead had redemption on its mind after falling to Dakota Valley in last year’s Class A semifinals. 

“We had a bad taste in our mouth,” Hamlin coach Todd Neuendorf said. “Last year, they came out and really took it to us in the second half. We wanted to have a better showing tonight.”

On Saturday, it was the Chargers that surged ahead in the second half. Dakota Valley was clinging to a 22-20 first quarter lead, but Hamlin led 45-36 at halftime. In the second half, Hamlin shot 16 of 27 from the field and knocked down a total of 12 3-pointers in the game. 

“We let them run a little more and that helps us,” Todd Neuendorf said. “I have to get that out of my head and I have to let them do that. We let them go a little more and they responded.” 

Hamlin led 64-54 after the third quarter and used a 20-8 final quarter to put away the Panthers, who shot 8 of 22 from the field in the second half. Dakota Valley shot 5 of 9 from the 3-point line. 

Hamlin’s lightning quick point guard Easton Neuendorf finished with 24 points and dished out seven assists. He shot 8 of 15 from the field and hit three 3-pointers. 

“He’s been in a lot of gyms and this is a special place to play for him,” said Todd Neuendorf, Easton’s father and a former Mitchell Kernel coach. “I am glad we won and I am glad he played well. I thought he did a great job of distributing the basketball and getting everybody involved.” 

Hamlin’s Tyson Stevenson scored 19 points and hit three 3-pointers. Zac VanMeeteren scored 14 points, while Evan Stormo logged 13 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. 

Dakota Valley’s Jaxson Wingert scored 33 points on 12 of 19 shooting from the field. Luke Bruns scored 14 points. 

The win will also boost the Chargers as they turn their attention the second half of the season. 

“We have the tough loss against Sioux Falls Christian and a tough loss to the Tennessee team,” Easton Neuendorf said. “It just gives us a good confidence boost to get a big win like that.”