South Dakota high school girls basketball tournaments are currently filled with enthusiasm, pageantry, and the passionate crowds. 

But in December 1975, the first year of South Dakota High School Activities Association-sanctioned girls basketball tournaments, the fan support was minimal compared to its current state. 

In 1975, the first SDHSAA-sanctioned girls basketball tournaments were held on Dec. 4-6 in Huron (Class B) and Dec. 11-13 in Aberdeen (Class A). 

In Huron, the championship game reportedly drew 3,700 fans and Aberdeen it was an estimated 1,400 fans. 

“I would have hoped for a larger crowd,” former SDHSAA assistant executive director Ruth Rehn said. “In fact it took a few years before the crowds really, really did pick up. Because I think at that time people just weren’t ready. Nowadays it’s a thrill to see the crowds that you get for a state girls tournament. But back in 1975 even though it was a new item, people just weren’t quite ready to jump in completely unless they knew one of the players.”

In the 1920s, three South Dakota girls basketball tournaments were held in Mitchell (1924 and ‘26) and Lake Andes (‘25). Java won in 1924, Lake Andes in ‘25 and Wagner in ‘26.

Title IX, a landmark federal law banning sex discrimination in federally funded education, was passed in 1972. Prior to Title IX, girls basketball was often limited in most states. 

While the SDHSAA later sanctioned girls sports for tennis, gymnastics, golf and track and field, basketball was not offered as a sport until 1973. However, only a smattering of schools played in 1973 and momentum continued in 1974 with more teams playing games. 

At the time, the SDHSAA’s bylaws had a 48-year rule prohibiting state girls basketball tournaments. South Dakota’s attorney general Kermit Sande penned a letter to SDHSAA executive secretary Dave Evans stating the bylaw was unconstitutional. 

Bridgewater’s Leo Uken moved that the group remove the ruling from its bylaws, and the resolution passed unanimously. It was later passed by a vote of the member schools during the summer of 1974. 

In the fall of 1974, it was established that the girl basketball season be held in the fall to prevent conflicts with the boys programs over the usage of gym space. The first sanctioned season began in September 1975.

However, most girls did not have experience playing basketball and it slowed their development on the court.

“A lot of schools had physical education where they had some basketball, and then a lot of them had intramurals,” former Yankton girls basketball coach Bob Winter said. “In a lot of cases throughout the state there were girls who had brothers that played or dads that played, and as a result they probably played some in the backyard with their brothers, and then they went to all the basketball games. So they knew what the game was. So it was a matter of just getting in the time and playing.” 

Ruth said the support initially wasn’t there for South Dakota girls basketball in South Dakota, with most fans on the fence about it. 

“There were three kinds of people,” Rehn said. “The one that really supported girls basketball. The ones that kind of seldom did, but really in the middle and you always had those that just didn't want to see them progress. I don’t think we have people like that now.”

While some people were opposed to girls basketball, Winter credits South Dakota media members for promoting the game through their coverage.

“There were certain sports writers, and broadcasters that accepted girls basketball right away,” Winter said. “I think without that I am not so sure what would have happened, but between that and finally the school administrators accepting it. It really made it boom. Public relations and media outlets have really been a big boon for girls athletics.” 

In 1975, with state tournaments the ultimate goal, teams began playing throughout the state. However, the crowds were lacking as fans weren’t supportive like today. 

“We didn’t have big crowds,” Rehn said. “Obviously the schools that made (state) in followed. But not like you see today and part of it was the quality of basketball for some of the teams wasn't as great as you would like to see. But I think from the standpoint of finally having a girls basketball tournament, yes, it was exciting, and it was patterned the same way after the boys tournament.”

Currently, state basketball tournament pairings are determined by seed points throughout the season. In 1975, the girls state basketball pairings were randomly drawn out of a hat by Nancy Kneip, South Dakota’s first lady at the time. 

“It absolutely is not fair doing it that way,” Rehn said. “I guess back then it was the excitement of the whole process. I think back then it was harder to determine seeds. Nobody would want to trust somebody to do that now with computers and your win-loss record, and strength of schedule in whatever sport. It’s so much easier than in those days.”

Jefferson won the first Class B girls basketball championship, rolling past Mobridge-Northwestern Lutheran Academy by a 65-33 margin, polishing off an undefeated season. The Fred Tibbetts-led Hawkettes later captured three straight titles from 1978-80 and ‘85. 

Yankton won the first Class A girls basketball championship, edging Watertown by a 39-34 score. 

Winter coached the Yankton boys basketball team to the 1974 state championship, and was thrust into the girls head basketball position in 1975. 

“The superintendent, (Maurice) Haugland, talked me into coaching the girls for one year when Sandy Gross became pregnant,” Winter said. “So I agreed I would coach in ‘75 for one year. Well, one year ended up being a lot of years.” 

Winter led Yankton to girls basketball titles in 1975, ‘77-79, ‘83, ‘86-88. But winning the first state championship in 1975 still holds a special place for Winer. 

“That’s the special part being the first,” Winter said. “Not necessarily being a state champion. Because luckily I have been a part of some other state champions. But being the first really counts.”

South Dakota later became the first state to adopt using small basketballs for the girls sport, which enhanced the game. The state began playing with Tachikara basketballs, a Japan-based sports ball manufacturer. 

“There were only two balls out there at that point, Tachikara and Molten, and our committee just decided that the Tachikara ball at that time was probably the best ball and the funny thing about that, most people couldn't even pronounce it,” Rehn said. 

The three-class system began in fall of 1985. Girls basketball continued to be a fall sport, but was moved to a winter sport in the 2002-03 season. The game has continued to evolve, with the 3-point line and shot clock later enhancing the sport.

South Dakota girls basketball has continued to thrive. South Dakota regularly produces major Division I college basketball players, while many local colleges have fared well nationally with in-state players. 

And it all started in 1975 with the start of South Dakota girls basketball tournaments. 

“Looking back over the whole thing, it’s just been so satisfying to see where the beginnings were and where we are now,” Rehn said. “I am just glad I was able to be at the right place at the right time, and help get the ball rolling.”