By Ryan Deal 

605 Sports

Sherman is now doing the same gesture for those in need. He organized the Midwest Miracles Classic, a basketball event on Jan. 4, 2025 in Hurley to raise money for pediatric cancer families. 

“I wanted to give families and kids the feeling that I feel during my journey through cancer,” Sherman said. “I want to give other people the feeling that I felt when people did something for me.”

Sherman also created the Midwest Miracles Foundation, which is in the process of being recognized as a non-profit organization.

The basketball classic stems from a senior project. Viborg-Hurley teacher Riley Johnson suggested the idea for the classic, and Sherman immediately thought about it benefiting those battling cancer. 

“I said that would be perfect and all the money that we raise for this basketball classic could go to pediatric cancer families,” Sherman said. “It all kind of started from there and we got more people involved.”

The classic features boys and girls basketball teams from Viborg-Hurley, Elk Point/Jefferson, Dell Rapids, Dell Rapids St. Mary, Freeman, Centerville, Andes Central/Dakota Christian, Pine Ridge, Vermillion, Hills-Beaver Creek, Minnesota, and Osmond, Nebraska. 

The reception from teams, sponsors and supporters have been nothing but positive, said Sherman. 

“They heard about it and they think it’s an amazing thing and they are very accepting of helping out,” Sherman said. “I’ve just started to call people for sponsorships. There are so many people that are like ‘Anything I can do we will help with. We will give donations.’ ” 

The classic will also include a silent auction with sports memorabilia, including a signed item by Timber Lake native and Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft. 

“We have a couple other big items that are going to be on the silent auction that we are hoping that can raise some funds for these families,” Sherman said. 

Sherman leaned on Dakota Wesleyan University Classic and Hoop City Classic organizer Brad Bartscher during the Midwest Miracles Classic scheduling process. The first event will be in Hurley. 

But Sherman hopes it moves to a bigger venue in the future, and that it continues into the future. 

“I am just grateful to be able to put on something like this,” Sherman said. “It was a super fun process. It was kind of a dream come true to be able to put on a basketball classic. A lot of people dream about playing in classics and hopefully one day kids will dream about playing in the Midwest Miracles Classic.” 

As for Sherman, he’s continuing to recover from his own cancer diagnosis and recently made a trip to Houston for a doctor’s visit.

“We are just kind of waiting to hear back from the doctors on what the next step will be,” Sherman said. “We are supposed to have a meeting soon, a virtual meeting with the doctors soon to hear our next steps of what we need to do.”

In the meantime, he’s taking online classes through Southeast Technical College, where he’s studying business administration. He’s also an assistant coach for the Viborg-Hurley football team and is a substitute teacher.

After graduation, he plans to teach business and coach at Viborg-Hurley High School as he continues to give back to his beloved community and beyond.  

“I am just grateful that I can give back to our community some and hopefully get this classic and this foundation up and going to help families that need it and I just want them to feel support more than anything,” Sherman said.  

Midwest Miracles Classic

Jan. 4, 2025 in Hurley

(Girls) Dell Rapids vs. Osmond, Nebraska 

(Boys) Dell Rapids vs. Freeman 

(Girls) Centerville vs. Hills-Beaver Creek, Minnesota

(Boys) Centerville vs. Andes Central/Dakota Christian

(Girls) Andes Central/Dakota Christian vs. Dell Rapids St. Mary 

(Boys) Pine Ridge vs. Vermillion 

(Girls) Viborg-Hurley vs. Elk Point/Jefferson

(Boys) Viborg-Hurley vs. Elk Point/Jefferson