MITCHELL — The Midwest Miracles Classic, an event to raise money for pediatric cancer families, is moving to the Corn Palace this season.

The inaugural Midwest Miracles Classic was held in Hurley last year, but an opening on the Corn Palace schedule allowed the event to be held at the iconic venue. It’s also where Kobee Sherman preferred the event to be played. 

“He enjoyed playing as a player in the Corn Palace,” Midwest Miracles Classic director Brad Bartscher said. “When he had the thought about starting the classic, that is something he wanted to do was move it to the Corn Palace and have it be a part of that venue.”

This year’s classic is Jan. 3, featuring a number of Class A and Class B boys and girls basketball teams. 

Sherman, a Viborg-Hurley High School graduate, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma cancer in March 2023. The tumor prevented him from playing sports his senior season at Viborg-Hurley High School. Sherman died on Nov. 5 after his bout with cancer. He was 19. 

Sherman graduated from Viborg-Hurley, and received his business administration degree from Southeast Technical College. Sherman competed in football, basketball, and golf in high school. 

Following his diagnosis, Sherman received an outpouring of support and fundraisers from communities across South Dakota. 

The support inspired Sherman to organize the Midwest Miracles Classic, a basketball event to raise money for pediatric cancer families.

Bartscher said Sherman’s initiative remains the goal of the classic and the Midwest Miracles Foundation.  

“That is 100% the goal,” Bartscher said. “The classic is strictly 100% for pediatric care for families that are dealing with that type of situation.” 

Bartscher added the classic will also serve as a way to honor Sherman and his legacy for helping others in need. 

“We had talked about at a board meeting in the last week that having this in his honor will be something special and something we will always be motivated to do,” said Bartscher, who also credited the sponsors and volunteers for assisting with the event. “Because we know what he wanted.” 

The classic pairings are listed below:

9:00 AM CST – McCook Central/Montrose Girls vs Viborg-Hurley Girls

10:30 AM CST – Centerville Boys vs White River Boys

12:00 PM CST – Bridgewater-Emery Girls vs Centerville Girls

1:30 PM CST – Bridgewater-Emery Boys vs Lyman Boys

3:00 PM CST – Corsica-Stickney Girls vs Lyman Girls

4:30 PM CST – Clark/Willow Lake Boys vs Vermillion Boys

6:00 PM CST – Ethan Girls vs Clark/Willow Lake Girls

7:30 PM CST – Viborg-Hurley Boys vs Wall Boys

9:00 PM CST – Freeman Boys vs Pine Ridge Boys