HURON — Molly Mason took the Viborg-Hurley girls basketball coaching position four seasons ago and left it as a two-time state champion coach. 

Mason, a Hurley native, guided the Cougars to three straight Class B state tournament appearances and back-to-back state championships. Viborg-Hurley culminated its 2022-23 campaign with a 71-61 win over Wall at the Huron Arena. 

In addition to buttoning up a 23-3 season, it also closed the book on the Molly Mason era at Viborg-Hurley. 

“It’s the same feeling but bittersweet for me because my seniors have graduated and this is my last year of coaching,” Mason said. 

Mason, who works at Scheels in Sioux Falls, leaves after leading Viborg-Hurley to an impressive two-year run. The Cougars are the first Class B girls basketball team to repeat since Sully Buttes in 2016 and ‘17. 

The Cougars went undefeated against Class B teams and two of their losses were against Class A finalists Wagner and Hamlin. The other coming against Campbell County (Wyo.) on a buzzer beater.

Viborg-Hurley finished 45-7 the past two seasons and became the 10th Class B girls basketball team to repeat in state history. 

“It’s just a great group of girls that gave me the utmost respect every single year that I coached them and it just makes it so special to be able to finish with them,” Mason said. 

She also finished it with her daughter, Coral Mason, a 5-foot-10 senior guard that earned all-tourney honors on Saturday. Molly admitted it was emotional Saturday, but emphasized to her daughter they still had a title to win.  

“I said ‘It’s game time now. We are here to win a ‘ship’ ” and I go ‘We will celebrate afterward,’ ” Molly said. “But it’s been a great, great opportunity for me to be her coach as well as her mom.”

Viborg-Hurley's Molly Mason hoists the the Class B State Championship trophy on Saturday at the Huron Arena. (Matt Gade / For 605 Sports)

Coral, the Cougars’ steady leader on the court, echoed her mom’s sentiments and appreciated the two-year run by her mom’s side.  

“It’s amazing,” Coral said. “It’s one thing winning a title with your team, but with your mom by your side two times in a row, there’s nothing that can top that.”

Mason paced the championship effort with 28 points and 16 rebounds. Denae Mach added 16 points and four rebounds. The dynamic duo were instrumental in the two-year run and they both scored more than 1,000 career points. 

While pushing themselves to be at their best. 

“Molly is like my second mom and those two inspire me to be better,” Mach said. “I wouldn’t be where I am without Coral. Coral wouldn’t be where she is without me or Molly. Molly is the best coach and Coral is the GOAT.”

Charley Nelson tossed in 14 points and three 3-pointers. Estelle Lee had eight points, while Shelby Lyons logged five points and eight rebounds.

Mason, Mach, Lee, Lyons and Madelyn Vasgaard are the departing seniors that delivered the first state championships in program history.

“We are all so close and it’s just awesome I got to experience it with them,” Mach said. “They are the best people I have had in my life and I wouldn’t want to go through this journey without anybody else.”

Viborg-Hurley's Estelle Lee (11), celebrates with teammates Denae Mach, left, and Coral Mason during the Class B State Championship game on Saturday at the Huron Arena. (Matt Gade / For 605 Sports)