By Jon Akre

605 Sports

Goodbary said postgame that his production wasn’t the main focal point of the Chargers game plan.

“I kind of just got flowing and it kind of just worked out,” said Goodbary. “Our game plan wasn’t for me to take that many shots or have me take over like that. We wanted to spread it out more but that’s just kind of how it went.”

And he took over early and often in the championship game. After netting five-first quarter points, Goodbary erupted for 13 in the second and seven in the third, closing out a 32-point championship performance with five in the fourth. 

Adding in a game-high 15 rebounds, including six offensive boards, three assists and two blocks, it was “all-around complete performance”.

“That’s just how special a player he is. He can carry a team like that, although he knows can’t carry it by himself,” said Schouten on Goodbary’s performance. “He knew and we as coaches knew he’s going to need help. But our guys recognized that they were having a hard time guarding him in the post so we just kept feeding it to him and he kept responding, and yet was also able to kick it out and find open teammates and get some assists as well, so it was just an all-around complete performance from him tonight.”

Sioux Falls Christian's Griffen Goodbary celebrates after hitting a 3-pointer during the Chargers 61-51 win over Hamlin in the Class A state championship in Sioux Falls. (Libby Stene / 605 Sports)

He ends his career as one of the most accomplished players in program and state history. A two-time all-stater, two-time Gatorade player of the year award winner, and now, a state champion.

“The most decorated player we’ve ever had at our school. Probably going to be hard for anybody else to duplicate that I would think,” said Schouten. “So he’ll probably go down as, maybe the best player ever at our school. I’m hoping we have another one that comes along and breaks all of his records, but we’ll have to see. As of now, he’s probably the best that we’ve had at our school.”

Goodbary, the state’s No. 1 recruit in the class of 2025 according to PrepHoops, will play for the Jackrabbits at South Dakota State next season and is excited to make an impact at the college level.

“Their coaches are great, I love the atmosphere, got great fans,” said Goodbary on SDSU. “Everything about it’s great.”