By Ryan Deal 

605 Sports

Stevi Fallis spent countless hours in the gym waiting for her moment. 

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Red Cloud High School had its 2020-21 basketball season canceled, and when it was taken away, Fallis fell into depression. 

“It was a hard, emotional year for her,” Red Cloud girls basketball coach Matt Rama said. “There would be times in the gym it would be me, her and a couple freshmen that didn't transfer and she just cried.”

She also stayed prepared and motivated. When the season was canceled, four Red Cloud players transferred to other schools to play hoops.

But Fallis stayed and was determined to lift the Crusaders back to state, which they qualified for in 2020 (canceled due to the pandemic). While depression set in, basketball was still her escape and it kept her going. 

“I spent a lot of time in the gym,” Fallis said. “That was literally where I was every day. Depressing as it was, I did it every day because I knew a moment like this was going to come.”

Red Cloud's Stevi Fallis attacks the basket against Lakota Tech in the Lakota Nation Invitational title game earlier this season.

When the moment came, Red Cloud’s 5-foot-5 senior guard delivered and powered the Crusaders back to the state tournament. On March 3, Fallis scored a game-high 27 points to lift Red Cloud to a 50-44 SoDak 16 girls basketball win over Florence/Henry in Fort Pierre. 

“I was really motivated,” Fallis said. “I came in with a chip on my shoulder and knew that I wasn't going to go home unless it was going to the state tournament.”

She buried six 3-pointers, including a key triple to give the Crusaders a 46-39 lead with 1:05 left. The shot came after Rama called a timeout and the ball worked its way to Fallis on the left wing. 

When it fell through the net, Fallis and all of Red Cloud, let out two years of built up emotions. 

“It’s very rewarding considering the circumstances where we got it taken away from us a couple of years ago,” Fallis said. “It’s just a really good feeling.”

Red Cloud's Stevi Fallis celebrates hitting a late 3-pointer against Florence/Henry on March 3 in Fort Pierre. (Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)

It’s almost fitting it was Fallis who hit such a key shot. Jade Ecoffey and Raina Ghost Bear transferred to Hot Springs last season, while Allison Richards (Rapid City Central) and Jewelia LeBeau (Lakota Tech) also played at different schools. 

While they all returned this season, Fallis was in Red Cloud all along and worked hard for her moment to shine. 

“She didn’t get to go anywhere last year and she wasn’t able to play,” Rama said. “It was devastating for her. It’s special for her to be rewarded with this and to hit those shots.”

It was also the culmination of two years in the making and Rama said caused him to get emotional afterward in the locker room. 

“To make it to the state tournament is such a rewarding thing for those girls,” Rama said. “It is such a rewarding thing and it’s a testament to their work.”

Fallis, who scored her 1,000th career point this season, averages team-highs in points (16.2), assists (3) and 3-pointers made (53). The Crusaders also won the Lakota Nation Invitational this season and Fallis was named MVP of the tournament. 

Up next, the Crusaders (20-2) will play No. 1 seed Wagner (21-1) in the opening round of the Class A state tournament in Brookings.

Red Cloud's Stevi Fallis is honored for scoring her 1,000th career point at the Lakota Nation Invitational. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)