By Rich Winter

605 Sports

SPEARFISH — Leading 38-32 early in the third quarter of Thursday’s quarterfinal game against Mobridge-Pollock, Hamlin coach Tim Koisti called a timeout. 

Hamlin’s Addison Neuendorf had just hit a 3-pointer but Koisti wasn’t happy about the defense on the previous possession. 

“At that point they had a run out layup and I told them we gotta dig down,” Koisti said. “I told them we had to find some extra energy so we didn’t give up any more shots.” 

The Chargers put the defensive clamps on Mobridge-Pollock stretching the lead to 20 points in the fourth quarter before holding on for a 65-53 win. Hamlin advanced to Friday’s Class A semifinals where it will take on top-seed Sioux Falls Christian. 

Senior Addie Steffensen, who led Hamlin with 19 points, said the Chargers played more as a unit to help spark the second-half surge. 

“The difference in the second half was we played more as a team and got everyone involved,” she said. “We had some girls hit some really big shots and that carried over to our defensive effort.”

A tight ball game early as the lead changed hands 11 times in the first quarter. Steffensen’s first 3-pointer of the game gave Hamlin a 9-7 lead. Mobridge-Pollock’s Tegan Konold hit a pair of free throws and teammate Jayda Thompson made 1-of-2 from the line as the Tigers led 10-9. Hamlin’s Issie Steffensen knocked down a 3-pointer late in the first quarter to give her team an 18-16 lead. 

The Chargers started to find their offensive flow in the second quarter with quick baskets from Addison Neuendorf and Issie Steffensen for a six point lead. Mobridge-Pollock had baskets from Brooke Bain and Charley Henderson that cut the Hamlin lead to 24-20. Leading 31-27 Hamlin closed the half on 4-0 run with back-to-back baskets from Addie Steffensen including a fast-break layup just before the halftime horn for a 35-28 lead. 

Following Koisti’s early third-quarter timeout Addie Steffensen hit another 3-pointer that stretched the lead to 41-32.

“I just told them they needed to be patient,” Koisti said. “We could get to the rim if we wanted but we were going too quickly and they hadn’t spread out yet. They were patient and they found each other and they found a way to get some shots to go down.” 

By the end of the third quarter Hamlin opened the lead to 51-34. Midway through the final period Neuendorf’s runner off the glass gave Hamlin their biggest lead 59-39. 

Neuendorf finished with 18 points, five rebounds, three assists and six steals. Jo Steffensen also reached double figures for Hamlin with 12 points. 

“It was definitely good getting a taste of it and going into tomorrow confident knowing that when we play as a team we can win some big games by a lot,” Addie Steffensen said. “We’ve all been here before so it’s a big confidence booster to show them we can be here and we should be here.” 

Faith Heil led Mobridge-Pollock with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Bain chipped in with 11 points, seven rebounds and two steals. Mobridge-Pollock will take on Mount Vernon/Plankinton in the first game of the afternoon session Friday.

Hamlin, meanwhile, will get another crack at Sioux Falls Christian. SFC defeated Hamlin, 58-47, on Jan. 11 in Sioux Falls. 

“We are happy to be in the night session and happy to have a chance,” Koisti said. “I told the girls one game at a time and let’s give it our all for that game and who knows, maybe we’ll find ourselves in the championship.”