BROOKINGS — Tom Young added another championship to his illustrious coaching resume, but this one meant something bigger than basketball.

Since arriving as the Rustlers’ girls basketball coach in the 2014-15 season, Ethan has been a dynasty of success on the hardwood.

In 12 seasons under Young, the Rustlers have made 10 Class B state tournament appearances including a fourth-place finish in 2018, three third-place finishes (2017, ‘21 and ‘24), two runners-up (2016 and ‘19) and now two state championships (2015 and ‘26).

Ethan head coach Tom Young during the Class B state championship game against Harding County on March 14, 2026, in Brookings. (Jon Akre / 605 Sports)

But this year may just be the most memorable of them all for coach Young and the Ethan girls basketball squad.

It was a comeback tour for a Rustlers squad who took a heartbreaking loss to Dell Rapids St. Mary, 54-44, in last season’s Region 3B semifinal.

“It’s just amazing,” said senior guard Taziah Hawkins. “We wanted this so bad since last March after we lost to St. Mary. We just knew that we had to put in the work. It means the world to us. After how things ended last season, we knew we wanted it this bad and we didn’t want to be sitting at home watching this state tournament.”

But the Rustlers faced more adversity than what they dealt with on the court. Reed Harter, a teacher at Ethan High School, tragically passed away in a car accident on Jan. 16. It was news that Young says sent shockwaves throughout the community and especially the girls basketball team.

“A little bit over a month ago, how we felt and how my girls felt, my girls took it so, so hard,” Young said. “There was a period of time I think a few of them didn’t know if they could go on. This has just been a healing part for the community and for our team, and for the girls.”

Senior guard Marissa Storm reflected on that part of the season following the state championship Saturday, adding how they wanted to continue playing in honor of him.

“Losing Harter was really hard for us, but we kept pushing through,” Storm said. “He gave 100% in everything he did and we just wanted to carry forward in that with our game and that’s just what we tried to do.”

Reed was a standout high school athlete at Colome, former college baseball player at Dakota Wesleyan and was an assistant coach for the Rustlers’ boys basketball team for the past five seasons. 

Storm said his involvement in sports was what motivated the girls team to keep going.

“Basketball was a big part of him and he was a big athlete,” Storm said. “Just being on the court, that’s where I felt closest to him.”

But Young credited his girls basketball team for the courage and determination to play in Harter’s honor, capping off an emotional season with a state championship.

The Ethan Rustler's girls basketball team rushes head coach Tom Young following the Class B state championship on March 14, 2026, in Brookings. (Jon Akre / 605 Sports)

“It’s amazing,” Young said. “I’m just so happy for the girls. They’ve had a tough year, tough year at our school but they never gave up and fought back. It’s just been an awesome journey.”

But the most important part of this journey has been the team’s growth in its faith, with Storm noting how important Young has been to her career on and off the basketball court.

“He’s more than a coach, more than just basketball,” said Storm, who received the Class B Spirit of Su Award. “He brought God into everything and just pushed me stronger in my faith and that’s all I can ask for.”

“Their unity,” Young said on what makes his team so special. “One through 12, they love each other, they all love the Lord and it’s been a growth experience. We’ve had a lot of adversity and these girls are one.”