By Rich Winter

605 Sports

A year ago the Lower Brule boys basketball team clawed their way to the Class B state tournament as a No. 8 seed, drawing eventual champion De Smet in the first round. Thrilled to be there the Sioux dropped that game 80-53 before eventually finishing sixth. 

That opening round loss motivated Lower Brule all off-season and after a 20-3 record against a rigorous schedule the Sioux are ready for a run as the state tournament tips off Thursday in Aberdeen. 

“Our only goal was to get to a state championship this season,” Lower Brule coach Brian LaRoche Sr., said. “We want De Smet in a state championship game.” 

The Sioux open the Class B tournament against No. 7 Castlewood at Wachs Arena in Aberdeen. A win would advance Lower Brule to the semifinals against No. 3 White River or No. 6 Freeman Academy/Marion. 

A second consecutive appearance in the B tournament has a buzz circulating around the tight-knit Lower Brule community. For Lower Brule junior Brian LaRoche Jr., it is all business as the state tournament approaches. 

“It feels the same to be honest,” LaRoche Jr. said of qualifying for state. “It feels like just another game, and three more games as we want a state title.” 

Lower Brule enters the tournament with a high-octane offense featuring three, 1,000 point scorers (Brian LaRoche Jr., Keshaume Thigh and Trevin McBride) and five players averaging double figures. 

Juniors Gavin Thigh and Brian LaRoche Jr. playing defense on White River's Joe Sayler.

“Since taking over three years ago one of my goals has been to express how Native Americans play…fast,” LaRoche Sr., said. “You don’t have to be big, you don’t have to have a lot of muscle and our speed opens their game up to the next level.” 

Lower Brule player stats: 

• Keshaume Thigh 18.7 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2.5 apg, 3.6 spg

• Brian LaRoche Jr. -  15.6 ppg, 4 rpg, 4.4 apg, 2.6 spg

• Ellwyn Langdeau - 10.1 ppg, 5 rpg

• Gavin Thigh - 10 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 4.5 apg, 2.6 spg

• Lane Gray - 9.8 ppg, 2 rpg, 2.2 spg

LaRoche Jr., said that team balance makes Lower Brule tough to stop. 

“It feels great because we don’t have to rely on just one or two players,” he said. “Everyone can score and we rely on everyone to contribute.” 

Keshaume Thigh is the Sioux’s leading scorer and has shown up this season as one of the top dunkers in Class B. 

“Keshaume understands the game and he makes it look so easy,” LaRoche Sr., said. “I think everyone notices him but no one really talks about him. He’s kind of a slim guy but I haven’t seen anyone hold him down. He can play any position on the floor for us.” 

It is no secret that Lower Brule is going to play zone at the state tournament. The Sioux’s tallest rotation players are Keshaume Thigh at 6-foot-3 and Langdeau at 6-foot-2. Sophomore reserve Marley Carpenter stands 6-foot-6. 

LaRoche Sr., said the zone defense isn’t his favorite but circumstances force the zone into play. 

“It is different for us Natives to play aggressive defense, we have to play smart,” he said. “We can’t set a lot of screens because they are suddenly moving screens. It is tough as a coach to play zone because a lot of people don’t understand why we have to play zones. 

LaRoche Sr., added that the zone defense is played in part because of strength vs. strength matchups. 

As the Sioux hit Aberdeen later this week they’ll be playing for their community, and with the idea of helping Native American talent get recognized at the next level. 

“We have a lot more talent here than just the basketball team,” LaRoche Jr., said. “We want to let people know we have talent here that is capable of playing college basketball.”

Lower Brule opened their season winning the Lakota Nation Invitational championship, defeating White River in the final. The Sioux’s schedule had the boys playing in all four corners of the state with appearances in the Hoop City Classic, Huron Holiday Classic, Sacred Hoops Classic, Dakota Oyate Challenge, DWU/Culver's Classic and the Warner Classic. 

“I think the schedule helps us out a lot,” LaRoche Jr. said. “We have these big game experiences and I feel that will help us play under the bright lights of the state tournament. 

A revved up Lower Brule fan base is headed back to the Class B state tournament for a second consecutive year