ABERDEEN — The Wall Eagles were validated on Saturday.

Wall, which did not receive any recognition in this season’s South Dakota Prep Media basketball poll, finished as the Class B consolation champ at Wachs Arena. The Eagles placed four players in double figures against Freeman, and pulled away for a 79-67 victory. It was Wall’s best-ever finish at a state tournament and just its second state tournament appearance. 

Wall coach Ryan Kjerstad said the consolation championship validates what the Eagles (19-7) were capable of this season. 

“It’s just validation to what we knew we were all along,” Kjerstad said. “Obviously we kept telling the boys we see the potential. We know we have the athletes. We know we have the players, but we haven't done anything yet.”

The consolation championship was a “We’ve arrived,” moment, said Kjerstad, who is a 2006 Wall High School graduate. But the Eagles, who will graduate only one senior, are just scratching the surface. 

“We are going to enjoy this,” Kjerstad said. “We are certainly going to spend a few days thinking back and remembering the awesome season we just had. But the cool thing is we are not done. We are just getting started.”

Saturday’s 12-point win over Freeman continued Wall’s upward trend to cap the season. The Eagles rallied from a double-digit deficit against Lyman on Friday, and led by as many as 20 points against Freeman. 

“That was probably one of our best games we played all season — defensively for sure,” Wall sophomore Teelan Kjerstad said. “In the first that was all of our points, was us stealing the ball and pushing up the court and getting to the free-throw line. So that was really good.”

Wall Eagles' Teelan Kjerstad (5) goes up for a shot during the first half of the consolation round Saturday, March 22, 2025 of the Class B state boys basketball tournament in Aberdeen. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

Kjerstad poured in 26 points, while Emmet Dinger added 25 points, six rebounds and four steals. Trevor Schulz tallied 13 points, while Jace Mohr totaled 11 points, seven assists and six steals.  

Wall used a 24-15 second quarter margin to spur a 42-30 halftime lead. The Eagles hit eight 3-pointers, with Dinger (three), Schulz (three) and Kjerstad (two) leading the 3-point barrage. 

But it’s nothing new for the Eagles. 

“That’s the team we’ve been all season,” coach Kjerstad said. “We’ve had some episodes where we weren't that consistent, but for the most part that’s how we play.”

And now the foundation is set for more hoops success. Coach Kjerstad said summer basketball is already lined up and the Eagles will be motivated for a return trip to Aberdeen. 

“It’s nice that we got to come here, get this taste, get the experience, and next year I think it’s just going to lead to more motivation and harder work in the offseason,” said coach Kjerstad, who also praised the reserve players that helped the Eagles reach state. 

“We have guys that get a lot of spotlight and that’s the reality and they deserve it. But there’s a lot of guys that don't get any recognition that have worked tremendously hard and are a huge part of this success.”

And Wall, which is known for its football and rodeo success, now has a state tournament trophy to validate its basketball potential.   

“Growing up, the basketball program was really bad in Wall,” Teelan Kjerstad said. “Getting here just means everything to me and to our community I know for sure.”