ABERDEEN — This one had just about everything. 

In an instant classic, Lower Brule outlasted White River 86-83 in a triple-overtime thriller at a rocking Wachs Arena in the Class B boys basketball semifinals. The seesaw battle featured clutch shots from a host of players and no lead was safe in the entertaining affair. 

“What a great game,” said Lower Brule coach Brian LaRoche Sr., whose team will now face De Smet in the state championship. “It can’t get better than that. It’s a dream come true for these boys and for a small school.”

The Sioux (22-3) and Tigers (20-3) played earlier this season at the Lakota Nation Invitational, with Lower Brule coming away with a 70-67 victory. Friday’s sequel was just as good and then some. 

“It was fun,” said Lower Brule’s Brian LaRoche Jr., who finished with 20 points. “It was very intense, too. I am just glad I got to be a part of it and glad my team got to be a part of it.”

Friday’s game, which featured nine ties and 11 lead changes, was tight throughout the night. But it got wild at the end of regulation and the overtime sessions. It also featured three technical fouls, 45 total fouls and 59 total free throw attempts. 

The team’s leading scorers — White River’s Joe Sayler and Keshaume Thigh — both fouled out late in the game. Thigh, who scored 11 points, was whistled for his fifth foul with under seven minutes left in regulation. Sayler tossed in 23 points before fouling out on an offensive foul call with 21 seconds left in regulation. 

White River's Joe Sayler attacks the basket against Lower Brule on Friday at Wachs Arena. (Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)

Sayler attacked the lane and hit a floater, but was called for the charge. It kept the score at 64-62 and LaRoche Sr., sent the game into overtime on a drive to the basket with 1.5 seconds left. 

“We were just going back and forth,” LaRoche Sr., said. “I like how teams do that with us. We just go back and forth and it’s very fun to play.” 

In the first overtime, Lower Brule pulled away for a 70-66 lead, but Dylan Marshall split a pair of free throws and Gavin Folkers drilled a 3-pointer with 15 seconds left for the tie. 

Lane Gray’s ensuing corner 3-pointer rimmed out before the buzzer sounded, sending it to the second overtime. 

In the second overtime, Lower Brule clawed back to force another four minutes. White River’s Mackenzie Wike was called for a technical foul for kicking a Lower Brule defender and LaRoche split two free throws, cutting the deficit to 75-74. 

“I didn’t see what happened exactly,” White River coach Eldon Marshall said. “He (official) said he kicked him. I didn’t see the play.” 

Marshall’s two free throws stretched White River’s advantage to 77-74 with 18 seconds left. But after a timeout, Gavin Thigh drilled a 3-pointer with 10 seconds left and Nick Marshall’s desperation heave was no good to end the second overtime. 

“My teammate called that play out for me,” Thigh said. “He just called it out because I was hitting. So I just believed in him and believed in myself and hit it.”

In the third overtime, the lead changed hands five times as both teams continued to play at a fast pace. 

“We both like to run and we knew we were going to meet back in the state somewhere,” LaRoche Jr., said. “So I am just happy we did.”

Quentin McBride and Gavin Thigh combined for four free throws in the final 32 seconds, stretching the margin to 86-83. Dylan Marshall’s 3-pointer with five seconds left was blocked and Lower Brule celebrated en route to its first-ever title berth. 

“It’s hard to believe,” Gavin Thigh said. “I can’t explain it.”

Dylan Marshall finished with 21 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Folkers had 22 points and hit six 3-pointers. Kendrell Cuevas had nine points and 11 rebounds, while Nicolas Marshall added eight points and five boards. 

Coach Marshall praised White River’s role players for stepping up in Sayler’s absence after fouling out. 

“Other guys had to step up and you have to take advantage of the opportunity,” coach Marshall said. “I thought we did.” 

He also credited Lower Brule for making plays down the stretch. 

“That’s what it came down to,” coach Marshall said. “It was a great battle. I am really proud of my kids. We fought to the end and that’s the most important thing and that’s what I told them.” 

The Tigers will face Potter County in the third-place game on Saturday. 

Lower Brule, meanwhile, will face De Smet in the state championship. The teams were seeded No. 1 and No. 2 most of the season, but did not play. The Bulldogs did beat the Sioux in last year’s opening round game at the state tournament. 

How will Lower Brule prepare for the Bulldogs?

“I will figure that out by tomorrow,” LaRoche Sr., said. “Right now, I am going to try to soak it in.”