By Ryan Deal 

605 Sports

Here’s a sampling of some replies and background on the rivalries:

White River vs. Sully Buttes

The Tigers and Chargers met a whopping nine times at state boys basketball tournaments from 2006-2019, including in the 2009 state championship game. White River owns a 5-4 record in the meetings at state. 

Groton vs. Aberdeen Roncalli

There’s always tension in the building between the Northeast Conference foes separated by 20 miles. They usually face each other twice a season and some years in the postseason. The Tiger boys won the lone meeting this season, a 59-33 victory on Roncalli’s home floor. The Roncalli girls defeated Groton this season, 50-24.

Rapid City Stevens vs. Rapid City Central

Rapid City’s two largest schools regularly play twice a season and in front of packed crowds. The Steven boys won both meetings this season. The girls teams split during the regular season, but Stevens captured a 40-34 decision in the state tourney opener. 

Custer vs. Lennox

The Wildcats and Orioles haven’t played in quite some time, but they regularly clashed in some epic state championships in the 1990s and 2000s. The two teams — separated by nearly 400 miles and six hours — played against each other in six boys basketball state championships from 1991-2003. The Wildcats own a 4-2 record in the state title contests. 

Sioux Falls Lincoln vs. Sioux Falls Washington

The two Sioux Falls foes treated fans to a 3OT boys basketball thriller this season, with the Patriots coming on top by an 83-81 decision. The Washington boys picked up a 68-65 win in the second meeting. The Warrior girls won both meetings this season. 

What are some of the other best rivalries in South Dakota high school basketball?