HURON — Wolsey-Wessington reached unprecedented heights this season. 

In the fall, the Warbirds captured third place in their first-ever Class B volleyball tournament appearance. They hoisted another third-place trophy at the Class B girls basketball tourney, Wolsey-Wessington’s first-ever appearance as a co-op. 

“My senior season is probably something I couldn’t have even imagined,” said Wolsey-Wessington guard Leah Williams, one of five seniors on the roster. “I never would have thought we’d be in this position and I am just so thankful for God and all that he has given me and my family and everyone in the community.”

Wolsey-Wessington’s volleyball and basketball runs were bolstered by 6-foot-4 Mallory Miller, an all-state center that transferred from Aberdeen Christian. Miller played AAU basketball with Williams and was instrumental in her decision to be a Warbird. 

Williams knew big things could be achieved with Miller defending the volleyball net and anchoring the post in basketball.  

“I told Mallory at the beginning of the season that I just want her to have a fun year,” Williams said. “I said ‘If you go to Wolsey-Wessington we will have fun this year’ and that’s exactly what I think happened.”

Miller’s presence was evident on the volleyball and basketball courts. In addition to a dominant middle hitter, she averaged 17.5 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game, culminating with two state tournaments her senior season.  

“I am super grateful just to have the opportunity,” Miller said. “Not a lot of girls can say that they had the opportunity to do that and to actually do it is such an amazing feeling. I am just so grateful for my teammates.”

Wolsey-Wessington's Mallory Miller (24) goes to the basket around Ethan's Leah Klock (5) during the third place game of the Class B state tournament on Saturday at the Huron Arena. (Matt Gade / For 605 Sports)

The Warbirds entered the Class B state tournament as the No. 1 seed, but were defeated by No. 5 Wall in the semifinals. Wolsey-Wessington regrouped for a 60-55 win over Ethan for the third-place finish. 

Williams admitted she was nervous prior to her final high school basketball game, but “I just wanted to play for my community and those girls who work hard for me all summer long and all these years. This is the first time I have been here and now I just want to make our community proud.”

Williams battled foul trouble, but still logged 15 points and four rebounds. Miller (22 points/14 rebounds) and fellow senior Mya Boomsma (13 points) helped shoulder the offensive load for the third-place finish.  

“Mya Boomsma has had an amazing tournament,” Miller said. “She’s really impressed me actually and I think everyone knew they had to step into their role and they did that really well.”

Williams intends to play college basketball, but is undecided at the moment. Miller, meanwhile, will play college hoops at Division I Arizona State University.

Miller’s recruitment skyrocketed during her senior season, picking the Sun Devils over major Division I scholarship offers from schools like BYU, Colorado, Arizona, Wisconsin, Syracuse, Tennessee and Louisville.

She will team up with her older sister Hanna, who played this past season at Dodge City Community College, in sunny Arizona.  

“I am very excited and especially for that weather — oh my,” Miller said. “I am excited to play with my sister again, for sure. It will be a fun opportunity.”