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Lady Spartans hope to continue winning ways By Dennis Knuckles Black Hills Pioneer SPEARFISH — The Spearfish Lady Spartans hope to continue its winning ways as they get set to begin the 2014-15 girls’ high school basketball season. Eric Lappe has a 36-12 record during his two seasons as the Spearfish head coach. He has lead Spearfish to a fifth place finish in the 2013 state A tournament and a sixth place finish in the 2014 state tournament. “The last two seasons we have gone to back-to-back state tournament for the first time in the school’s history, so that was great,” Lappe said. The Lady Spartans lost three seniors to graduation, but will still be returning a veteran team. “We have a lot of kids coming back from last year,” said Lappe. “We have a lot of kids coming back that have a lot of experience and played a lot of good quality minutes, so we are pretty excited to see what we can do this season.” The Lady Spartans will begin the season without junior Ashton Burditt, who is out indefinitely with a leg injury. “Ashton (Burditt) has some leg issues that she tried to play through last year too and they haven’t quite resolved themselves yet so she won’t be starting the season with us. Other than that we are 100 percent healthy and ready to go,” Lappe said. Despite returning a veteran team, Lappe said there is always room for the team to improve. “There is always a little bit of building you have to do with every team and every team is a little different,” said Lappe. “They have different strengths and different weaknesses and you kind of have to adjust every year, but I’ve been very pleased with practices so far.” The Lady Spartans have the same goal for the 2014-15 season as they have had in previous seasons. “Our goal is the same every year and that is to get to the state tournament. We try not to get caught up in any one singular game and we try to get better after each game, whether it’s a win or a loss, so obviously we want to come out and get off to as fast of a start as we can, but the most important thing is to keep improving,” Lappe said. Lappe said the Lady Spartans are a versatile team.
“We can play slow or we can play fast and I think that can cause problems for other teams,” said Lappe. “I also think a strength is familiarity with the system and things like that, things we don’t have to go over in quite the detail as we used to, and that allows you to do a little more offensively and defensively.” Rebound is a major concern for Spearfish this season. “We are definitely going to have to work on rebounding. That’s always been a struggle for us because we haven’t always been the strongest team, so we are definitely going to have to concentrate on rebounding, especially on the defensive end,” Lappe said. The Lady Spartans will face another tough schedule this season.
“I like our schedule,” said Lappe. “I like the fact that we play St. Thomas More
twice and we get to play Mitchell and Rapid City Stevens, but I like our schedule. It challenges us and your best team should always want that extra challenge and our girls’ want to step up and prove themselves.” Lappe said his team will have to go through some tough district opponents, if they want to make a third straight trip to the girls’ state tournament. “St. Tomas More is arguably the best team in the state of South Dakota, regardless of class and they are going to be a tremendous challenge. Rapid City Stevens will be good and I’m interested in seeing what Sturgis Brown does. They have a new coach and will run some different stuff, so I think it will be a good challenge for us,” Lappe said.
Rapid City Central, Huron, Harrisburg, Red Cloud, Belle Fourche and Lead-
Deadwood will also be tough opponents. Spearfish opens its 2014-15 season Dec. 11 at St. Thomas More, who has won the Class A state tournament two of the past three seasons, but Lappe said he wouldn’t have it any other way. “I like that w start out with St. Thomas More, because it tells us right away where we are as a team. I think you have to have a tough of schedule as you can possibly create, it’s the only way you’ll get better,” said Lappe. “We’ll be ready to go and I know St. Thomas More will be ready to go. It’ll be a great game, a and it’s a great rivalry between the two schools. We’re looking forward to it and hopefully we can come out of there with a win. It would be a great confidence booster going forward.”
Members of the 201415 Spearfish Lady Spartans basketball team are: front row Shelby Konstant, Madison Kaitfors, Rickie Engesser and Alexis Kemp. Middle row, MacKenna Broeder, Taylor Koch, Emma Murphy, Sydney Knutson, and Breonna Beasley. Back row, Lexy Burket, Michaela Cermak Jelsie Dean, Kaycee Jo Johnson and Madi Ulin. Not pictured is Ashton Burditt. Pioneer photo by Dennis Knuckles
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Lady Spartans in action during 2013-14 season
The Spearfish Lady Spartans basketball team hopes to make a third straight trip to the state basketball tournament in March. Last season Spearfish finished sixth in the AA state tourney, and in 2013 they finished fifth in the state A tourney. Pioneer file photos
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Digger girls’ basketball team starts new era By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer LEAD — All players on the LeadDeadwood varsity girls’ basketball team have a clean slate as they enter this season. Zach Wevik begins his first season as Golddiggers’ head coach. He said he was able to get acquainted with the players during summer team camps. Lead-Deadwood fell to Belle Fourche in a Region 8A tournament semifinal last season and finished with a 13-8 record. Kaitlin Sulentic, Ijzaya Sterna, Ashley Hansen, Alexis Stevens, and Nash Williams graduated from last season’s squad. Two seniors will lead the Golddiggers into this season. They are 5-foot-10 guard/ post player Stacey Anderson and 5-8 post player Courtney Gould. Seven juniors comprise the core of the
The Lead-Deadwood varsity girls’ basketball team includes (not in order) Miranda Gallagher, Hanah Cerkoney, Jade Derby, Courtney Gould, Stacey Anderson, Sydnee Hamann, Maddisen Larsen, Ashley Sandidge, Hannah Rogers, Jaci Petsch, Grace Campbell, and Stephanie Stagner. Ally Engel is not pictured. Pioneer photo by Jason Gross
team. Players are 6-1 guard/post player/ forward Miranda Gallagher, 6-0 post player Maddisen Larsen, 5-7 point guard Jade Derby, 5-3 guard Hanah Cerkoney, 5-7 guard/post player Hannah Rogers, 5-7 forward Ashley Sandidge, and 5-10 guard/post player Sydnee Hamann. Stephanie Stagner, a 5-3 guard, is a sophomore. Three ninth-graders will also compete for varsity spots. They are 5-8 post player Grace Campbell, 5-3 point guard Jaci Petsch, and 5-8 post player Ally Engel. “We are a very athletic team that is skilled,” Wevik said. “We are capable of scoring a lot of points.” Wevik said the Golddiggers struggled on defense last season, but that should be an easy fix. He called that the biggest improvement the team must make going into this season. He added it is a matter of transferring
information from the minds to the feet. Lead-Deadwood’s schedule starts with five games between Dec. 12 and Dec. 20, with only three days available for practice. Wevik said that would be a challenge. The campaign begins Dec. 12 in Box Elder against Douglas. Lead-Deadwood then hosts Harding County on Dec. 13 and Newell on Dec. 16, followed by the Stateline Shootout Dec. 19-20 in Belle Fourche. “We have a good Black Hills Conference schedule,” Wevik said. That slate includes Hill City, Spearfish, Sturgis, Belle Fourche, and defending state A champion St. Thomas More. He went on to say he likes the slate. Which teams does Wevik see as conference favorites? “St. Thomas More is good each year,” Wevik said. “Spearfish and Sturgis will be very competitive, with Belle Fourche being in the mix.”
Wevik hopes Lead-Deadwood will be quite competitive against every team in the conference. He said the Golddiggers’ main goal is to be in position to reach the Region 8A championship game. What will it take for Lead-Deadwood to have a successful season? “The quicker the players buy in, the quicker we’ll get there,” Wevik said. “We also want to win the games we should win.” He stressed the importance of the players working hard and putting forth their best effort. Practices for the Golddiggers officially started Nov. 24. Fundamentals and shooting served as the central points of those workouts. Wevik said Lead-Deadwood may use the experience factor to build on from last season. He pointed out the athletes have played together since the eighth grade.
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Lady Golddiggers in action during 2013-14 season
Lead-Deadwood’s girls’ basketball team hopes to improve on its 13-8 record from a season ago. Pioneer file photos
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Lady Broncs will be young, but talented By Dennis Knuckles Black Hills Pioneer BELLE FOURCHE – The Belle Fourche Lady Broncs girls’ high school basketball team hopes to build on last season’s success, despite only returning three players with varsity experience, when it travels to Box Elder Tuesday night to face the Douglas Lady Patriots ‘We finished last year 11-10 and we did have a lot of ups and downs during the season, but towards the end of the season we were playing our best ball,” said Bill Burr, Lady Broncs head basketball coach. “We went into the playoff game with Lead and won 53-49, it could’ve went either way. And we ended up losing to St. Thomas More, a solid ball club, 78-33 in the championship game.” The Lady Broncs hope to overcome a lack of size and experience this season. “I only have one returning starter and two other players that played a lot of var-
Members of the 2014-14 Belle Fourche Lady Broncs girls’ basketball team includes (not in order): Mikenzie Mikkelson, Nicole Kling, Bailee Ward, Hannah Rehmeier, Emily Monier, Gracie Neiman, Alyssa Juelfs, Bret Woelber, Bricee Brisgaard, Taylor Hanson, Jade Burr, Raymie Keegan, Kortni Grubb, Jordan Hanson, Tori Anderson, and Jessica Ryan. Pioneer photo by Dennus Knuckles
sity minutes, so we are going to be young and inexperience, so the first four or five games will be getting our feet underneath us and playing at that pace and level and we know we are going to have to be patient this year,” Burr said. Practices began on Nov. 24 and the Lady Broncs have been working on the basics. “We’ve been working on our ball handling, and being in a good defensive position and getting to the right spot on the court where we can help on defense,” said Burr. “We’ve worked a little bit on the offense trying to teach them where to rotate in the offense and what to expect with the 35 second shot clock.” This is the first year Class A has used the shot clock, and Burr said it will be an adjustment for his team.. “The shot clock is more about time management at the end of games. I think you’ll see it come into play toward the end of a close game, or knowing how to close out a game. Taking care of the ball and get a
good quality shot towards the end of the game,” Burr said. Burr said practices have been a learning process for both the players and the coaches. “We’re kind of working it back and forth trying to figure out where each girl is going to fit in our offense, and how we are going to play with each other on the defensive end,” said Burr. “These young girls’ have been playing together for quite some time , so they kind of know each other and that helps too.” The Lady Broncs have team speed and hope to use this to their advantage. “We’ve got some pretty good quick girls,” said Burr. “We’re not real tall, but I think with our speed we can make up for it on defense.” Despite the lack of height, Belle Fourche will rely on the basics to compete on the boards. “Again I go back to defense. Boxing out, knowing where you are at on the court,
being able to give backside help and that’s what we are working hard on, trying to make sure we are playing together as a unit and not just one individual,” Burr said. Belle Fourche is going to use its tough schedule to get the girls adjusted to playing on the varsity level. “We play Sturgis twice, Lead-Deadwood twice, Spearfish twice and St. Thomas More twice, yeah that’s tough,” said Burr. “But that just makes us a better team playing those good quality teams, so we’re excited to get the season started and we are just going to take it one game at a time.” Belle Fourche must once again contend with St. Thomas More and Lead-Deadwood in its region. “We know we are going to have to play our best almost every game, especially when you go against, St. Thomas More, Spearfish, and Lead-Deadwood. We have to go out there and play our best and hopefully catch them on a bad night and make something happen for us,” Burr said.
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Lady Broncs in action during 2013-14 season
The Belle Fourche Lady Broncs hosts Hills City at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 12, in Belle Fourche. Pioneer file photos
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Lady Jackets ready to make noise in the RMAC SPEARFISH —The Black Hills State University women’s basketball team hopes to build on the success it achieved during the 2013-14 season. Last season the Lady Jackets finished 13-11 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and 15-14 overall, and made it to the RMAC Shootout finals before losing to Colorado Mesa University, 73-55. Lady Jackets head coach Mark Nore said last season the Lady Jackets were more relaxed the final few games of the regular season and were one game away from making it to the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II Tournament. “Last year at the end of the season we made shots and we played without any pressure,” said Nore. “It wasn’t about any one person having to make a play, it was about us doing our job and getting to that next step.” The Lady Jackets are picked to finish second in the RMAC this season, in the RMAC Preseason Coaches Poll. This is the highest preseason ranking for any sport at
Black Hills State in the NCAA Division II since the school joined the RMAC in 201213. “One thing we do know is that we have a target on our back and I just hope we don’t wait to late to realize that and understand that we do have a target on our back,” said Nore. “You can’t take practices off and you can’t take games off. We have to be appreciative of the hard work we’ve put in to get to this point, but it can turn on a flip of a switch and as you know this game is all mental. It takes just one game to be mentally strong, or mentally weak, and just one game can make a difference in a season.” The Lady Jackets return seniors Chelsey Biegler, Courtney Patterson, Cassidy Kotelman, Dakota Barrie and Logan Cowan, junior Bailey Kusser, and sophomores Gabby Haefs and Taylor Trohkimoinen from last year’s team. “From a leadership standpoint, this is the best team I have ever coached,” said Nore. “They are really enjoyable to coach because of that. I think the work they put in, from
the time that the older kids have been freshman, they have kept with it.” The Lady Jackets opened the 2014-15 season with a 57-52 loss at rival SD School of Mines and Technology and a 68-45 loss to Northern State before returning home and defeating Montana Tech 73-51. “I think defensively we are we need to be at this point in the season,” said Nore. “Offensively we are trying to find our niche. It’s a bumpy road and I think we needed more exhibition games under our belt before we played School of Mines. “We shot only 25 percent from the field against School of Mines and 29 percent against Northern State, and when you shoot like that it doesn’t matter who you play, you’re not going to win a lot of games.” Nore said one thing the Lady Jackets need to continue to improve on is make the most of each possession, especially in one or two possession games. “We need to learn to control what we are doing offensively and not let pressure get
us out of what we need to do,” said Nore. “We need to make sure we take care of the ball and when need to get stops we need to cue down defensively and get stops and when need to score we need to find a way to score.” Nore said the team has set high goals for the upcoming season. “Obviously we want to be in the playoffs, but we also want to host a playoff game. That’s something we have to realize and understand that its going to be harder now that we have that target on our back,” Nore said. Dec. 5 and 6 the Lady Jackets opened Rocky Mountain athletic conference play with wins over Western State, 61-49, and outlasted Colorado Mesa, 86-81, in double overtime. Both games were played in Spearfish. Nore said he would like to see greater consistency from his squad going forward. “We have to get that done by guarding, rebounding, and doing the little things,” he said.
Members of the 2014-15 Black Hills State Lady Yellow Jackets basketball team are: (not in order) Erin Kemp, Remi Wientjes, Taylor Trohkimoinen, Rachel Erickson, Gabby Haefs, Chelsey Biegler, Bailey Kusser, Courtney Patterson, Cassidy Kotelman, Dakota Barrie, Brooke Pond, Jennie Scharn, Calby Pearman, Logan Cowan, Keely Bertram, Julia Seamans, head coach Mark Nore and assistant coaches Jordan Bauer and Jenna Bolstad. Photo courtesy BHSU Athletics Department
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Lady Jackets in action during 2014-15 season
The Black Hills State University women’s basketball team is off to a 2-0 start in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference after defeating Western State 61-49 and Colorado Mesa 86-81 in double overtime, in Spearfish. Pioneer photos by Jason Gross
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Spartan boys begin hoops season against Red Cloud By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer SPEARFISH — Spearfish’s varsity boys’ basketball squad opens its season Saturday, Dec. 13, against Red Cloud. This game, at the Spearfish High School gym, is one of 10 home contests for the Spartans in the 2014-15 campaign. Luke Enos is the Spartans’ interim head coach. He replaces Adam Tyhurst, who resigned Nov. 8. Six seniors, seven juniors, and one sophomore comprise the varsity roster that was finalized Monday evening. Connor Janovy (6-foot guard), Drew Kaitfors (6-1 small forward, power forward), Skyler Langer (5-11 guard), Tyrell Rosencranz (6-1 wing), Tanner Rost (510 guard), and Remington Wood (6-8 center) represent the senior class. All of those players suited up for the varsity last season. The juniors are Devon Braun (6-7 center), Tanner Butcher (6-4 small forward, power forward), Jaxon Hinch (6-3 wing), Dylan Reiners (5-10 shooting guard), Cole Richards (6-3 wing), Chet Samuelson (6-1 point guard), and Logan Stalder (5-11 point guard, shooting guard). All except Stalder played on last season’s varsity unit. Jaxon Rosencranz, a 6-0 guard, represents the sophomore class. “They know what it will take, but they realize it’s not easy,” Enos said of the returning players. He saidd the Spartans are starting from scratch, and the defense has improved during practice drills. Spearfish fell to Rapid City Central in the third-place game of last season’s District 4AA tournament. The Spartans finished with an 8-14 record in 20-13-14, and Hunter Dean, Nick Iron Rope, Connor Sigmond, and Nathan Lechner graduated from that squad. “I have been really impressed with their work ethic,” Enos said of this year’s players who officially started preseason practices Dec. 1. “Two-a-days are not fun, but the players have shown up to practice each way ready to work hard.” Defensive principles took up a lot of early practice time, as Enos looks to have
the Spartans establish themselves in that area. “We have also had more and more emphasis on rebounding,” he said. Enos said the Spartans must work on everything at this stage. “There is a lot to put in a short time; it’s an ongoing challenge.” He stressed the need for players to be focused every day. When it comes to the Black Hills Conference, Enos said he is not very familiar with the other squads.
“In class AA, there are no easy games,” Enos said. Spearfish’s will play a total of eight class AA opponents. Sturgis Brown, Rapid City Stevens, Douglas, Huron, Harrisburg, and Rapid City Central are all on the Spartans schedule this season.. “We are going into each game expecting to win,” said Enos, who added he does not believe in moral victories. “In practice, it’s a process; we will worry about what we can control.”
How will Enos and the Spartans define success? He said he does not have won-lost records in mind. “We needs guys who fully buy into what we do,” Enos said. “Spearfish has had success in the past, and we look to build on that foundation.” Shawn Hutxtable and Nate Bayne are serving as Enos’ assistant coaches. Spearfish opens its 2014-15 season against Red Cloud, at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 13, in Spearfish.
Fourteen Spearfish boys’ basketball players received their varsity jerseys during Monday evening’s practice. The Spartans open their season this Saturday when they host Red Cloud at the Spearfish High School gym. Pictured are (not in order) Cole Richards, Tyrell Rosencranz, Devon Braun, Jaxon Hinch, Logan Stalder, Drew Kaitfors, Skyler Langer, Chet Samuelson, Tanner Rost, Remington Wood, Tanner Butcher, Dylan Reiners, Connor Janovy, and Jaxon Rosencranz. Head coach Luke Enos, assistant coach Shawn Huxtable, and assistant coach Nate Bayne are not pictured. Pioneer photo by Jason Gross
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Spartans in action during the 2013-14 season
The Spearfish Spartans boys’ basketball team look for a fresh start under interim head coach Luke Enos, after finishing 8-13 during the 2013-14 basketball season. Pioneer file photos
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Diggers returning veteran team for 2014-15 season By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer LEAD — Lead-Deadwood takes 12 players and a new head coach into the Dec. 12 varsity boys’ basketball season opener in Box Elder against the Douglas Patriots. First-year head coach Jonathan Lane guides a lineup that features eight seniors, three sophomores, and one ninth-grader. Lead-Deadwood fell to Belle Fourche in the first round of last season’s Region 8A tournament and finished with a 7-13 record. Morgan Rogers graduated from that Golddiggers’ squad. Seniors on this season’s team are Zach Ulmer (6-foot-2 guard), Bridger Larson (5-8 guard), Aidan Laurenti (6-0 post player), Jackson Percy (5-10 guard), Jett Rogers (6-1 guard), Joel Fish (6-4 post player),
The Lead-Deadwood varsity boys’ basketball team opens its season Dec. 12 in Box Elder against Douglas. Team members are (not in order) Zach Ulmer, Bridger Larson, Aidan Laurenti, Jackson Percy, Jack Egemo, Dillon Burns, Max Nelson, Jett Rogers, Brett Mattson, Joel Fish, Cobi Stokes, and Cole Gackle. Photo courtesy of Jonathan Lane
Cobi Stokes (6-4 post player), and Cole Gackle (6-4 post player). All except Stokes suited up for the varsity last season. Dillon Burns (5-9 post player), Max Nelson (5-9 guard), and Brett Mattson (510 guard) represent the sophomore class. Ninth-grader Jack Egemo, a 5-6 guard, rounds out the roster. “All of them will be key players,” Lane said. He added the team’s top players would be determined by how each one does throughout the season. Lane said heart and passion are LeadDeadwood’s strong points. He added that should translate into a couple more victories, and defense should also be a strength. What do the Golddiggers need to work on? “Footwork is very key,” Lane said. “Fundamentals and communication are also very important.”
Lead-Deadwood started official practices on Dec. 1, with players working on basic fundamentals and “getting back in the groove” of basketball. Lane said everyone is getting used to one another, and the players are buying into his system. The Golddiggers’ schedule is the same as in past years, Lane said. Lead-Deadwood plays all Black Hills Conference teams and will go to Belle Fourche for the annual Stateline Shootout. Regular-season play for the Golddiggers includes 10 home games, with the first one being Dec. 13 against Harding County. Newell, class AA Sturgis, Custer, Hill City, Belle Fourche, class AA Spearfish, Hot Springs, class AA Douglas, and Rapid City Christian will also visit Lead during the season.
How tough does Lane see the schedule? “I’d give it a six on a scale of one to 10,” he said. Lane said many people point to St. Thomas More and Red Cloud as being Black Hills Conference favorites. How does Lane see the Golddiggers stacking up against other conference squads? He said he couldn’t answer but said Lead-Deadwood will surprise opponents. Lane said many people use wins and losses to gauge a successful season. Keys to success for Lane center on team members growing as players and individuals. “We want to get better from the first game to the last,” Lane said. He would not answer questions about last season’s team, saying that last year was in the past. Wil Malde is serving as Lane’s assistant.
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Golddiggers in action during 2013-14 season
New Lead-Deadwood Jonathan Lane will lead the Golddiggers into the 2014-15 season. Pioneer file photos
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Broncs have young, quick team for upcoming season By Dennis Knuckles Black Hills Pioneer BELLE FOURCHE — The Belle Fourche boy’s basketball team lost some close games last season where they could have easily been 13-7, instead of the 8-12 record they actually finished with. “We had eight seniors last year and we lost some tight ball games. We had five overtime games and we should have had five more wins,” said Nick Reden, the Broncs head basketball coach. “I think last tear was a successful season. A lot of players were disappointed with the record, but they grew and I think overall they were pretty proud how their senior year ended.” Losing eight seniors means the Broncs face a rebuilding year this season. “We are going to be young this year. We only have one senior and we have only three players with varsity experience, and the rest of them are sophomores. We are going to be young, inexperienced, but we’re going to be quick though,” Redden said. Belle Fourche started practice on Dec. 1
Members of the 201415 Belle Fourche Broncs boys’ basketball team are: Zach Lange, Wyatt Pearson, Jace Horman, Jon Peterson, Louis Budmayr, Breck Young, Trevor Kerr, Jalen Powers, Jake O’Byrne, Shandon Hamilton, J.D. Kirwan and Chase Irwin. Pioneer photo by Dennis Knuckles
and our scrambling to get ready for the first game on Dec. 12 against Hill City. “We’ve been working a lot on the defensive stuff,” said Redden. “This last entire week we’ve had two practices a day and I would say 75 percent of my practices have been based around defense. “We’ve worked on the offensive stuff a little bit here and there, but we need to learn how to stop varsity teams, so that’s what I’ve been concentrating on.” Losing eight seniors means someone else will have to step up and assume the role as a leader. “My one senior, Wyatt Pearson, is leading by example. My point guard Bret Young has significance varsity experience last year and he has stepped into that leadership role really well. Our younger players are following that lead and starting to work into leadership roles in different parts of practice,” Redden said. Redden stressed team defense is vital if Belle Fourche wants to have success this season. “We have to play good defense. Force the opposing players to make mistakes. That’s
what our main focus is this year,” said redden. “With us being so small and quick, we have to force them to make mistakes.” Redden said the month of December will give the team an idea of where they stand and what they need to continue to work on. “Our opener is Dec. 12 against Hill City. It doesn’t matter what they look like, coach Blake Gardner does a great job with that group, so that’s a good home opener for us. Then the Broncs go up against Sturgis and Redden knows his team is going to be in for a fight. “Sturgis is a tough ball club. Granted they have a new head coach (Colin McCampbell), but they have that solid senior class that they’ve had forever,” said Redden. “We did dome nice things against them this summer and we know how they are going to run things and how their players our going to play.” Then comes the Stateline Shootout, which is being held in Belle Fourche this year. “”This tough schedule with those younger players is going to give them a great taste
of varsity basketball in a very short amount of time,” Redden said. The Broncs have speed, but they also have one other quality you can’t teach. “I have a team full of heart,” said Redden. “I’ve got guys that ask for more everyday. When it comes to drills, I don’t hear complaining, they’re here to get better and they’ve accepted their roles, and this is one entire team.” Team chemistry will play a big part in how successful the Broncs are this season. “I think we have good team chemistry. The younger guys who haven’t had a lot of varsity experience, but they have played a lot of junior varsity together, and they’ve played together long enough this summer that they know how each other plays. Injury wise, the Broncs will start the season in good shape. “At the start of the season we are setting in good shape, no injuries. I’m getting one kid back, Jalen Powers, he had a horrible track injury last year and he is a actually a walking miracle right now according to the doctors, and he will probably be cleared to play by Christmas break,” Redden said.
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Belle Fourche Broncs in action during 2013-14 season
Belle Fourche must overcome youth and inexperience if they hope to improve on its 7-13 record during the 2013-14 season. Pioneer file photos
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Yellow Jackets have new coach, new attitude By Dennis Knuckles Black Hills Pioneer
SPEARFISH — A new era in Black Hills State University men’s basketball is under way. Jeff Trumbauer is the Yellow Jackets new head coach. Trumbauer spent the past three seasons as the associate head coach at Augustana College, and he was previously the head men’s basketball coach at Jamestown College. He was hired in late June to replace Bradd Schafer, who resigned to take the head coaching job at his alma mater, Western State in Colorado. Trumbauer said being hired so late has presented a lot of challenges for the BHSU basketball program. “My staff is new to me and we have 15 players and two assistant coaches that are trying to figure out what we are doing and where we are going, and that’s a lot to get them all on the same page,” said Trumbauer. ‘There are subtle differences
Members of the 201415 Black Hills State men’s basketball team are: front row, Clem Robinson, Ryan Miller, Tate Hilgenkamp, Brady Bisgaard, Brody Brisk, Myles Henry, and Wyatt Krogman. Back row, Riley Ryan, Yoshio Allen, Mitchell Foth, Collin Smith, Sergio Antelmi, Ben Beauchamp, Nick Ongarato, and Joe Cameron. Photo Courtesy BHSU Athletics Department
from coach to coach and it takes time for the players to adjust to. The guys have done a good job thus far of making progress and understanding what we want to do, but we’ve got a long ways to go.” Myles Henry is the top-returning scorer from the 2013-14 Yellow Jackets basketball team. Last season Henry averaged 12.8 points per game. The Yellow Jackets also return Riley Ryan, Brady Bisgaard, Yoshio Allen and Brody Brisk. Black Hills State has six new faces on its roster, including junior college transfers Nick Ongarato and Tate Hilgenkamp, a pair of Australians: Ryan Miller and Sergio Antelmi, along with freshmen Collin Smith and Ben Beauchamp. Trumbauer is excited with the number of veterans the Yellow Jackets possess but cautions that the style of play will be different than what they are used to. “We have a number of returning players, but we do not have a player on the team who has full understanding of how we plan to play,” Trumbauer said. “We are going to
need a really productive month as we prepare of the season.” Trumbauer admitted he didn’t know a lot about the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, except that it is competitive. “I know it’s a very good conference. Anytime you have a national champion coming out of your conference that speaks to level of competition in the conference. I think we have a pecking order in this league that has been established, kind of an upper third middle third and lower third. Our goal as we build this program is get into the upper third,” Trumbauer said. Trumbauer said that having Black Hills State located in the Northern Black Hills is a good recruiting too. “You come out here and see how beautiful it is, the nice weather, beautiful campus, it grabs your attention and that’s something I think is to our advantage,” said Trumbauer. “When I accepted the job I thought we could become a top third team in the RMAC because of our area, because of the academics, and because of the community support this school has traditionally
had. So I’m selling those things and I don’t believe, my understanding looking around the conference, I don’t know that there are many schools that can offer everything that we can offer.” Black Hills State University’s men’s basketball team is 1-1 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference after a weekend split at the Young Center. The Yellow Jackets outlasted Western State 64-57 in overtime and dropped an 8058 decision to Colorado Mesa. “There were good things; we made progress,” Yellow Jackets’ head coach Jeff Trumbauer said of the weekend. “We also see some things we need to get better at.” Trumbauer said the offense is improving, but it has been a bit of a struggle getting everyone to understand how to get the desired result, and how to go about that. “Out of the 85 minutes we played, we had probably 65 good minutes,” Trumbauer said. He added that ratio is not bad, but it needs to be in the 75- to 80-minute range for the team to win.
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Yellow Jackets in action during the 2014-15 season
The Black Hills State men’s basketball team is 1-1 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference after defeating Western State 64-57 and losing to Colorado Mesa 80-58, in Spearfish. Pioneer photos by Jason Gross
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Winter 2014/2015
BHSU indoor track and field ready for 2014-15 season By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer SPEARFISH — Black Hills State University men’s and women’s track squads look to build on the foundation they have built over the past three years. They opened their indoor season Dec. 6 at the Yellow Jacket Holiday Open in Spearfish. “There is a chance for the team to do better than last year at the conference meet,” fourth-year Yellow Jackets’ head coach Seth Mischke said. Black Hills State finished fifth in the men’s division at last winter’s Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference indoor meet; the Yellow Jacket women placed 10th. “The kids are seeing what it’s about, and they’re falling in line,” Mischke said. “The returning kids had good vibes from last year.” Mischke pointed out the Yellow Jacket men also placed fifth at the 2014 RMAC meet. Black Hills State finished seventh in the women’s division at that meet. Yellow Jacket athletes spent this fall getting familiar with training regimens. “We did a lot of technical work with events on the last month,” Mischke said. The returning men’s lineup includes senior Mitch Kraft (distance), junior Alec Baldwin (distance), junior Jacob Johnson (throwing events), and sophomore Alex Anderson (multiple events). Other seniors on the men’s squad are Eric Chilson (hurdles and sprints), Baker Diede (sprints and relays), and Gage McSpadden (distance). Black Hills State lost Mark Wilcox, Jake Wilson, and Jon Grace from the men’s team because of graduation. Paige Follett and Sarah Evans graduated from the women’s squad. “Sometimes, two or three athletes can be huge pieces to the puzzle,” Mischke said. He added those athletes scored a lot of points, and it will be hard to replace those totals. Senior Trisha Koch (multiple events), senior Kelli Anderson (sprints), junior Madison McLaughlin (throwing events), and junior Avery Allen (throwing events) are among the returning athletes for the women’s squad. Four other seniors are on the women’s team as of press time: Courtney Chase (distance), Becca Ellis (distance), Kristin Rath
(hurdles and sprints), and Anna Yanchek (distance). “We will have more kids in places to score than we did last year,” Mischke said. He agreed the teams’ depth is improving, and a number of new athletes should be competitive right away. What will Black Hills State need to work on? “Having a sense of what other teams have brought in, and where we stand teamwise,” Mischke said. “It challenges the kids to do more.” Mischke tabbed Adams State as the favorites in the men’s and women’s divisions of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. He said Colorado Mines should also contend in both divisions, and it is a big jumble after the top three teams.
What would make this season a successful one for the Yellow Jackets? “We want better points and placing totals (than last indoor season),” Mischke said. He added moving up in the standings takes precedence over increased point totals. “We have to score good points and must be good where we are good,” Mischke said. Track is a never-ending cycle, as athletes compete year-round. The indoor season runs from Dec. 6 to March 14, with the outdoor season from March through May. “The kids are excited and competitive,” Mischke said. Five members of the Black Hills State University track teams earned titles at Saturday’s Yellow Jacket Holiday Open indoor meet, held Dec. 6, in Spearfish.
Mitch Kraft emerged victorious in two events for the Yellow Jackets. He won the men’s one-mile run in 4 minutes, 23.14 seconds and the men’s 3,000-meter run in 8:49.79. Miles Robertson was Black Hills State’s other men’s winner. He claimed the 60-meter dash title in a school record-tying time of 6.98 seconds. Madison McLaughlin won the women’s shot put with a toss of 13.77 meters and set a provisional NCAA national mark. Black Hills State’s Sarah Coomes won the women’s 3,000-meter run in 11:31.59. Teammate Courtney Chase captured the women’s one-mile run title in 5:36.92. Black Hills State’s indoor track and field team will be hosting the Myrle Hanson Memorial Open, on Jan. 7, in Spearfish.
Members of the 2014-15 Black Hills State University Indoor track and field team are: Front row, Gage McSpadden, Joshua Davis, Kendall Murie, Mitch Kraft, and Donnie Decker. Second row, Harley Rhodes, Brady Chase, Chris Johnson, Baker Diede, Laketon McLaughlin, Garrett Peterson, Austin Williamson, and Aaron Schone. Third row,, Eric Chilson, Nate Fredrick, Kyler Flock, Seth Goodro, Walter Bordewyk, Joe Rath, and Seth Ulvestad. Back row, Tanner Gillette, Mark Fruechte, Bryce Boser, Ryan Mehalick, Leighton Blanchard, Travis Bieber, and Isaac Iverson. Pioneer photo by Sonja Kraft
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2014-15 BHSU women’s indoor track and field team
Front row, Kate Griffin, Abbi Klyaic, Kristin Rath, Courtney Chase, Atlanta Lundstrom, and Cassidy Koski. Back row, Katelyn Woten, Hannah Kirk, Avery Allen, Courtney Cassen, Trisha Koch, Chandra Sturtz, Kelli Anderson, Samantha Starkey, Madison McLaughlin. Pioneer photo by Sonja Kraft
BHSU indoor track and field team action during 2014-15 season
Left, Black Hills State University’s Trisha Koch (hurdles) left, shows off her hurdling skills, while right, Jacob Johnson, shows off his weight tossing form during Saturdays’s Holiday Open, in Spearfish. Pioneer photos by Sonja Kraft
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Winter 2014/2015
Spartans preparing for 2014-15 wrestling season By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer SPEARFISH — Spearfish High School was closed Friday because of the Thanksgiving holiday, but not all students were away from the facility. Members of the wrestling team engaged in a regularly scheduled workout in preparation for the 2014-15 season that begins Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Stanley County Invitational. Practice sessions began Nov. 17. Wrestlers are working on the basics, but head coach Mike Abell said defense has carried extra emphasis. “We have given up too many easy points in the past,” Abell said. “We are working on solid positioning.” Spearfish is in an enviable position, as no seniors graduated from a squad that placed 12th at last season’s state A wrestling tournament. The Spartans’ returning lineup features Tyler Waterson (second place at 113
Spearfish boasts a total of 21 returning letter winners and athletes vying for spots on this season’s varsity roster. Pictured are (not in order) Rance Sivertsen, Zeph Irion, Chase Harmon, Sean Warnock, Jeremiah Harmon, Tyler Waterson, Tyler Kaiser, Parker Sutton, Austin Amick, Isaiah Partridge, Oscar Franck, Jordon Brinson, Jacob Zacher, Slayton Ludens, Jackson Bogue, Kyler Schmidt, Derick Dower, and David Dower. Damian Hall, Mason Rogers, and Tyrell Rosencranz are not pictured. Pioneer photo by Jason Gross
pounds last season), Rance Sivertsen (third place at 126 pounds), and Chase Harmon (seventh place at 160 pounds). Several other Spearfish wrestlers qualified for state last season. They are Slayton Ludens (106 pounds), Tyler Kaiser (132 pounds), Zeph Irion (145 pounds), Sean Warnock (152 pounds), Kyler Schmidt (170 pounds), Austin Amick (195 pounds), and Jeremiah Harmon (285 pounds). Mike Abell is beginning his seventh season as Spartans’ head coach. He said last season’s finish will motivate his team. “We did not finish where we wanted,” Abell said. “We had three state placers and several other state qualifiers, but our goal at the start was to place as a team.” The returning experience is why Abell is very optimistic for the season. “Everyone is one year older, and we have a number of seniors,” said Abell, who added all 10 state qualifiers from last season’s team are back. Chase Harmon, Sivertsen, and Schmidt represent the senior class from last season’s
state tournament team. The juniors are Ludens, Kaiser, Irion, Warnock, Amick, and Jeremiah Harmon. Waterson is in his sophomore season. Five other seniors are on the early roster: Oscar Franck, Damian Hall, Mason Rogers, Tyrell Rosencranz, and Parker Sutton. Rogers is a transfer from Sundance, Wyo. Isaiah Partridge and David Dower are also juniors. Jackson Bogue and Jacob Zacher are sophomores; Zacher is a transfer from Belle Fourche. Jordon Brinson and Derick Dower are eighth-graders. Abell sees a number of strengths with this group. “Physical strength is one of the main things,” he said. “The kids got in the weight room over the summer.” Abell said the extra year of maturity will help, and the team enjoyed a good team camp in Chadron. “They are hungrier this season,” he added. What concerns Abell going forward? “As always, it’s staying healthy,” he said. “We have to be careful and smart.”
Abell said the Spartans’ schedule remains difficult. Other tournaments include the Rapid City Central Invitational (Dec. 12-13), Rumble on the Red in Fargo (Jan. 2-3), Chadron Invitational (Jan. 23-24), and the Brookings Invitational (Jan. 31). Spearfish claimed the Black Hills Conference title last season. Abell agrees the Spartans are one of the favorites but said he does not want to get overconfident. “We can compete with anyone in the conference and region,” Abell said. He added Douglas is a co-favorite in the conference. “We are really looking to get a state team trophy,” Abell said when asked what would define success for Spearfish. Such a trophy goes to the top eight teams. He added everything has to fall into place, with a team placing as many athletes as highly as possible. Five individuals are assisting Abell this season: Mike Uthe, Joel Martin, Chase Tyson, Cody Powers, and PT Thomas.
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Golddigger wrestling program continues rebuilding process hardest working kids in the state,” Vogeli said. He added they are coachable, and the aim is to develop them into athletes. Vogeli said the Golddiggers must work on their knowledge of the sport, plus mat awareness. Lead-Deadwood opens its schedule at the Custer Tournament, set for Dec. 5-6. . “West River South Dakota has many good wrestlers,” Vogeli said. “That should help us get to the next level faster.” Lead-Deadwood is also scheduled to compete at home once this season. The Golddiggers host a tournament on Jan. 22. Vogeli said Lead-Deadwood athletes would face many opponents in class A as well as class B. Fort Pierre will host the Region 4B tournament on Feb. 21. “With the small number of athletes we have, we will struggle with duals,” Vogeli said. “We expect that to happen.” The small numbers provide a benefit in that each wrestler will receive more one-on-one attention than would normally be the case.
How will Vogeli and the Golddiggers define success this season. “It’s about the progress made in the season,” Vogeli said. He also talked about the need to enjoy the sport, work hard, and be coachable while learning the sport. Vogeli said wins and losses will take care of themselves once technique and the basics are learned. Practices officially began on Nov. 17. Athletes spent that time learning the sport and understanding why certain things are done. “ We are working on developing the athlete before the wrestler,” Vogeli said. “This is what separates our room from others. The athletes are understanding what to do, and why.” Last year marked the Golddiggers’ first on the mat after a five-year absence. Vogeli said the athletes “got their feet wet” and will do their best to take the next step to success. “We want the athletes to come off the mat giving all they have,” Vogeli said.
Six wrestlers will represent the Lead-Deadwood Golddiggers wrestling team for the 2014-15 wrestling season. Pictured are (not in order) Dylin Johnson, Bailey Norton, Zach Murray, Brigham Williams, Chris Thomas, and Colton Radensleben. Pioneer photo by Jason Gross
By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer LEAD — The Lead-Deadwood High School wrestling team will feature six athletes in grades nine through 12 as it begins its second season as a high school program. Chris Thomas and Bailey Norton represent the junior class. Colton Radensleben is a sophomore, and the other three — Zach Murray, Dylin Johnson, and Brigham Williams — are enrolled in the ninth grade.
Norton finished 2-2 in the 106-pound class during the 201314 season Region 4B tournament. Johnson forged a 3-2 record at 113 pounds. Radensleben was 0-2 at 126pounds, and Zach Murray was 0-2 at 120 pounds. Austin Sales graduated from last season’s squad. Senior Cole Kuchenbecker also wrestled last season. Beau Vogeli is beginning his first season as Golddiggers’ head coach. He said the team would include middle school wres-
tlers after that program ends its season. Numbers in that program are in the low 20s. “I wanted to be part of the district, and the AAU program is taking off,” Vogeli said. He agreed he is in this position for the long haul. Vogeli attended high school in Oakes, N.D., and was a member of a state championship wrestling team. He later wrestled at Northern State University in Aberdeen. “I believe we have some of the
Lead-Deadwood wrestling coach Beau Vogeli, looks on as two of his grapplers go it during a recent practice. Pioneer photo by Jason Gross
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Winter 2014/2015
Bronc wrestlers begin 2014-15 season
By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer
BELLE FOURCHE — Belle Fourche opened its varsity wrestling season Thursday night by dropping a 65-14 decision to perennial powerhouse Sturgis at the Edwin Petranek Armory. “We were pretty happy across the board,” Belle Fourche head coach Bill Abell said. “The guys did as expected. “Last year, we got nine (points) on the board,” Abell said. “Fourteen: that’s progress.” Belle Fourche wrestlers earned three victories on the night. Cody Tupper (113 pounds) pinned Sturgis’ Max Lyle in 2 minutes, 44 seconds. Tevin Gomez defeated Nathan Werdel 12-8 at 160 pounds, and Tate Gatzke (170 pounds) downed Kody Cox by a 16-1 score. Abell said Tupper tried to force a few things early in the match before getting settled. “He had a great finish last year, and I know he was really excited,” Abell said of the junior who placed sixth at state last year. “He wants to make a statement this year.” Gomez said he was told that Werdel
The Belle Fourche wrestling program features (not in order) Cody Tupper, Tevin Gomez, Tel Montgomery, Michael Ryan, Kelly Montgomery, Bailey Lawrence, Brandon Muhm, Braydin Eastman, Corey Hockenbary, Kory Gabert, Trigg Geib, Tucker Chytka, Gavin Geib, Tate Gatzke, Jaredon Dosch, Justis Quenzer, and Trinity Tippmann. Pioneer photo by Jason Gross
wrestles smartly. “I just had to be careful, and know my offense and defense strategy pretty good,” Gomez said. “If it wasn’t for my coach, I would have probably never got that win.” Gomez used a two-point takedown in the third period for an 11-4 lead. Werdel responded with a two-point reversal and two-point near fall and sliced the margin to 11-8. “It was pretty scary, and I was pretty tired,” Gomez said. He added he was able to hold his ground in the last minute. A onepoint escape provided the final margin in his 12-8 victory. Technique keys for Gomez in the third period included keeping his head up and fighting hands the whole time, he said. A win like this gives Gomez a lot of confidence going into the rest of the season. “The first match is always the worst one, the one you just want to get out of the way,” he said. “Win or lose, it doesn’t really matter; it’s just a nerve-wrecker.” Tupper placed sixth in the 106-pound class at last season’s state A tournament. Hockenbary qualified for state at 120 pounds. “Overall, we had some ups and downs,”
Abell said as he reflected on last season. “We were trying to establish where everyone was.” Twelve other athletes are on the roster as of press time. They are juniors Tucker Chytka, Kory Gabert, Trigg Geib, Tevin Gomez, Kelly Montgomery, Brandon Muhm, and Trinity Tippman; sophomores Dillon Giacometto and Mike Ryan; ninth-graders Gavin Geib and Justis Quenzer; and eighth-grader Jesse Thybo. “We have great team chemistry,” Abell said when asked about the team’s strong points. “The guys have fun and work hard.” Abell said the Broncs’ roster is a bit more spread out this season when it comes to filling weight classes. He added Dosch and Hockenbary are very close to one another at the upper weights. Belle Fourche has five wrestlers at or above 200 pounds, according to Abell. The Broncs must work on experience and growth as wrestlers, Abell said. He added the current situation is much better than it was a season ago. Belle Fourche has added a couple of events, including the Mid-Dakota Monster Invitational in Presho (Jan. 9-10).
The Broncs will host triangular events on Dec. 11 and Feb. 10, along with the Belle Fourche Invitational on Jan. 30 and 31. Abell tabs Spearfish as the Black Hills Conference favorite because of solid wrestlers in numerous classes. He said Tupper would be tough at 106 pounds, and the rest of the season depends on where everyone else winds up. “We want to get guys qualified for state and get some placers,” Abell said. “Everyone seems on board.” Abell would also like to see all who start the season, finish the season. Two-a-day practice sessions highlighted the early part of this season. Wrestlers refreshed their technique in the morning and focused on conditioning during the afternoon sessions. Abell pointed to Tupper when asked what the Broncs can use to build on from last year to this year. “Cody (Tupper) had his best tournament at state,” Abell said of the wrestler who finished 30-17. “He learned a lot about himself, and he is spreading that onto his teammates.” Abell said the Broncs are still on the “green side” from an experience standpoint.
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2014-15 Spearfish High School basketball cheerleaders
Members of the 201415 Spearfish High School basketball cheerleading team are: Back row, Madison Selk, Sadie Haivala, Jordan West, .and Brynn Christensen Front row, Randi Stadel (Manager), Coral Abrahamson, Addie Weglin, and Karla Meza. Cheerleading advisor Pam Waterson is not pictured. Courtesy photo
2014-15 Lead-Deadwood High School basketball cheerleaders
2014-15 Belle Fourche High School basketball cheerleaders
The five-member Lead-Deadwood cheerleading squad is preparing to support the Golddiggers during the winter seasons. Members are Lavinia Sherman, Grace Jacobs, Mikayla St. Pierre, Brianna Tish, and McLayne Kyte. Cheerleading advisor Lexi Lux is not pictured. Pioneer photo by Jason Gross
The Belle Fourche cheerleading squad includes (not in order) Ashley Jewett, Kennedy Ager, Hadlie Jensen, Monique Ramirez, Taylor Pierce, Sarah Roehler, Alexis Carlson, Allisa Hayduk, Katerina Marlow, and Cherish Gilbert. Moriah Gonzales and cheerleading advisor Denise Horman are not pictured. Pioneer photo by Jason Gross
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Winter sports 2014-2015 schedule Spearfish girls’ basketball
Dec. 13 vs. Red Cloud 6 p.m. Jan. 2 vs. Sturgis Brown 6 p.m. Jan. 3 vs. Custer 6 p.m. Jan. 6 vs. Rapid City Stevens 6:30 p.m. Jan. 9 at Hot Springs 6 p.m. Jan. 10 at Douglas 6:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at Belle Fourche 5:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at Pine Ridge TBA Jan. 20 at Hill City 6 p.m. Jan. 23 at Sturgis Brown 6 p.m. Jan. 27 vs. St. Thomas More 6:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at Rapid City Central 6:30 p.m. Feb. 3 at Lead-Deadwood 6 p.m. Feb. 6 at Mitchell 7 p.m. Feb. 7 at Huron 1:30 p.m. Feb. 10 vs. Rapid City Central 7 p.m. Feb. 12 vs. Belle Fourche 6:30 p.m. Feb. 19 vs. Douglas 6:30 p.m. Feb 20 vs. Harrisburg 6 p.m.
Spearfish boys’ basketball
Dec. 13 vs. Red Cloud 7:30 p.m. Dec. 29 at St. Thomas Moore Classic 6 p.m. Dec. 30 at St. Thomas Moore Classic 6 p.m. Dec 30 St. Thomas Moore Classic TBA Jan. 2 vs. Sturgis Brown 7:30 p.m. Jan. 3 vs. Custer 7:30 p.m. Jan. 6 vs. Rapid City Stevens 8 p.m. Jan. 9 at Hot Springs 7:30 p.m. Jan. 10 at Douglas 8 p.m. Jan. 13 at Belle Fourche 7 p.m. Jan. 16 at Pine Ridge 4 p.m. Jan. 20 at Hill City 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at Sturgis Brown 7:30 p.m. Jan 27 vs. St. Thomas More 8 p.m. Jan. 30 at RC Central 8 p.m. Feb. 3 at Lead-Deadwood 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6 vs. Huron 7 p.m. Feb. 12 at Belle Fourche 10 a.m. Feb. 19 at Douglas 8 p.m. Feb. 20 vs. Harrisburg 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 vs. Rapid City Central 7 p.m. Feb. 27 at Custer 7:30 p.m.
Spearfish wrestling
Dec.12 at RC Central Invite (Civic Center) 2 p.m. Dec.13 at RC Central Invite (Civic Center) 9 a.m. Dec. 18 vs. RC Central 7 p.m. Dec. 20 at Madison Tournament 8 a.m. Jan. 2 at Rumble on the Red (Fargo, N.D.) TBA Jan. 3 at Rumble on the Red (Fargo, N.D.) TBA Jan. 8 at St. Thomas More Quad (Belle Fourche, Hill City) 4 p.m. Jan. 9 at Lyman Tournament 11 a.m. Jan. 10 at Lyman Tournament 8 a.m. Jan. 15 at Douglas Match 6 p.m. Jan. 22 at Lead-Deadwood Quad (Hot Springs, St. Thomas More) 4 p.m. Jan. 23 at Chadron Invite 8 a.m. Jan. 24 at Chadron Invite 8 a.m. Jan. 29 vs. Moorcroft 6:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at Belle Fourche Invite 1 p.m. Jan. 31 at Belle Fourche Invite 9 a.m.
Jan. 31 at Brookings 8 a.m. Jan. 5 vs. Sturgis Brown 6 p.m. Jan. 10 at Belle Fourche Triangular (RC Stevens) 5 p.m.
Lead-Deadwood girls’ basketball
Dec. 12 at Douglas 5:30 p.m. Dec. 13 vs. Harding County 3:30 p.m. Dec. 16 vs. Newell 6 p.m. Dec. 19 at Stateline Shootout 2:15 p.m. Dec. 20 at Stateline Shootout 10 a.m. Jan. 3 vs. Bennett County 2:30 p.m. Jan. 6 vs. Sturgis Brown 6 p.m. Jan. 8 at Belle Fourche 5:30 p.m. Jan. 13 vs. Douglas 6 p.m. Jan. 16 vs. Hill City 5:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at St. Thomas More 6 p.m. Jan. 24 at Hot Springs 5 p.m. Jan. 27 vs. Belle Fourche 6 p.m. Jan. 29 at Red Cloud 6 p.m. Feb. 3 vs. Spearfish 6 p.m. Feb. 5 at Philip 3 p.m. Feb. 10 vs. Hot Springs 6 p.m. Feb. 13 at Hill City 5:45 p.m. Feb. 20 at Custer 6 p.m.
Lead-Deadwood boys’ basketball
Dec. 12 at Douglas 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13 vs. Harding County 4:30 p.m. Dec. 16 vs. Newell 7;30 p.m. Dec. 19 at Belle Fourche Stateline Shootout 2:15 p.m. Dec. 20 at Belle Fourche Stateline Shootout noon Jan 6 vs. Sturgis Brown 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8 at Belle Fourche 7 p.m. Jan. 10 vs. Custer 6 p.m. Jan. 16 vs. Hill City 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at St. Thomas More 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24 at Hot Springs 6:30 p.m. Jan. 27 vs. Belle Fourche 7:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at Red Cloud 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3 vs. Spearfish 7:30 p.m. Feb. 5 at Philip 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1 vs. Hot Springs 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 at Hill City 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20 at Custer 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24 vs. RC Christian 4:30 p.m.
Lead-Deadwood wrestling
Dec. 11 at Hot Springs Triangular (Hill City) 6 p.m. Dec. 12 at Rapid City Invite 2 p.m. Dec. 13 at Rapid City Invite 2 p.m. Dec. 18 at Custer Triangular (Belle Fourche) 4 p.m. Dec. 19 at Hot Springs Invite noon Dec. 20 at Hot Springs Invite 11 a.m. Jan. 9 at Lyman Invite noon Jan. 10 at Lyman Invite 9 a.m. Jan. 16 at Philip Invite 4 p.m. Jan. 17 at Philip Invite 9 a.m. Jan. 22 Lead Invite 4 p.m. MT Jan. 30 at Belle Fourche Invite 1 p.m. Jan. 31 at Belle Fourche Invite 9 a.m. Feb. 7 at Hill City Tournament 9 a.m. Feb. 12 St. Thomas More 5 p.m.
BHSU women’s basketball
Dec. 12 at Colo. Christian 6 p.m. Dec. 13 at Colorado Mines 5 p.m. Fri. 19 at Metro St. 5 p.m. Sat. 20 at Regis (Colo.) 3 p.m. Jan. 2 vs. Adams State 5:30 p.m. Jan. 3 vs. Fort Lewis 4 p.m. Jan.. 6 vs. South Dakota Mines 7 p.m. Jan. 10 at Chadron State 5:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at Western N.M. 5:30 p.m. Jan. 17 at N.M. Highlands 5 p.m. Jan. 23 vs. UC-Colorado Springs 5:30 p.m. Sat. 24 vs. Colorado State-Pueblo 4 p.m. Fri. 30 Regis (Colo.) 5:30 p.m. Sat. 31 vs. Metro St. 5:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at Colorado Mesa 5:30 p.m. Sat. 7 at Western State 5:30 p.m. Fri. 13 vs. Colorado Mines 5:30 p.m. Feb. 14 vs. Colorado Christian 4 p.m. Fri. 20 at Colorado St.-Pueblo 5:30 p.m. Sat. 21 at UC-Colorado Springs 5:30 p.m. Sat. 28 vs. Chadron State 4 p.m.
BHSU men’s basketball
Dec. 12 at Colorado Christian 8 p.m. Dec. 13 at Colorado Mines 7 p.m. Dec. 19 at Metro State 7 p.m. Dec. 20 at Regis (Colo.) 5 p.m. Jan. 2 vs. Adams State 7:30 p.m. Jan. 3 vs. Fort Lewis 6 p.m. Jan. 9 at South Dakota Mines 7:30 p.m. Jan. 10 at Chadron State 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at Western N.M. 7:30 PM Jan. 17 at N.M. Highlands 7 PM Jan. 23 vs. UC-Colorado Springs 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24 vs. Colorado State-Pueblo 6 p.m. Jan. 30 vs. Regis (Colo.) 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31 vs. Metro State 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at Colorado Mesa 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at Western St. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 vs. Colorado Mines 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14 vs. Colo. Christian 6 p.m. Feb. 20 at Colorado St.-Pueblo 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at UC-Colo. Springs. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 vs. Chadron State 6 p.m.
BHSU indoor track and field
Jan.. 10 vs. Myrle Hanson Memorial Open TBA Jan. 16 vs. Stadium Sports Grill High School Classic High School Meet TBA Jan. 17 vs. Dave Little Alumni Mile TBA Jan. 30 at Chadron State College Twilight TBA Feb. 6 Eagles and Jackets Invite (Gillette, Wyo.) TBA Feb. 6 Eagles and Jackets Invite (Gillette, Wyo.) TBA Feb. 13 at SDSU Indoor Invitational TBA Feb. 14 at SDSU Indoor Invitational TBA Feb. 21 vs. Rock and Jock Open TBA
Belle Fourche girls’ basketball Dec. 12 vs. Hill City 5:30 p.m. Dec. 16 vs. Sturgis Brown 5:30 p.m. Dec. 19 vs. Belle Fourche Stateline Classic TBA
Dec. 20 vs. Belle Fourche Stateline Classic TBA Dec. 30 at Chamberlain Classic TBA Jan. 2 at Lemon 4 p.m. Jan. 8 vs. Lead-Deadwood 5:30 p.m. Jan. 10 at Red Cloud 6 p.m. Jan. 13 vs. Spearfish 5:30 p.m. Jan. 17 vs. Wright, Wyo. 2:30 p.m. Jan. 23 vs. Hot Springs 5:30 p.m. Jan. 27 at Lead-Deadwood 6 p.m. Jan. 30 at Sturgis Brown 6:30 p.m. Feb. 3 vs. St. Thomas More 5:30 p.m. Feb. 6 vs. Belle Fourche 5:30 p.m. Feb. 10 at Newell 6 p.m. Feb. 12 at Spearfish 6:30 p.m. Feb. 13 vs. Custer 4:00 p.m. Feb 19 at St. Thomas More 7:30 p.m.
Belle Fourche boys’ basketball Dec. 12 vs. Hill City 7 p.m. Dec. 16 vs. Sturgis Brown 7 p.m. Dec. 19 Belle Fourche Stateline Classic TBA Dec. 20 Belle Fourche Stateline Classic TBA Dec. 30 Chamberlain Classic TBA Jan. 2 at Lemmon 5:30 p.m. Jan. 8 vs. Lead-Deadwood 7 p.m. Jan. 10 at Red Cloud 7:30 p.m. Jan. 13 vs. Spearfish 7 p.m. Jan. 16 at Douglas 7:30 p.m. Jan. 17 vs. Wright, Wyo. 4 p.m. Jan. 23 vs. Hot Springs 7 p.m. Jan. 27 at Lead-Deadwood 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at Sturgis Brown 8 p.m. Feb. 3 vs. St. Thomas More 7 p.m. Feb. 6 vs. Douglas 7 p.m. Feb. 10 at Newell 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at Spearfish 8 p.m. Feb. 13 vs. Custer 5:30 p.m. Feb. 24 at St. Thomas More 7:30 p.m.
Belle Fourche wrestling
Dec. 11 vs. Belle Fourche Triangular (Custer, Newcastle) 4 p.m. Dec. 12 at Rapid City Invite 2 p.m. Dec. 13 at Rapid City Invite 9 a.m. Dec. 18 at Custer Triangular (LeadDeadwood) 5 p.m. Dec. 19 at Hot Springs Invite noon Dec. 19 at Dickinson Invite 1:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at Dickinson Invite 9 a.m. Dec. 20 at Hot Springs Invite 9 a.m. Jan. 8 at St. Thomas More Quad. (Hill City, Spearfish) 4 p.m. Jan. 9 at Lyman Invite 9 a.m. Jan. 10 at Lyman Invite 8 a.m. Jan. 16 at Philip Invite 3 p.m. Jan. 17 at Philip Invite 9 a.m. Jan. 22 at Hill City Quad. (Douglas, Red Cloud) 4 p.m. Jan. 24 at Moorcroft, Wyo. Invite 9 a.m. Jan. 29 at Hot Springs Triangular (Newell) 5 p.m. Jan. 30 vs. Belle Fourche Invite 1 p.m. Jan. 31 vs. Belle Fourche Invite 9 a.m. Feb. 7 at Hill City Invite 9 a.m. Feb. 10 vs. Triangular (RC Stevens, Spearfish) 5 p.m.
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