Hill City makes history once again at state tournament

Having already had an unforgettable and historic season and making its first appearance in the state tournament, the Hill City Rangers boys basketball team did it again last weekend inside the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.

In a nail-biter of a game, the boys notched a fourth quarter, double-digit comeback against the Clark-Willow Lake Cyclones, earning their first ever win at a state tournament. That same game pushed them to their 20th win of the season, yet another Hill City basketball record. 

“It’s exciting. I mean, it’s humbling. It’s a lot of things,” said head coach Laramie Harvey. “They’re the first, and they’ll always be the first.”

After three quarters of back-and-forth basketball, the Rangers found themselves down by 11 less than a minute into the fourth quarter.

In a much needed burst of momentum, senior Brayden Wilkison landed a three that sparked a 13-0 run by the Rangers in the next two minutes of the game. Dax Frandsen dropped two buckets in back-to-back possessions, Zane Messick hit a shot from outside before Frandsen sank a three to push the Rangers ahead 55- 53. 

“We started hitting shots, and that was really big for us,” said Messick. “We all were working together really well.”

From that point, it was game-on as each team clawed to stay in it. 

The Rangers and Cyclones were all tied up 63-63 with just 1:30 left on the clock. Everett Sullivan, Devin Buehler and Messick put up the final five points of the game from the free throw line to secure the victory 68-63. 

Messick’s sharp shooting led the Rangers with a 20 point and seven rebound performance. Buehler contributed 17 followed by Sullivan with 13. 

Hill City’s first tournament game, Thursday, against number two seed Hamlin, the defending state champions, did not go as well. 

It’s no secret that what the Rangers team lacks in size, they can make up for in energy and drive, but with a starting five all under six foot, Hamlin’s towering team dominated the boards by a 35-22 margin and hammered a 82-43 win over Hill City.

The loss didn’t stop the Rangers from coming out in game two and leaving it all on the floor in the win over the Cyclones that sent the Rangers to the consolation championship game against the West Central Trojans. 

“It’s about how much heart you have, and how much work you put in and how much you’re willing to play for each other,” said assistant coach Greg Schroader. “That’s got them to where they got this year.”

The Rangers fell to the Trojans 69-54, placing them sixth place at the tournament. 

“It was still like a dream to just even make it to the state tournament. I mean, sixth place is still awesome, I think,” said Buehler. 

“I think it’s really cool to be able to say I was part of it,” said Messick. 

Buehler was named to the South Dakota Basketball Coaches Association all-tournament team and had the honor of receiving the Spirit of Su award. Each year, the honor is awarded to one senior player who exemplifies excellence on and off the court demonstrating outstanding athletic ability, leadership, character, sportsmanship and grade point average. 

“I couldn’t do it without everyone else,” said Buehler. “I’m just glad that I can share it with everybody else. It might be classified as my award, but it’s everybody’s.”