PRESS & DAKOTAN ■ THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012 PAGE 9 Basketball | South Dakota State Girls’ Class A Tournament Vermillion Returns To Site Of ‘07 Title Run BY JAMES D. CIMBUREK [email protected]

VERMILLION — The last time the Vermillion girls’ basketball Parkston Set To Make team went to Spearfish, it proved to be a magical moment, the school’s first and only state girls’ basketball title. Some Noise Out West A new coach, a new team, but BY JAMES D. CIMBUREK Hallie Heisinger, Samantha Her- the Tanagers are hoping to cap- [email protected] rold, Justene Alley and Jessica ture that magic again. Alley have also seen occasional Vermillion begins its first PARKSTON — If it is possible time in the Parkston lineup. South Dakota State Class A Girls’ to “stay below the radar” with 20 “Our other kids have all ac- Basketball Tournament since that victories on the season, the Park- cepted their roles well,” Van 2007 title run today (Thursday) in ston girls’ basketball team is Laecken said. “They play to their Spearfish against Miller, a 7 p.m. there. But the sixth-seeded Lady fullest. On any given night, we Central Time start. The tourna- Trojans could be in position to have a lot of kids capable of put- ment is being played at the Young put more than a blip on the ting up points.” Center on the Black Hills State state’s radar screen. The Lady Trojans are also ca- University campus. Parkston’s (20-3) 13-game win pable of keeping other teams The Tanager program had streak has followed the back-to- from scoring points. Parkston fallen off after 2007, the third of back losses to Wagner and Elkton- held opponents to 46 points a three straight tourney appear- Lake Benton in the middle of game, but have played even bet- ances and five trips to state in January. The run ties second- ter defensively. eight years. With a new coach — seeded Miller for the longest run “Early in the year we were giv- Nick Mayer — and some hard going into state. ing up a few more points. After work, Vermillion is back at state. “After we got beat in January the Hanson Classic, our defense “A lot of things had to happen. we stayed below the radar but we had to tighten the screws. We’ve The most important thing was continued to get better,” said been giving up 39 points a game that the kids saw that they had Parkston head coach Rob Van since then.” the potential to get there,” said Laecken, the state’s all-time win- While the Lady Trojans sport Mayer, who was an assistant on ningest girls’ basketball coach the sixth seed, the field is closer the 2007 title team. “It was really with a 568-199 record. “After we than most tournaments. important that our kids believed got beat by Wagner (65-55 on Jan. “Three teams were tied for the that they could do it.” 12) we felt that we could play number one seed, the next three A tough district loss to even- with them.” teams were tied for fourth,” Van tual state runner-up Beresford a That sentiment was proven on Laecken noted. “There is one loss year ago helped light the fire for Feb. 27, when Parkston’s Logan between the first six teams.” this season’s drive. Wagner hit a 3-pointer in the clos- Parkston draws defending “Last year we were really em- ing seconds to oust the previ- state champion Sisseton (21-2), barrassed in that district final,” ously unbeaten Red Raiders. the third seed, in today’s (Thurs- Mayer said. “Our kids said that “We were down 12 at the end day) late game, an 8:45 p.m. Cen- they were not letting that happen of the third quarter, and our kids tral start. again.” could have given up,” Van “I think we match up pretty Senior forward Kelly Amund- Laecken said. “We played with a well,” Van Laecken said. “You son has been a key component in lot of heart and passion. It was a might see a rarity, two teams the Tanagers’ success, averaging great win.” playing man-to-man full court de- 14.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per Senior guard Marie Malloy is fense the whole game.” game. She also ranks among the the Lady Trojans’ leader with 22.6 Sisseton has been the premier team leaders at 1.8 assists per P&D FILE PHOTO points, nine rebounds, five assists Class A program for the past game. Vermillion senior Kelly Amundson, 31, attacks the basket during the District 8A Girls’ Basketball Tournament ear- and four steals a game, but she is decade, winning five titles in the Senior guards Lexi Regnerus lier this season. Amundson and the Tanagers make their first trip to the State A Girls’ Basketball Tournament far from Parkston’s lone weapon. last 11 years, including last year’s (9.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.2 apg), Val since winning in 2007 as the tourney begins today (Thursday) in Spearfish. “She’s our leading scorer, but title and a runner-up finish in Robinson (9.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.4 we’ve got what I call our ‘Big 3.’ 2010. spg, 1.9 apg) and Beth Szymonski Erica Herrold (13.9 ppg, 7 rpg, 3 “They’re a pretty good pro- (8.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.7 spg, 1.6 apg) apg) is our inside girl, but she can gram. They do a lot of good provide a strong perimeter bal- Northwestern, Dordt Men Cruise step our outside. Her play makes things,” Van Laecken said of the ance for a team shooting 36 per- Briar Cliff, a big difference for us,” Van Lady Redmen. “We will have to cent from 3-point range. Regnarus POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. — points in the win. Northwestern used five players Shannon Smith led TWC (24-9) Laecken said. “Logan (13.9 ppg, play as well as we can.” leads the team with 38 three- 5.4 rpg, 3.4 apg, 2 spg) is one of While the Lady Trojans have pointers, with Robinson sporting Northwestern in double figures to cruise to a with 20 points. E’Jay Ward had 13 95-69 rout of Tennessee Wesleyan points and Quincy Scates added the better shooters in the state. not been to state since 2005, they 23 on the season. She can go 0-5, then turn around are not satisfied with just making “We like to pound the ball in- in the opening round of the NAIA 10 points in the effort. Win Openers Division II Men’s Basketball Tour- DORDT 63, CAL MARITIME 54: Trevor and go 5-5. She’s very capable of the trip to Spearfish. side when we can, but our guards Wolterstorff posted 19 points and 10 rebounds scoring points, also.” “We’re going in with the atti- can take it to the rim or shoot the SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Kendra nament on Wednesday in Point Lookout, Mo. to lead Dordt to a 63-54 victory over Cal Mar- Forwards McKenzie Wieden- tude that we’re not just happy to three,” Mayer said. “That makes DeJong posted a double-double, itime in the opening round of the NAIA Division bach (4 ppg, 2 rpg) and Jordan be there. We want to make some us tough to scout. If you take one one of four Northwestern players Zack Leeper scored 18 points, II Men’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday. and Ryan Stock and Daniel Van Bormann (2.2 ppg, 3 rpg) round noise,” Van Laecken said. “We away, another one steps up. We in double figures as the Raiders Dordt survived offensive control issues, out Parkston’s first five. Krista Kalsbeek each had 16 points off shooting 51 percent to counter its 21 turnovers. have a job to do, and we’re going have kids that can come in off the beat Indiana Southeast 76-56 in Cliff Warner had 15 points and Jordan Vogel Radke (4 ppg, 3 rpg), Alexis to go in and do the best that we bench and contribute as well.” the opening round of the NAIA Di- the bench for Northwestern (25- 6), which faces Northwest scored 12 points on 6-6 shooting for Dordt (29- Horstman (1 ppg, 2 rpg), Taylor can.” Senior Bailey Carlson (2.0 ppg), vision II Women’s Basketball 4), which faces Warner Pacific in the second Bormann (3 ppg, 2 apg) and Laura The tournament runs through junior speedster Blair Gilkyson (2.5 Tournament Wednesday at the (Wash.) in the second round on round on Friday. Friday. Walker Seim netted 14 Weiss (1 ppg, 1 rpg) have also Saturday at the Young Center on ppg, 1.3 rpg, 2.0 apg), fellow junior Tyson Event Center. For Cal Maritime (21-10), Josh Greenwell led been major contributors for the the Black Hills State University Mackenzie Huber (1.4 ppg, 1.5 rpg) points and Ben Miller added 12 the way with 16 points. Ty Houghton added 13 DeJong finished with 18 points. Lady Trojans. Sadie Schoenfelder, campus. and sophomore Josie Huber (4.5 points, 15 rebounds and four as- ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.4 spg) have all been sists for Northwestern (24-7), solid contributors to the Tanagers’ which will play Jamestown (N.D.) the past month — to season-ticket holders — and at the by saying they’ll use that room to be aggressive in free effort. Juniors Courtney Johnson, in the second round on Friday. Tennessee NFL combine that the team is happy with its quarterbacks. agency. Mariah Larson, Brooke Schwasinger Kami Kuhlmann and Mallory Fans have already started a “Come Back, Peyton” But that also could make them less appealing to Man- Manning campaign, with billboards and radio ads pushing for Man- Washington ning, since they’re lacking at so many positions. and Allison Heine have also seen ac- Cunard each had 11 points. ning to return to Tennessee, where he starred in college Owner Dan Snyder always seems to be in play when tion for Vermillion. Mackenzie Small added 10 points From Page 8 for the Vols. it comes to signing big-name free agents, and the Red- AP Sports Writers Bob Baum, Part of what has sparked the in the win. The Titans drafted Jake Locker with the No. 8 pick last skins are in major need of a quarterback. Tim Booth, Mike Marot, Dave April and signed Matt Hasselbeck to a three-year deal last Mike Shanahan has whiffed on three (Donovan McN- Tanagers’ success this season is Ashmere Woods scored a July, but they went 9-7. They have around $30 million in abb, Rex Grossman and John Beck) in his two years in Skretta, Arnie Stapleton, Teresa M. not only the talent level, but the game-high 24 points, and Megan ning’s former offensive coordinator, as a consultant last cap space they need to use on finding a pass rush. Washington, and the Redskins are expected to pursue Walker, Joseph White and Steven season — although it’s unclear if he’ll be back. While a happy homecoming would make for a nice Manning if they can determine he’s healthy. They have Wine contributed to this story. willingness to defer to team- Murphy had 14 points and 10 re- Despite the Jets’ recent success under Ryan, the story, general manager Ruston Webster has said twice in plenty of cap space, and the Redskins can lobby Manning mates. bounds for Indiana Southeast (26- locker-room discord might be a deterrent for Manning. He also might be unwilling to play in the circus atmosphere “You watch our kids play to- 8). of New York, a town in which Eli has become a huge star. gether is amazing,” Mayer said. BRIAR CLIFF 79, ST. THOMAS, FLA. 50: Think the city’s media would play up the sibling rivalry? “You can preach it all you want in Christa Stewart scored 19 points on 8-10 shoot- Salary cap issues also might prevent the Jets from practice, but the kids have to buy ing to lead Briar Cliff to a 79-50 rout of St. being a true contender, financially. Thomas (Fla.) in the opening round of the NAIA into it. They are willing to give up Division II Women’s Basketball Tournament on Seattle potential points of their own so Tuesday. Seattle has its franchise running back in Marshawn Lynch, and seems to be solid on the outside with receivers CHAMPIONSHIP that a teammate can get a better Sara Reeves and Megan Salcedo each had Sidney Rice, Mike Williams, Doug Baldwin and tight end shot.” 12 points for BC (23-9), which faces Davenport, Zach Miller. The offensive line is young and improved, but The Tanagers have also Mich., in the second round on Friday. Ashley the remaining question for Seattle’s offense is at quarter- Zobel scored 11 points, and Avon native Kela back. proven to be a solid club defen- Cihak added eight rebounds in the win. Tarvaris Jackson toughed his way through a painful sively, allowing 41.4 points per pectoral injury for more than half of last season, but was Nickerline Montina led St. Thomas (24-8) with never overly impressive. Manning could be the answer. 15 points. Dannisha Pierce added 12 points and Still, Jackson has never been given much of a chance MOMENTS 10 rebounds. as a starter and played fairly well while battling his injury STATE A | PAGE 11 and was respected in the locker room. Keepsake front pages are custom season, they have been able to biggest stage, its coach said. overcome any early worries. “It’s a different environment printed reproductions of the Wynot “The team kept improving,” down there, for sure,” Heimes said. Heimes said. “Getting the chem- “You just have to figure out that Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan From Page 8 istry back down took a while. The you belong down there, and you front page. A perfect gift to mark starters were role players a year can win just like anybody else can. ago, and that takes a while.” “These guys have the confi- a special occasion, graduation, year, so they all got good playing But now, Wynot will have to use dence,” he added. “They’re ready time.” that confidence on the state’s for the challenge.” birthday, anniversary and other Wynot’s first round opponent, Falls City Sacred Heart (16-8), is important dates. making its first appearance at state since 2009 and 16th overall. The Irish won the D2 title in 2008. It’s All So Confusing! Of Sacred Heart’s eight losses, four have come by three or fewer 11x17 framed prints points. Pills for pain, It’s much the same case for the pills for bones, Blue Devils, with both losses com- come ready to hang ing by five or fewer. Even with so pills for the many new players to the mix this heart. $ We can help! 45 + tax We can put your medicine into pill bars and deliver them to your door... labeled, Proceeds benefit Newspapers in MORNING COFFEE organized, and correct. So you can stay healthy Education. NIE provides WEEKDAYS MONDAY-FRIDAY newspapers to classrooms. at home. n ne e Newspapers provide real world Thursday, March 8 current events and we believe using Newspapers 7:40 a.m. In Education the newspaper as a tool to educate Yankton Chamber of Commerce our students inspire learning and 8:20 a.m. contributes to their success. Yankton Conv/Vis Bureau 8:45 a.m.

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