2210 W. Pentagon Place • Sioux Falls, SD 57107 (605) 467-3010 • www.sdbbhof.com 2020 Spring Newsletter Thorpes made ‘B’ fans believe in Miracles By Greg Hansen him,” says Tyon. “Whenever we n the following day – March really needed a basket the rest of 8, 1963 – a newspaper us didn’t want to even touch the Oreport proclaimed it: ‘The ball. We wanted Marvin to take Greatest Comeback In The History the shot.” Of The State Basketball So it was no surprise, in a game Tournament.’ dripping with drama, that the 5-9 The previous night, before a Red Elk had the ball as the final sold-out Sioux Falls Arena crowd, seconds ticked off the clock. the never-surrender duo of Louis When he pulled up, still 20 feet Tyon and Marvin Red Elk won a from the basket, and hit the game- crucial game for the Pine Ridge winning jump shot it climaxed a Thorpes that nearly everyone resounding 28-6 run that gave the believed was already lost. Thorpes a stunning 51-49 victory. Pine Ridge’s opponent, Monroe, Red Elk finished with 22 points was talented and big. The uniquely and Tyon had 18. Friese scored 15, named Wooden Shoed Canaries Phil Mellegaard 13 and Ron were led by 6-foot-5 center Ivan Nugteren 12 for the Canaries of Friese and brought a sparkling 22- Coach Larry Ortman. 1 record to the State Class B Pine Ridge beat Iroquois in the Tournament. semifinals and then lost to In the quarterfinals the Thorpes Alexandria in the championship trailed Monroe by a seemingly game. Monroe topped Agar in the insurmountable 20 points at 43- consolation round and then fell to 23 late in the third quarter. It was Irene in the fifth-place game. an era before the 3-point goal Fifty-seven years later became a late-game equalizer. So memories of the Pine Ridge- spectators were already updating Monroe classic remain vivid for their brackets and moving Monroe Tyon Family Photo those who watched in person or into the semifinals. Pine Ridge reached the Class B title game in on statewide television. 1962 and 1963 behind forward Louis Tyon, But then Pine Ridge unleashed here rebounding against Edgemont as “People still bring it up,” says some desperate defensive Filmore He Crow (34) looks on. Tyon. “That game has kind of pressure. Tyon is now 74 years old lived on.” and he still remembers the sense But the Miracle at the Arena of urgency that gripped he and his In this Issue: was only one compelling chapter teammates. in the story of the Thorpes during In the Beginning .....3-4-5 “We started getting some steals the 1962 and 1963 seasons. Chuck and the momentum really turned,” A Traveling Band ...... 8 Gustafson coached Pine Ridge. He says Tyon. “We weren’t very big. I Legacy Lives On ...... 10 was a native of Bryant and was our tallest guy at about 5-11. So graduate of Northern State. we full-court pressed and we ran as Gustafson provided guidance and much as we could.” against Monroe he didn’t miss direction, says Tyon, but, “He gave Baskets after steals by Tyon many,” says Tyon. us the freedom to play the way and Red Elk spurred the How much did the Thorpes that came natural to us.” comeback. believe in the smooth-shooting Tyon and Red Elk were juniors “Marvin was a good outside Red Elk? in 1962 when the Thorpes went shooter and in that last quarter “We had a lot of confidence in Continued on Page 2 2020 Spring Newsletter • Page 2

Thorpes made ‘B’ fans believe in Miracles Continued from Page 1 25-3 and won their first state championship since 1936. In the title game, facing McIntosh and star guard Homer White Buffalo, the Thorpes prevailed 70-68 on two late free throws by Tyon. Pine Ridge’s consecutive trips to the finals was aided by Marvin Ghost Bear, Myron Iron Cloud, Wilmer Kills Warrior, Filmore He Crow and Gordon Weston. But the Thorpes were built around Tyon, first team all-state in both 1962 and 1963, and Red Elk, a third team all-state selection both years. Tyon went on to play at Northern and Chadron State. He graduated from Black Hills State and spent many years as the guidance counselor at Pine Ridge. He now lives at Rapid City. Red Elk served in the U.S. Coast Guard. He died at age 39 in 1984. Submitted Photo Red Elk is buried at the Fort One year before the famous Pine Ridge-Monroe game, the Thorpes won the 1962 state title. Pine Snelling National Cemetery in Ridge was 25-3 with, from left, front, Wilmer Kills Warrior, Gordon Weston, Marvin Red Elk, Filmore He Crow, Pat Twiss. Back, manager Bill Pulliam, Edger Ghost Bear, Don Standing Elk, Minneapolis. Pat Hayes, Vincent Pourier, Joe Clifford, Louis Tyon, Ray Bull Bear and Coach Chuck Gustafson. A Message from the Hall of Fame

On this we can all agree, the state and nation challenging months behind us. 2019-20 basketball season was in looking The edition you are now reading like no other in history. towards the is our 12th and it will bring back The coronavirus pandemic future with memories of simpler times. caused a reshaping of priorities renewed hope There are over 1,200 on our and a fundamental reawakening and optimism. newsletter mailing list. And the to the fact that nothing compares It was number of states to which we mail to the importance of keeping regrettable but has grown to 40. We thank our people safe and healthy. necessary to readers for your support and for Still, it is impossible to put into cancel our sharing our belief in the value of words the despair felt by student- Dave Wagner banquet in keeping South Dakota basketball athletes, coaches and fans who March. We now look forward to history alive. are now left to forever wonder instead inducting the Class of what might have been. 2020 in 2021. With the onset of spring, we at We hope that our website and Dave Wagner the South Dakota High School newsletter archives provided Executive Director Basketball Hall of Fame join our some respite during the 2020 Spring Newsletter • Page 3

Basketball Cometh, igniting a S.D. Passion By Bob Swanhorst o find, let alone agree on, the origin and evolving of Tany movement or happening is very difficult to factually establish. So is it with basketball. I first learned that Columbus discovered America, but that was bogus since there were hundreds of thousands of people already in the Americas and Caribbean Islands. Leif Erickson (970-1020) had already been here too. President Calvin Coolidge said so at the Minnesota State Fair in 1925. Erickson has statues all across the country Jansa Family Photo from Boston to Seattle including Clifford Jansa releases a shot for Nettleton Commercial College in the late 1930s. His son Steve, the Twin Cities and Duluth. former O’Gorman star, is a South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame member. We do know that basketball lack of things for them to do in be played indoors and should was invented by Dr. James their spare time. Mischief took deemphasize roughness and Naismith at a YMCA in hold. To alleviate this trend an involve some sort of goal. Springfield, Massachusetts, effort was made to place Christian Because of a previous game sometime in the year 1891. But principles into practice. The goal known as Duck on a Rock a how did he perceive the game of the first YMCA, founded by Sir vertical throw at the goal was and how did it develop and George Williams of London, was established. Anyone can find spread across the country? When the development of “body, mind, further explanations because the did it come to South Dakota? and spirit.” YMCA buildings were first 13 Rules of Basketball were The first YMCA goes all the soon spreading across the entire written down and have been way back to 1844 in London, globe. The buildings more often preserved for all of history. England. A quick explanation says than not included gymnasiums. Fast forward to the shores of that during the Industrial Dr. Naismith, originally from Big Stone Lake in Northeast Revolution boys and young men Canada, was asked to develop a South Dakota. Henry F. were coming into cities by the game to occupy the youth during Kallenberg, who once worked hundreds. There was an apparent winter months. The game could Continued on Page 4

Board of Directors To Contact Us Bob Swanhorst, Gordon Fosness Lynn Frederick Executive Director President Mike Begeman Frank Brost Dave Wagner LaMoine Torgerson, Colleen Moran Bill Marquardt SDBBHOF Vice President Jesse Mendoza H H H Lee Stoddard, Elton Byre 2210 W. Pentagon Place Director of Media Treasurer Jim Thorson Sioux Falls, SD 57107 Greg Hansen Wayne Thue, Tyrone Albers (605) 467-3010 Secretary Chad Bergan Executive Assistant Rob Van Laecken Mary Pennington [email protected] 2020 Spring Newsletter • Page 4

Basketball Cometh, igniting a S.D. Passion Continued from Page 3 with Naismith at Springfield, held a summer conference for Sioux Indians at the lake. The recreational period included the introduction of basketball. The year of that conference has been established as 1896. Kallenberg was, at that time, the physical instructor at the YMCA in Iowa City. Various references say Kallenberg also used basketball at a conference in Pierre and at various reservation schools in South Dakota at about the same time. Probably safe to say that basketball had come to our state. Submitted Photo General comments reflecting the attitude toward St. Francis Mission had many fine teams, like the Scarlett Warriors of the game suggest that it was wildly popular. It 1941, from left, front, Jesse Clairmont, Vince Brewer, Ben Tibbetts. appealed equally to girls as it did to boys. It was Back, Coach Ken Taft, Everett Little, Charles Bad Milk, Cal Valandra, Wilbur Blacksmith, Guy Little and Father Francis Collins. apparent that the Catholic Mission Schools in the Dakotas found it a great asset to keep students schools. Colorful names like Emil Red Fish, Willard Iron enjoying their free time and coping with their Wing and Leonard Quick Bear drew lots of attention. struggles at the Indian schools. One source said that names of the Scarlet Warriors, The Jesuits and Franciscans were certainly aware as the team was nicknamed, were more prominently of basketball’s impact and soon had teams of both recognized in Chicago then they were in the papers sexes playing on a regular basis at Pine Ridge, of East River communities in South Dakota. Rosebud and other reservation schools. The most On the public school side the National prominent of the Jesuit schools at that time was St. Interscholastic Tournament was held from 1917-30. Francis Mission on the Rosebud, and Holy Rosary Amos Alonzo Stagg had first organized the Mission on the Pine Ridge. The YMCAs had nurtured tournament and it was sponsored by the University of the first wave of spreading basketball, and it was now Chicago. South Dakota teams were always well taken up by public and private schools as well. When represented and Yankton, Salem and Huron made the Catholic and public schools each had their own impressive appearances. Yankton reached the national tournaments, both in Chicago, things really championship game in 1924 but lost to Windsor, progressed. Colorado. More high schools played basketball by South Dakota’s public schools, for the purpose of 1920 than any other sport. This led to a need to organizing athletics, held their first statewide meeting regulate the sport and eventually many high school in Brookings and by 1906 were known as the associations were formed because of basketball. SDHSAA. It has been well documented that Huron The need for regulations were obvious but College sponsored the first tourney in 1912 and by 1916 regulations often separated private and public the state association took control. schools. Coaches were mandated to have teaching Those two nation-wide tourneys in Chicago certificates, and schools were regulated by varying became something of a bonanza for St. Francis. Held degrees of player eligibility by their residence. These at Loyola of Chicago, St. Francis became something two rules alone put many Catholic institutions at odds of a crowd favorite over the years. with their public rivals. The rule that probably put The National Catholic Tournament was held from even more controversy into the mix was the cut off 1924-41. St. Francis, a Jesuit secondary school, went for interscholastic competition at 20 years of age. to the first tourney in ’24 and most of the years until Birth certificates were often lost or nonexistent many 1941. In ’35 they took third place, in 1940 fourth place, times causing mistrust and animosity. and in ’41 second place losing in overtime. Their style It became apparent by the 1920s and several of play, ethnicity and colorful names made each team decades thereafter that the Native American teams a crowd favorite. A fast pace and excellent shooting were leading the advance of basketball in South was rather foreign to the usual play in the public Continued on Page 5 2020 Spring Newsletter • Page 5

Basketball Cometh, igniting a S.D. Passion Continued from Page 4 second round in Chicago. A Native American team members Dakota not only in participation but selection committee at the earned a degree at Nettleton nor in excellence of play. Native tournament named him “best were there any specific reasons Americans were enrolled in public coach for that year.” The either financial, cultural, racial, or schools, too, and played important administration at Nettleton knew academic on why they had left roles on their school’s teams. Two he was something of a celebrity Nettleton. of the first teams to play in the and having him as coach was a real Basketball had Cometh and state tourney with Native feather in their cap. He became the from that summer in 1896 to the Americans were Wakpala and player-coach in the fall of 1938. present it has continued to evolve Waubay in 1931. Yankton, there was Following coach Iron Wing to beyond all imagination. In the late only one class at that time, had two Sioux Falls and Nettleton were 1920s Sharon Roscoe Mote staged African Americans in Donald Smith former teammates Ernest “Spec” a Northern Indian School and Art Hayes. James Distribute of Blacksmith, Lenny Quick Bear, and Association basketball tournament Wakpala became a hit and the Charles Tibbets. Also coming was that was to incorporate all federal Mitchell Republic said he could 6-5 Townley Hare who had played and Catholic Indian schools in the really play. Waubay had a 6-7 native at Haskell (Kansas). It had really Dakotas, Minnesota, and Nebraska. lad named Roy “Lofty” Humbracht. become an Indian team with one Various road blocks, including bad He seemed to be the difference as notable exception. As Wade weather, came up and it was only they outlasted Wakpala 21-17. Davies in his book Native Hoops held for two years and folded. This Yankton took out Waubay 23-12 in wrote; “the white players on the may have been the seed that led the semis and went on to win the squad were permanently to the popular sports and cultural championship. Wakpala started relegated to the bench except for extravaganza that is today’s three Native Americans and part-time center Clifford Jansa, a Lakota Nation Invitational held in Waubay two. Incidentally, Sioux Falls hero who had attended Rapid City. It is considered one of Distribute died of tuberculosis Cathedral High School.” South Dakota’s top events in several years later. A great athlete, Game attendance and ticket attendance and interest. he was playing summer baseball sales were important to the Another great contribution to for Mobridge at the time. athletic department and they had basketball and South Dakota is the It was St. Francis that over scheduled with too many awarding of the SuAnne Big Crow consistently proved to be playing high-caliber teams and even Star Quilt. It is given to a member some of the best brand of professional barnstormers like the from each class of the six basketball in the state. They won Harlem Globe Trotters and the tournaments (boys and girls) held the first four Catholic Tourneys House of David Bearded Aces. As each year. Known as the “Spirit of that were held from 1937-64. the season progressed the team Su” award it represents excellence Space doesn’t allow us to list ALL played lesser opponents and in all endeavors and a stand of the players and coaches of that ended with a 16-8 record. By the against drugs and alcohol. The time. One indication of their early part of 1939 Blacksmith and tradition is believed to have begun popularity was grasped by Hare were gone and Jansa in Montana in a high school game Nettleton Commercial College of became the team leader. between Brockton and Poplar in Sioux Falls. By season’s close the natives 1947. During a timeout period a Wanting to field a winning had left and Nettleton’s foray into grandmother went to her basketball program in the late being a consistent winning grandson and wiped away his 1930s the Nettleton “Netts” turned basketball program was over. sweat with her shawl. The to the state’s Indian school players Blacksmith’s name popped up connection with honoring warriors at St. Francis. Willard Iron Wing later with the famous Sioux in battle took hold and evolved had acquired national fame as a Travelers team. Iron Wing went on over the years. Native Americans player and coach. Starring for the to coach at Stephan another have had and continue to have a team in the middle ‘30s he Catholic Mission School. There tremendous impact on basketball coached the 1938 team to the were no indications any of the in the state and nation. 2020 Spring Newsletter • Page 6

Fast Break of Things to Know

HOF Overview: The South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame is located at the Sanford Pentagon pictured at right. Exhibits are on display in the main Hall of Fame area on the ground floor with additional items on the second floor. We are a non-profit organization and chartered as a 501(c)(3) in 2009. To learn more about the Hall of Fame visit our website at www.sdbbhof.com.

Deep Run: Forty years ago Cheyenne-Eagle Butte product Terry DuPris, a SDBBHOF member, paced Huron College to third place in the 1980 NAIA Sanford Photo National Tournament. There were nearly 600 schools in NAIA then, Matching Jacks: In a display of NAIA Elite: Dakota Wesleyan all in one division. The Tribe beat same-town unity, SDBBHOF joined only a handful of NAIA teams from Texas, Indiana and members Jim Sutton and Kent programs with 1,500 wins when Pennsylvania before losing in the Hyde each scored exactly 417 it beat Jamestown 90-75 on Feb. semifinals to Alabama State. points for South Dakota State in 26. SDBBHOF member Gordon Huron then topped Wisconsin-Eau 1957. The Onida natives both Fosness, a Presho native, is the Claire 59-54 for third place. played in 22 games for the Tigers’ winningest coach at 351- Jackrabbits and averaged 19 195 from 1961-83. He won 10 Pioneer Leader: Yankton points per game. conference titles. College’s athletic program was led by John Griffith from 1902-05. He Gym Dedicated: The gym in Clark Viking: Clark graduate then moved to Morningside and Wakonda was dedicated as Ron Mackenzie Huber finished an later Drake. Griffith coached Flynn Gymnasium on Dec. 19. The outstanding career at Valley City basketball and football before late Flynn coached the State (N.D.). Her coach was becoming the Big Ten Warriorettes for 18 seasons. They Vanessa Johnson, former West Conference’s first commissioner, had a 101-game winning streak Central player. Huber set a serving from 1922-44. during that time and won three Vikings season record by Class B state girls titles. shooting 61 percent from the Football Assist: Before the Big field. She averaged 15 points. Ten basketball tournament in Respected Ref: Philip product March, Nebraska was short of Kelly Pfeifer of Mitchell again Longtime Coach: A college players. Coach Fred Hoiberg officiated a full slate of major assistant for 43 years, Marty bolstered his roster by adding college games this season. He Gross is the Texas A&M-Corpus Cornhuskers quarterback Noah worked games involving Christi associate head coach. All- Vedral of Wahoo, Neb. Nebraska Gonzaga, No. 2 in the final poll, state at Yankton in 1973, he lost to Indiana 89-64. Vedral’s and such teams as No. 6 San earned four letters at father, Mike, was from Gregory Diego State, No. 12 Maryland and Jacksonville University (Fla.). and also played football for the No. 19 Ohio State. Gross captained the Dolphins as Cornhuskers. a senior in 1977. 2020 Spring Newsletter • Page 7

A: Amy Allard-Carmody, N: Dana Nielsen-Honner, Armour ’88: 2012 Jefferson ’82: 2016 Hall of Fame Rick Nissen, Miller ’72: 2011 Carla Allard-Watson, Alan Nissen, Miller ’68: 2019 Bennett County ’87: 2015 O: Tom Orton, Madison ’65: 2012 Rich Andrzejewski, Arlington ’69: 2014 Members Melissa Olson-Guebert, Lincoln ’83: 2016 Robin Anderson-Thormodsgaard, P: Ann Pancoast, Washington ’81: 2017 Clear Lake ’80: 2010 Harley Petersen, Hayti ’54: 2011 Joe Ashley, Pierre ’79: 2017 Henry Park, Chester ’45: 2019 Dick Authier, Woonsocket ’67: 2014 Doug Peterson, Watertown ’60: 2019 B: Bruce Bad Moccasin, Pierre ’67: 2010 Jodi Pipes-Altenburg, Armour ’88: 2019 Dick Baun, Mobridge ’44: 2018 R: Marv Rasmussen, Claremont ’55: 2015 JoElle Byre-Benson, Wayne Rasmussen, Howard ’60: 2016 Washington ’82: 2011 Dona Ray-Reed, Yankton ’78: 2018 Ron Bertsch, St. Lawrence ’61: 2017 H: Julie Harmacek-Bridge, Avon ’83: 2014 Jared Reiner, Tripp-Delmont ’00: 2018 John Bertolero, Lead ’56: 2018 Fred Hecker, Washington ’57: 2016 Renee Ruesink, Castlewood ’84: 2013 SuAnne Big Crow, Pine Ridge ’92: 2017 Garney Henley, Hayti ’55: 2013 S: Renae Sallquist, Brookings ’86: 2011 Howie Bich, Yale ’58: 2018 Kent Hyde, Onida ’54: 2013 Jim Schlekeway, Britton ’64: 2013 Scott Bosanko, Aberdeen ’77: 2013 Diane Hiemstra-Gabriel, Jim Schmidt, Frank Brost, Murdo ’55: 2018 Yankton ’80: 2011 Dell Rapids St. Mary ’41: 2017 Steve Brown, Hamlin ’74: 2010 Luther Hippe, Washington ’83: 2014 Harvey Schaefer, Hayti ’54: 2018 G.E. Buenning, Parkston ’66: 2014 Kris Holwerda-Woerner, Mike Sisk, Miller ’57: 2017 Jerry Buri, Hazel ’60: 2017 Brookings ’81: 2014 John Sivesind, Roosevelt ’96: 2015 Amy Burnett, Huron ’91: 2015 Cary Hornaman, Roncalli ’75: 2018 Holly Sivesind-Borchers, Elton Byre, Reliance ’56: 2016 I: Jim Iverson, Platte ’48: 2010 Roosevelt ’93: 2016 Scott Beckstrand, Lincoln ’89: 2019 Chuck Iverson, Vermillion ’69: 2015 Terry Slattery, Salem St. Mary’s ’56: 2011 Mike Begeman, Parker ’75: 2019 J: Don Jacobsen, Lake Norden ’57: 2010 Gene Smith, Watertown ’47: 2010 C: Harry Carleton, Washington ’43: 2011 Steve Jansa, O’Gorman ’64: 2016 Rudy Soderquist, Rapid City ’37: 2016 Lee Colburn, Brookings ’69: 2015 Randy Jencks, De Smet ’71: 2012 Taran Stapp, Newell ’96: 2012 Conrad Collin, Huron ’30: 2016 Julie Jensen-Rozell, Langford ’91: 2015 Courtney Stapp-Pool, Newell ’94: 2012 Cathy Coyle-Grubb, Matt Jones, Alpena ’01: 2016 Lolly Steele, Pine Ridge ’84: 2016 Belle Fourche ’79: 2011 Terry Jordre, Corona ’57: 2017 Karla Stevenson, Hamlin ’83: 2012 D: Katie Dailey, Jefferson ’81: 2015 K: Eric Kline, Aberdeen ’91: 2012 Bob Stewart, Aberdeen ’49: 2012 John Diefendorf, Irene ’46: 2018 Mandy Koupal, Wagner ’99: 2014 Wayne Stone, Mitchell ’41: 2013 Chris Divich, Doland ’52: 2013 Lisa Kurtenbach-Glanzer, Jason Sutherland, Watertown ’93: 2012 Terry DuPris, Cheyenne-EB ’76: 2011 Brookings ’85: 2018 Jim Sutton, Onida ’53: 2011 Jim Dyer, Willow Lake ’60: 2015 Mandy Kappel, Roosevelt ’00: 2018 Bob Swanhorst, Cresbard ’57: 2010 E: Kriss Edwards, Watertown ’77: 2017 Freddie Knife, Cheyenne ’59: 2019 Wendy Swanhorst, Cresbard ’78: 2013 John Eidsness, Canton ’66: 2015 L: John Lillibridge, Burke ’58: 2017 Rex Swett, Huron ’58: 2010 Gary Evjen, Washington ’68: 2017 Jimmy Lovley, Elkton ’20: 2015 Shannon Schlagel-Huber, Clark ’01: 2019 Lefty Engebritson, Webster ’46: 2019 Lance Luitjens, Custer ’92: 2010 Cregg Skarin, Hitchcock ’70: 2019 F: Roger Faber, Canistota ’58: 2016 Jerry Lund, Belle Fourche ’57: 2013 T: Jim Tays, Gettysburg ’50: 2015 Randy Fletcher, Reliance ’65: 2012 M: Guy Mackner, Sisseton ’65: 2017 Kim Templeton, Miller ’72: 2011 Becky Flynn-Jensen, Tom Malchow, Aberdeen ’61: 2011 Denver TenBroek, McIntosh ’99: 2014 Wakonda ’92: 2010 Bob Marske, Andover ’44: 2016 Mark Tetzlaff, Hamlin ’81: 2014 Gordon Fosness, Presho ’53: 2011 Lien Marso, Harrold ’51: 2014 Jack Theeler, Sisseton ’63: 2012 Bart Friedrick, Mitchell ’85: 2014 Tom McGrann, Watertown ’59: 2010 John Thomas, Alexandria ’65: 2010 Mike Freier, Tripp ’67: 2015 Jesse Mendoza, Cheyenne-EB ’71: 2012 Harold Thune, Murdo ’37: 2010 Carol Freeman-Galbraith, Rod Merriam, Huron ’80: 2010 LaMoine Torgerson, Forestburg ’59: 2012 Canova ’79: 2013 Phil Miedema, Hitchcock ’58: 2014 Louis Tyon, Pine Ridge ’63: 2018 Dave Fischer, Wall ’61: 2019 Amy Mickelson, Brookings ’86: 2013 Lindsay Thomas, Roosevelt ’02: 2019 Rollie Furois, Deadwood ’40: 2019 Alan Miller, Stickney ’81: 2011 V: Lisa Van Goor, Yankton ’80: 2010 G: Barry Glanzer, Armour ’78: 2012 Chris Miller, Stickney ’71: 2016 W: Marty Waukazoo, Rapid City ’67: 2013 Max Gonzenbach, Milbank ’54: 2010 Mike Miller, Mitchell ’98: 2013 Chuck Welke, Warner ’94: 2013 DuWayne Groos, Sisseton ’62: 2014 Jim Mitchell, S.D. Deaf ’54: 2015 Vince Whipple, Rapid City ’56: 2015 Chad Greenway, Mt. Vernon ’01: 2018 Myron Moen, Sisseton ’63: 2012 Willie White, Pine Ridge ’87: 2014 H: Clyde Hagen, Webster ’66: 2013 Colleen Moran, Stickney ’79: 2014 Jerry Wingen, Canova ’56: 2011 Dale Hall, Ravinia ’54: 2016 Scott Morgan, Mitchell ’89: 2016 Lori Wohlleber-O’Farrell, Ray Hamann, Yankton ’31: 2015 Josh Mueller, West Central ’01: 2016 Summit ’86: 2014 Steve Hammer, Pierpont ’69: 2014 Donna Muir, Cheyenne-EB ’78: 2017 Sox Walseth, Pierre ’44: 2019 Becky Hammon, Stevens ’95: 2010 Megan Mahoney, Sturgis ’01: 2019 Z: Harley Zephier, Dupree ’55: 2016 Greg Hansen, Hurley ’70: 2012 N: Chad Nelson, Yankton ’74: 2013 Maury Haugland, Murdo ’54: 2016 Roger Nelson, Brookings ’54: 2011 To read bios go to www.sdbbhof.com 2020 Spring Newsletter • Page 8

Sioux Travelers set path for later Teams They were called the Sioux Indians occurred in 1982 when Travelers and for several decades Love of the Game they were selected by the South they cut an impressive swath Dakota Sportswriters Association through Midwest basketball. The took team afar as the state’s Independent Team team employed a charismatic The following item in an of the Year. style of play which was at the American Legion report That season the Great Plains same time both frenetic and illustrates how mobile and Indians won each of the 15 elegant. how far-reaching the Sioux tournaments they entered. Playing in exhibition games Travelers basketball team Among them were the and in highly competitive Native was. The passage appeared in prestigious Yakima Nation American tournaments a report sent to Post 41 Tournament in Wapato, Wash., throughout the region, and members in Berryville, Va. and the National Indian beyond, the Sioux Travelers of the The date was Jan. 25, 1947: Tournament in Spokane, Wash. 1940s and 1950s had a revolving “The Legion basketball Rick LaPointe was director of roster that included such players team played the Sioux the Indian Education Center at as Emil Red Fish, Collins Jordan Travelers Indian team at the the University of South Dakota. and Ernest “Spec” Blacksmith. Community Building. He organized the Great Plains The team made a resonant Admission was 50 cents for Indians and said the team was statement both near and far adults and 35 cents for modeled after the Sioux Travelers about the superior quality of children. The Legion made of the past. basketball on South Dakota’s $93 and paid the Indians $86.” Among team leaders were reservations. Berryville is located about some players who made Later, in the 1960s, two of the 65 miles northwest of impressive marks on both prep players who helped the Sioux Washington, D.C. To get there and collegiate basketball in South Travelers continue a standard of the Sioux Travelers had to Dakota: Terry DuPris of excellence were Freddie Knife leave South Dakota and pass Cheyenne-Eagle Butte and Huron and Chet Condon. As prep stars through at least eight states College, Wayne Brittenham of they had been part of a Cheyenne while covering approximately Rapid City and Black Hills State, Agency team that went 31-3 and 1,500 miles by car. and Steve Withorne of Rapid City won the Class B state Stops were made to play and Dakota Wesleyan University. championship in 1959. games in various The Great Plains Indians got Knife and Condon, along with communities. In view of the big production from 7-foot center their Sioux Travelers teammates, distances they covered, the Dave Pocknett, who came to the used basketball as a means to Sioux Travelers were aptly team after playing at the spread good will. They made an named. University of Southern Colorado. impression on a generation of Pocknett was named MVP of reservation youngsters. both the Yakima Nation and The essence of the Sioux Lead who played at the National Indian tournaments, Travelers was re-created a University of Wyoming and then averaging 25 points and 15 number of years later by similarly at Black Hills State University, and rebounds per game. talented teams. Two of the finest Bruce Bad Moccasin who starred Against other Native American were the Lakota Coup Counters at Pierre and for South Dakota teams that season, the Great and the Great Plains Indians. Mines. Plains Indians posted an A number of standout players Likewise, the Great Plains incredible record of 85-0. represented the Coup Counters Indians also featured different The Sioux Travelers led the at different times in the team’s players during different stages of way. Teams like the Lakota Coup history. the team’s existence. Counters and the Great Plains Prominent among them were An especially noteworthy Indians gallantly followed. Mike Wells, a 6-foot-7 product of season for the Great Plains 2020 Spring Newsletter • Page 9

In Solemn Remembrance and Tribute Lon Nelson, 65, of Norfolk, Neb., died Feb. 27, 2019. Bart Berndt, 86, of Rapid City died Dec. 6, 2019. A All-state as a prep at Clark, he went on to earn all- native of Kensal, N.D., he graduated from Jamestown South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference honors while College and served in the U.S. Navy. He was an scoring 2,091 career points at USD-Springfield. assistant basketball coach at Northern State and served as the Wolves longtime head baseball coach. Jim Riley, 86, of Lincoln, Neb., died June 21, 2019. An all-around athlete from Faith, he graduated from Dave Strain, 88, of Rapid City died Jan. 2, 2020. The South Dakota State and served in the U.S. Army. He longtime Rapid City Central coach guided the Cobblers to coached basketball at Norfolk and Omaha Westside, Class A state titles in 1969 and 1980. He graduated from then was executive director of the Nebraska High White River, played at South Dakota State and was an School Activities Association. Army veteran. During his career his teams won 398 games.

Roger Pries, 84, of Pierre died Nov. 1, 2019. The Army George Smith, 85, of Milbank died Jan. 3, 2020. A veteran excelled in basketball at Watertown and then graduate of Jackson, Mich., he was a star player at Dakota went on to Northern State where he earned all-SDIC Wesleyan. He served schools at Gary, Flandreau and honors. He coached Pierre to the Class A state Hudson before becoming Milbank superintendent for 27 championship in 1979 and later was executive director years. He then was development director of Grant County. of the South Dakota Wildlife Federation. Terry Woodward, 79, of Hot Springs died Jan. 8, 2020. Ron Lawrence, 83, of Fort Pierre died Nov. 17, 2019. On He was all-state at Pierre and then helped the University the all-tourney team as Onida won the Class B title in of Colorado’s Buffaloes win Big Eight titles in 1962 and 1953, he played at Huron College. He served in the 1963. He taught for 30 years in Colorado Springs, Colo. Army and coached at Onida and Stanley County. Shelby Miller, 95, of Sioux Falls died Jan. 12, 2020. A Phil Miedema, 79, of Sioux Falls died Nov. 21, 2019. radio broadcaster who covered basketball for KIJV in Scoring 2,040 career points during an all-state career Huron and KSOO in Sioux Falls, he was a Lennox at Hitchcock, he was then all-North Central graduate and Army veteran. Conference at Augustana. He taught and coached 34 years at Whittier Middle School in Sioux Falls. Don Renner, 84, of Sioux Falls died March 4, 2020. An outstanding basketball player and team captain at LeRoy DeBeer, 78, of Volga died Nov. 22, 2019. A Sioux Falls Washington, he attended Iowa State on a graduate of White, he scored 1,781 career points. He football scholarship and graduated from Augustana. then was a standout at General Beadle State and during his coaching career made stops at Rutland, Ron Kambestad, 70, of Hudsonville, Mich., died March Baltic, Lyons, Tri-Valley, Centerville and Howard. 15, 2020. With a high game of 49 points, he was chosen to the all-state team while at Bristol. An outstanding Gene Kluck, 80, of Watertown died Nov. 22, 2019. runner, he was Class B state champion in the mile in After excelling in basketball at Watertown, he earned 1967 and later competed in track at Northern. a degree from the University of South Dakota. He then attended Kansas State and after graduation he Jamie Zepp, 45, of Rapid City died March 21, 2020. He became a longtime veterinarian in Watertown. was a Rapid City Central and USD graduate. A television sportscaster, he spent several years at KEVN in Rapid Jim Petersen, 86, of Brandon died Nov. 29, 2019. Hayti City and served in the South Dakota Air National Guard. had never reached the Class B state tournament before he led them to second place in the 1952 event Vern Tate, 90, of Huron died April 9, 2020. Involved and was chosen to the all-tourney team. with the Huron College basketball program as athletic director, he was longtime coach of the successful Tribe Wayne Trousdale, 82, of Wentworth died Dec. 1, 2019. wrestling team. He ranked among the winningest After graduating from Madison, he was a standout coaches in NAIA history with 201 career dual victories. player at Augustana and then General Beadle. He The Army veteran graduated from West Waterloo coached at Peever and Faith. (Iowa) and Western State (Colo.). 2020 Spring Newsletter • Page 10

Cheyenne legend Knife left lasting Legacy Freddie Knife was one of the place game over state tournament Cheyenne most beloved players in state Fairfax to finish faced No. 1 rated Columbia. The basketball history. The following 33-1. Knife was a Braves trailed at halftime but story originally appeared in the sophomore and rallied to win 56-46. South Dakota High School was named all- After topping Plankinton 61-51 Basketball Hall of Fame banquet state. behind Knife’s 25 points, booklet when Knife was inducted. Knife Cheyenne sped past De Smet 63- It is reprinted here in memory of suffered a 47 in the championship game. Knife on the 15th anniversary of broken blood The Braves ended 31-3 to extend his death. vessel in his their two-year record to 64-4. right knee the Knife wasn’t best known for his By Greg Hansen following scoring, but rather for his moves s years have passed, and football season - described as “elegant” by one tales of the late Freddie as a standout sportswriter of the day – and for AKnife have been retold, receiver. He was his ball-handling wizardry. He the Cheyenne Agency legend has hospitalized averaged 15 points per game as a become almost mythical. and spent junior and was again named all- Those who saw him play, several days on state. Two months later, in May of including his highly respected crutches. 1959, Knife turned 20. That age coach, the late Gus Kolb, agreed Because of the made him ineligible to participate that Knife did things with a injury Knife in prep sports in South Dakota. basketball that had never been wore a knee So fans never had the seen before in South Dakota. brace and was opportunity to see what Knife The 6-foot-2 forward was a Freddie Knife slowed during might have accomplished as a transitional player, a talent so the early stages senior. He did some traveling with unique that he did much towards of the 1959 basketball season. touring Native American teams elevating the appreciation of But, as Kolb said, Knife was soon and also played several years in basketball on the reservations back to dominating games with the amateur circuit. Knife lived at into the passion it has become. his normal flair and creativity. Red Scaffold at the time of his An example of Knife’s In the opening round of the death in 2005. popularity, of his rare ability to capture the hearts of fans, surfaced in the State Class B Tournament in 1959. The Braves were well on their In Memory of a Loyal Friend way to victory over Plankinton when Kolb removed his starters. of the Hall of Fame Newspaper reports said that a The South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame wishes chant of “We want Freddie” to extend its gratitude to the family and friends of the late Doug cascaded throughout the Huron Olson of Mitchell. Arena for several minutes. Kolb Olson died Jan. 31, 2020, in Gilbert, Ariz. He was 75. Olson was finally gave the fans what they a graduate of Artesian, where he played basketball and football wanted and sent Knife back onto for the Rams after overcoming a childhood affliction of meningitis. the court. It was the request of Olson’s family that memorials in his A year earlier Cheyenne entered memory be directed to the Hall of Fame, of which he was a faithful the 1958 state tourney undefeated. supporter. His wife Joyce’s generous gift, and the gifts of many of The Braves lost to Corona 56-53 in his friends, are sincerely appreciated and are noted in our roster the semifinals despite Knife’s 19 of donors on page 11. points. Cheyenne won the third- 2020 Spring Newsletter • Page 11

CORPORATE PARTNERS Amy Mickelson Billion Automotive Phil & Carol Miedema Component Manufacturing/ Jim & Janice Mitchell Reaves Building Systems Tom Orton Dacotah Bank David Perrin & Margaret Hustad-Perrin Prostrollo Auto Mall - Madison: South Dakota's Harley & Marilyn Petersen Founding Sponsor of the Basketball Doug & Lorilee Peterson Hall of Fame Wayne & Glenda Rasmussen Sanford Health Tom Reaves Sanford Pentagon Harvey & Deanna Schaefer Sisson Printing Jim & Marilyn Schlekeway Al Schoeneman ENDOWMENT GIVING Cregg & Jolynn Skarin $10,000 or More Terry Slattery Gonzenbach Family Fund Roger & Marilyn Ann Smith $5,000 - $9,999 Karla Stevenson Dacotah Bank Gifts received by the South Dakota Jim & Julie Sutton Dana Dykhouse High School Basketball Hall of Fame during Bob & Trish Swanhorst Boyd & Dody Hopkins the past year prior to April 20 are listed on David Swanhorst Tom Orton Wendy Swanhorst Sanford Health this page. Jack & Nancy Theeler Bob & Trish Swanhorst We thank our ‘Friends’ for your support John Thomas Leon & Virginia Tobin and for your belief in our mission to Wayne & Marilyn Thue $2,500 – $4,999 preserve South Dakota’s basketball history. Harold Thune Frank & Martha Brost To help send your tax-deductible gift to LaMoine & Barb Torgerson Jim Iverson Clayton & Denise Tucholke Dean & Rita Sorenson Charitable Fund SDBBHOF, 2210 W. Pentagon Place, Sioux Tom Walsh Barb Torgerson Falls, SD 57107. Dean Webb $1,000 – $2,499 Chuck & Ellen Welke Elton & Jody Byre Chuck & Kara Welke, Jr. Dyer Family Foundation INDIVIDUAL DONORS Jerry Wingen Gordon Fosness Lon Andersen Bob & Carol Winter John & Linda Lillibridge Robin Anderson Thormodsgaard Dick & Jeanne Wold Patrick Maroney Rich Andrzejewski Doug Olson Memorial Fund Anonymous IN RECOGNITION $1 – $999 Scott & Haley Beckstrand Tyrone Albers in honor of Matt Ditmanson Anonymous Ron & Jan Bertsch Steve Le Fevre in honor of D. Christianson; Jeffrey Brecht Howard & Arlene Bich R. Wold; D. Eisenbaun Linda Mickelson Graham Bob Bierman Dave & Linda Wagner in honor of Estate of Dale Hall Dean & Holly (Sivesind) Borchers Matt Ditmanson Alan & Roxanne Nissen Don Bradley Jeffrey & Lauren Brecht IN MEMORIAM BUSINESS DONORS Frank & Martha Brost Robert & Nancy Arend in memory of Doug Olson Braley Law Office – Parkston Jerry & Esther Buri Jennifer Chance in memory of Doug Olson CHS Farmers Alliance – Parkston Elton & Jody Byre Trish Delaney in memory of Doug Olson CorTrust Bank – Freeman Francis Campbell Janice Ebersdorfer in memory of Doug Olson CorTrust Bank – Mitchell Chris & Sue Divich Jim & Gayle Halverson in memory of Russ Riley CorTrust Bank – Sioux Falls Duane & Phyllis Divich Herman Hunting Group in memory of Doug Olson CorTrust Bank – Yankton Pat Duncan Hustad-Perrin Charitable Fund in memory of Dacotah Bank – Aberdeen Kriss Edwards Samuel Perrin Farmers State Bank – Parkston John & Florence Evans Family W.L. & Sheryl Ischen in memory of Doug Olson First Dakota National Bank – Yankton Dave & Pamela Fischer Dolores Kelsey in memory of Doug Olson First Premier Bank – Sioux Falls Gordon Fosness Eric & Becky Larson in memory of Doug Olson Friesen Farms – Freeman Mike Freier Dean Lee in memory of Doug Olson Freeman Shopping Center – Ace Hardware – Bart Friedrick Steve Le Fevre in memory of Arnold “Nig” Johnson Heritage Pharmacy Christopher & Diane (Hiemstra) Gabriel Bettie Marso in memory of Lien Marso Jamboree Foods – Freeman Barry & Elizabeth Glanzer Men’s Get and Go Group in memory of Lemmon Sports Boosters Todd & Lisa (Kurtenbach) Glanzer John Swanhorst Maxwell & Bowar Agency – Parkston Max Gonzenbach Clyde & Donna Olsen in memory of Jack Freidel Merchants State Bank – Freeman Cathy (Coyle) & Jody Grubb Darrell & Judy Olson in memory of Doug Olson Parkston Athletic Booster Club Greg & Debra Hansen Joyce Olson in memory of Doug Olson Pizza Ranch – Brandon Merle & De Loris Heidenreich Mark & Suzanne Phillips in memory of Doug Olson Pizza Ranch – Sioux Falls Boyd & Dody Hopkins Jerry & Kay Rubendall in memory of Doug Olson Ralph’s Feed Inc. – Freeman Jim Iverson Mike Sisk in memory of Don Jacobsen Schoenfish & Co., CPA – Parkston Randy & Karen Jencks Joel & Audrey Stahl in memory of Doug Olson Sisson Printing Jay & Joellen Johnson Bob & Trish Swanhorst in memory of Stern Oil – Freeman Doug & Carol Jones John Swanhorst; Phil Miedema Thue Farm – Hayti Matt & Katie Jones Donna Swanhorst in memory of John Swanhorst Twin City Booster Club – Lead/Deadwood James & Lori Jones Jack Theeler in memory of Doug Olson Walter Funeral Home – Freeman Terry & Geraldine Jordre Dick Thornton in memory of Dutch Thornton Wenzel Insurance Agency – Juffer, Inc. – Brent Kallestad Wayne & Marilyn Thue in memory of Roger Fox; Parkston Jerry & Barbara Kleinsasser Roger Prouty; John Swanhorst; John Evans; A. R. Koupal James Petersen INSTITUTIONAL DONORS Chad Lavin LaMoine & Barb Torgerson in memory of Augustana University Dean Lee John Swanhorst; Doug Olson Dakota Wesleyan University Gerald & Bette Lund Terry & Cindy Torgerson in memory of Doug Olson Mount Marty College Jon Madland Dave & Linda Wagner in memory of Northern State University Tom & Becky Malchow John Swanhorst; Ron Flynn South Dakota State University Dale & Joanne Melius Robert & Laurie Young in memory of Doug Olson Sanford Pentagon 2210 W. Pentagon Place Sioux Falls, SD 57107

Banquet to return in 2021 John Simko Photo Megan Mahoney starred at Sturgis and Kansas State University before playing for Connecticut in the WNBA and for professional teams in Iceland, Italy and France. Pictured above are the jerseys she has worn. They were on display at the banquet when Mahoney was inducted into the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019. With deep regrets the Hall of Fame cancelled the 2020 banquet because of the coronavirus pandemic. Now the Class of 2020 will be inducted at the 2021 banquet on March 27. Members are Janel Birrenkott, Jerry Even, Jayne (Even) Gust, Austin Hansen, Joe Krabbenhoft, Sarah Mannes Homstad, Arlo Mogck, Bob Pidde, Dave Thomas and Dennis Womeldorf. To be inducted posthumously are Sam Perrin, Loren Thornton and Stanton Uhlir. Recognized as a Team of Excellence will be the Washington Warrior girls of 1980.