PHD Playoff Central: Friday (SD)
PHD Playoff Central. Warner remains the state’s lone unbeaten after their 57-40 victory over Langford last night giving them the District 2B championship. Tyler Rozell scored 18 while Michael Rogers scored 13 as Warner pretty much got whatever shot they needed for the noteworthy victory. The other big Class B district final was Wolsey-Wessington holding on by a point over James Valley Christian. Darian Ogunjemilisui scored 21 leading the way.
The Big Stage. Elmen Center, Region 3A semi-finals, SF Christian plays Flandreau in the first game and then Madison takes on Dell Rapids in a game that will grab the attention state wide. The Quarriers won the regular season match-up with Madison 67-58. Now, I am still pretty new to South Dakota basketball, and I understand the point system and why it’s there, but through common sense it sure is odd, or maybe ridiculous, that a team that won the head to head match-up and has a better record has the tougher road to the Region title game.
AA. Huron vs Abderdeen Central in the District third place game is an elimination contest between two of the top five teams in the state. The winner will be a heavy favorite in the Regional state qualifier on Tuesday while the loser is done for the year. In the four District finals O’Gorman, Washington, Pierre, and Stevens are all strong favorites to punch their ticket for state.
A. The Tea Area/Vermillion and Dakota Valley/Lennox games in Region 4A are the other match-ups that will have the state’s attention (they are Saturday games). Vermillion has been so incredibly good down the stretch that Tea will have to figure out how to turn that 75-60 score from a month ago around.
B. There are a dozen district finals this evening and then one more tomorrow night. Everybody is working to get to Super Tuesday and the right to play for state. Chester Area vs Elkton-Lake Benton is a top game, Canistota against Hanson is interesting, and Gabe King hopes to lead Irene-Wakonda to state against Alcester-Hudson.
Player to Watch. Cole Bergan and TJ Allam. The Golden Eagles can match Huron for the most part in the backcourt, their size needs to put them over the top. Aberdeen Central lost both games to Huron this year so if they are going to make that third one charming they need production up front from their size.
Upset City. Winner at 15-5 over Red Cloud isn’t a huge upset but it’s the 1 seed going down at the hands of a four seed 74-71. Drew DeMars had 21, Chase Kingsbury put the game away at the line and Red Cloud’s playoff run never got started as they lost in the first game. Winner plays Little Wound next Tuesday for a chance to go to state.
Hat Tip to the Career. Kobe O’Rourke of Red Cloud. Kobe is one of the first guys that we noticed for Player of the Week when we opened up doors here at PHD and he’s been a strong scorer for Red Cloud all of his career. A nice talent who had a great career.