Shown immediately following a 54-35 win over Waverly-South Shore in the SoDak 16 at the Huron Arena, the Spartans Boys Basketball team proudly displays the state qualifier plaque.
An impenetrable defensive foundation paired with one of Class B’s best scoring offenses steered the Spartans to success throughout the regular and post season, leading No. 4 Wessington Springs to deliver a convincing 54-35 win over 13-seed Waverly-South Shore in the SoDak 16 on Tuesday, March 5 in Huron.
With 21 consecutive wins and a victory in the SoDak 16, Wessington Springs has earned a trip to the state tournament — the first appearance for the boys in 30 years when the Spartans were state-bound in 1994 as a member of Class A.
Only allowing 10 points by halftime in Tuesday's game, the Spartan's defense, once again, stepped up.
“Coming into the year, the number one goal I had was to get better defensively. This year we finished second in the state in points given up per game out of 73 class B teams,” said Wessington Springs Head Boys Basketball Coach Kenny Huether. “Even on nights we aren’t as sharp offensively, as long as we keep playing great D, we have found success.”
In the SoDak 16 game, Ryder Michalek led the Spartans with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Colby Flowers also had 12 rebounds along with nine points. Parker Graff scored 14 points and had six rebounds. Brock Krueger rounded the game out with eight points.
“We had a great run last year and the heartbreak of coming up six points short to Viborg-Hurley only led to a deep dedication I saw from all the guys from that moment on throughout the year,” Huether pointed out, adding that advancing to where the Spartans now find themselves is a culmination of a whole year’s work. “Camps, workouts, the rigor of a 20-game schedule. We fight to stay injury free and keep sickness from getting you down. To overcome everything and be here, we are excited for the opportunity.”
“There was such a good crowd in the Huron Arena,” said Huether. “It was so nice we were able to play close to Springs with that many fans filling the arena. It was all around awesome.”
Members of the team echoed the awe of Coach Huether when it comes to fan support and the SoDak 16 experience this year.
“Our fans were so loud at the SoDak 16, the other team couldn’t hear each other on the court,” said Krueger, one of two seniors on the team, with a smile. “The fans plus more confidence this year helped us succeed. Last year, we were the lower seed so we were more intimated. Going into it number four and knowing we got cut short last year, all of us wanted it that much more.”
Krueger’s fellow senior on the team, Blake Larson, reflected about his high school basketball career leading to the present moment.
“Honestly, that was our third SoDak 16 game for me and Brock, we made it when we were freshmen and juniors. State is always the goal and it doesn’t seem realistic until it happens — then the high sets in. Making it to state is the perfect way to go out as seniors,” Larson shared. “Being the higher seed helped us, as well as bringing back most kids from last year. Having the experience of being in that situation also helped a lot.”
Huether said the team is excited about accomplishing their season-long dream but they are still eager to accomplish more, with a desire to place as high as they can in the state tournament.
“Making it for the first time in 30 years adds on to the fire. Now we are here and ready to play our best basketball,” said sophomore Colby Flowers. “It was the best feeling I’ve ever had when they turned off the lights at the SoDak 16 and did the announcements with the spotlight. I knew the whole community was there, what was at stake and it was amazing to be on that floor. The support has been unreal with the whole community behind Springs basketball. I think Springs might be shut down for a few days when we go to state.”
Coach Huether credits the excellent camaraderie of the team and the desire all members have to continue reaching great heights as major factors in the Spartans’ success.
“They play unselfishly and that type of play is really special,” Huether said. “A lot of opponents and even parents of our opponents say, ‘my goodness your guys share the ball and play together so well.’ We are used to it and it’s the right way to play.”
Junior Ryder Michalek points to the team’s passion and hard work throughout the season.
“I’m super excited to be a part of this group making it to state. The team has been very hard working and showing effort everyday,” said Michalek. “To make it with a group with this much passion for basketball is so exciting.”
Advancing to the Class B state quarterfinals, the Spartans will take on Howard (five seed) on Thursday, March 14 in Aberdeen at 1:45 p.m. The sole loss (38-33) on the season for the Spartans was against the Howard Tigers in December.
“Howard is the one team that beat us. It was early in the season for both teams, our second game of the season,” recalled Huether. “Offensively we didn’t shoot well. They are good. Both teams are in the top five defensively in the rankings.”
Huether said that since the SoDak 16 victory last week, it’s been back to business with the team’s focus narrowed in on Howard — how to defend them as well as how to improve on offense.
“We’ve been working on using the shot clock to keep moving the ball and keep moving without the ball. When shots arise, we need to make a good portion of them,” explained Huether. “The key in this game is that we are more efficient on the offensive end. They have lots of height and are a physical team, points don’t come easy against them and easy shots against them don’t happen, they don’t allow it. In my opinion, the first team to get to 40 will win the game.”
The opportunity for a redemption game isn’t lost on the boys.
'When it comes to Howard, sweet revenge comes to mind,” said Brock Krueger, pointing to a rule of thumb he plays by: ‘stay hungry and stay humble.’ “We could definitely play with anybody. Beating them would be the cherry on top.”
Huether is quick to point out that at this level, winning takes a great effort against any team and the players said that in order to be successful, they must continue playing the type of ball Wessington Springs has become known for.
“When it’s your one loss of a season, it does become kind of a revenge game. We are the better team and if we play our type of ball, I think we can handle them,” said Michalek. “What separates us from a lot of teams is that we are unselfish. We know what we need to fix. I feel we have more work to be done.”
Sophomore Parker Graff said he feels Wessington Springs matches up well with the Howard team.
“We are more prepared now than before,” Graff said. “Now we need to focus on eating right, getting good sleep, bonding, hanging out with each other and playing good basketball.”
Heading into the state tournament, Huether said he is happy for the boys and looking forward to a fun week for the community.
“They wanted it badly. I’m happy for them to accomplish this after how much they were reaching and dreaming for it,” Huether said. “Seeing fans, grandparents and parents as happy as the Wessington Springs community is right now is as rewarding a feeling I’ve ever experienced in coaching.”