The Wessington Springs Spartans’ girls basketball season came to a close last Tuesday with a 58-51 loss to De Smet in Region 2B play.
De Smet took control early, building a 17-5 lead by the end of the first quarter. The Spartans responded in the second, sparked by a 3-pointer and a basket from Masynn Mebius. Wessington Springs outscored De Smet 19-10 in the quarter to pull within 27-24 at halftime. Londyn Mikkelson added a long 3-pointer at the buzzer to keep the Spartans within striking distance.
The momentum carried into the third quarter as Wessington Springs briefly took the lead. The Spartans held a 39-37 advantage heading into the final period.
The teams traded baskets throughout the fourth quarter before De Smet sealed the game at the free-throw line in the closing minute. The Bulldogs advanced to the region semifinals and later secured a spot in the SoDak 16.
The Spartans finished the season 13-8.
Mikkelson led Wessington Springs with 17 points. Kerstynn Heim and Mebius each added 11 points, while Kendall Kolousek paced the team with nine rebounds.
The program will graduate four seniors, Heim, Mebius, Addy Orth and Sydney Richardson, whose dedication and leadership over the past six seasons have left a lasting impact on the team.