The anticipation is high as the stage is set for the 281 Conference Girls’ and Boys’ Basketball Tournaments, set to tip off this weekend. The spotlight is on Wessington Springs, which clinched the top seed in both categories.
In the girls’ tournament, Wessington Springs will go head-to-head with No. 8 Sunshine Bible Academy in the opening game at 3:30 p.m. this Friday in Wolsey. The matchups continue with fourth-seeded James Valley Christian facing off against No. 5 Highmore-Harrold at 5 p.m., followed by a showdown between second-seeded Sanborn Central/Woonsocket and No. 7 Wolsey-Wessington at 6:30 p.m. The evening will conclude with thirdseeded Iroquois/Lake Preston taking on No. 6 Hitchcock-Tulare at 8 p.m. The Spartans boys, also holding the top seed, will kick off the tournament against No. 8 Sunshine Bible Academy at 1 p.m. on Saturday in Wolsey. Second-seeded Wolsey-Wessington facing off against No. 7 Iroquois/ Lake Preston at 2:30 p.m., followed by thirdseeded Sanborn Central/ Woonsocket taking on No. 6 Hitchcock-Tulare at 4 p.m. The day concludes with fourth-seeded James Valley Christian battling it out against No. 5 Highmore-Harrold at 5:30 p.m.
Looking ahead, the semifinals for both tournaments are scheduled for January 16 in Wolsey, starting at 3:30 p.m. Consolation semifinals for both categories will take place at the James Valley Christian gym. The final day of the tournament, slated for January 18, will be held at Huron Arena, The girls’ title game lights up the arena at 6 p.m., followed by the boys’ championship game at 7:30 p.m., showcasing the best of 281 Conference basketball talent.