The year 2025 will mark a half-century since South Dakota first crowned state champions in both boys and girls basketball in the modern era. During the calendar year of 1975 titles were earned by the Freeman and Aberdeen Roncalli boys in March and by Jefferson and Yankton in the inaugural girls tournaments staged in December.

        Each of the boys championships held historical significance. Freeman emerged from a Class B title game that for the first time ever matched two undefeated teams. Roncalli reigned in Class A as the first parochial school to do so.

        Freeman defeated Dell Rapids St. Mary 61-55 in the finals at the Sioux Falls Arena. Ron Bennett coached the Flyers to a 27-0 record. Aberdeen Roncalli, led by Coach Francis Zacher, also won its championship at the Sioux Falls Arena. The Cavaliers downed Rapid City Central 50-42 in the championship game to conclude the season at 23-2.

        Jefferson defeated Northwestern Lutheran Academy 65-33 in the title game of the Class B girls tournament that was held at the Huron Arena. The Hawkettes of Coach Fred Tibbetts would go on to win four of the first six state championships awarded in Class B. Coach Bob Winter and his Gazelles turned back Watertown 39-34 in the Class A girls finals at the Aberdeen Civic Arena. During the first five Class A state tournaments Yankton would garner four titles.

        There was a year in South Dakota basketball history in which a shocking development late in the regular season created an unexpected hardship for the team that was the defending state champion. The impact had a major influence on the state tournament.

        Learn about that controversial occurrence and its aftermath in the 2024 Fall Newsletter which was mailed on Oct. 29 by the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame. Another featured story in the 21^st edition of the newsletter recounts a uniquely talented player’s brilliant career and how it sadly was ended too soon.

        Also in the newsletter is a look back at a time in which some of the earliest standout girls players in the state helped get women’s college basketball off and running in South Dakota. And another story explains how a South Dakota team had an encounter with a legendary star when he was first emerging on the national scene.

        The free newsletter was mailed to the more than 1,500 readers residing in 44 states who are on the Hall of Fame mailing list. The first edition of the newsletter (shown at left) was published in fall 2014.

        An enthusiastic crowd of more than 350 gathered at the Ramkota Hotel in northwest Sioux Falls on the afternoon of Aug. 24 to honor the 14 former greats in the Class of 2024 who entered the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame. The new members were recognized and inducted during the Hall of Fame’s 14^th annual banquet.

        Pictured above at the banquet, from left, front row, are Dick Padrnos, Tara (Batcheller) Volesky, Jill (Young) Sargent, Brian Shanks, Troy Schaefer and JoEllen (Hofer) Salmen. Back row, Kathy Schultz representing her late brother Denny Busch, Dennis Smith, Derrick McCauley, Roger Hammerbeck, Jay Ellwein, Dean Jacobsen representing his late father Dale Jacobsen, and Kay (Stormo) Freund. Also inducted was the late Wayne Fix. (Dave Eggen Photo)

        Bios of the members of the Class of 2024 can be found by going to Banquet Programs on this website. The new inductees bring the total membership in the Hall of Fame to 212 of the finest players ever in South Dakota.

        The important process of evaluating potential candidates for inclusion in the Class of 2025 will get underway soon. The former standouts who are chosen by the Hall of Fame selection committee will be announced during May. To see the eligibility criteria, and to download an official nomination form, click on Nomination Form on this website.

        Membership in the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame will expand to 212 during a ceremony on Saturday Aug. 24. The 14th annual induction banquet will be held at the Ramkota Hotel in Sioux Falls. Tickets are $35. Children 10 and younger are $10.

        The Class of 2024 includes Jay Ellwein, Kay (Stormo) Freund, Roger Hammerbeck, Derrick McCauley, Dick Padrnos, JoEllen (Hofer) Salmen, Jill (Young) Sargent, Troy Schaefer, Brian Shanks, Dennis Smith and Tara (Batcheller) Volesky. To be inducted posthumously are Denny Busch, Wayne Fix and Dale Jacobsen. Recognized as a Team of Excellence will be the 26-0 Armour Packers of 1978 who were coached by Burnell Glanzer and won the Class B state title.

        Tickets include a souvenir booklet (shown at right) as well as the induction program and a catered meal. Order via the PayPal option on the lower right-hand portion of this website or by sending a check to SDBBHOF, 2210 W. Pentagon Place, Sioux Falls, SD 57107. All tickets will be held for pickup at the Will-Call Table at the banquet.

        Memorabilia exhibits from the careers of members of the Class of 2024 will be on display. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and Hall of Fame apparel and mementos will be available for purchase. Raffle tickets will be sold with the winner receiving one Hall of Fame ring with the men’s ring valued at $339 and the women’s at $299. The program begins at 1 p.m. with the meal to follow. When arriving please use the east parking lot and entrance. Tickets will be available at the door for $40 and $15.

        Another highlight of Hall of Fame Weekend is an informal reception for the inductees from 4-6 p.m. on Friday Aug. 23 at the Ramkota. The reception is free and dress is casual. Refreshments will be provided. Members of the Class of 2024 will be present and the public is encouraged to attend. Also on hand will be many Hall of Fame members inducted during previous years. Hall of Fame tours at the Sanford Pentagon will be available per request from 1-4 p.m. For more information contact SDBBHOF executive assistant Mary Pennington at mepcpa@hotmail.com or 970-946-2605.

        Armour High School’s memorable march through an undefeated season in 1978 was accentuated by cohesive offense and relentless defense. The Packers were unwavering. Armour had a stable of superior athletes who were able to apply and maintain constant pressure on an opponent from a game’s opening tipoff until its final moments.

        Coached by Burnell Glanzer, the Packers claimed the Class B championship by notching state tournament victories over Hamlin, Stanley County and Elk Point. Glanzer’s younger brother Barry was at the point of attack for Armour as it went 26-0. Barry Glanzer was first team all-state. Brian Bindert and Joe Morrow also received all-state mention.

        In recognition of their outstanding season the 1978 Packers are being recognized by the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame as its Team of Excellence for 2024. Armour will be honored during the 14^th annual Hall of Fame induction banquet which will be held on the afternoon of Aug. 24 at the Ramkota Hotel in northwest Sioux Falls.

        The Packers were, from left in the submitted photo shown above, front row, Gregg DeSpiegler, Brad Freidel, Dan Freidel, Barry Glanzer, Morrow, Tim Scholten and Coach Glanzer. Back row, Assistant Coach Rick Clark, Jeff Tiefenthaler, Jeff Johnston, Marvin Powell, Dennis Tiefenthaler, Bindert and Tom McFarland. The unbeaten season achieved in 1978 started Armour on its way toward an all-time state boys record winning streak that eventually reached 64 games.

        Three former Huron stars are among the 14 greats who will be inducted into the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame during a banquet to be held on Aug. 24.

        Denny Busch, Brian Shanks and Jay Ellwein represent different decades of Huron basketball. Each played an important role in helping the Tigers to a state title. In the submitted 1958 photo at right Busch holds the championship trophy Huron won that season.

        Jill (Young) Sargent, in the photo at left, set the girls state record for most career points while starring at Mitchell Christian. She is also a member of the Class of 2024. Induction will occur during the Hall of Fame’s 14th annual banquet at the Ramkota Hotel in Sioux Falls.

        The undefeated Armour Packers of 1978 will be recognized by the Hall of Fame during the banquet as a Team of Excellence. Burnell Glanzer coached Armour to a Class B state championship and a perfect record of 26-0. That season started the Packers on their way to what would eventually become a state boys record 64-game winning streak.

        Banquet details as well as information about purchasing tickets will be made available to the public soon on this Hall of Fame website.

        The Class of 2024:

        DENNY BUSCH (Huron 1959): The late Busch was a versatile performer as Huron won the Class A championship in 1958 and finished 22-0. The following season Busch was a senior and the Tigers took third in the state tournament. Busch was a veteran guard on the South Dakota State team that won the NCAA College Division national title in 1963.

        JAY ELLWEIN, Huron (Huron 1994): Huron was Class AA champion in 1993 as Ellwein led the Tigers with 19 points per game. A year later as a senior he averaged 24 points per game to conclude his career with 1,383 points and earn Gatorade Player of the Year recognition. Ellwein played collegiately for Huron University and Augustana.

        WAYNE FIX (Aberdeen Central 1953): The late Fix was a dominating presence in the Aberdeen Central lineup as the Golden Eagles reached the Class A state tournament in 1952 and 1953. Fix was all-tourney both years with Aberdeen Central winning the championship when he was a senior. Fix earned three varsity letters at the University of Minnesota.

        KAY (STORMO) FREUND, Georgetown, Texas (Watertown 1978): Freund was a Watertown mainstay as the Arrows took second in the Class A tourney in 1975 and won the title in 1976. She averaged 17 points per game as a senior. Freund was an elite runner who excelled in track and cross country at Watertown and the University of Iowa.

        ROGER HAMMERBECK, Hamill (Chamberlain 1966): Chamberlain was the smallest school in Class A when Hammerbeck led the Cubs to the state tournament when he was a senior. He averaged 20 points per game that season. Hammerbeck attended the University of South Dakota where he competed in both basketball and football.

        DALE JACOBSEN (Lake Norden 1954): The late Jacobsen was a four-year standout for Lake Norden. He averaged 19 points per game as a senior while also leading the Bluejays in rebounding. Jacobsen was noted as a tenacious defender who drew the opponent’s top scorer as his defensive assignment. Jacobsen played at South Dakota State.

        DERRICK McCAULEY, Waubay (Aberdeen Central 2004): McCauley was a premier ball-handler who produced 21 points per game for Aberdeen Central during his senior season. When he was a junior he averaged 25 points per game at Waubay before transferring. McCauley went on to an outstanding career at Sisseton Wahpeton College.

        DICK PADRNOS, Boulder, Colo. (Lake Andes 1951): Lake Andes made its first trip to the Class B state tournament when Padrnos was a senior. The Eagles won the third-place game behind 31 points from Padrnos. He averaged 23 points per game that season and Lake Andes went 30-1. Padrnos went on to play at the University of South Dakota.

        JOELLEN (HOFER) SALMEN, Tulare (Hitchcock 1994): A five-year Hitchcock starter, Salmen totaled 2,564 career points. During her senior season she averaged 28 points per game for the Bluejays. Salmen played two seasons for Huron University and then transferred to Black Hills State where she was named MVP of the SDIC in 1997.

        JILL (YOUNG) SARGENT, Waynesville, Ohio (Mitchell Christian 2007): Mitchell Christian won the Class B title when Sargent was a junior in 2006. Sargent was Miss Basketball and Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior when she averaged 29 points per game. Her career total was a record 3,317 points. Sargent played at South Dakota State.

        TROY SCHAEFER, Rapid City (Pierre 1983): One of the state’s finest all-around athletes, Schaefer led Pierre to the Class A title in 1982. The Governors finished second when Schaefer was a senior and averaged 19 points per game. He was named co-Mr. Basketball and also excelled in football and tennis. Schaefer played football at Augustana.

        BRIAN SHANKS, Elk Point (Huron 1974): Shanks led Huron to the Class A championship in 1973 when he averaged 22 points per game. The following season Shanks was a senior and scored 26 points per game. His career total while at Lake Preston, and then Huron, was 1,800 points. Shanks played at South Dakota State and Northern State.

        DENNIS SMITH, Tulare (Glenham 1967): With a career scoring average of 25 points per game, Smith concluded his four seasons starring for Glenham with a total of 2,186 points. He produced 32 points per game as a senior for the Eagles. His single game high was 51 points. Smith earned all-SDIC honors while playing at Northern State.

        TARA (BATCHELLER) VOLESKY, Mitchell (Mobridge 1978): Volesky was a multi-position player who averaged 24 points per game as a senior. She also was medalist for Mobridge in the Class B state golf tournament in 1977. Volesky played golf at Brigham Young University and then transferred to Northern State to play basketball for the Wolves.

        Hayti and Deadwood won state titles in 1954. At the conclusion of those tournaments played 70 years ago, after the Redbirds and Bears had clinched their championships and hoisted their trophies, the all-tourney teams were announced. Just as had been done for many years. The past, in a basketball sense, was stepping aside in South Dakota.

        The future, in the form of the first official all-state teams, arrived the following season. It was then when the South Dakota Sportswriters Association began a tradition that continues still today. No longer were the all-tourney teams the lone opportunity for postseason recognition. The all-state teams opened the door wide and welcomed in all outstanding players, whether or not their schools had been fortunate enough to qualify for the state tournament.

        Hayti finished 32-2 and placed Garney Henley and Harley Petersen on that Class B all-tourney team of 1954. They were joined by Dan Goodman and Tom Veren of runner-up Provo, Marv Rasmussen of Claremont, Kay Besanson of Delmont, George Hurd of Highmore, Maury Haugland of Murdo, Mike Poppens of Lennox and Darwin Sulzle of Selby.

        Deadwood had a record of 23-4. The Bears were represented on the Class A all-tourney team by the trio of Bill Jones, Ed Morris and Reece Palmer. Also honored were Arlo Mogck and Jim Adkins of second place Parkston, Bucky Salway of Custer, Bill Arteman and Bob Pierce of Huron, Maurice Poppen of Madison and Hal Erickson of Sioux Falls.

        The final chapter in each high school basketball season in South Dakota is completed by the announcement of the all-state teams. It has been that way since 1955 when the first official Class A and Class B all-state teams were chosen by the members of the South Dakota Sportswriters Association.

        During the two-class era there were a number of outstanding players who were selected to the all-state team twice. But it was rare for any player to receive all-state honors three years. And much rarer still to be recognized among South Dakota’s finest as a freshman, sophomore, junior and senior.

        Chad Nelson (at left in Drake photo) accomplished that impressive feat while starring at Yankton. He was named to the Class A all-state team in 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974. He went on to play collegiately at Minnesota and Drake.

        The South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame mailed its 2024 Spring Newsletter on April 17. Among the several stories in the newsletter is a look back at some of the most talented and memorable all-state first teams in the 70-year history of boys all-state in South Dakota. Our readers are given an opportunity to express their opinions on that topic.

        Also featured in the free newsletter is a study of how, through the decades, the landscape of high school basketball has changed in the state because of evolving factors such as school closures. Another story revisits a pair of girls teams that earned improbable championships. Both squads posted some dramatic upsets along the way to shock the state.

        The 2024 Spring Newsletter is our 20^th edition. To commemorate that milestone the newsletter contains a trivia quiz. All of the 20 questions pertain to various stories that have appeared throughout the previous 19 newsletters.

        South Dakota has a long history of producing outstanding all-around athletes who demonstrate the ability to master more than one sport. Throughout the decades there have been many who have worn multiple uniforms, depending on the sport in season, and have proven able to excel in all of their varied athletic endeavors.

        Sixty-five years ago, after the 1959 school year had ended, the list of South Dakota’s all-time state records in high school and college track and field revealed a talented group of multi-sport athletes, several whose names still resonate today.

        Some of those track record holders in 1959 were destined in later years to be inducted into the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame.

        Jim Tays cleared 6 feet, 3 inches at a meet in 1949 to set the state high school record in the high jump that still stood in 1959. He graduated from Gettysburg in 1950 and then attended the University of South Dakota. Competing in both basketball and track, Tays (in the USD photo at right) starred for the Coyotes in both sports. He was all-North Central Conference in basketball and he set a state college record of 6-4 in the high jump in 1954. Tays was inducted into the SDBBHOF in 2015.

        Rex Swett led Huron to the championship of the State Class A Basketball Tournament as a senior in 1958 before becoming a basketball and baseball stalwart at the University of Nebraska. He placed his name in the state high school track record book when he clocked a time of 21.9 seconds in the 220-yard dash in 1957. Swett was inducted into the SDBBHOF as part of the inaugural class in 2010.

        Garney Henley starred in basketball, football and track at Hayti before graduating in 1955. He continued his multi-sport career at Huron College, setting a state college record of 24.4 seconds in the 220-yard hurdles in 1959, before a career in the Canadian Football League. Henley was inducted into the SDBBHOF in 2013.

        For parts of the last four seasons Dakota Valley High School was steadily stalking the all-time state record for consecutive victories in boys basketball. The Panthers of Coach Jason Kleis concluded last season with 53 wins in a row.

        Dakota Valley this season is led by 6-foot-7 senior Jaxson Wingert and 6-2 junior Luke Bruns. The Panthers started 9-0 to stretch their streak to 62 straight wins — two shy of tying the record — before falling to Hamlin 84-62. Dakota Valley won Class A state titles in both 2022 and 2023. The Panthers went 26-0 each season. The streak began when Dakota Valley won the third-place game in the 2021 state tournament.

        Isaac Bruns (left) and Randy Rosenquist Jr. (right) were driving forces in the Panthers’ undefeated dominance during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Both earned first team all-state honors as juniors and again as seniors. Bruns ranks as Dakota Valley’s career scoring leader after netting a total of 2,309 points.

        Both former Panther standouts are now making significant contributions on their respective collegiate teams this season as true freshmen. Bruns is a 6-4 guard at the University of South Dakota while Rosenquist Jr. is a 6-0 guard at Dakota Wesleyan University.

        Armour accomplished its state record 64-game win streak from 1978 through 1980. The Packers claimed Class B titles with matching 26-0 records in 1978 and 1979. The record holder in South Dakota prior to Armour was Arlington. The Cardinals’ run of 61 consecutive victories came from 1937 through 1939. Included was a 31-0 record in 1938.