Huron College sponsored the championship trophy that was presented to the winner of the first state tournament in South Dakota basketball history. In the terminology of the day, the trophy was called a Silver Loving Cup. It is pictured at right and has the inscription: ‘South Dakota High School Basketball Championship 1912.’

     In commemoration of the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame’s 10th anniversary in 2019, the organization will host a special Hall of Fame Game to be played Jan. 5 at the Sanford Pentagon.

     The Hall of Fame Game will match the two opposing teams, the Redfield/Doland Pheasants and Lake Preston Divers, which met in the inaugural finals 106 years ago at the old Daum Opera House in Huron.

     Redfield, which at the time was called the Redmen, defeated Lake Preston 33-25 to claim that first championship. The tournament was so widely popular that it started an enduring tradition that quickly became a staple in South Dakota sports. (RHS Photo)

The O’Farrell twins, Presley (35) and Logan, were standouts for Summit and the Augustana University Vikings. (Jergens Photography Photo)

     South Dakota was introduced to state high school basketball tournaments in 1912. The first such event was understandably a rousing success. The eight participants were Arlington, Centerville, Lake Preston, Madison, Miller, Pierre, Redfield and Salem. In the championship game Redfield defeated Lake Preston 33-25.

     The South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame has published its 2018 Spring Newsletter. It was mailed May 3. On the cover of the free newsletter is an introspective story that closely examines how the popular state tournament has changed through the decades and the reasons and causes behind those changes.

     Our readers will also learn about some unique aspects of the gymnasiums that dotted the state’s landscape in the 1950s.

     Nearly every school in the state, at least once in its basketball history, has featured a set of talented twins. Some of those standouts have also went on to outstanding collegiate careers in South Dakota. Our newsletter will reflect on some of the best.

     We publish two newsletters each year, in the spring and the fall. We mail copies to more than 1,000 readers across the nation.

The Class of 2018, from left, front, Frank Brost, Lisa (Kurtenbach) Glanzer, Jared Reiner, Mandy Kappel, Harvey Schaefer. Back, Howard Bich, Dona Ray-Reed, Cary Hornaman, Misty Tyon representing her father Louis Tyon, and Tom Diefendorf representing his late father John Diefendorf. Also inducted were John Bertolero, Chad Greenway and the late Dick Baun. (John Simko Photo)           To read Class of 2018 bios click on Inductees

     The largest crowd in the nine-year history of the induction banquet welcomed 13 new members into the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame on March 24 at the Ramkota Hotel Exhibit Hall in Sioux Falls.

     Former stalwart players who comprise the Class of 2018 came from high schools located across the state. They represent six different decades including the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 2000s.

     The Hall of Fame board of directors will soon begin the important process of evaluating nominees for the Class of 2019. To see selection criteria, and to download an official nomination form, click on Nomination Form.

      The undefeated Tripp High School Wildcats dominated Class B basketball during the 1967 season. The Wildcats marched past Herreid 72-46 in the championship game of the state tournament that was held at the Sioux Falls Arena.

     Tripp finished the season with an impressive 28-0 overall record. Because of their outstanding accomplishments the Wildcats were recognized by the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame as its Team of Excellence for 2018.

     The ninth annual Hall of Fame banquet was held March 24 at the Ramkota Hotel Exhibit Hall in Sioux Falls. Inducted were 13 former greats from across the state. During the banquet the 1967 Wildcats were honored.

     Jim Flevares was coach of the Wildcats. From left, front, Mike Freier, Leon Reiner, Dick Prien, Jerry Stoebner, Gene Wilson, Bill Fischer. Back, Assistant Coach Larry Oldewurtel, manager Larry Maag, manager Lon Mayer, Al Schnabel, Dennis Dewald, Allen Schnabel, George Ewing, Steve Brosz, Bill Bittner and Coach Flevares. (Submitted Photo)

     The names Russell “Sox” Walseth and Jim Iverson resonate with everyone who has ever followed basketball in South Dakota.

     Among the greatest players and most accomplished coaches in state history, Walseth (left) and Iverson (right) are being recognized in a new display that has been added to the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame at the Sanford Pentagon.

     Walseth was a four-year starter at Pierre and led the Governors to the Class A state championship as a senior in 1944. He was then a starting guard for the University of Colorado. He coached South Dakota State University from 1954-56, compiling a 31-18 record, before returning to Colorado. As coach of the men’s team for 20 seasons, Walseth guided the Buffaloes to three Big Eight Conference championships and was named Coach of the Year in the Big Eight five times. He also served three successful seasons as coach of the Colorado women’s team.

     Iverson played in four consecutive Class B state tournaments before graduating from Platte in 1948. He scored a record 251 career points in state-tournament play. While at Kansas State University, he was a starting guard for the Wildcats. Iverson coached South Dakota State to the NCAA College Division national championship in 1963. His career record while at SDSU was 142-65 and his Jackrabbits won the North Central Conference championship five times.

     Two of the most accomplished athletes in state history headline the Class of 2018 which will be inducted into the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame.

     NFL veteran Chad Greenway (left) of Mount Vernon and Tripp-Delmont’s Jared Reiner (right), who played in the NBA, are among 13 former greats who have been selected to be honored. They will bring Hall of Fame membership to 143.

     The ninth annual induction banquet is March 24 in the Exhibit Hall by the Ramkota Hotel in Sioux Falls. Ticket information is available on this website.

     During the banquet the 1967 Tripp Wildcats will be recognized as a Team of Excellence. Tripp won the Class B state boys championship, defeating Herreid 72-46 in the finals. Jim Flevares coached the Wildcats to an undefeated record of 28-0.

     The members of the Class of 2018:

     * Dick Baun (Mobridge 1944): The late Baun was the driving force behind Mobridge’s impressive back-to-back Class B state championships in the 1943 and 1944 seasons. He was named the Most Outstanding Player in the tournament both years. Baun then served in the U.S. Navy. After completing his military commitment he became a Dakota-Iowa Conference all-star player for Yankton College.

     * John Bertolero, Corvallis, Mont. (Lead 1956): As a senior Bertolero averaged 25 points per game and set a Black Hills Conference single-game record when he scored 46 against Spearfish. He was a three-year starter, both at Lead and as a collegian at the University of Wyoming. Bertolero led the Cowboys to the NCAA Tournament in 1958.

     * Howard Bich, Sioux Falls (Yale 1958): Bich was an outstanding scorer, averaging 24 points per game as a senior, but was best known for his ball-handling and passing ability. He sparked Yale to records of 28-5 in 1957 and 24-7 in 1958. Bich continued his career at Augustana University and helped the Vikings win the North Central Conference in 1962.

     * Frank Brost, Sioux Falls (Murdo 1955): A four-year starter, Brost scored more than 1,500 career points. During his final three seasons Murdo compiled a 75-10 record. The Coyotes were 30-2 in 1954 with Brost averaging 21 points per game. As a senior he produced 25 points per game on a 24-3 team. He played at the University of South Dakota.

     * John Diefendorf (Irene 1946): The late Diefendorf was named South Dakota’s greatest player for the first half of the 20th century. He was a four-year starter at Irene. Diefendorf starred at the University of South Dakota. He was all-North Central Conference three years and led the NCC in scoring during the 1949 and 1950 seasons.

     * Lisa (Kurtenbach) Glanzer, Lakewood, Colo. (Brookings 1985): Brookings reached the state tournament three consecutive years with Glanzer at point guard. The Bobcats won the Class A championship and went 23-0 in 1984 when Glanzer was the state’s Miss Basketball. She started 114 consecutive games at South Dakota State University.

     * Chad Greenway, Wayzata, Minn. (Mount Vernon 2001): Greenway was a four-year basketball starter and set the Mount Vernon career scoring record of 1,450 points. He averaged 20 per game as a sophomore, 23 as a junior and 26 as a senior. Greenway chose to pursue football and starred at linebacker for the University of Iowa and Minnesota Vikings.

     * Cary Hornaman, Valrico, Fla. (Aberdeen Roncalli 1975): One of the state’s most accurate long-range shooters, Hornaman helped Roncalli to the Class A state title in 1975. He averaged 20 points per game as a senior and netted a school career record 1,314 points. Hornaman was all-Northern Intercollegiate Conference at Northern State University.

   * Mandy Kappel, Sioux Falls (Sioux Falls Roosevelt 2000): Miss Basketball in her senior season, Kappel was a rare five-year starter. She played on Roosevelt teams that achieved a 112-4 record and won Class AA state championships in 1997, 1998 and 1999. During her time at Drake University, Kappel was part of teams that went 78-40.

     * Dona Ray-Reed, Pierce, Neb. (Yankton 1978): Ray-Reed played an important role in starting a Yankton tradition of excellence that saw the Gazelles win four Class A state titles in the first five years the girls tournament was played. She scored 17 points per game as a senior on an undefeated team. Ray-Reed also was a standout at Yankton College.

     * Jared Reiner, Edina, Minn. (Tripp-Delmont 2000): Tripp-Delmont was Class B state champion during Reiner’s senior season when he averaged 23 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks per game. He was a Big Ten Conference rebounding champion at the University of Iowa. Reiner saw action in the NBA for the Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks.

     * Harvey Schaefer, Milbank (Hayti 1954): A pass-first guard, Schaefer was the floor general on a Hayti team that won the Class B state championship in 1954 and finished with a 32-2 record. He was all-South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference three times at Dakota Wesleyan University where he totaled 1,244 career points.

     * Louis Tyon, Park City, Utah (Pine Ridge 1963): Tyon’s leadership and 20-point per game scoring helped Pine Ridge reach the championship games of the State Class B Tournament in 1962 and 1963. The Thorpes won the title when Tyon was a junior, going 25-3, and finished second when he was a senior. He played at Northern State University.

     The ultimate goal of all high school basketball players in South Dakota is to help their teams reach the state tournament. Those fortunate enough to accomplish that feat make memories during three days in March that last a lifetime.

     Many of our greatest players throughout the decades have earned lasting respect because of their outstanding performances in state tournaments. But there are many other equally talented players who never had that chance.

     The 2017 Fall Newsletter of the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame was sent Nov. 13 to the people on our mailing list. Among featured stories is a look back at some of the elite in north-central South Dakota. Some who never reached the state tourney ….. and others like Bob Stewart (right) who did. Stewart starred at Aberdeen Central before graduating in 1949 and moving on to the University of Colorado where as a senior he was captain of the Buffaloes.

     The newsletter also examines a South Dakota State University team that made a national impact behind an all-South Dakotan starting five; a rivalry between Yankton and Watertown that helped tip off girls basketball in the state; and a memorable player, Don Jongewaard, whose life tragically ended far too soon.

     We hope the newsletter has something for everyone who loves basketball.

     Tribute will be paid to all-time state scoring leaders Louie Krogman and Jill Young in a new addition to the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame at the Sanford Pentagon.

     Krogman starred at White River High School and totaled 3,521 points to set the South Dakota boys career record. Mitchell Christian High School standout Young established the girls record with 3,317 points. Both were varsity starters before entering high school.

     Krogman was Class B first team all-state during each of his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. The 6-foot-1 guard led the Tigers to the state championship as a senior in 2008 when he scored 45 points in a title game win against Langford.

     Young was Class B second team all-state as an eighth-grader and then earned first team honors during each of her four years in high school. Mitchell Christian won a state championship in 2006 during the 5-7 guard’s junior season.

     Both players continued their outstanding careers at the collegiate level. Krogman played at the University of South Dakota and scored 1,644 points for the Coyotes. Young netted 1,356 points for South Dakota State University.

     The 2017 Spring Newsletter produced by the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame was mailed May 10. Copies are delivered to approximately 1,000 people. Our mailing list includes followers who reside in 33 different states.

     Among the topics explored in this issue:

    * How tiny Doland battled the big schools in the memorable one-class state tournament of 1932.

    * A pair of thrilling overtime games, one prep and one collegiate, that made history in 1956 and 1963.

    * The Roosevelt girls’ dominant five-peat during 1997-2001 and their time in the national spotlight.

     Readers also will revisit the memorable career of Eric Bundgaard (left), who captured the attention of the state as a freshman prodigy for the Brookings Bobcats in 1964. Bundgaard went on to average 20.8 points per game in his career during four varsity seasons in premier conferences in South Dakota and Minnesota.

     Our newsletters are free and are published twice yearly, in the spring and in the fall. This is our sixth edition. The next issue will be available around Thanksgiving. (Submitted Photo)

The Class of 2017, from left, front, Mike Sisk, John Lillibridge, Joe Ashley, Gary Evjen, Guy Mackner. Middle, Ann Pancoast, Leatrice Big Crow representing her late daughter SuAnne Big Crow, Nancy Schmidt representing her late father Jim Schmidt, Kriss Edwards, Donna Muir. Back, Terry Jordre, Jerry Buri and Ron Bertsch. (John Simko Photo)

        Thirteen new members were inducted into the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame before a large and appreciative audience March 25 in the Jefferson Room at the Ramkota Hotel in Sioux Falls.

        Members of the Class of 2017 were honored during the eighth annual induction banquet. They increase membership in the Hall of Fame to 130 of the greatest players ever to perform in the state.

        Inductees are selected by the Hall of Fame board of directors, with thorough consideration given to each player nominated. To be considered for induction a player must have graduated from high school at least 15 years ago.