The Pine Ridge  High School Thorpes made one of the most spectacular comebacks in the history of  state championship games in South Dakota when they defeated Lennox in the finals of the 1987 Class A tournament.

        With time expiring in the third quarter, Lennox led by 13 points. The Thorpes rallied and won by seven, 60-53. Pine Ridge finished with a perfect 26-0 record and because of its impressive achievements is being recognized as the Team of Excellence for 2017 by the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame.

        The Thorpes and Coach Jesse Mendoza were saluted during the eighth annual Hall of Fame induction banquet March 25 at the Ramkota Hotel in Sioux Falls. Inducted during the banquet were 13 former standouts. The Thorpes were, from left, front, Ron Martin, Jeff Big Crow, Jon Garnier, Jim Colhoff, Joe Mesteth, Don Garnier. Back, Bart Ecoffey, Tony Brewer, George Bettelyoun, Bryan Brewer, Brent Brewer, Willie White, Paul Cedar Face and Mendoza.

        Denver converted 24 3-point goals in a 132-110 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Feb. 13. That performance tied the NBA record for the most 3-pointers in a game originally set by the Houston Rockets.

        Mike Miller went 2-for-2 from long range to help the Nuggets to the record before a sellout crowd of 19,941 at the Pepsi Center in Denver.

        The 6-foot-8 Miller is a former Mitchell High School standout who was chosen Class AA first team all-state  for the Kernels in 1996, 1997 and 1998. He played collegiately at the University of Florida and was inducted into the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.

        Miller is in his 17th year in the NBA and has now moved within 35 points of the 11,000 career-point plateau. He has scored 10,965 points and is a career 41 percent shooter on 3-pointers with 1,588 goals.

        Before joining the Nuggets prior to last season, Miller had spent time with Orlando, Memphis, Minnesota, Washington, Miami and Cleveland.

        In its eight years of existence the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame has strived to rekindle memories of the past while exploring many of the most treasured moments in our state’s rich basketball history.

        Of utmost importance to the Board of Directors is the implementation of a strategic plan that will enable an adequate level of financial health for the organization. Our goal is to ensure that the Hall of Fame has the necessary resources to fulfill its mission well into the distant future. The Board of Directors has therefore authorized the creation of an endowment fund through the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation.

        Leon and Virginia Tobin of Aberdeen provided an initial gift of $5,000. Since then the Board of Directors has been gratified by the response of others who share our love of South Dakota basketball and our desire to preserve its history. Click on ‘Our Donors’ on this website to see a list of our generous contributors and to learn how you too can help.

        The Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization which was chartered as a 501(c)(3) in 2009 and is located in the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls. We believe our endowment will allow us to enhance our outreach moving forward. Our commitment is to provide current and future generations with access to a glorious past that should never be forgotten.

          Thirteen former greats have been selected for induction into the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017. The eighth annual induction banquet will be at 1 p.m. on March 25  at the Ramkota Hotel in Sioux Falls.

          Members of the Class of 2017 include standouts from the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. They will increase Hall of Fame membership to 130. At the banquet the 1987 Pine Ridge Thorpes will be honored as a Team of Excellence. Pine Ridge, coached by Jesse Mendoza, won the Class A state boys title and went 26-0. The Class of 2017:

         * Joe Ashley, Pierre (Pierre 1979): The 7-foot Ashley recorded 405 career blocked shots and led the Governors to the Class A state title as a senior. He played collegiately at Iowa State University and South Dakota State University.

        * Ron Bertsch, Yankton (St. Lawrence 1961): Bertsch ranked among the state’s career scoring leaders with 2,012 points for the Wolves. He established a Yankton College record when he netted 1,606 points as a Greyhound.

         * SuAnne Big Crow (Pine Ridge 1992): The late Big Crow scored 2,541 career points and led the Lady Thorpes to the Class A title in 1989. She tallied a state girls single-game record 67 points and was first team all-state three years.

         * Jerry Buri, Montgomery, Texas (Hazel 1960): After scoring 1,937 points for the Mustangs, Buri was a three-year letterman at South Dakota State University. He helped the Jackrabbits to the 1963 NCAA College Division title.

         * Kriss Edwards, Seattle, Wash. (Watertown 1977): Edwards was a talented point guard who led the Arrows to the Class A title in 1976. She went on to set University of Nebraska-Omaha career records for both assists and steals.

         * Gary Evjen, Sioux Falls (Sioux Falls Washington 1968): Evjen averaged 15 points per game as a Warrior senior. He had 2,288 career points at Northern State University and was all-South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference four years.

         * Terry Jordre, Aberdeen (Corona 1957): A skilled floor leader, Jordre was also a defensive specialist for the Midgets. While at Northern State University the Wolves won four South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference titles.

        * John Lillibridge, Burke (Burke 1958): Lillibridge achieved career totals of 1,984 points and 1,008 rebounds for the Bulldogs. At the University of South Dakota he played basketball and was a record setting discus champion in track.

         * Guy Mackner, Sisseton (Sisseton 1965): A stalwart for the Redmen and an all-North Central Conference player for South Dakota State University, the 6-foot-7 Mackner was selected by the Atlanta Hawks in the 1969 NBA Draft.

         * Donna Muir, Norfolk, Va. (Cheyenne-Eagle Butte 1978): First team all-state three years, Muir averaged 23.2 points per game for the Braves in her senior season. She played for the Lady Statesmen of Delta State University (Miss.).

         * Ann Pancoast, Ballwin, Mo. (Sioux Falls Washington 1981): Pancoast and the Warriors were 23-0 and Class A state champions in 1980. She was then all-North Central Conference three years for the University of South Dakota.

         * Jim Schmidt (Dell Rapids St. Mary 1941): Known as “Sunny” Jim, the late Schmidt was all-Catholic state tourney four years. While at South Dakota State University he was North Central Conference scoring champion twice.

         * Mike Sisk, Mesa, Ariz. (Miller 1957): Sisk averaged 18 points per game in his final two seasons as a Rustler. He was a three-year South Dakota State University starter as the Jackrabbits won North Central Conference titles each season.

The Armour Packers of 1987, after winning their fifth consecutive Class B state girls title, were, from left, kneeling, Rita Freidel and Bonnie Hrdlicka. Middle, Jodi Pipes, Dana Nielsen, Jennifer Hawley, Tammy Weisser, Peggy Leonard, Christa VanZee, Meg Nase and Krista McFarland. And back, Michelle Kelly, Nicole DeVries and manager Amy Stern.

Delbert Gillam (34) scored 72 points in a single game for Argonne during 1953.

       The makeup of South Dakota high school basketball was changed dramatically when the controversial decision was made to discard the two-class system that had been in effect from 1936 through 1985.

        The 2016 Fall Newsletter of the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame examines the decision to change to three classes. Profiled is the man, Q.C. Miles, who played an integral role in the process. And included is a recap of the voting for the top players of the two-class era.

        Also featured are the Armour Packers and their five consecutive Class B state girls championships. The Packers compiled an overall 123-4 record while winning titles in 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987.

        And the newsletter introduces readers to high scoring Delbert Gillam of the Argonne Arrows. His average of 25.9 points per game as a senior in the 1953 season included an amazing single-game record outburst of 72.

        Those on the Hall of Fame mailing list were sent the newsletter on Nov. 16. We publish two issues per year and they are distributed free.

        To get on our mailing list provide your home address to Executive Director Dave Wagner at dlwagner@tnics.com. (Submitted Photos)

     The South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame’s presence at the Sanford Pentagon has been significantly enhanced by the recent progress that has been made on three important projects.

     Six panels featuring 8 x 10-inch images of state championship teams are now on display in corridors along the second floor. Each panel is 40 x 70 inches. Pictures depict each boys and girls champion from the first one-class tournament in 1912 through the end of the two-class system in 1985. A seventh panel will soon recognize champions of the Catholic state tournament that played a prominent role in South Dakota basketball history from 1937 through 1964.

     A separate display recognizes those special teams which compiled undefeated records during their title seasons. This exhibit was made possible by the generosity of Nancy Swett, wife of the late Hall of Fame member Rex Swett.

      Another display chronicles the evolution of venues that have served as sites of state tournaments. Included are rare photos of Daum’s Auditorium in Huron, where the first tournament was held in 1912, and Spafford Hall in Aberdeen.

     The Hall of Fame’s main exhibit area is on the first floor of the Pentagon near the main entrance.

       The hundreds of people whose names are currently on the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame mailing list have been sent our 2016 Spring Newsletter. It was mailed to them on June 2.

      Among topics explored in the newsletter: *A special tournament, the Lakota Nation Invitational, that has come to stand for much more than just basketball. *Region II champion Ipswich’s surprising run to the Class B state title in 1952. *And a Q&A with Megan Mahoney, who has carried the banner of South Dakota through a decorated career as a prep, collegiate and professional star. In the LNI photo above Chris Comes Flying of Lower Brule drives against Justice Morrison of White River in the 39th annual tournament last December (Photo by Roman Hawran Lacho).

      South Dakota basketball enthusiasts from 33 different states receive the free newsletter. They live from California to Massachusetts and from North Dakota to Texas. Our newsletters also can be downloaded on this website.

      If you are not on our mailing list and would like to be added, email your name and home address to Executive Director Dave Wagner at dlwagner@tnics.com or you can contact him by phone by calling (605) 467-3010.

              The seventh annual induction ceremony and banquet was held by the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame on April 2. The event was at the Ramkota Hotel in Sioux Falls.

       Welcomed into the Hall of Fame during the banquet were 19 former greats. They expand membership to 117. To read bios of all members of the Hall of Fame click on Inductees on this website.

       The Class of 2016 is, from left, in front, Scott Morgan, Mitchell ’89; Chris Miller, Stickney ’71; Dale Hall, Ravinia ’54; Holly (Sivesind) Borchers, Roosevelt ’93; Lolly Steele, Pine Ridge ’84; and Roger Faber, Canistota ’58.

       In back are, Mason Hecker who was representing his late father Fred Hecker, Washington ’57; Dodie Bemis, who was representing her late father Bob Marske, Andover ’44; Matt Jones, Alpena ’01; Vince Gauer who was representing his late grandfather Bob Marske; Josh Mueller, West Central ’01; Steve Jansa, O’Gorman ’64; Harley Zephier Sr., Dupree ’55; Elton Byre, Reliance ’56; Maury Haugland, Murdo ’54; Amy (Allard) Carmody, Jefferson ’82; and Melissa (Olson) Guebert, Lincoln ’83. Also inducted was Wayne Rasmussen, Howard ’60, who is shown at right. Completing the Class of 2016 were the late Conrad Collin, Huron ’30; and the late Rudy Soderquist, Rapid City ‘37.

       Among the highlights of the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame’s annual banquet is the recognition of one of the state’s greatest teams of the past as a Team of Excellence. Two such teams were recognized in 2016.

     One was the Salem Cubs of 1926. Salem had an astounding 40-1 record. The Cubs won the single-class state title and then took third place in the prestigious National Interscholastic Tournament that was held at the end of the season in Chicago.

     The team was comprised of, from left, Coach George Edmonds, Gerald Cheadle, Clarence Carey, George Carey, Vernon Cheadle, Jake Schneider, Vernon Sessler, Melvin Olson, Billy Rohlffs and Lemmie Herting.

      Huron 1958 was selected as one of two great teams from the state’s past to be honored as a Team of Excellence by the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame during the organization’s 2016 banquet.

      The Tigers of Coach Carold Heier finished with an undefeated 22-0 record after winning the Class A state championship.

      Team members who also won the Eastern South Dakota  Conference were, from left, Don Tschetter, Dale Schwartz, Dennis Busch, John Ehret, John Fuglsang, Nick Brod, Don Barry, Rex Swett, Al Mason, Tom Martin, Larry Keelin and Bill Madden. Kneeling is student manager Charles Pease.