The future course of the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame will be guided by Dave Wagner and Bob Swanhorst with assistance from an active board of directors.

     Wagner was named executive director by a recent vote of the board. Swanhorst, formerly vice president, was elected president. Other officers are LaMoine Torgerson, Lee Stoddard and Wayne Thue. Torgerson is the newly elected vice president while Stoddard remains as treasurer and Thue as secretary.

     “We have been very encouraged by the wonderful response of the public since the Hall of Fame moved into the Sanford Pentagon in the fall of 2013,” said Wagner, who will act as the organization’s contact person. “Our exhibits allow visitors to experience the proud heritage of South Dakota basketball. As we move forward, our goal is to ensure that the Hall of Fame will provide an ongoing historical narrative and will serve as an inspiration for future generations.”

     Remaining on the board of directors are Randy Jencks and Greg Hansen. Newly elected to the board are Frank Brost, Gordon Fosness, Mike Begeman, Ron Flynn, Deb Finnesand and Bob Ehrke.

               The seventeen newest members of the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame were inducted during the fifth annual banquet that was held March 29 at the Ramkota Hotel in Sioux Falls.

         Honored for their outstanding accomplishments were, from left, front, Willie White (Pine Ridge), Lien Marso (Harrold), Luther Hippe (Sioux Falls Washington), Mark Tetzlaff (Hamlin) and DuWayne Groos (Sisseton). Middle, Mandy Koupal (Wagner), Lori Wohlleber O’Farrell (Summit), Julie Harmacek Bridge (Avon), Kris Holwerda Woerner (Brookings) and Colleen Moran (Stickney). Back, Denver Ten Broek (McIntosh), Aaron Miedema representing his father Phil Miedema (Hitchcock), Richard “Milt” Authier (Woonsocket), Bart Friedrick (Mitchell), Gerhardt “G.E.” Buenning (Parkston), Rich Andrzejewski (Arlington) and Steve Hammer (Pierpont).

          Recognized as a Team of Excellence during the banquet was the 1985 Mitchell Kernels, undefeated Class AA state champions. Mitchell was led by Friedrick, who sent on to star at Drake University, and coached by Gary Munsen.

          The fifth annual South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame induction banquet will feature 17 men and women who have helped write basketball history over the past six decades.  On March 29 the Sioux Falls Ramkota will host the inductees and several hundred guests for a program and banquet.

          The following athletes are set to accept their place along with 65 previous inductees who have set a standard of excellence and whose contributions are forever etched in the record books.  Lien Marso (Harrold); Mark Tetzlaff (Hamlin); DuWayne Gross (Sisseton); Rich Andrzejewski (Arlington); Richard “Milt” Authier (Woonsocket); Phil Miedema (Hitchcock); Willie White (Pine Ridge); Gerhardt “G.E.” Buenning (Parkston); Bart Friedrick (Mitchell); Denver Ten Broek (McIntosh); Luther Hippe (Washington); Steve Hammer (Pierpont) ; Julie (Harmacek) Bridge (Avon); Colleen Moran (Stickney); Mandy Koupal (Wagner); Kris Holwerda (Brookings); Lori (Wohleber) O’Farrell (Summit).

          In addition to these athletes, the 1985 Mitchell Kernels will be recognized as a team of excellence along with Coach Gary Munsen. Kent Hyde, a Hall of Fame athlete from Onida, will be recognized as the fourth all-time single season scoring leader in the nation with 50.4 points per game in 1953.

          The South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame is proud to announce that the unbeaten 1964 Howard Tigers have been chosen as the Team of Excellence for 2013.

          The Tigers won the Class B state tournament and went undefeated at 28-0. In the finals they beat Scotland 60-51.

          The coach was Jim Cordts. The team will be honored during the fourth annual induction banquet at the Dakota Prairie Playhouse in Madison on March 23.

          A reigning NBA champion, Miami Heat veteran Mike Miller, is among 16 stalwarts who will be inducted into the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame during a banquet in Madison on March 23.

          Miller helped Mitchell High School to two Class AA state championships before graduating in 1998. He then led the University of Florida to the NCAA Final Four. Miller was chosen by Orlando as the fifth overall pick in the 2000 NBA draft. The 6-foot-8 guard/forward, of Pompano Beach, Fla., is now in his 12th season. He made seven 3-pointers and scored 23 points in the deciding game as Miami defeated Oklahoma City in last season’s NBA Finals.

          Those to be enshrined distinguished themselves through exemplary playing careers. They expand membership to 65 in the Hall of Fame, whose purpose is to record and preserve the basketball history of South Dakota.

Hall of Fame Inductees for 2013

          Mike Miller of Pompano Beach, Fla. (Mitchell 1996); Scott Bosanko of Farmington, N.M. (Aberdeen Central 1977); Amy Mickelson of Sioux Falls (Brookings 1986); Chris Divich of San Antonio, Texas (Doland 1952); Carol (Freeman) Galbraith of Winner (Canova 1979); Clyde Hagen of Sioux Falls (Webster 1966); Garney Henley of Huron (Hayti 1955); Kent Hyde of Little Rock, Ark. (Onida 1954); Gerald Lund of Buhl, Idaho (Belle Fourche 1957); Chad Nelson of Edgartown, Mass. (Yankton 1974); Renee Ruesink of Sioux Falls (Castlewood 1984); Jim Schlekeway of Mobridge (Britton 1964); Wayne Stone of Mitchell (Mitchell 1941); Wendy Swanhorst of Denver, Colo. (Cresbard 1978); Marty Waukazoo of San Leandro, Calif. (Rapid City 1967); Chuck Welke Jr. of Thompson, N.D. (Warner 1994). Team of Excellence: 1964 Howard Tigers.

           A partnership between the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame and Sanford Health was announced on May 25. The Hall of Fame will move to Sioux Falls in fall 2013.

          The Hall of Fame has been located in Madison since its inception in 2010. Its future home will be the Sanford Pentagon. Above is an artist’s rendition of the $19 million facility being built in northwest Sioux Falls.

          Nate White, chief operating officer for Sanford Health, said that the Sanford Sports Complex, with the Pentagon as its centerpiece, will draw 1.1 million visitors a year. The 160,000 square-foot Pentagon will have nine basketball courts that also may be used for such activities as volleyball, wrestling and cheer/dance events.

          It was a shot heard around South Dakota, and it began what would become the greatest dynasty in the history of Class B boys basketball.

          The shot was a halfcourt rainbow at the buzzer by LeRoy “Lefty” Engebritson of Webster that propelled the Bearcats to a 45-44 win over unbeaten Platte in the first round of the 1946 “Big B.”  Coach George Hauk’s squad went on to defeat Thomas 45-36 in semifinal play and rolled past Hurley in the title game 47-27 to finish with a 27-2 record.

          Hauk had guided Webster to a runner-up finish in the state tournament in 1945, and the 1946 title kicked off a string of three straight for the Bearcats, the only team to ever achieve the feat since basketball was divided into two classes in 1936.  Yankton did win four straight (1922-1925) when there was a one-class system.

          The Bearcats defeated Eureka in the title game in both 1947 and 1948, and those three Webster championship teams are being honored as a Team of Excellence this year by the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame.

— By Doug Card

          Sixteen former greats will be inducted into the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame during the third annual banquet at the Dakota Prairie Playhouse in Madison on March 24. Those to be enshrined distinguished themselves by exemplary achievements in their playing careers. They expand membership to 49 in the Hall of Fame.

          To be honored in the Class of 2012 are Randy Fletcher of Lennox (Reliance 1965); Barry Glanzer of Louisville, Neb. (Armour 1978); Greg Hansen of Sioux Falls (Hurley 1970); Dana (Nielsen) Honner of Sioux Falls (Armour 1987); Randy Jencks of Arlington (De Smet 1971); Eric Kline of Aberdeen (Aberdeen Central 1991); Jesse Mendoza of Eagle Butte (Cheyenne-Eagle Butte 1971); Myron Moen of Madison (Sisseton 1963); Tom Orton of Dawsonville, Ga. (Madison 1965); Courtney (Stapp) Pool of Rapid City (Newell 1993); Taran Stapp of Denver, Colo. (Newell 1996); Karla Stevenson of Brookings (Hamlin 1983); Bob Stewart of Aberdeen (Aberdeen Central 1949); Jason Sutherland of Columbia, Mo. (Watertown 1992); Jack Theeler of Mitchell (Sisseton 1963); and LaMoine Torgerson of Mitchell (Forestburg 1959).

          Also to be recognized during the banquet are longtime basketball official Leon Tobin of Aberdeen as a contributer and the Webster Bearcats of 1946-47-48 as a Team of Excellence.

Sisseton Redmen 1963: Back from left, assistant coach Chuck Schwahn,  Bob Brewster, Myron Moen, Simon Schloe, Jack Theeler Jr., Bob Hull, Tom Hruby, Coach Jack Theeler Sr.  Front, manager Jim Anderson, Richard Lucas, Marlowe Samson, Myron Williams, Tony Barker, Doug Brewster and Owen Hillberg.

          The South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame is honoring one of the outstanding teams in state history. The 1963 Sisseton Redmen are being recognized as a Team of Excellence, 48 years after capturing the Class A state championship. Finishing a perfect season with a 25-0 record, it was only the third time in state history that a team had gone undefeated in the “A” ranks.

          The Redmen defeated Gregory 65-37, Sioux Falls Washington 42-33 and defending champion Brookings 58-42 to win the first “A” state tournament played at the Sioux Falls Arena. The five starters — Jack Theeler, Myron Moen, Simon Schloe, Bob Hull and Bob Brewster — all went on to play college basketball.

          The former stars who will be inducted in the Class of 2011 have been announced by the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame. The second annual banquet is March 26 at the Dakota Prairie Playhouse in Madison.

          Chosen for induction are Rick Nissen – Miller Rustlers – 1972; Kim Templeton – Miller Rustlers – 1972; Gordon Fosness – Presho Wolves – 1953; Harry “Bud” Carleton – Sioux Falls Washington Warriors – 1943; Terry DuPris – Cheyenne Eagle Butte Braves – 1976; Roger Nelson – Brookings Bobcats – 1953; Harley Petersen – Hayti Redbirds – 1954; Terry Slattery – Salem St. Mary’s Falcons – 1956; Jim Sutton – Onida Warriors – 1953; Jerry Wingen – Canova Eagles – 1956; Tom Malchow – Aberdeen Golden Eagles – 1961; Alan Miller – Stickney  Raiders – 1981; Renae Sallquist – Brookings Bobcats – 1986; JoElle (Byre) Benson – Sioux Falls Washington Warriors – 1982; Diane (Hiemstra) Gabriel – Yankton Gazelles – 1980; Cathy (Coyle) Grubb – Belle Fourche Broncs – 1978.

          The Hall of Fame will also honor as a contributor Pat Morrisson of Mobridge, who has served South Dakota basketball for decades as a player, referee and broadcaster. The Team of Excellence to be recognized in 2011 is the 1963 Sisseton Redmen, the 25-0 state Class A champions who were coached by Jack Theeler.