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.

FOREVER BASKETBALL

The South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame will soon announce its inaugural Class of 2010. The Hall of Fame will hold its first annual induction banquet on March 27 at the Dakota Prairie Playhouse in Madison.

The principle of the Hall of Fame is to record and preserve the history of outstanding players and teams from across the state of South Dakota. The game of basketball has been enjoyed by so many South Dakotans, and we feel we must never lose the history and intrigue of the people involved. We must always remember.

The Hall of Fame will recognize boys and girls players who have been outstanding on the hardwood and who will someday be considered legends of the game. Their names and accomplishments will be etched onto plaques which will be on display at the Hall of Fame for future generations to witness.