13 standouts from past to enter Hall of Fame

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     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.

Fall Newsletter recalls great players, teams

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     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.

Display to recognize state scoring leaders

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     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.

Followers in 33 states receive newsletter

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     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 Hall of Fame Class of 2017

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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, xxxx representing her late father "Sunny" Jim Schmidt, Kriss Edwards, Donna Muir. Back, Terry Jordre, Jerry Buri and Ron Bertsch.

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.

Pine Ridge ’87: Team of Excellence for 2017

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        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.

Miller, Nuggets tie NBA 3-point record

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Miller with Nuggets        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.

Endowment provides stability for future

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        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.

Six decades represented in Class of 2017

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          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.

Revisit the path that led S.D. to three classes

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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.

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.

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)