“The Old Schools” Gone But Not Forgotten
This is a partial list of South Dakota high schools and their mascots that have closed or consolidated. Their basketball traditions should not be forgotten. We wish to acknowledge these schools and their players, coaches and supporters. Is your old school on this list? Do you know a school that should be included? Let us know and leave a comment:
——- A ——-
Agar Hi-Pointers
Akaska Raiders
Alexandria Beavers
Alpena Wildcats
Amherst Wildcats
Andover Gorillas
Ardmore Rattlers
Argonne Arrows
Artesian Rams
Ashton Cardinals
Astoria Comets
Athol Arrows
——- B ——-
Bancroft Eagles
Barnard Bears
Bath Warriors
Belvidere Comets
Big Stone City Lions
Blunt Monarchs
Bonesteel Tigers
Bonilla Eagles
Bradley Orioles/Bombers
Brandt Bulldogs
Brentford Braves
Bridgewater Wildcats
Bristol Pirates
Bruce Bees
Bryant Scotties
Buffalo Gap Buffaloes
Burbank Owls
Burke Bulldogs
Butler Panthers
——- C ——-
Camp Crook Woolies
Canning Coyotes
Canova Eagles
Canton Augustana Academy Knights
Carthage Eagles
Cavour Cougars
Chancellor Wildcats
Chester Maroons
Cheyenne Agency Braves
Claire City Comets
Claremont Honkers
Clark Comets
Colman Wildcats
Colton Panthers
Conde Spartans
Corona Midgets
Corsica Comets
Cottonwood Coyotes
Columbia Comets
Cresbard Comets
——- D ——-
Dallas Coyotes
Dante Gophers
Davis Bulldogs
Deadwood Bears
Delmont Wildcats
Doland Wheelers
Draper Bulldogs
——- E ——-
Eagle Butte Warriors
East Lyman Broncos
Egan Bluejays
Elk Point Pointers
Elkton St. Mary’s Saints
Emery Eagles
Erwin Arrows
——- F ——-
Fairburn Cubs
Fairfax Broncs
Farmer Orioles
Fedora Tigers
Ferney Pheasants
Florence Flyers
Forestburg Buccaneers
Frankfort Falcons
Franklin Flyers
Frederick Vikings
Ft. Pierre Buffaloes
Ft. Thompson Panthers
Fulton Pirates
——- G ——-
Gann Valley Buffaloes
Garden City Dragons
Gary Tigers
Gayville Orioles
Geddes Rams
Glenham Eagles
Goodwin Eagles
——- H ——-
Harrold Cardinals
Hartford Pirates
Hayti Redbirds
Hazel Mustangs
Hecla Rockets
Henry Owls
Hetland Broncos
Hitchcock Bluejays
Holabird Cardinals
Hosmer Tigers
Howard St. Agatha Agates
Hudson Trojans
Humboldt Eagles
Hurley Bulldogs
——- I ——-
Interior Cubs
Irene Cardinals
Isabel Wildcats
——- J ——-
Java Panthers
Jefferson Blackhawks
——- K ——-
Kadoka Kougars
Kennebec Kanaries
Keystone Dynamiters
Kidder Tigers
Kimball Kiotes
——- L ——-
Lake Andes Eagles
Lake City Golden Eagles
Lake Norden Bluejays
Lane Trojans
Lead St. Patrick’s Fighting Irish
Lebanon Bulldogs
Leola Pirates
Lesterville Tigers
Letcher Tigers
Lily Wildcats
Logan Arrows
Loyalton Lions
Lyons Lions
——- M ——-
Madison Eastern Yellowjackets
Madison General Beadle Bluejays
Madison St. Thomas Shamrocks
Martin Warriors
Marty Mission Braves
Meckling Panthers
Melette Terriers
Midland Vikings
Mission Hill Eagles
Mitchell Notre Dame Comets
Monroe Wooden Shoed Canaries
Montrose Irish
Moody County Comets
Mount Vernon Mustangs
——- N ——-
New Effington Tigers
Nisland Beattoppers (later Mustangs)
Northville Panthers
Northwestern Lutheran Academy Wildcats
——- O ——-
Oacoma Hawks
Oglala Indians
Okaton Bulldogs
Oldham Dragons
Olivet Eagles
Onaka Pirates
Onida Warriors
Orient Hawks
Orland Eagles
——- P ——-
Peever Panthers
Pickstown Engineers
Piedmont Hawks
Pierpont Panthers
Pine Ridge Holy Rosary Crusaders
Plankinton Pirates
Plano Panthers
Pollock Bulldogs
Polo Bears
Presho Wolves
Provo Rattlers
Pukwana Wildcats
——- Q ——-
Quinn Quintuplets
——- R ——-
Ramona Rockets
Rapid City Cathedral Gaels
Rapid City St. Martin’s Kenmars
Ravinia Bears
Raymond Redwings
Ree Heights Warriors
Reliance Longhorns
Revillo Wildcats
Rockham Trojans
Roscoe Hornets
Roslyn Vikings
Rutland Ramblers
——- S ——-
Salem Cubs
Salem St. Mary’s Falcons
Seneca Bluejays
Sherman Tigers
Sinai Rebels
Sioux Falls Cathedral Irish
Spencer Cardinals
South Dakota School for the Deaf Pheasants
South Dakota State Training School Lincoln Loggers
South Shore Comets
Springfield Trojans
Springfield St. Mary’s Saints
Stephan Mission Chieftains
Stickney Raiders
St. Francis Mission Scarlet Warriors
St. Lawrence Wolves
St. Onge Jackrabbits
Strandburg Tigers
Stratford Vikings
Sturgis St. Martin’s Ravens
Summit Eagles
——- T ——-
Tabor Cardinals
Thomas Tigers
Thorpe Wolves
Trent Warriors
Toronto Vikings
Tripp Wildcats
Tulare Chieftains
Turton Frogs
Tyndall Panthers
——- V ——-
Vale Beetdiggers
Valley Springs Wolverines
Veblen Cardinals
Vermillion University High Cubs
Viborg Vikings
Vienna Black Panthers
Virgil Pirates
Vivian Bearcats
Volga Cossacks
Volin Bluejays
——- W ——-
Wakonda Warriors
Wallace Bulldogs
Ward Academy Lodmeils
Wasta Flyers
Waubay Dragons
Waverly Woodchucks
Wentworth Warriors
Wessington Warriors
Wessington Springs Academy Hornets
West Lyman Raiders
White Wildcats
White Lake Indians (later Wolverines)
Winfred Warriors
Willow Lake Pirates
Witten Wildcats
Wolsey Cardinals
Wood Bulldogs
Worthing Eagles
——- Y ——-
Yale Trojans
Comments (46)
Gene. W. Smith
| #
This is an impressive list, it is so hard to believe that so many schools have closed. It is the sign of the times I guess. Looking over the list, can you captalize Tigers on the Thomas name? The new building looks beautiful, can’t wait for the dedication. Smitty
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Merri Stapp
| #
Have one more, the Vale Beetdiggers 🙂 Have a great day….thanks for doing this….so good
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Jon Anderson
| #
I really enjoy reading your website and the updated posts and comments that you make on it. I sure recognize a lot of those schools who no longer exist….too bad but that is part of why we no longer travel in covered wagons and have party lines on our phones!
Keep up the good work that you do.
Jon
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Al Lawrence
| #
You have omitted the Yale Trojans, and the team of 1952
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Louis Geditz
| #
Hard not to feel a bit sad when seeing all those closed schools. There is one small edit that should be made. The “Onaha” Pirates, should actually be Onaka.
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Mike Oakland
| #
A Witten native told me it was the Witten Wildcats. He also said – Hamill Pirates, Ideal Tigers and Carter Coyotes
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Shannon Begeman
| #
Isabel Wildcats are missing from the list. 3rd place finish in 1990 State B tourney, 7th place in 1997 and home of 1990 Mr Basketball Brent Lindskov
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Curt Nettinga
| #
I see that the Wessington Warriors are on the list. If you have included them – the Wolsey Cardinals must be included as well. I graduated Wolsey High School and at that time, Wessington was our biggest rival. Now, however, the schools are combined and the Warbirds are carrying on the proud tradition of both schools.
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Rich Krull
| #
Spencer Cardinals
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Doug Tipton
| #
Along 281 highway, between Wolsey Cardinals and Tulare Chieftains, was Bonilla Eagles. Nice Job.
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Irene Whitmyre
| #
My husband was supt. of schools at Logan Consolidated School 1945-48. The buildings are no longer standing, but there is a sign on a fence post by the side of the road. I have pictures! Jerry Lohr, who now has a winery in California ….. was the son of a schoolboard member at that time. Other names I recall were Bonnie Logan, Beverly Foiles, the Mehlbergs and the Hurlberts. My husband was the coach, the janitor, and taught classes. I cannot remember the name of the dear lady who taught English.
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Steven Bruce
| #
Amherst is the Wildcats, not the Eagles. Thanks!
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Steven Bruce
| #
Ardmore Rattlers were a West River team not mentioned yet.
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Terry TLG Gilbertson
| #
Wow! Great list. I did not recognize some of the towns.
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Jorge Toro
| #
Great times with the Agar Hi-Pointers.
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Luke Bamberg
| #
Corsica Comets. Stickney Raiders.
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Jim Chilson
| #
Great list. Stirs up a lot of memories. Many schools on that list are still open but in consolidated form or in school coops. The towns are still represented but under different names. One of the newer coops is Clark-Willow Lake. Their new name is the Tornadoes but Clark used to be the Comets. I see you have the Willow Lake Pirates but not the Clark Comets. Great job on the list.
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Jason Wenzel
| #
Plankinton Pirates; Mount Vernon Mustangs; Kimball Kiotes; White Lake Wolverines (They were something before that … Indians?); East Lyman ?; West Lyman ?; Alpena/Woonsocket Wildmen (Football only); Alpena/Wessington Springs Wild Spartans; Artesian/Letcher Rebels became Sanborn Central Rebels; Doland/Conde Chargers.
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Kelly Tobin
| #
We played the Lincoln Loggers back in the 60’s … they were from the State Training School near Plankinton.
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Chris Miller
| #
They were the White Lake Indians when I played in the late 60’s and early 70’s.
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Richard Coleman
| #
It is the Ft. Thompson Panthers not Buffaloes, that was Gann Valley. Also don’t forget the Stephan Chieftains.
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Lee Thomas
| #
Alexandria Beavers. They are now the Hanson Beavers having consolidated with Farmer and Fulton in 1968.
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Monica Greenfield
| #
Chester High School Maroons (1945) marked the school’s first time in history they entered the State B tourney.
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Tim Halligan
| #
Hi, My grandmother from Bryant, South Dakota, played for the Scotties. I have been told they actually rode a train to their games. Edna Schanck Halligan was her name. Anybody know of my grandmother scoring a great deal of points in a game? This would of been in the 1920s. She broke our neighbors window out while hitting my pitch in about 1967. She was very athletic. Thanks for your nice work. History Counts!
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George Strandell
| #
WHO, WHO, WHO are we??
HENRY OWLS!!!!
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Mabel A. Eagle Hunter
| #
1959 State B Champions, Cheyenne River Braves, should be added and recognized at the annual banquet.
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Kim Halverson
| #
If I remember correctly East Lyman’s mascot was Broncs, not Broncos.
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Mark Hanson
| #
Volga Cossacks?
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Troy Larson
| #
Being a graduate of neighboring Groton, I’ve long been told it was the Ferney Pheasants.
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Mike Hutchinson
| #
My father (now 86) played high school basketball for White River (1949-51). He has many times laughed and reminisced about playing basketball in Witten where there was a functioning wood burning stove in THE MIDDLE of the basketball court. Anyone out there have memories, or possibly photographs of this?
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Tom Travis
| #
Anyone know who sourced the Ward Academy mascot as the Lodmeils? I have not been able to find anyone in the local area that has any knowledge of what or who the Lodmeils were. I was told by locals that they had a very good football team. Thanks for any information.
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Jim Thorson
| #
My father Albert Thorson played basketball at Bradley, SD, and the original mascot was the Bradley Orioles and then after World War II, I believe the mascot was changed to the Bradley Bombers. Harvey Johnston, longtime official and owner of Harve’s Sports Shop in Mitchell, SD, was also a Bradley Oriole.
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Grant Fischer
| #
Summit Eagles. The school is still open, but the Eagles mascot is no longer used for sports. Most sports are with Waubay as the Waubay/Summit Mustangs, and with Wilmot and Waubay for football as the Dakota Hills Grizzlies.
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Sam Holderby
| #
Lake Andes Eagles
In the late 60’s Lake Andes consolidated with Pickstown and Ravinia and was known then as Andes Central Eagles.
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Larry Mayes
| #
My mother graduated from Agar in 1942, and my brother and I graduated from Onida in ‘62 … one of the greatest rivalries in SD history, Agar vs Onida … mom was really conflicted about who to root for!
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Dale Schuett
| #
Howdy ….. Where is Newell? Interior?
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Eunice Gillam
| #
I was a cheerleader at Carthage in 51/52. My husband was a standout player for Argonne. Yes, it’s been interesting!
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John G. Mogen
| #
Am originally from Waubay, and played varsity for the Dragons. There is a team listed as Waubay St. Joseph’s Pirates. Wonder if that should be from Chamberlain. No such school existed in Waubay.
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Mary Jo Koenig
| #
This really is an impressive list – thank you to those who’ve compiled it! While “Broncos” I’d the more noted pick of names these days, my hometown team’s mascot was The Fairfax Broncs. The girls’ teams were The Fairfax Fillies.
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Gene Hetland
| #
I agree. I’m 71, and so I’m old enough to remember many of the old schools on this list. Whether the students got a good education varied, I guess, with the schools. But no one can take away the memories!
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Scott Lockwood
| #
Camp Crook “Woolies”. The high school closed in 1944. Fairburn “Cubs.” The high school also closed in 1944. This is a great list!
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Doyle Walker
| #
I am 91, soon to be 92 end of this month. I played football and basketball at Artesian High School. Mascot was Rams and my football coach was Dean Maylem. Anyone know if there are photos of the team? Seems like I played around the year 1941-42. I got a scholarship to play football at General Beadle College. Would welcome response to this posting.
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Jim Trett
| #
I went through old schools and found 19 of them that we played when I was coaching at Northwestern that are no more.
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Pete Beckman
| #
I worked summers humping a wheelbarrow on the Black Hills Ordinance Depot with Provo Rattler basketball stars Danny and Herbie Goodman. Both were excellent athletes and great friends. 1956 to 1958.
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Walt Anderson
| #
My “Murdo Coyotes” became “Jones County Coyotes” in 1984 and before the 1986 three class basketball system went into effect. With Bob’s (Swanhorst) great work in this area (and many other newsletter areas), he is living proof that you can be both athletically and academically gifted. GREAT WORK AND MEMORIES!
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Bryon Noem
| #
As First Gentleman, my initiative is to visit small towns and promote businesses there and meet with community leaders about needs their town would have, then we connect them with someone at the state level to see if we can help. I love it! At every town, I shoot a Free Throw in their gym and I’ve seen some great ones. If anyone has knowledge of any I should visit, I am all ears! Thank you for this amazing list … I reference it a lot. My next stop is Fedora. I have photos of all that I have been to.
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