South Dakota Class AA: Championship
State Championship: Class AA
The build up for this game had been crazy. There were so many underlying stories that preceded this mega match-up. Let’s start with the relationships between the two teams. Lincoln and Brandon Valley are like cousins from different sides of the family. One day some of the girls are going out to a movie together or playing AAU ball together, then the next minute they are diving on each other’s heads for a loose ball. Elbows, hard fouls, junk talking and hugs could all be used to describe their relationship. So a half smile from either side showed it was time for war.
From jump, BV came out moving, pressing and hitting shots. The had an early lead 7-0. Sort of like a boxing match. One fighter wins the first two rounds by being the aggressor. Lincoln counters quickly with a 6-0 run themselves. 7-6 BV was up. The crowd was going wild, the arena was packed, benches were pumped. There’s nothing better than this environment. Then……
Lincoln went cold. Sometimes the basket has a lid on it. And in this case it had a lid, some Reynolds wrap and aluminum foil on it. Lauren Wells hit a bank shot, Morgan Hansen came down and missed a bunny. Hannah Behrens followed up with bucket. Lincoln came down and missed another shot. Which led to BV transition points, which they are best at. Lincoln has always had stretches where they go cold but then their offensive juggernauts show face. In a few later possessions, Emma Osmundson drove baseline. A shot she normally makes doesn’t go in. That lid was tight. Hansen finally got something rolling for Lincoln with a big three. Next possession, Behrens got a monster offensive rebound and scores a bucket. 31-19 BV. With the Lynx last look before half, a flex screen with a cutting Ashley Wells, bucket! 33-19 at the half. Trinity Law led all scorer with 14
BV came out in the second half firing! Ashley Wells with an And 1, Hailey Piper hit two baseline shots, then another three from Wells. In between BV’s run Lincoln’s Osmundson hit a three of her own. However, Lincoln couldn’t afford to trade baskets. They needed a few stops. Lincoln would zone up on defense. Looking for BV to take some perimeter shots, which could lead to long rebounds and transition opportunities. The Lynx would spoil that plan. They took their time, pass, pass shot. Another possession, pass pass, shot. The Patriots turned it over. BV has it out of bounds. Some action, then a knock down three by Danica Kocer. 48-28 , end of the 3rd quarter. This thang is OVER! The fourth is a blur. Baskets back and forth, empty possessions for both teams then the horn buzzed. The seniors come out the game, not a dry eye in sight. Another buzzer goes off and that’s the game. The Lynx of Brandon Valley are your 2019 Class AA State Champions.
The two centers, Sydnaya Dunn of Lincoln, senior and Hannah Behrens of BV, junior, embrace in a long hug. These two have battled for years. They played on the same AAU team and went back and forth in practices. Then, when the school season started, they battle some more. The hug meant no more battles between the two. The same for Morgan Hansen and Emma Jarovski. They also share a special connection. They too play for the same AAU program. They will be back next year to continue the school rivalry. It’s just like cousins who argue, and fight all summer long. They can not get along when together but when it’s’ time to part, you reflect on the good times you’ve shared with each other. . That’s what’s it all about.