Sioux Falls O’Gorman, Washington Punch Tickets to State Tournament

It was a night in which we were guaranteed that two Sioux Falls schools would make the Class AA State Basketball Tournament. O'Gorman and Washington did so by defeating their rivals.

O'Gorman picked up a 58-46 win over Roosevelt to punch their ticket to the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center. The Knights were led by JP Costello's 18 points. Overall, four players for the Knights were in double figures. O'Gorman will be the second seed in the tournament, while Roosevelt will have one more opportunity to get in when they host Brandon Valley on Tuesday night.

Washington seemed to be in full control on the other side of Sioux Falls when they took a 26-4 lead into the second quarter against Lincoln. The Patriots wouldn't go quietly. Lincoln stormed back in the second half to get the game within four points with under one minute to play. Washington would go on to win 66-57 and secure the top seed in the upcoming tournament.

Mitchell made some waves when they took out Huron in the first round of District 3AA. The cinderella story for the team that finished the regular season at 4-16 will have to continue through another district game before being invited to the dance. Pierre TF Riggs defeated the Kernels 62-56.

District 4AA claimed their champion as Rapid City Central picked up a 66-54 win over Sturgis Brown.

Tuesday will feature four region games for the final four spots in the tournament.

Tuesday, March 8
Brandon Valley @ Roosevelt
Lincoln @ Watertown
Mitchell @ RC Central
Sturgis Brown @ Aberdeen Central.

Seeding at the State Tournament is determined by "seed points." Those are gathered based on a graded level of wins and losses against opponents wins and losses, divided by the number of games played. With the teams remaining, here are the seeding scenarios for each team. Teams cannot fall below the number they are listed at.

1) Washington (Qualified. Locked) 44.35
2) O'Gorman (Qualified. Locked) 43.65
3) Watertown. 42.90
4) Aberdeen Central. 42.30
5) Pierre TF Riggs (Qualified). 41.65
6) Roosevelt. 41.00
7) RC Stevens (Qualified) 40.80
8) Lincoln. 40.45
9) Brandon Valley. 39.65
10) RC Central. 37.95
11) Sturgis Brown. 37.65
12) Mitchell. 37.60

Finally, this is the schedule for the tournament at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center and Sioux Falls Arena for Class AA.

Boys AA State Tournament – Sioux Falls
Thursday, March 17
3:00 – 8th seed vs. Sioux Falls Washington (Denny Sanford PREMIER Center)
3:00 – 7th seed vs. Sioux Falls O’Gorman (Sioux Falls Arena)
7:00 – 4th/5th seed quarterfinal (Denny Sanford PREMIER Center)
7:00 – 3rd/6th seed quarterfinal (Sioux Falls Arena)

Friday, March 18
11:45am – Boys consolation (1/8 vs. 4/5) (Sioux Falls Arena)
11:45am – Boys consolation (2/7 vs. 3/6) (Denny Sanford PREMIER Center)
3:15 – Boys semifinal (1/8 vs. 4/5) (Denny Sanford PREMIER Center)
6:45 – Boys semifinal (2/7 vs. 3/6) (Denny Sanford PREMIER Center)

Saturday, March 19
11:45am – Boys 7th/8th place (Sioux Falls Arena)
11:45am – Boys 5th/6th place (Denny Sanford PREMIER Center)
3:15 – Boys 3rd/4th place (Denny Sanford PREMIER Center)
7:30 – Boys Championship Game (Denny Sanford PREMIER Center)

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