HURON The Wessington Springs Spartans recorded one of the most impressive comebacks in 281 Conference tournament history, bouncing back from a 24-point deficit for a 58-56 victory over the Wolsey-Wessington Warbirds in the 281 Conference boys tournament championship game Thursday at Huron Arena.
The Spartans, receiving votes in the most recent Class B poll, were missing two preseason starters and another starter came off the bench as he worked his way back from injury, and that showed early.
Larz Tvedt hit a three to open the scoring for Wolsey-Wessington after Peyton Rainford made a steal and passed to him. He would then add to that as he knocked in a putback bucket to give the Warbirds an early 5-0 lead.
The Warbirds would put together a 9-0 lead before Parker Graff hit a three to put the Spartans on the board. Tvedt would score 10 in the first quarter as the Warbirds built a 14-5 lead as the quarter buzzer sounded.
Graff attacked offensively to keep the Spartans within striking distance, netting 12 points before half, but Moshe Richmond had a strong second quarter, putting in eight points – 10 for the half – and making two big blocks on defense in the period as the Warbirds closed the first half with a commanding 35-19 lead.
Two minutes into the third quarter, the Warbirds pushed the lead out past 20 points. While Graff continued having a very good game for the Spartans on his return from injury, the Warbird team pushed the pace and was able to keep at that margin throughout the quarter, closing out the period with a 47-31 lead.
The Spartans finished the third on a 6-0 run to get the lead under 20 points, and they continued that momentum, cutting the lead down to 11 within the first 90 seconds of the fourth quarter. A Graff three for Springs halfway through the quarter cut the lead under double-digits to 52-43.
Moshe Richmond fouled out with 3:56 left in the game, and a flagrant foul call on Rainford fouled him out of the game. Sam Poncelow drained both free throws, and in the ensuing position, Colby Flowers put in a bucket to knot the game 52-52.
After giving Springs the lead, Flowers fouled out with 1:57 left in the game. A three from Tvedt tied the game at 56-56 with 1:06 remaining.
A Brandon Flowers bucket with 20 seconds left gave the Spartans a 58-56 lead. Wolsey-Wessington couldnt convert and the Spartans were able to secure a championship.
Wessington Springs moves to 10-1 behind 35 points from Parker Graff. He also had a team-high five rebounds.
Tvedt and Caleb Richmond each had 16 to pace the Warbirds, now 9-3. Moshe Richmond, who was named the tournament MVP, added 12 points.
Moshe Richmond also had nine rebounds, while Caleb Richmond had five assists.
The Spartans host Andes Central/Dakota Christian on Tuesday while the Warbirds travel to Sunshine Bible Academy.
Wessington Springs 5 19 31 56
Wolsey-Wessington 14 35 47 58
Third Place – Sanborn Central/Woonsocket 60, Iroquois/Lake Preston 40
The Sanborn Central/Woonsocket Blackhawks claimed third place in the boys 281 Conference tournament with a 60-40 victory over the Iroquois/Lake Preston Sharks Thursday at Huron Arena.
Sanborn Central/Woonsocket went to the break with a 32-23 halftime lead in a fast-paced first half of play. The pace slowed significantly in the second half as the Blackhawks really flexed their defensive muscle to slow the tempo in the second half and pulled away.
SC/W moves to 7-4. Payton Uecker led on the scoresheet with 14 points. McCoy Schulz had 11, and Landon Jensen chipped in 10 points for the Blackhawks.
Schulz had a game-high 10 rebounds for the Blackhawks and Jensen dished out six assists.
Lucas Peskey led Iroquois/Lake Preston (5-6) with a game-high 18 points.
Ervin Carter had eight rebounds and Peskey ripped away four steals for the Sharks.
The Blackhawks host Hanson on Thursday at Sanborn Central. The Sharks are back on the court Thursday at top-ranked Castlewood.
Iroquois/Lake Preston 10 23 31 40
Sanborn Central/Woonsocket 14 32 44 60
Iroquois/Lake Preston (5-6): Lucas Peskey 6 3-4 18, Ervin Carter 3 1-2 7, Daunte Glanzer 1 0-0 2, Ryne Green 0 1-2 1, Brycen Blue 0 1-2 1, Peyton Hope 1 3-4 5, Carter Arbeiter 3 0-2 6. Totals: 14 9-16 40.
Sanborn Central/Woonsocket (7-4): Evan Easton 2 0-0 5, Payton Uecker 5 1-2 14, McCoy Schulz 3 4-6 11, Bryce Larson 1 2-2 5, Landon Jensen 3 4-8 10, Grant Edwards 3 0-0 7, Sam Baruth 0 4-4 4, Will Simmonds 1 0-0 2, Riley Kneen 1 0-0 2. Totals: 19 15-22 60.
FG: ILP – 14/61 23%; SCW – 25/65 38%. 3-pt FG: ILP , SCW 7 (Uecker 3, Easton, Schulz, Larson, Edwards). Rebounds: ILP 30 (Carter 8), SCW 34 (Schulz 10). Steals: ILP 6 (Peskey 4), SCW 12 (Three with 3). Assists: ILP 1, SCW 14 (Jensen 6). Turnovers: ILP 11, SCW 15.
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