ABERDEEN Despite facing a ton of adverstiy both on and off the court this season, the Wessington Springs boys basketball team still managed to put together a 21-2 season thus far.
The Spartans will be looking to continue overcoming that adversity as they enter the Class B State Boys Basketball Tournament, which begins Thursday athe Barnett Center in Aberdeen, as the No. 4 seed.
The Spartans just cant catch a break, but as we talk every day at practice and relate it to bigger picture and life itself, it is all about how you respond to it you have a choice and an opporunity every new day, Wessington Springs coach Joey Mitchell said of his teams mental approach after having to deal several injuries to key players thoughout the season. They have continued to do just that and rise to the occasion and the next man steps up a little more. As a coach, mentor, its been simply amazing to witness.
Wessington Springs is making its second straight trip to the state tournament after winning the consolation title a year ago. It is the fourth overall appearance for the Spartans in the season-ending showcase.
In the opening round on Thursday, Wessington Springs will face fifth-seeded Wall, which has put together a 17-6 record this season, at 1:45 p.m.
In other games during the opening round, top-seeded Castlewood (21-2) will face No. 8 Lyman (17-6) at noon; second-seeded St. Marys (22-1) will face No. 7 Aberdeen Christian (18-5) at 6 p.m.; and third-seeded Viborg-Hurley (21-2) will face No. 6 Freeman (19-4) at 7:45 p.m.
There is not one single team I wouldnt say does not have a shot at the championship, Mitchell said. Ultimately, its March Madness who is going to show up and do the work. It should make for an excitying weekend in Aberdeen.
Castlewood has rightfully earned the favorite being the No. 1 seed, but also by playing one of the most competitive schedules at our level; this ultimately prepares them for a state tournament, getting to face a high level of competition almost every night they take the court, he said. With that, St. Marys cannot be ruled out, along with Viborg-Hurley. Both teams have a couple of really good players and then players that compliment those others nicely.
The Spartanss lineup was short-handed from the get-go as senior Ryder Michalek was sidelined with a broken foot, which occurred during the football season. Wessington Springs also had to contend with knee issues during the first part of the season with junior Parker Graff, senior Karter Mebius and senior Branden Flowers, who filled key roles in the lineup.
Junior Luke Larson was also sidelined for a good chunk of the season, after suffering a hand injury during an accident in shop class during the season.
The most unique thing about this team is all year has been the next man up mentality, Mitchell said. We have battled injuries all year.
Things had been looking up for the Spartans as a number of the injured players had been able to return towards the end of the season, however, they were dealt another devasting blow in the region tournament, when Graff suffered a season-ending knee injury. He was the second-leading scorer on the team with 294 points this season and was a force in the paint with 59 rebounds on the defensive end and 22 offensive boards.
Wessington Springs with enter the state tournament with a starting lineup of junior Colby Flowers, Mebius, Michalek, sophomore Wesley Molnar and senior Sam Poncelow.
Colby Flowers leads the Spartans with 380 points this season. He also has a team-high 202 rebounds.
Michalek has averaged 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists in 10 games since his return from his injury. Mebius has also averaged in double figures with 11 points, while snagging three rebounds and three assists.
Filling key roles off the bench for Wessington Springs will be Larson, Brandon Flowers, junior Grady Gran and sophomore Haiden Boschee.
For a chance at the title, we would have to continue to do what we have been learning to do all year. It would require discipline at both ends of the court, Mitchell said. Defensively, contesting all shots, guarding the drive making guys earn it by finishing overtop without fouling; rebounding on the first shot. Then offensive execution; passing up a good shot for a great shot and understanding when these are needed; not settling for one shot on the offensive end and rebounding for second chance opportunities.
We need to value the basketball each and every possession, while showing up with the right mindset, leadership and togetherness, he said.
Facing Wall in the opening round will be a challenging task for the Spartans, according to Mitchell.
Wall is a very athletic, fast and talented team. All 5-plus players can and will look to score the basketball from the 3-point line or attacking the rim off the dribble, Mitchell said. They like to play a fast-paced, up-and-down type of style with man full-court, run-and-jump pressure on defense carrying over into the halfcourt with the same style.
Key points for us to have a chance at winning are handling the ball pressure, staying disciplined on defense guarding the 3-point line and dribble drive; and offensive execution handling the pressure and finishing.
Winners from the opening round will meet in the semifinals at 6 and 7:45 p.m. Friday, while the losers will play in the consolation semfinals at noon and 1:45 p.m. Friday.
The final day of the tournament on Saturday will begin with the seventh-place game at noon. The consolation title game will follow at 1:45 p.m.
Wrapping up the three-day tourney will be the third-place game at 6 p.m., and the championship game at 7:45 p.m.
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