By Shaun Sarvis
Off the Record
Congratulations to the Huron High School boys basketball team on upsetting the undefeated Sioux Falls Lincoln Patriots last weekend!
I remember the last championship quite well, as it was my senior year of high school. Though I didn’t attend HHS or live in Huron, I can assure you that we were cheering for the Tigers up in Aberdeen.
Despite being taken down by Huron 60-55 in the quarter finals of the tournament, as a student body, we respected Tim Buddenhagen’s team and their fight to defeat a roster hailing from the much larger city of Sioux Falls.
Standing courtside as the Tigers warmed up on Saturday, I was overwhelmed as I watched athletes from other teams climb the stands of Huron’s student section in a similar spirit.
For those who were there (and those who watched or listened via broadcast), it was difficult to miss the enthusiasm of the student section, and I’m sure many of them are still nursing sore throats a week later. They were loud. Really loud.
But they weren’t alone.
Huron arrived at The Monument in astounding numbers, especially when considering the lengthy drive out to Rapid City. Looking beyond the student section to the “Huron stands”, there was a sea of black shirts from end to end, jumping and cheering with every play. Commentators repeatedly mentioned the size of the Huron crowd, and it truly felt like a home game, surrounded by neighbors and friends.
After returning home from the tournament, I told my wife that Saturday evening was probably the highlight of my career, so far – not because of the win, but because of the atmosphere.
An upset against an undefeated team is an incredible thing to witness, but it’s that much greater when it feels like half of the city is there.
Congratulations to Bud and his boys on their championship. Congratulations to Huron on showing the state of South Dakota what we mean when we say We Are Huron. Thank you for an evening of basketball I won’t soon forget.
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