The Dell Rapids Quarrier boys basketball team is headed back to the South Dakota State A Tournament for the first time since 2015. The #12 seeded Quarriers shot the lights out in the second half to defeat the #5 seeded Parker Pheasants 59-31 in the SoDak 16 at Sioux Falls Roosevelt High School on Tuesday, March 5th.
The first half of the game was an offensive drought by both teams. Parker and Dell Rapids combined to shoot 19.6% (10-51) from the field in the first two quarters. Logan Ellingson started the game with a three point basket, and then Parker went on a 9-0 run for a 9-3 lead. The Quarriers got the last basket of the quarter to cut the lead to 9-5 at the quarter break. Dell Rapids scored the first seven points of the second quarter and regained the lead 12-9 with 2:30 to play in the half. Trey Christensen gave Parker a 15-14 lead with under :30 to play, but Colin Rentz hit a runner in the middle of the lane at the buzzer to give the Quarriers the 16-15 lead at halftime.
The second half proved to be much different for Dell Rapids. The Quarriers found their offensive groove and outscored Parker 29-12 in the third quarter for a 45-27 lead after the third quarter. Dell Rapids then held the Pheasants to just four points in the fourth quarter for the big win.
After shooting just 16% in the first half, Dell Rapids shot 68% in the second half to finish the game shooting 41% (24-59) from the field. The Quarriers were 22% (5-23) from three-point area, and 67% (6-9) from the free-throw line. Parker finished the game shooting 29% (12-42) from the field, 29% (6-21) from three-point area, and 20% (1-5) from the free-throw line. The two teams both finished with 32 team rebounds, but Dell Rapids forced 15 Parker turnovers while committing just five of their own.
Four players finished in double figures for Dell Rapids. Colin Rentz had 17 points, five steals, and four rebounds. Connor Rentz had 12 points and four rebounds. Drew Van Regenmorter also had 12 points along with three steals. Ellingson tallied 10 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. Logan Heim added eight points, nine rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. Christensen led the Pheasants with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Dell Rapids will enter the 2019 South Dakota State A Tournament as the #8 seed. The Quarriers will play the #1 seeded Tea Area Titans in the opening round at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 14th. The state tournament will be held at the Premier Center in Sioux Falls Thursday, March 14th through Saturday, March 16th.