The Dell Rapids Quarriers advanced to the “Sweet 16” round of the Class A post season with a 59-51 win over the Sioux Falls Christian Chargers in the semi-final round of the Region 3A tournament on Saturday, February 25th, in Hartford. The win was also the 13th win in a row for Dell Rapids as they are now just one win away from their third straight state tournament appearance.
The Quarriers jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead in the first minute and a half of the game. Sioux Falls Christian answered with a 6-0 in the next minute and a half to take a 6-5 lead with 5:00 to go in the first quarter. The teams traded points the remainder of the quarter, and the game was tied at 12-12 after the first quarter. Dell Rapids opened up the first half of the second quarter on an 8-2 run and took a 20-14 lead with 4:00 to play in the first half. With the score at 20-17 with 1:30 to go in the second quarter, the Quarriers finished the half on a 7-3 run to take a 27-20 lead into halftime.
The Chargers were able to make up five points of the lead in the first half of the third quarter. Sioux Falls Christian cut the lead to 35-33 with 4:00 to play in the third quarter. Again the two teams traded points the remainder of the third quarter, and Dell Rapids held a 42-40 lead after the third quarter. The Quarriers went on a 9-2 run in the first couple of minutes of the fourth quarter to push their lead to 51-42 with 5:29 to play. The Chargers were able to get within four points at 55-51 with :41 to play, but the Quarriers would hang on for the win to advance to the next round.
Three players finished in double figures for Dell Rapids. Arial Hoffman led the team with 19 points and five rebounds. Aspen Hansen had 14 points. Emma Paul finished with 11 points and seven rebounds. Kali Graham had eight points and four rebounds.
Dell Rapids (17-4) will be the #8 seed in the Sweet 16 and play #9 Todd County on Friday, March 3rd. The location has yet to be determined. Big Sioux Media will broadcast the game.
In the other Region 3A semi-final game, the Madison Bulldogs defeated the Flandreau Fliers 63-51 to also advance to the Sweet 16 round. Jessi Giles had 21 points and Olivia Rud had 16 points to lead the Bulldogs. Flandreau was led by Hannah Parsley with 18 points, Kathy Parsley with 12 points, and Kylie Bertram with 11 points.