The Dell Rapids Quarrier boys basketball team qualified for the state tournament for the third straight year after two post season wins. The Quarriers defeated the West Central Trojans 65-52 on Friday, March 5th at home in the Region 3A tournament. Dell Rapids then traveled to Parkston and defeated the Rapid City Christian Comets 68-54 in the SoDak 16 on Tuesday, March 9th.
The Quarriers used a big first quarter to propel them to the 65-52 win over the Trojans. Dell Rapids raced out to a 21-5 lead by the end of the first quarter. The Quarriers led 36-19 at halftime. That lead was big enough to survive a West Central run in the second half. The Trojans held Dell Rapids to just seven points in third quarter and cut the lead to 43-37 heading into the final quarter. West Central got the lead down to 47-43 with 5:27 to play, but Dell Rapids closed out the game on an 18-9 run for the win.
Dell Rapids shot 51% (23-45) from the field, 33% (6-18) from three-point area, and 62% (13-21) from the free-throw line.
Colin Rentz finished with 21 points, nine rebounds, and three assists. Carter Nelson had 14 points, six rebounds, and three blocks. Brayden Pankonen had 13 points. Connor Rentz added nine points and four rebounds.
The Quarriers then hit the road on Tuesday, March 9th to Parkston to play the Rapid City Christian Comets in the SoDak 16 with a trip to the State A tournament on the line.
Both teams got off to a slow start in the first quarter. Dell Rapids held a 7-4 lead at the end of the first quarter as both teams combined to shoot 5-23 from the field. Dell Rapids extended their lead to 23-14 by halftime.
Dell Rapids continued to build on their lead in the third quarter. The Quarriers led 39-24 heading into the final quarter. Both teams then put on an offensive show in the fourth quarter. They combined for a total of 59 points in the final quarter. Every time the Comets looked like they were going to make a run, the Quarriers responded and were able to keep the Comets at bay for the win.
The Quarriers finished the game shooting 43% (21-49) from the field, 35% (7-20) from three-point area, and 73% (19-26) from the free-throw line. The Comets were 39% from the field and shot only two free-throws in the game.
Pankonen had the hot hand for the Quarriers, making six three-pointers and finishing the game with 27 points. Colin Rentz had 14 points, 10 rebounds, and five steals. Connor Rentz had 12 points and five assists. Nelson added nine points, 10 rebounds, and four steals.
Dell Rapids (16-6) will be the #8 seed in the South Dakota Boys Class A State Tournament. Their first game will be against #1 Vermillion on Thursday, March 18th at 12:00 p.m. at the Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.