Even though the schools are separated by just a few blocks, Dell Rapids and Dell Rapids St Mary have not played against each other in boys basketball since the 1989-1990 season. To end the 2019 year, the Quarriers and Cardinals ended that drought and did battle at the Entringer Classic in Brookings. The gym was full, the atmosphere was electric, and the game certainly lived up to the hype.
The Quarriers gained the early advantage by taking a 13-6 lead with 4:15 to play in the first quarter. The Cardinals chipped away at the lead and closed out the quarter on a 10-4 run to pull within a point at 17-16 at the end of the first quarter. St Mary continued the run into the start of the second quarter as the Cardinals scored the first six points for a 22-17 lead. St Mary went on to outscore Dell Rapids 23-15 in the quarter for a 39-32 halftime lead.
Connor Libis had 26 first half points for the Cardinals, which prompted the Quarriers to change defensive strategies.
The change worked as the Quarriers held St Mary to just eight third quarter points. The Quarriers cut the Cardinal lead to one point at 43-42 with 1:50 to play in the third quarter. St Mary was able to push the lead back to three points at 47-44 at the end of the quarter.
The fourth quarter proved to be nothing less than exciting. The Quarriers scored the first four points of the quarter in the first :45 to take a 48-47 lead. The lead grew to four points at 53-49 with 5:40 to play after a three-point basket by Logan Ellingson. St Mary tied the game at 54-54 with just under 5:00 to go on a three-point shot by Sam Palmer. The two teams traded baskets as the game remained tied 59-59 with 3:00 remaining. The Quarriers went on a 6-0 run to lead 65-59 with 1:20 on the clock. Libis made two free throws for the Cardinals, and then Connar Kangas made three free throws after being fouled with :43 to pull St Mary within a point at 65-64. Colin Rentz made a tough layup with :25 to go to put the Quarriers up by three at 67-64. The Cardinals had the final possession of the game, and Palmer had his last second, three-point shot just hit off the rim at the buzzer.
The Quarriers took the game 67-64.
Libis finished the game with 35 points and five rebounds to lead the Cardinals. Palmer had 10 points and 10 rebounds, and Max Herber finished with 10 points and two rebounds. Four players finished in double figures for the Quarriers. Colin Rentz had 16 points and two assists. Ellingson finished with 16 points. Drew Van Regenmorter, who was the game’s MVP, had 14 points, nine rebounds, and two assists. Connor Rentz ended the night with 13 points.
At the end of the night, the community of Dell Rapids was the big winner. Both teams left everything on the court and provided everyone with a highly entertaining and exciting game. Both teams look poised to make deep runs in the post season this season.
The Cardinals (4-1) will have two more games this week, and both can be seen on Big Sioux Media. St Mary will travel to Estelline on Friday, January 3rd, and then play Winner at the Sacred Hoops Classic in Mitchell on Saturday, January 4th.
The Quarriers (3-1) will not play again until Friday, January 10th when they travel to Chamberlain.