Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media, Author at Big Sioux Media Sports Network

Schreier and Maeschen Sign to Play Football

December 27, 2020 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Photos submitted by Zach Schreir and Mandie Maschen.

Two Dell Rapids Quarrier football players have signed letters of intent to continue their playing careers in college.

Zach Schreier was given a scholarship and has signed to play football at Waldorf University in Forest City, IA. He will be majoring in Elementary Education with a minor in coaching.

“I want to thank my teammates. Without them I wouldn’t be here. They pushed me to be the best, and I honestly can’t thank them enough. My senior brothers, I love you guys. Thank you so much for all you have done for me. I want to thank my coaches. Thank you for everything and the motivation. Last, but not least, I want to thank my family and friends for being behind me through this whole process,” said Schreier in a Twitter post.

Coby Maeschen has committed to the South Dakota State University Jackrabbit football team in Brookings, SD. He will be majoring in Mechanical Engineering.

“First off I’d like to thank God. Without Him none of this would be possible. Secondly I can’t thank my parents and family enough for all the sacrifices and opportunities they have given me. Thank you to all of the coaches and teammates that have pushed me and challenged me to hep me become who I am today,” Maeschen said in his Twitter announcement.

City of Dell Rapids Sets Sales Tax Income Record

December 27, 2020 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Even though the 2020 year has yet to come to an end, the city of Dell Rapids has already set a record for sales tax revenue during the year. The latest sales tax revenue figures through the end of November were reported at the Dell Rapids City Council’s regular meeting on Monday, December 21st.

“We had a little dip in November, not too bad though,” said Justin Weiland. The month of November showed a sales tax revenue of just under $105,000, which is down 2.74% compared to November 2019. However, the total for 2020 is just over $1.24 million which is still up 9.1% when compared to the same time frame in 2019.

“Hopefully December’s comes in strong, and we can be between 8-10% category for the year increase which is far in excess of the 30% loss we were talking about when COVID hit. The state was telling us to prepare for,” added Weiland.

The total of $1,242,135.82 collected so far in 2020 already surpasses the total collected for all of 2019 and is the highest amount ever collected in Dell Rapids.

Vermillion Ends Winning Streaks for Both Tri-Valley Girls and Boys

December 23, 2020 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Vermillion Tanagers ended the winning streaks for both the Tri-Valley girls and boys basketball teams on Tuesday, December 22nd. The Mustangs hosted the Tanagers in a double-header at Tri-Valley High School. The Tri-Valley girls fell in overtime 61-53, while the boys lost 64-34.

The Mustang girls team opened the game on a 7-2 run for an early five-point lead in the first two and a half minutes of the game in a quarter that saw each team make runs. Vermillion responded with an 8-0 run to lead 10-7 with 3:00 to go in the first quarter. Tri-Valley ended the quarter on a 7-2 run again for a 14-12 lead at the quarter break. The second quarter remained close between the two teams. Vermillion held the advantage 22-21 at halftime.

The third quarter continued much like the second quarter. Both teams went back-and-forth. Vermillion again held the advantage at the quarter break at 34-32. The Tanagers built a six-point lead at 47-41 with 3:00 to go in the game, but the Mustangs came roaring back scoring eight straight points capped off by a three-point shot by Steph Buchmann with :45 to play. Vermillion tied the game 49-49 just seconds later, but gave Tri-Valley :37 on the clock to try to win the game. Kaitlyn Mohnen appeared to have made the go-ahead layup with :28 to go, but was called for an offensive foul. A last-second three-point shot by Vermillion was no good, and the game went to overtime. In the overtime period after being tied 51-51 with 3:00 to play, Vermillion went on a 10-2 run to get the win.

Tabor Teel led the Mustangs in scoring with 23 points. Lauren Grinde finished with 14 points.

The Vermillion boys team ended a two-game winning streak for the Tri-Valley boys team. Vermillion got out to a big lead in the first quarter, and the Tanager defensive pressure caused problems for the Mustangs all night long.

The Tanagers built a 15-point lead by the end of the first quarter at 20-5. That lead continued to grow at the end of each quarter. Vermillion lead 39-15 at halftime. The Mustangs found themselves trailing 50-26 after three quarters of play and then were outscored 14-8 in the fourth quarter.

Riley Haynes led Tri-Valley with 14 points in the game.

The Mustang girls (3-2) will go to Baltic for their next game on Tuesday, January 5th. The boys (2-3) will travel to Mt Vernon to play Mt Vernon/Plankinton on Thursday, January 7th for their next game.

West Central Girls Score Another Home Win

December 23, 2020 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Playing in their third home game out of their first four of the season, the West Central Trojan girls beat another AA team on Tuesday, December 22nd. The Trojans had no trouble with the Watertown Arrows in a 53-30 victory.

The West Central defense caused problems for Watertown all night long. The Trojans forced 26 Arrow turnovers, with 15 of those turnovers coming on steals. West Central also held Watertown to just 24% shooting from the field and 0-13 from three-point area.

The Trojans had the lead from the start of the game getting out to a 14-7 lead by the end of the first quarter. The lead grew to 12 points by halftime at 24-12. Watertown pulled within six points at 26-20 with 3:30 to play in the third quarter, but that was as close as they would get. West Central closed out the third quarter on a 7-0 run to lead 33-20. The Trojans then outscored Watertown 20-10 in the final quarter for the win.

West Central finished the game shooting 32% (18-56) from the field, 30% (6-20) from three-point area, and 58% (11-19) from the free-throw line. Two players finished in double figures. Rylee Haldeman had 12 points, seven steals, four rebounds, and three assists. Molli Thornton also had 12 points with two rebounds. Addy Kramer finished with eight points and nine rebounds. Cassidy Siemonsma added eight points and six rebounds, while Josslin Jarding ended with seven points and seven rebounds.

West Central (4-0) will play White River at 6:00 p.m. in the Sacred Hoops Classic in Mitchell on Saturday, January 2nd.

Quarriers Battle Tough, but Fall to Blue Dragons

December 23, 2020 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Photo taken and used with permission by Tammy Chamley

The Dell Rapids Quarrier girls basketball team took to the road on Tuesday, December 22nd, traveling to Garretson to take on the undefeated Blue Dragons. The Quarriers played tough and held Garretson to their lowest point total of the season, but the Blue Dragons came away with the 52-44 win.

Dell Rapids held Garretson to nine points in the first quarter and took a 12-9 lead into the second quarter. The Quarriers pushed their lead to seven points at 16-9, but Garretson outscored Dell Rapids 12-3 the remainder of the quarter for a 21-19 halftime lead.

The Blue Dragons were able to extend their lead to seven points late in the third quarter at 34-27, but Dell Rapids scored the final five points of the third quarter to pull within two at 34-32. Garretson, however, went on a 10-0 run to lead 44-32 with 3:00 to play in the game. The Blue Dragons would not lose the lead at that point.

Dell Rapids ended the night shooting 35% (18-51) from the field, 29% (4-14) from three-point area, and 33% (4-12) from the free-throw line. Garretson finished the night shooting 30% (19-63) from the field, 7% (1-15) from three-point area, and 52% (13-25) from the free-throw line. The Quarriers had 40 team rebounds while Garretson finished with 38 rebounds.

Mady Vanoverbeke led the Quarriers with 13 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Haileigh Barnhart had eight points and nine rebounds. Zoey Hilmoe also had eight points along with six rebounds. Jayme Schmidt had six points.

Dell Rapids (0-3) will travel to Flandreau on Tuesday, December 29th. The game can be seen on Big Sioux Media.

JV Results

The Dell Rapids Quarriers girls JV basketball team traveled to Garretson on Tuesday, December 22nd, to take on the Blue Dragons. The girls never found their rhythm resulting in a lopsided 18-42 loss.

Kylee Fiddelke – 5 points, 3 rebounds
Kennedy Krull – 5 points, 5 rebounds
Liz Pric – 4 points, 7 rebounds
Hanna Vanoverbeke – 2 points
Miriam Pickared – 2 points

Dell Rapids Elementary Receives Strider Bikes

December 22, 2020 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids Elementary School received an early Christmas gift on Friday, December 18th. The Strider Bikes Education Team delivered 22 bikes to the elementary school after Dell Rapids Elementary was chosen to receive bikes from the All Kids Bike Kindergarten PE Program.

The delivery of bikes and helmets will allow the kindergarten and kindergarten prep classes to work with the PE teacher, Shannon Tjaden, to learn how to ride a bike during PE class starting in the spring. The mission of the All Kids Bike is to teach every child in America how to ride a bike during kindergarten physical education classes. The All Kids Bike program also provides a curriculum that can be used which focuses on the entire class learning to ride and progress through their skills together.

Craig Jorgensen and his students at the high school also helped build a bike rack for the bikes and helmets when they are not in use.

More information about the All Kids Bike program can be found on their website at www.allkidsbike.org.

Cardinal Basketball Teams Split in De Smet

December 22, 2020 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinal girls and boys basketball teams played a double-header in De Smet against the Bulldogs on Monday, December 21st. The girls team took home a 48-34 win. The boys team suffered their first loss of the season, 33-69.

The Cardinal girls needed a quarter to get going, but once they did, they locked down the Bulldogs. De Smet held a nine-point lead in the first quarter and led 16-7 heading into the second quarter. That’s when the St Mary Cardinal defense took control. The Cardinals held De Smet to just two points in the second quarter, while the offense scored 19, and St Mary led 28-18 at halftime.

St Mary’s defense continued to give De Smet problems in the second half. The Cardinals outscored the Bulldogs 10-6 in the third quarter, and then built a 19-point lead in the fourth quarter for their third win of the season.

Ella Heinitz had 20 points, four rebounds, four steals, and three assists. Courntey Brown had seven points and three steals. Ella Griffin finished with six points and three rebounds. Sydney Klein and Addyson Gilbert both had four points each.

The St Mary boys team ran into a hot-shooting De Smet team on a night where the shots were not falling for themselves. The Cardinals got down big in the first quarter and were not able to recover. De Smet outscored St Mary in every quarter. The Bulldogs led 28-9 after the first quarter, and the lead grew to 47-17 by halftime. The Bulldogs then outscored St Mary 22-16 in the second half.

The shooting percentages between the two teams tells the story of the game. The Bulldogs finished the game shooting 60% (28-47) from the field, 56% (10-18) from three-point area, and 50% (3-6) from the free-throw line. The Cardinals, however, shot just 23% (10-44) from the field, 20% (3-15) from three-point area, and 77% (10-13) from the free-throw line.

Connor Libis had 10 points, three rebounds, and two steals in the game. Sam Palmer finished with eight points. Ashaun Roach-Valandra had five points, three rebounds, and two assists. John Pica and Max Herber both had four points each. Herber also had seven rebounds.

Both of the Cardinal teams will be in Chester on Monday, December 28th, for a double-header with the Flyers.

Cardinal Girls Get Win over Quarriers at Entringer Classic

December 21, 2020 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Photo taken and used with permission by Tammy Chamley

The Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinal and Dell Rapids Quarrier girls basketball team met at the Entringer Classic in Colman on Saturday, December 19th. This was the second time the two schools competed against one another this sports season. The schools played one another in volleyball earlier this year with the Cardinals getting the victory in that contest. Just like the volleyball match this year, the basketball match-up was a hard-fought, close battle bringing the community together in excitement.

Both teams held small leads in the opening quarter of the game. Dell Rapids held a 7-4 lead before St Mary went on an 8-2 run to end the quarter. The Cardinals lead 12-9 after the first quarter. St Mary was able to grow the lead to eight points by halftime at 24-16.

Photo taken and used with permission by Tammy Chamley

St Mary was able to, again, extend the lead throughout the third quarter. The Cardinals outscored Dell Rapids 13-10 for a 37-26 lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Quarriers started to make a run in the fourth quarter. They started the quarter on a 7-2 run to cut the lead down to six at 39-33. Dell Rapids got the lead down to two points, 43-41, after a Jayme Schmidt three-point basket with 1:47 to play. The Cardinals were able to make their free-throws down the stretch, scoring seven straight points, to extend the lead to 50-41. The Quarriers made two free-throws at the end of the game, but the Cardinals took the win 50-43.

The Quarriers were led by Zoey Hilmoe with 11 points, four rebounds, three steals, and two assists. Jayme Schmidt had 10 points, five rebounds, and two assists. Mady Vanoverbeke had seven points, and Haileigh Barnhart and Alli De Stigter both had six points each.

St Mary was led by Ella Heinitz, who was named the game’s MVP, with 16 points, five steals, two assists, and two rebounds. Karlie Klein had 13 points, four rebounds, and a steal. Sydney Klein had eight points, Courtney Brown had six points, and Ella Griffin finished with five points.

The Cardinals (2-1) will play in De Smet on Monday, December 21st. The Quarriers (0-2) will be in Garretson on Tuesday, December 22nd.

Lois Baker

December 19, 2020 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Lois (Jill) Baker, 82, passed away on Friday, December 18, 2020 at the Menno-Olivet Care Center. Her graveside service will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 in the Trent Cemetery. www.kahlerfh.com

Lois (Jill) Baker was born December 26, 1937 to Jack and Pearl Wiles Parker in Mitchell, SD. She was actively involved in a variety of school activities: Biology Club, Debate, Spanish Club, B Honor Roll and played the piano at First Presbyterian Church. Jill graduated in 1955. Jill and her mom had a very close relationship. Jill briefly attended Huron College. She married Kenneth Geddes on May 19, 1962. Two children were born to this marriage- Lori and Mike. Both children were placed for adoption. After Kenneth died in 1970, Jill was married for a short time to William Baker. Jill lived in various nursing homes including Huron, Woonsocket and was most recently, the Menno-Olivet Care Center in Menno, SD.

Jill was full of life and joy. She enjoyed playing the piano, telling jokes, and seeing family and friends. She shared her gifts of kindness and generosity with many. Jill had a big heart. She was “reunited” with her birth daughter and son in 2012 and enjoyed 8 great years of reacquainting.

Preceding Jill in death were her parents and husband.

Jill is survived by her birth daughter, Lori Brown (John) of Zimmerman, MN; birth son, Michael Nitz (Jody) of Brandon, SD; closest first cousin Janet Christensen (Merlyn) of Dell Rapids, SD; grandchildren- Justin Brown, Kaija Quitslund (River), Kjersti Selken (Mitch). Grateful for her life are the staff of Menno-Olivet Care Center.

Memorial gifts can be directed to Bethany Christian Services adoption agency (Sioux Falls), Grace Lutheran Church (Menno), Menno-Olivet Care Center or an adoption charity of the donor’s choice.

Tri-Valley Wrestling Eighth at EPJ Invitational

December 19, 2020 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Tri-Valley Mustang wrestling team placed eighth at the Elk Point-Jefferson Invitational Tournament on Saturday, December 19th.

The Mustangs finished with a team score of 55.0 points. Canton placed first as a team with 210.0 points. West Sioux was second with 111.0 points, and Parkston placed third with 86.0 points.

Tri-Valley had five wrestlers place in the tournament. Ethan Nihlich, Isaac Nehlich, and Porter Jensen all had third place finishes. Mason Hendrickson and Alex Andresen both had fourth place finishes.

The Mustangs will be off until January 5th. They will have three team duals at home against Lennox, Tea, and West Central.

Individual Results

120 – Brody Dybvig went 1-2

Quarterfinal – Brody Dybvig (Tri-Valley) 7-3 won by fall over Zac Finzen (West Sioux) 14-4 (Fall 3:30)
Semifinal – Jhett Breen (Wagner) 5-2 won by fall over Brody Dybvig (Tri-Valley) 7-3 (Fall 1:55)
Cons. Semi – Keaton Gale (Elk Point-Jefferson) 4-6 won by decision over Brody Dybvig (Tri-Valley) 7-3 (Dec 5-2)

145 – Porter Jensen went 3-1 and placed 3rd

Quarterfinal – Porter Jensen (Tri-Valley) 11-4 won by fall over Colton Stene (Beresford/Alcester-Hudson) 5-10 (Fall 0:48)
Semifinal – Lucas Hueser (Elk Point-Jefferson) 8-2 won by decision over Porter Jensen (Tri-Valley) 11-4 (Dec 8-7)
Cons. Semi – Porter Jensen (Tri-Valley) 11-4 won by major decision over Landon Smith (Bon Homme/Scotland/Avon) 5-10 (MD 14-4)
3rd Place Match – Porter Jensen (Tri-Valley) 11-4 won by decision over Riley Roberts (Wagner) 2-2 (Dec 5-3)

152 – Mason Hendrickson went 2-2 and placed 4th

Quarterfinal – Mason Hendrickson (Tri-Valley) 7-8 won by decision over Gannon Knebel (Wagner) 0-2 (Dec 5-2)
Semifinal – Seth Peterson (Canton) 10-1 won by fall over Mason Hendrickson (Tri-Valley) 7-8 (Fall 3:33)
Cons. Semi – Mason Hendrickson (Tri-Valley) 7-8 won by fall over Breckin Culbert (Parkston) 0-2 (Fall 3:47)
3rd Place Match – Isaac Crownover (Bon Homme/Scotland/Avon) 12-2 won by fall over Mason Hendrickson (Tri-Valley) 7-8 (Fall 2:29)

182 – Isaac Nehlich went 3-1 and placed 3rd

Quarterfinal – Isaac Nehlich (Tri-Valley) 10-6 won in sudden victory – 1 over Turner Nicholson (Bon Homme/Scotland/Avon) 8-6 (SV-1 5-3)
Semifinal – Tanner Meyers (Canton) 13-0 won by tech fall over Isaac Nehlich (Tri-Valley) 10-6 (TF-1.5 4:47 (20-5))
Cons. Semi – Isaac Nehlich (Tri-Valley) 10-6 won by fall over Jeshua Cervantes (West Sioux) 13-7 (Fall 5:46)
3rd Place Match – Isaac Nehlich (Tri-Valley) 10-6 won by major decision over Logan Heidinger (Parkston) 5-5 (MD 8-0)

195 – Alex Andresen went 2-2 and placed 4th

Quarterfinal – Alex Andresen (Tri-Valley) 8-5 won by fall over Hunter Sharkey (Elk Point-Jefferson) 1-6 (Fall 0:36)
Semifinal – Josh Merkle (Canton) 9-3 won by major decision over Alex Andresen (Tri-Valley) 8-5 (MD 12-1)
Cons. Semi – Alex Andresen (Tri-Valley) 8-5 won in sudden victory – 1 over Landon Schurch (Beresford/Alcester-Hudson) 9-6 (SV-1 4-2)
3rd Place Match – Tristan Lundy (Hinton) 8-8 won by fall over Alex Andresen (Tri-Valley) 8-5 (Fall 3:55)

220 – Ethan Nehlich went 3-1 and placed 3rd

Round 1 – Derek Anderson (Hinton) 16-0 won by tech fall over Ethan Nehlich (Tri-Valley) 9-2 (TF-1.5 4:39 (16-0))
Round 3 – Ethan Nehlich (Tri-Valley) 9-2 won by fall over Dj Rueb (Bon Homme/Scotland/Avon) 5-8 (Fall 1:33)
Round 4 – Marshall Baldwin (Canton) 12-1 won by decision over Ethan Nehlich (Tri-Valley) 9-2 (Dec 3-2)
Round 5 – Ethan Nehlich (Tri-Valley) 9-2 won by fall over Alex Jensen (Beresford/Alcester-Hudson) 8-9 (Fall 1:01)

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