The Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinal boys basketball team is headed back to the Dakota Valley Conference Tournament championship game. The Cardinals defeated the Estelline/Hendricks Redhawks 74-38 in the semifinals in Colman on Friday, January 22nd.
The Cardinals got out to a very fast start in the first quarter as they got out to a big 29-6 lead by the end of the quarter. That fast start helped them cruise to the victory. St Mary led 48-14 at halftime. Estelline/Hendricks made a little run in the third quarter. The Redhawks outscored St Mary 17-11 to make the score 59-31 with 4:00 to play in the third quarter. The Cardinals then held the Redhawks to just seven more points the remainder of the game.
St Mary shot 54% (29-54) from the field, 32% (6-19) from three-point area, and 67% (10-15) from the free-throw line. They out rebounded Estelline/Hendricks 38-13 and forced 12 turnovers, 11 of those were steals.
Connor Libis had 21 points, seven rebounds and four steals. Max Herber finished with 13 points, eight rebounds, two steals, and two assists. Ashaun Roach-Valndra added 12 points, six rebounds, and three assists. Nic Gaspar had eight points, and Ty Brown finished with seven points.
St Mary (8-3) will look to defend their DVC tournament title against Elkton-Lake Benton on Saturday, January 23rd. The game will tip-off at 6:00 p.m. in Elkton and can be seen on Big Sioux Media.