The #8 seeded Dell Rapids Quarriers faced a tough challenge in the opening round of the 2019 South Dakota State A Boys Basketball Tournament on Thursday, March 14th. The Quarriers had to open the tournament against the #1 seeded Tea Area Titans at the Premier Center.
Dell Rapids held a slim two-point lead with just under four minutes to play in the opening quarter, but the Titans flexed their muscles throughout the rest of the game. The Quarriers trailed by just four points at the end of the first quarter at 15-11. Dell Rapids, however, was not able to get a bucket to fall in the second quarter and was held scoreless. Tea Area extended their lead to 33-11 at halftime. The Titans continued to roll in the second half. They outscored Dell Rapids 23-16 in the third quarter and 25-11 in the fourth quarter for the 81-38 win.
The Quarriers were held to just 24% (12-51) from the field, 18% (3-17) from three-point area, and 52% (11-21) from the free-throw line. Tea Area finished the game shooting 43% (31-72) from the field, 34% (11-32) from three-point area, and 62% (8-13) from the free-throw line. The Titans also out-rebounded Dell Rapids 49-36 and forced 15 Quarrier turnovers.
Drew Van Regenmorter led the Quarriers with eight points and eight rebounds. Colin Rentz had seven points and five rebounds. Logan Ellingson tallied five points. Coby Maeschen had four points, and Logan Heim had four points and eight rebounds. Tea Area was led by Noa Freidel with 25 points and Justin Hohn with 19 points.
Dell Rapids will play the #5 seed Hot Springs Bison at 12:45 p.m. in the Sioux Falls Arena on Friday, March 15th.