The Dell Rapids Quarriers earned their third straight trip to the State A Tournament after beating the Todd County Falcons 59-49 in the Sweet 16 round in Chamberlain on Friday, March 3rd. The win was also the 14th win in a row for the Quarriers.
Dell Rapids opened the game on a 7-0 run in the first 2:30. Todd County countered with an 8-0 run over the next two minutes to take an 8-7 lead with about 3:30 to play in the quarter. The teams traded baskets the remainder of the quarter, and the Falcons led 15-14 after the first quarter. Dell Rapids started the second quarter on a 6-2 run to take a 20-17 lead, and slowly pulled added to the lead until it was 30-21 at halftime.
The Falcons were able to chip away at the Quarrier lead in the third quarter and held Dell Rapids to just eight third quarter points. Todd County and Dell Rapids headed to the fourth quarter tied at 38-38. Dell Rapids scored the first three points of the fourth quarter, but the Falcons answered with a two-point basked with 7:00 to go to make the score 41-40. Dell Rapids scored the next six points and pushed the lead to 47-40 with 5:45 remaining in the game. Dell Rapids maintained a seven-to-nine point lead until the Falcons pulled within five points at 52-47 with 1:52 to go. The Quarriers ended the game on a 7-2 run for the win.
Kali Graham, who was held scoreless in the first quarter, led Dell Rapids with 19 points. Jayda Knuppe added 18 points. Averi Pankonen had eight points, Emma Paul finished with seven points, Kaylee Hennen had three points, and Sydney Stofferahn had two points. Dell Rapids finished 20-33 from the free-throw line in the game.
The Quarriers (14-4) will ride their 14-game win streak into the 2017 State A Tournament in Brookings on March 9th through 11th. Dell Rapids will play Dak-12 foe Lennox in the opening round on Thursday at around 7:45 p.m. Lennox was the last team to beat the Quarriers, which was a 63-60 overtime loss on January 9th in Lennox.