The Vermillion Tanagers proved why they are in the conversation as a top team in Class A boys basketball. The Tanagers defeated the Dell Rapids Quarriers 68-53 on Thursday, January 30th, in Vermillion. Vermillion got out to a quick lead in the first quarter and held a 22-15 advantage after the first quarter. Dell Rapids was able to close the gap by halftime, as Vermillion led by just two 33-31 after the first half. Both teams put up 15 points in the third quarter, and the Tanagers maintained their two-point lead at 48-46. However, the Tanagers exploded in the fourth quarter and held Dell Rapids to just seven points for the 15-point win.
The Quarriers finished 18-54 (33%) shooting from the field, which is well below their season average of 46%. They were just 5-19 (26%) from the three-point area, and 12-16 (75%) from the free-throw line. Dell Rapids as a team had 32 rebounds, 12 steals, 10 assists, and 13 turnovers.
Ty Hoglund had a game-high 19 points, along with three rebounds, four steals, and four assists. Cody Nielsen, Zach White, and Ben Hammer each had eight points apiece in the game for the Quarriers. White and Hammer also had six rebounds apiece. Vermillion had four players in double-figures led by Cooper Williams with 17 points. Tyrell Harper had 16 points, Jayce Huska and 14, and Nick Jensen finished with 12 points.
Dell Rapids falls to 7-4 on the year. The Quarriers will take on Aberdeen Roncalli in the Dakota Schoolers Classic held at the Sioux Falls Pentagon on Saturday, February 1st, at 6:00 p.m. The game will be webcast on Big Sioux Media.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final | ||
| Dell Rapids | 15 | 16 | 15 | 7 | 53 | |
| Vermillion | 22 | 11 | 15 | 20 | 68 |