The West Central Trojans earned a spot in the 2026 South Dakota State A Tournament with a 54-42 win over the Mobridge-Pollock Tigers in Chamberlain on Thursday, March 5th.
The Tigers held a slim lead through most of the first quarter, but West Central took a 10-8 lead by the end of the quarter. They were able to extend the lead to eight points, 22-14, by halftime. The Tigers opened the second half on a 5-0 run to make the score 22-19 with 6:20 to go in the third. West Central stopped that rally and extended their lead back to eight points, 35-27, by the end of the quarter.
The Trojans would keep that run going early in the fourth quarter. They extended their lead to a game-high 12 points, 42-30, with 4:30 to play. The Tigers would hit back-to-back three point shots to cut the lead in half, 42-36, with 3:15 left. The Trojans stopped a rally again and finished the game with a 12-6 run to take the win.
West Central shot 33% (15-46) overall in the game, 28% (5-18) on three-point shots, and 63% (19-30) from the free-throw line. Mobridge-Pollock was 25% (13-51) shooting overall, 21% (7-34) from three-point area, and 69% (9-13) from the free-throw line.
Kacey Jaton had a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Ellie Knight had 12 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Abbi Thornton added nine points and five rebounds. Ayla Kramer had five points and four rebounds.
The Trojans will be the #7 seed in the state tournament and will face #2 Mahpiya Luta on Thursday, March 12th at 5:00 p.m. The state tournament is being held in Watertown March 12th through 14th.
