Spartans Take Fans on History-Making Ride

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Riding a thrilling wave of success not seen in boys basketball for three decades, the Spartans took fans on a memorable ride to the South Dakota State B Tournament last weekend, making Wessington Springs High School history by claiming the fifth place consolation championship and finishing the season with the best record in Class B.

“We finished the season with the best record in the Bs — 24-2. There were two teams that finished 23-3, with Howard being one,” explained Spartans Head Boys Basketball Coach Kenny Huether. “We lost to one team twice this season — the team that won the state championship. It’s just incredible what these guys accomplished this year. Only four teams in the state get to walk off the floor of their final game a winner. We are one of those teams this year.”

The road to the consolation championship

In the opening round of the Class B State boys basketball tournament, the Spartans fell to Howard 53-38 in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

“The first quarter onslaught is what did us in, it wasn’t for lack of effort,” Coach Huether pointed out. “They came out, their size overwhelmed us early and obviously ended up winning the state tournament. The story of the tournament was the two Koepsells from Howard, the two bigs. They went on to prove that they were the best team up there.”

Having been there four times previously, Huether said he had experienced the difficulties of competition at the State B Tournament.

“At that level, every team is very good. After a loss like we suffered in round one, if you allow yourself to feel sorry for yourself, you’re going to be in great trouble. Our post-game talk centered around not letting that happen,” he said.

Leading up to state, Huether coached the boys through the many possible challenges resulting from the quick turn around at state.

“The story of the weekend for us was how well we bounced back and went right back to work that next day and the following. We were ourselves again — we played so well and so hard,” he said. “I received so many compliments from coaches and fans across South Dakota on how impressed they were with us. They specifically pointed out the resolve we showed coming off that loss and how hard we work as a team defensively.”

On Friday, Wessington Springs did indeed bounce back, answering with a definitive 52-39 win over Viborg-Hurley in the consolation bracket.

“The incredible fourth quarter we had — they had a six or seven minute scoreless drought in that game in the second half. Once again our defense powered us to another big time win.”

Parker Graff led Wessington Springs with 18 points, while Blake Larson chipped in 16 points and Ryder Michalek added 11 points. Brock Krueger had eight rebounds and four assists.

“My good friend Paul Raasch who coaches Castlewood, began his career in Alpena, where I was the assistant coach under him. He texted me the following morning and mentioned the second best way to finish the state tournament is to win the consolation championship. He’s been there 12 times and of all coaches to coach in South Dakota he is currently 4th,” Huether shared. “The team that can pull themselves off the mat and go on to win is an amazing way to end the season. Having that opinion from him is quite an honor for us.”

With the consolation championship on the line, the Spartans were set to face off against the Gregory Gorillas Saturday for fifth place.

“As we’re standing, waiting to hit the floor for the fifth place game, both teams are out there waiting to run onto the court. Now, we have a nice sized team. But as we were standing there, we have our huddle and they have theirs, half their team is towering above us,” Huether recalled. “The size of the teams are incredible up there. Standing behind the two groups I wondered, how are we going to get these guys?”

Huether touts the outstanding and efficient play the Spartans demonstrated for the first three quarters.

“We finished 21-40 shooting from the field against one of the top defensive teams in the state. We were playing very well on both sides of the ball,” Huether pointed out. “When the fourth quarter comes, they switch to a zone which we had seen before. We were playing with a 15 point lead and got a little conservative. Then all of a sudden they get hot,” Huether recounted. “It wasn’t that our defense got poor, it was that they were hitting some incredibly tough shots. All of a sudden momentum was shifting and we were in survival mode.”

Huether credits Blake Larson for helping turn the tides back to the Spartans.

“He kept his composure and hit some big time shots to help close that game out,” Huether said.

In the final minutes of the game, a once-a-week practiced — but rarely used during games — play was called by Coach Huether.

“We call it ice. We practice it all year but really hadn’t used it to the extent we did. It’s the play where we threw the football pass to Parker then he got the layup. I credit the boys for executing a play we hadn’t used all that much — it sure came through in a big moment for us and I’m certain the boys will remember that play throughout their lives.”

Huether broke “ice” down: “Brock made a perfect pass on the money which was such a key component to that play. The other key to it is that both Colby and Ryder sprint up the sidelines and take defenders with them. Blake set the back to keep Parker wide open then he did the job of finishing the layup. It takes all five guys doing their jobs for it to execute perfectly.”

After the play, Huether was celebrating with the team alongside an arena filled with Spartans fans, arms in air, fists clenched.

“I knew how big it was for us but one ref thought I was calling a time out — but we were out of time outs,” he remembered laughing. “I learned that next time I’ll celebrate in a different way and keep my hands behind my back.”

“Ice” and an additional two hit by Ryder Michalek delivered the 55-51victory over Gregory.

Graff led Wessington Springs with 17 points, while Colby Flowers had 14 and Larson 11. Michalek had seven rebounds for the Spartans.

“Gregory will be a contender in state Bs next season. In the end, I’ll call beating Gregory the best team we beat,” Huether added. “What an outstanding way to end the season by beating a tough opponent.”

Giving credit where credit is due

Huether explains the pressure of the Class B State Tournament, as an athlete, is unlike any other stage the boys had played on to date.

“You don’t realize it until you walk out on that floor what it’s like. I credit our guys as a whole for not letting it get the best of them. For staying themselves and continuing to show what they were all year long,” he shared.

He ran down the roster and credits those who have added to the Spartans success this season:

• “I want to congratulate Parker for earning All Tournament Team. He is the best sophomore player I ever coached.”

• “I want to congratulate our seniors Blake and Brock for both having really good tournaments. I thought Blake had done enough to get All Tournament. He finished his career with two of the best games he ever played. Brock showed the whole state how smooth he is and what an incredible rebounder he is.”

• “Ryder again continues to put up big time numbers. He finished with over 200 rebounds, scoring over 14 points a game. Had a really good tournament as well with good numbers across the board.”

• “Colby had to suffer through foul trouble the first two days. He had to play the ‘who’s who’ of big guys and in the Gregory game, he got us out to a torrid start and played tremendous ball. Colby played a 14 point game against Daniel Mitchell, who I consider the best defensive player in class B basketball.”

• “Karter once again provided his very important sixth man role by playing good defense and hustling with some added rebounds and a couple steals — especially when Colby had to fight the foul trouble.”

• “Sam Poncelow, Luke Larson, Branden Flowers, Blake Miller, Wesley Molnar and Brett Miller are all a big reason our team has grown into the powerhouse we are. Credit needs to be given to these six kids and the work they provide the varsity players daily at practice. They are a big reason our varsity kids are playing at the level they are.”

• “Coach Hasty has been such a wonderful assistant, the brother I never had,” he said chuckling, while explaining that they had heard through a mutual acquaintance, they might actually be related down the line. “I thank him for being such a great guy and my perfect right hand man.”

• “I want to thank Joey Mitchell, he’s one of the better friends I have. You all know the coach he is — he still helps behind the scenes and I thank him for that.”

• “Grady Gran, Tregen Jensen, Gavin Brandenburg, Ranick Fjerstad, Teagan Scheel, Tucker Thompson. I appreciate the work they do in getting the team stats done and cheering the boys on from the bench.”

• “Thank you to Lynn Damm for keeping the book and Marcus Damm for announcing the games on the Venture channel and live ticket.”

• “I thank Jason Kolousek for his role as AD. He makes my job easy by taking care of so many things off the court. I truly respect how much he helps me.”

Looking back at the season, Coach Huether’s biggest joy is seeing the ripple effect of how positively the team’s journey affected so many.

“When little boys grow up and their basketball-loving parents are watching them, we all dream for a season like we just had,” he expressed. “What is at the top of the list for me is seeing all the people’s happiness with what these boys have accomplished. Dreams did come true at the end of this story.”