Lady Bulldogs Leave it all on the Court in Final Game at Regions

The Lady Bulldogs were close, oh so close, to playing in the SoDak 16 this year. There was only one problem: Sisseton. Sisseton, who was ranked No. 1 in Region 1A, No. 5 in Class A, and No. 7 in all of South Dakota stood firmly in their way at the regional finals in Sisseton on Thursday, February 22.

The SoDak 16 is composed of the 16 winning teams from the regional round, who compete in one-round play-in games. Those eight winners are reseeded and advance to the state tournament.

The Lady Bulldogs had a tough assignment, but they left it all on the court and managed to claw their way back from a 30-point deficit in the last stanza. Milbank finally fell at 64-43. Isabella Anderson and Tyra Berry each scored 12 points. Anderson made two assists. Josie Riveland made eight points and blocked a shot. Ella Sandvig had five points and one assist. Belle Pauli, Averie Schuneman, and Claire Snaza added two points apiece. Riveland secured four rebounds for Milbank. Anderson, Snaza, Sandvig, Pauli, and Neugebauer each snagged three rebounds. Berry claimed two. Siera Wenzl and Rylee Scoular recorded one board apiece. Wenzl blocked one shot.

The Lady Bulldogs’ swan song for 2024, however, featured a lot of high notes. Berry made three 3-point shots – the most of any player in the game. Milbank outdid Sisseton from long range by claiming seven of 20 from beyond the arc to finish at 35 percent. Sisseton settled for three of 17 for 18 percent. Milbank also collected more points from free throws. The Lady Bulldogs downed 12 of 18 at the stripe for 67 percent. Sisseton landed seven of 13 for 54 percent.

Chloe Langager of Sisseton scored a game-high 22 points and pulled down eight rebounds. Her sister Krista posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Hannah Leverson made 13 points. Alexia Quinn scored four points and Rylie Huff and Ruby Rice each made one basket. Huff and Quinn recorded four boards apiece.

Milbank–11—5—13—14—43
Sisseton–17—20—15—12—64

The So-Dak 16 starts Thursday, February 29. Sisseton, the No. 1 seed, faces No. 16 Tri-Valley in Watertown. No. 2 Sioux Falls Christian takes on No. 15 Miller in Salem. No. 3 Flandreau meets No. 14 Hill City in Chamberlain. No. 4 Vermillion plays No. 13 Winner. No. 5 Mahpiya Luta meets No. 12 Belle Fourche in Hot Springs, and Tea Area takes on Mobridge-Pollock. The girls Class A tournament will be played March 7-9 in Brookings. Last year, Hamlin defeated Wagner to win the 2023 title. Sisseton defeated Red Cloud to take third place.