Bulldog Hoopsters Advance in Region Playoffs

The Bulldogs took down Sisseton in the first round of the Region 1A quarterfinals on Tuesday, February 27, in Milbank. The Bulldogs scored 57 points and allowed Sisseton only 32. Milbank advances to the second round and hosts Tiospa Zina at the Milbank Armory on Friday, March 1. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.

Garrett Mertens recorded a game-high 20 points and added three assists, three rebounds, and a steal. Joe Schulte scored 17 points and made six rebounds and four steals.

Emmett Hanson had nine points and controlled six rebounds and two steals. Jackson Wildung made five points, including a 3-pointer, and claimed five rebounds.

Graham Lightfield posted two points, four assists, four rebounds, and two steals. Sam Rick scored two points and got one rebound. Ryan Keeton dropped in a bucket. Este Abrego-Gonzalez scooped up three rebounds. Jack Howard secured a rebound and added an assist.

Christian Shepherd led the Redmen with 14 points and two rebounds. Ethan DeSpiegler followed with seven points and two rebounds. Hayden Hellwig made six points and three rebounds. Carter Stickland put up five points and one rebound.

Milbank made 55 percent of their shots from the floor, but landed only two of 10 from long range. Sisseton hit 32 percent overall, including just one of 10 from behind the arc. At the charity stripe, Milbank collected nine of 17 for 53 percent, and Sisseton secured seven of nine for 78 percent.

Milbank–11—12—18—16—57
Sisseton–6—9—6—11—32

Also in Region 1A, Tiospa Zina dismantled Webster Area 71-53. Aberdeen Roncalli defeated Waubay-Summit 54-50, and the Groton Area Tigers offered no mercy to the Redfield Pheasants.They ran over them 70- 17.

In other quarterfinal action across the state: Clark-Willow Lake, Flandreau, Hamlin, and Sioux Valley remain in the hunt in Region 2A. In 3A, Sioux Falls Christian, Dell Rapids, West Central, and Baltic are still alive. Dakota Valley, Lennox, Tea Area and Vermillion will continue in 4A. In 5A, Parkston, Hanson, Bon Homme and Sanborn Central-Woonsocket each won their first-round game. Cheyenne-Eagle Butte, Mobridge-Pollock, McLaughlin, and Stanley County will continue. Winner, Pine Ridge, Lakota Tech, and Mahpiya Luta will duke it out in 7A. In 8A, Custer, Rapid City Christian, and St Thomas More all continue, along with Hot Springs, who received a bye into the semifinals.