Bulldogs Punch Their Ticket to SoDak 16

Milbank took down Tiospa Zina 59-50 on Friday, March 1, to punch their ticket to the SoDak 16. But Tiospa Zina was no slouch. The Bulldogs had squeaked out a 57-55 victory against the Wambdi just seven days before on February 23, and Tiospa Zina arrived at the Milbank Armory ready for redemption.  

The Bulldogs were buoyed by an eight-game winning streak coming into the game. On the other hand, Milbank is missing starter Yohana Ajwanga. Ajwanga, a 6’ 6” senior forward, remains on injury status, and the loss has forced Milbank to rework their rhythm. As everyone who loves basketball knows, when March rolls around, anything can happen. It turned out to be an action-packed 32 minutes. Bulldog Garrett Mertens kept the energy ramped up until the final 65 seconds, when he hit the 1000th point of his high school career as the clock wound down.

Logan Diede, head coach for Milbank, congratulated Mertens for eclipsing the 1000-point mark. “So proud of him. He has hit so many big shots for us over the years, so it’s cool for him to get his 1000th at home in front of that crowd.” According to Diede, Mertens now becomes the third member of the 1000-Point Club at MHS. He joins Mike Paulson and Bennett Schwenn.

Mertens finished the game with a team-high 17 points and three assists. The Bulldogs spread the wealth. Jackson Wildung made 12 points and two assists. Joe Schulte made 11 points and one assist. Graham Lightfield had 10 points, four assists, and a steal. Emmett Hanson added seven points and recorded a block and a steal. Sam Rick connected on both of his free throws. The Bulldogs were on fire from beyond the arc. Lightfield, Mertens, and Wildung each banged in two from three, and Schulte nailed one for the Bulldogs to net 64 percent. 

Hanson also hauled down eight rebounds, including three for the offense. Schulte and Mertens controlled six apiece. Wildung got five boards; Lightfield, three. Rick and Este Abrego-Gonzalez each claimed two.

“To say I am proud of the boys is an understatement,” Diede commented. “We were locked in from start to finish. We were tough. We rebounded extremely well and hit big shots at a high rate. The gym was packed and LOUD! A big thank you for everyone coming out to support us all year and especially last night against Tiospa Zina. It made a big impact, and the boys and coaching staff appreciate it.” 

Tiospa Zina attempted a comeback in the fourth quarter, and they accumulated 19 points. But the Bulldogs had built up a 14-point cushion and were not about to relinquish that lead or the automatic berth in the 16. Carvin Fish of the Wambdi knocked in a game-high 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Tate Never Misses a Shot put up 10 points and five rebounds. Ashden Sierra made seven points. Nate Thompson had six. Storm Sierra scored four points coupled with three rebounds.

The Bulldogs hit 49 percent of their shots from the floor, including 64 percent from long range. The Wambdi finished at 39 percent overall and 33 percent from three-point land. The Wambdi earned a slight edge at the line, but gave Milbank more chances. Tiospa downed five of seven free throws for 71 percent. Milbank claimed 10 of 16 for 62.5 percent. Milbank got dinged for 13 personal fouls, and Tiospa Zina committed 19.

Milbank–18—12—15—14—59
Tiospa Zina–12—9—10—19—50

What’s next? Coach Diede says, “I hope to see a big wave of maroon and Vegas gold in the stands in Pierre on Tuesday as we look to get another win against a very good Rapid City Christian team. Go Bulldogs!” 

No. 10 Milbank (17-5) takes on No. 7 Rapid City Christian (19-3) at T.F. Riggs High School on Tuesday, March 5, in Pierre. Tip-off is at 6 p.m. (CT). The SoDak 16 games determine the teams who qualify and their seeds in the 2024 South Dakota High School Boys State A Tournament. The tourney will be played March 14-16 in Rapid City. Bracket for the SoDak 16: