Bulldog Hoopsters Finish Season Strong

Logan Diede, head coach of the Bulldogs basketball team, said the 2023-2024 season was a memorable one. “Yes, we had another winning season and accumulated a lot of wins – finishing 17-6– but there was also so much growth from start to finish. This season was one that included a win over Lennox, a win over Madison –the first time since 2008– two big wins over a solid Tiospa Zina team, and a nine-game winning streak leading up to the SoDak16.”

“We had players play through injuries and sickness who continued to show up and give everything they had. I’m proud of the perseverance and resilience they showed as a team,” Diede commented. “We had fantastic leadership from our seniors this year, and also from our younger guys doing things the right way and also stepping into vocal leadership roles.”

“I can’t say enough about the young men in this program,” Diede continued. “They were a hungry group and a lot of fun to coach. We will definitely miss our seniors from this squad next season, and in some ways, we will look different next year.” Senior players included Yohana (Ajwanga), Garrett (Mertens), Jaxson (Wildung), Joe (Schulte), and Micah (Seyer).

“The bulk of our production in the stat book came from this group, as well as a lot of experience,” he noted. “But they led by example, and the younger guys returning know the time and dedication that will be important this offseason and will be ready to carry it forward.”

The Bulldogs’ last game of the season, took place in the postseason in the SoDak 16. The Bulldogs were defeated 82-66 by a tough Rapid City Christian team. In the RCC game, Joe Schulte put up 24 points, three assists, and four rebounds. Schulte’s total points included four 3-point baskets – a game high. Jaxson Wildung had 21 points, four assists, and six rebounds. Garrett Mertens made 15 points, three assists, and six rebounds. Emmett Hanson, who came off the bench for injured Yohana Ajwanga, made four points and an assist. He also had a game-high seven rebounds and a game-high three blocks. Braylen Bowsher added two points. The Bulldogs finished with a 49 percent shooting average from the floor, including 42 percent from long range.They collected 15 of 25 free throws.

The Comets were dangerously persistent from 3-point range. They landed 10 from beyond the arc. Julius Frog tied Schulte’s 24-point total and Benson Kieffer matched Wildung’s 21 points. Simon Kieffer scored 10 points and pulled off five steals. Aiden Roberts put in eight points. Wilson Kieffer and Caden Von Eye each made six. The Comets’ leading rebounders were B.Kieffer, Frog, and Von Eye with four apiece. Rapid City ended with a 44 percent shooting average from the floor and 37 percent from three. They swished in 16 of their 21 free throw attempts.

Milbank–14—17—21—14—66
Rapid City Christian–22—22—20—18—82

What’s next? It’s time to kick back on the sofa with a pound of hot wings and watch some more hoops. Rapid City Christian defeated No. 3 Sioux Valley on Thursday in the State A quarterfinals to advance to the semifinals. Their win proved that Milbank came up against a powerhouse in the SoDak 16 and finished strong.

Rapid City Christian will now play Hamlin tonight and Sioux Falls Christian will play Dakota Valley. The two winners face off in the championship game on Saturday night and the losers vie for third place. That action takes place in Rapid City.

South Dakota’s Class AA tournament plays out this weekend in Sioux Falls and the Class B crowns a champion in Aberdeen. The NCAA will work their way to Selection Sunday on March 17 at 5 p.m. CT on CBS.