The Sanford Pentagon was the stage for a final showcase this weekend, as South Dakota's top high school senior basketball stars gathered for a thrilling set of all-star games.
In the girls' contest, Wagner's Ashlyn Koupal, a future Nebraska Cornhusker, put on an offensive clinic. She dropped a game-high 25 points and grabbed nine rebounds, just shy of a double-double, to propel her team to a 104-94 victory. Mobridge-Pollock's Blake Thompson answered with a strong 24-point performance of her own.
The boys' game was a high-scoring affair defined by a dynamic duo. Sam DeGroot of Lincoln and Mitchell's Colton Smith were unstoppable, each pouring in 28 points to lead their squad to a 121-105 win. They received key support from Pine Ridge's Marvin Richard III, who added 23 points. On the other side, Vermillion's Trey Hansen led a valiant effort with a team-high 21 points.
These games served as a fantastic farewell for the state's senior standouts, highlighting the bright future of basketball as these athletes prepare for the next level.
