Tigers take 2nd at WGP Tourney

By Kristan Krogman

White River hosted the Western Great Plains Middle School Boys Basketball Tourney Saturday, February 8, with ten teams competing. 

White River went undefeated in pool play, posting wins over Kadoka Area, Bennett County, New Underwood, and Wall.

Stanley County was the top seed in their pool, which consisted of teams from Jones County, Lyman, Stanley County, Philip and Rapid City Christian.

Following pool play, the top seeds from the two pools met in the championship.

It was a good ending to a good day of basketball as the final game went down to the wire, providing for an entertaining finish. After pulling ahead 10-5 after the first period of play, White River led through much of the game. Stanley County, though, kept it close, and trailed just one at half time, 17-16. 

The Buffaloes got the first basket of the second half, taking a momentary lead, but it was five straight from Dale Medicine Bear that returned the lead to White River. The Tigers led 23-20 going into the final period. With 1:17 remaining in the game, Stanley County hit a field goal that gave them a one point lead. Later it was Medicine Bear again with a clutch free throw that tied the game, 27-27. The seconds ticked by and with only nine to go, the Buffaloes got the shot they needed. White River couldn’t answer and it was Stanley County who took the win, 29-27.

Scoring for White River in the final game were Medicine Bear with 6, Russell Leader Charge with 8, John Petrik and Kash Colombe with 4, Isaac Larvie and Toby Krogman with 2, and Jadice Morrison with 1.