ABERDEEN — It took an extra period, but the second-seeded Lower Brule Sioux (21-3) were able to hang on to defeat the seventh-seeded Castlewood Warriors (17-7) in overtime 51-48 in the quarterfinals of the Class B boys basketball state tournament at the Barnett Center in Aberdeen.
A tightly contested game, it seemed like Lower Brule would get the victory in regulation as it held a three-point lead with under 5 seconds left. However, as Tristan Nielsen attempted a game-tying three, Lower Brule’s Gavin Thigh fouled the shooter, granting Castlewood’s best offensive player three free throws to tie the game. He nailed all three, sending the game into overtime.
In overtime, Lower Brule’s defense proved to be too much as it held Castlewood scoreless. Keshaume Thigh’s layup and Gavin Thigh’s free throw were enough to push Lower Brule to victory.
Keshaume Thigh was the game’s leading scorer, finishing with a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Nielsen did his best to match him, finishing with 20 points of his own, but could not knock down the tying three in the waning seconds of overtime.
Lower Brule will face the winner of White River and Freeman Academy/Marion in the semifinal round on Friday, while Castlewood will await the loser of that game in the consolation bracket.
