Check out the pairings for the Class ‘AA’ and ‘B’ girls state basketball tournaments

Rapid City Stevens making its 10th straight appearance in the Class 'AA' girls basketball tournament.

RAPID CITY, S.D. – Trips to the State ‘AA’ girls basketball tournament are starting to become a tradition for Rapid City Stevens.

The Raiders are gearing up to make their 10th straight appearance and 13th out of the last 14 years.

Stevens qualified for the state tournament after knocking off Huron last week in the SoDak 16.

The Raiders now enter the state tournament as the No. 7 seed with a record of 14-7.

Stevens will play No. 2 Pierre on Thursday in the opening round.

The Governors are 18-3 on the year.

Stevens hosted Pierre back on December 9 and the Governors defeated the Raiders, 58-46.

Rapid City Stevens head coach Adam Dannenbring says it will take a strong defensive effort to upset the Governors.

“It’s going to be a great challenge for us to stop them defensively,” said Stevens girls basketball coach Adam Dannenbring. “Make things tough on them. They run their side screen and roll offense very well. They run their sets very well. So we’re going to have our hands full defensively. Then offensively, it’s going to be a challenge as well because they’re so big and strong. We’re going to have to make sure that strong with the basketball. Taking care of the basketball and getting good shots.”  

The Raiders are led by sophomore Taaliyah Porter who averages 17 points and three rebounds per game.

In addition, Macey Wathen averages 7.6 points followed by Hailey Oswald with 6.6 points per contest.

On the other hand, the Governors have two player who average in double figures.

Remington Price averages 13.6 points followed by Reese Terwilliger with 12.

Since the Raiders are back in the state tournament for the 10th straight year, coach Dannenbring hopes that experience will help his team.

“We do have a lot of experience,” said Dannenbring. “That’s pretty nice with our team. A lot of these girls haven’t played in it. But they were at least sitting on the bench and they felt that atmosphere. So I’m hoping that experience will transfer for this group. I know there’s some new teams at the state tournament this year. They might be nervous that first game and hopefully we can take advantage of that.”

We’ll preview the State ‘A’ girls basketball tournament on Tuesday, March 7 on NewsCenter1.

State ‘AA’ Girls Basketball Tournament in Sioux Falls

First Round Pairings for Thursday, March 9

#8 Watertown vs #1 SF Washington   11 a.m.  CT

#12 Mitchell vs #4 SF Jefferson        1:45 p.m.

#7 RC Stevens vs #2 Pierre                5 p.m.

#6 Harrisburg vs #3 O’Gorman        7:45 p.m.

State ‘B’ Girls Basketball Tournament in Huron

First Round Pairings for Thursday, March 9

#8 Jones County vs #1 Wolsey – Wessington            12 p.m.  CT

#5 Wall vs #4 Sully Buttes              1:45 p.m.

#7 Castlewood vs #2 Ethan             6 p.m.

#6 Howard vs #3 Viborg-Hurley        7:45 p.m.