Brandon Valley picks up emotional win in first round of 'AA' boys state tournament
Mar. 14—SIOUX FALLS — Brandon Valley beat Huron 63-48 in the first round of the Class AA boys state basketball tournament on Thursday, and with that win advanced to the semifinals, where they'll face Harrisburg for a shot at the championship.
But, for one night at least, that almost felt secondary.
The Lynx took the floor with heavy hearts, as longtime coach Brent Deckert died on Wednesday after a long battle with cancer. That illness had forced Deckert to give up his coaching duties a couple years ago, but he stayed close to the program and was a beloved figure in the community. Over the last few weeks his condition worsened, and the team took the floor on Thursday having barely had time to mourn the man who built the program where it is today.
"Yesterday was really tough," said guard Landon Dulaney, "for our community, the school, the coaches and players. But we knew how much this would mean to him tonight. I know he was watching from above. We all know that. This win means a lot to this community."
Players and coaches from every team in the tournament have been wearing T-shirts with Deckert's personal slogan — The Game Honors Toughness — at the tournament, and a moment of silence was held for the coach before the game.
That certainly seemed to galvanize the Lynx, as they came flying out of the locker room with energy and offensive fluidity, taking a 21-11 lead going into the second quarter. While the Tigers never really went away, Brandon kept control of the action from there.
"I thought our guys really focused in and took care of what they needed to and didn't let the other stuff affect them," said Lynx coach Craig Nelson. "Our crowd and the whole state got behind Coach Deckert and it really brings a great atmospehre today, and that was fun."
Dulaney was the spark, leading BV with 18 points on 6-of-8 shooting. He made all three of his 3-point attempts and had three steals, starring on defense as well. His work helped limit Huron sharpshooter Blake Ellwin to seven points on 2-of-12 shooting.
CJ Gainey had 15 points to lead the Tigers (13-10), and Anderson Porisch added 10 points and six rebounds, but the Lynx (18-5) were too strong.
Ryland Carroll hit 3-of-5 from deep for nine points, while Josh Olthoff and Heyden Anderson each had eight points and eight rebounds, with the 6-foot-8 Olthoff adding five assists passing out of the pivot. Brandon went 10-of-18 from outside the arc in the game, to Huron's 5-of-23.
"What we did is what we are," Nelson said. "Let those two bigs touch it and if they get doubled they can kick it out."
Can the Lynx carry the momentum forward, while continuing to manage their emotions? They say they can. After all, it's something they've carried with them all season long.
"For these guys and for us coaches it's been on our mind for a long time — years or months," Nelson said. "Especially the last couple weeks as Coach Deckert got really sick. So we have thought about it. We've spent time with him. These guys have seen him on our sideline and had time to reflect on that and then flip the switch and get out here and play basketball."
