Both Stanley County and Cheyenne-Eagle Butte shot better on Friday than on Thursday and it turned into an instant classic game in the consolation semifinal at the Class A state tournament in Rapid City, but the Buffaloes would fall 58-57.
No team never led by more than seven and the seven point lead for Cheyenne-Eagle Butte was short lived as the Buffs rallied right back in the second quarter and led by one at the break. Stanley County shot 45% from the field and near 40% from long range going 9-24 from beyond the arc. However, Cheyenne-Eagle Butte shot 48% from the floor and 33% from deep. In the fourth, as the score continued to go back and forth, the Braves tied the game at 57 with two minutes remaining, A foul in the final minute and Damian Clown would hit one of two free throws to give the Braves a one point lead and then forced a turnover in the final seconds not allowing the Buffaloes to get a shot away and the Braves would hang on to get the win. Clown had the game high 23 points while Levi Elk Nation had 16 for the Braves. Paxton Deal led Stanley County with 18 while Eddie Duffy had 15 and Teegyn Breitag finished with a double-double scoring 10 points and pulling in a game high 14 rebounds.
Stanley County will finish the season in the seventh place game on Saturday facing fourth seeded Groton Area, who tied the game twice at the end of the fourth and in overtime, but fell 94-92 in double overtime to St. Thomas More. Tip off is at 12:00 Central Time with coverage beginning at 11:30 on KCCR and on YouTube at KCCR Sports with Jon Winkler on the call.
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