The Stanley County Buffaloes boys basketball team still has a lot to be proud of, making the first state tournament since 1997. The Buffs finished in eighth place after a 61-43 loss to Groton Area on Saturday in Rapid City.
The Tigers shot lights out in the first quarter at 83% while at 91% until the final minute of the first. The Tigers led 22-8 after the first, but Stanley County battled outscoring the Tigers 12-11 in the second still trailing 33-20 at the break. Groton Area shot 49% overall for the game and 31% from deep including 32 of the 61 points from the paint. Four players hit double figures for Groton Area as they were led by Keegan Tracy, Karson Zak and Ryder Johnson each scoring 15 points. Gage Sippel also had 13 as the four scored all but three points on the afternoon. Stanley County was led by senior Paxton Deal who finished with the game high 16 points while Eddie Duffy had seven. Senior Trevor Caldwell had six points and eight rebounds as the Buffs shot 33% from the field in the final game of the year.
Stanley County finishes the season at 20-5 making the state tournament for the first time in 29 years. The Buffs will graduate Deal, Caldwell, Teegyn Breitag, Brendon Bothwell and Weston Prince.
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