HARRISBURG, SD – The #2 ranked Harrisburg Tigers used an inside-out game to baffle the Sturgis defense, blowing out the Scoopers 79-41 in a SoDak 16 playoff matchup.
The #15 Scoopers came into the game as an underdog but hoped to pull the upset and punch their ticket to the State Tournament.
Harrisburg torched the nets in the first quarter, as senior sharpshooter Braeden VanBockern knocked down four three-pointers on 5-for-6 shooting, leading the Tigers to a 28-7 lead headed into the second quarter.
Harrisburg outscored Sturgis 18-12 in the second and had a 46-19 halftime lead.
The Scoopers fought back early in the third quarter but Harrisburg worked the ball inside to Camden Phipps, who scored eight points from the post, giving the Tigers a 69-33 lead after three quarters. The 30-plus point lead meant the mercy rule came into effect with a running clock for most of the second half.
Both coaches brought in reserves for much of the final stanza and Harrisburg earned the 79-41 win, enjoying the victory before their home crowd.
Harrisburg improved to 18-3 and was led by VanBockern, who finished with five three-pointers and 25 points. The Tigers shot 53% from the field and 70% from the free throw line. Harrisburg had 7 turnovers and 29 rebounds.
Ryan Heinert had 21 points for Sturgis, who finished their season at 8-13. The Scoopers shot 75% from the charity stripe and 34% from the field. Sturgis committed 15 turnovers and grabbed 15 boards.
Harrisburg will play the #7 seed in the AA State Tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, March 14-16.
