RAPID CITY —The Arlington Cardinals and Ethan Rustlers played like a title trip was on the line, with each squad giving their best, but the top-seeded Cardinals pulled out a 44-41 victory in the semifinal game Friday at the Class B State Girls’ Basketball Tournament at the Monument in Rapid City.

The Cardinals move to 23-2 while the Rustlers fell to 21-3.
Ethan stormed out of the gate, following the lead of senior Ava Lingemann, who tied the state’s single-season 3-point shots made record in the first quarter with her second triple of the game.

The Rustlers closed out the first with an 15-9 lead.

The Cardinals used their own outside shooting, specifically from sophomore Jaelyn Huntimer, to pull ahead 27-25 at half. The teams were knotted 34-34 at the end of the third quarter, but Arlington was able to hit free throws at the end after struggling much of the game to ice a 44-41 victory.

Huntimer led the Cardinals with 24 points. Addalyn Steffensen grabbed 10 rebounds to pace Arlington.

Madeline Bartscher led Ethan with 15 points. Rachel Klock came off the bench to grab 12 rebounds for the Rustlers.

Arlington will face third-seeded Centerville for the title this evening as they defeated Lyman in the other semifinal game Friday evening 52-45.

Ethan 15 25 34 41

Ethan (21-3): Marissa Storm 2 2-4 7, Ava Lingemann 2 2-2 8, Ella Pollreisz 0 3-6 3, Madeline Bartscher 6 0-1 15, Rachel Klock 4 0-0 8. Totals: 14 7-13 41.

Arlington (23-2): Ellisyn Vincent 2 0-0 6, Addalyn Steffensen 1 2-4 5, Harley Johnson 1 0-2 2, Jaelyn Huntimer 8 3-4 24, Jolyssa Steffensen 3 0-0 7. Totals: 15 5-10 44.

FG: E - 14/57 25%; A - 15/38 40%. 3-pt FG: E 6/30 (Bartscher 3, Lingemann 2, Storm); A 9/25 (Huntimer 5, Vincent 2, ASteffensen, JSteffensen). Rebounds: E 28 (RKlock 12), A 43 (ASteffensen 10). Assists: E 7 (Lingemann 3), A 9 (Johnson, Huntimer 3). Steals: E 7 (Lingemann, Bartscher 2), A 3. Turnovers: E 9, A 15. Fouls: E 11 (Lingemann out), A 15.

Consolation semifinal

Harding County 62, Warner 57
RAPID CITY — The Harding County Ranchers rebounded from an opening round loss to Lyman, which a scrappy 62-57 come-from-behind win over the Warner Monarchs Friday afternoon in the consolation round of the Class “B” State girls’ basketball tournament.

Warner owned the first half, as its lead soared as high as 13 points. But the second half belonged to the Ranchers, as they outscored the Monarchs 43-26 in the final two periods to punch their ticket to the consolation championship this afternoon against Wall.

Bailey Verhulst scored 17 points and had three assists for Harding County, while sister Claire Verhulst chipped in 16 points and Kaylen Padden scored 14. The Ranchers improve to 22-1 on the season.

Warner, which falls to 21-3, was led by Kyra Marcuson’s 17 points, while both Ava Nilsson and Sophia Hoeft added 12. Hoeft claimed nine rebounds in the game as well.

A total of 49 fouls, leading to 50 free throws were whistled in the game and the teams committed a combined 56 turnovers.
Warner will face James Valley Christian for eighth at this year’s “B.”

Warner 16 31 45 57
Harding County 8 19 39 62

WARNER (21-3): Kyra Marcuson 5 5-7 17; Ava Nilsson 5 0-1 12; Kyleigh Schopp 3 1-1 7; Sophia Hoeft 4 2-2 12; Lauren Marcuson 0 2-2 2; Stacie Carda 1 2-2 4; Morgan Haselhorst 0 1-2 1; Makenna Leidholt 1 0-0 2. Totals: 19 13-17 57.

HARDING COUNTY (22-1): Claire Verhulst 6 0-0 16; Bailey Verhulst 6 5-7 17; Kaylen Padden 3 8-14 14; Kelsi Costello 0 2-2 2; Jaelyn Wendt 2 5-8 9; Macey Wendt 0 2-2 2; Jozi Schuchard 1 0-0 2. Totals: 18 22-33 62.

FG: W - 19-53 36%; HC - 18-45 40$. 3-pt FG: W - 6-21 (K. Marcuson 2, Nilsson 2, Hoeft 2); HC - 4-13 (C. Verhulst 4). Rebounds: W - 38 (Schopp 9); HC 0 32 (J. Wendt 8). TO: W - 30; HC - 26. Assists: W - 7 (K. Marcuson 2, Carda 2). HC - 10 (B. Verhulst 3, J. Wendt 3). Fouls: W - 26 (K. Marcuson, L. Marcuson out); HC - 23.