HURON — A pair of former area basketball standouts have led the James Valley Christian girls’ basketball team to a berth in the Class B State Tournament.

Making the feat even more enjoyable for head coach Krista (DeJong) Robinson, a 2001 Iroquois graduate, and LeAnn (Mandernach) Bartholow, a 1998 De Smet graduate, is the fact that the journey included each of their daughters.

Junior Kaylie Robinson and freshman Addison Bartholow were starters this season for the Lady Vikings, who earned a berth in the state tourney with a 16-6 record this season.

“I’m very fortunate to have my daughter, Kaylie, but also 11 additional daughters that play for me on our varsity team,” coach Robinson said. “When we are in the gym or anything basketball related, Kaylie knows she is equal to everyone else.

“Our team emphasizes family and our past and present basketball girls become part of my immediate family. It has been such a privilege to watch not only Kaylie’s game grow in the program but each of our young ladies,” she said. “Each of them are special 'daughters' to me, I always say my husband wanted a big family so God blessed us with this opportunity.”

Bartholow says her daughter’s basketball journey has paralleled her own and has been exciting to watch.

“At the beginning of the season I thought quite a bit about making it to the state tourney when I was a freshman and how awesome it would be to experience this with Addison during her freshman year,” Bartholow said. “I had great teammates and love that Addison has been blessed with the best also.

“It’s been an unforgettable season for this team and I am so proud of each and every one of them,” she said. “The first day of summer practices we all knew it was the start to the road to Rapid!! Making this trip with these girls is a gift that I will never forget.”

While the dream of reaching the state tournament and winning a state title remains the same, girls’ basketball has changed a bit since the two coaches laced up the sneakers to play for the Lady Chiefs and Lady Bulldogs.

Robinson started as an eighth-grader for Iroquois, which at that time was a rarity.

“Lonni Stover was my coach and I faced a lot of adversity but learned many lessons I apply as a coach today,” Robinson said. “In my 5-year playing career I had three coaches, but I looked at it as an opportunity to prove myself three times and learn three different coaching styles. 

“My senior year we won 281 Conference Tournament at James Valley Christian vs. Wessington,” she said. “We lost to Tulare by eight in district championship, they went on to the state tourney.”

Robinson averaged 18 points per game and led the Lady Chiefs in assists and steals during her senior season. At the end of her high school career she held 10 girls’ basketball records in Iroquois, including the all-time scoring mark, which still stands today.

“The game has definitely became more physical since I played. Tulare was coached by Byron Hand and they played back then like we do now, very hard nosed and physical,” Robinson said. “They were a tough team because of it. The refs also let you play more. We were called for every touch foul, so they have adjusted to this style of play. 

“We didn’t have a shot clock so the game was way slower and there wasn’t a ton of transition like you see now. You also see a lot of different defensive schemes both full court and half court,” she said. “James Valley ran a triangle-and-2 and Tulare ran a diamond-and-1 but that is about all you saw of that back then.  I think the progression of the game is due to the progression of the athletes - they are stronger, quicker and put in a lot more time than we did!”

Bartholow was on the first girls’ basketball team from De Smet to reach the Class B State Tournament. The Lady Bulldogs finished third that season, which was her only state tournament experience during her high school career.

“The memories playing in that atmosphere and all the excitement leading up and during the tourney are unforgettable,” Bartholow said. “My next three years in high school we jumped up to the A’s and had very successful teams.”

In addition to the move from the fall to the winter seasons, Bartholow has witnessed several other rule changes to girls’ basketball throughout the years.

“We didn’t have a shot clock so everyone knew how to stall for minutes at a time. We shot one-and-ones on free throws,” she said. “Teams played with 2 posts and 3 guards. No one ran a 4- or 5-out. There was no SoDak 16. We played districts and regions. I went to individual basketball camps in the summer, but no summer traveling ball or team camps.”

Both coaches have successfully managed the juggling act of serving as a coach and a mom to their daughters.

“I have no problem viewing her as another player when I’m coaching, but knowing she is my daughter, her expectations are very high and she is held meticulously accountable,” Robinson said “Earning her way has definitely been harder than most so players knew I was treating her fairly. There are times when I’ve pushed her past her limit and I’m very fortunate she has the mental toughness to take it.

“My assistants are great at knowing when to lift her up because she doesn’t get that from me when I’m in coach mode. When most players leave the gym, they leave, but Kaylie gets mom mode as soon as we leave the gym,” she said. “She dealt with coach mode and then she gets the mom version of my thoughts at home and sometimes that is even harder. The positive is we spend a lot of time together with workouts, practice, games, and at-home film sessions.  We’ve built a great relationship and because of that she trusts me so when I’m pushing her she knows it’s for the best.”

Remembering her own playing days and the family support she received is something Robinson tries to pass along to her daughter.

“My dad taught me so much about the game of basketball, I have passed that onto Kaylie,” she said. “I also knew the weaknesses in my game and that I had to make those Kaylie’s strengths.”

Bartholow says it’s quite a balancing act for her as far as being a mom and a coach.

“When we are in the gym, I am Coach B. Addison knows I will push her to compete to the best of her ability and I tell it to her straight,” she said. “We have been doing the player/coach thing for quite awhile now, but it’s not always easy. Once we leave the gym or at least after the car ride home, I try to be mom.”

So what are the daughters' thoughts on the whole situation?

“Playing for her is one of the best things because I am constantly being pushed to be better,” Kaylie said of playing for her mome. “It can be difficult sometimes, especially the 18 blocks from the gym to our house after a tough loss or a game that I did not play very well in.

“It is one of those things that makes you mentally tough and prepares you for life after basketball,” she said.

The younger Bartholow had similar feelings on the situation.

“Playing for my mom has been a fun experience. Sometimes it can get challenging with being held to higher standards, but I wouldn’t change it though,” Bartholow said. “I am so blessed that I have a mother that is willing to help my friends and I get better at the game she loves and we love!

“My mom has coached me since I was in third grade, and she has never given up on me,” she said. “I am very blessed that I have a mother that cares so much about me and my dreams!”

James Valley Christian is the eighth seed for the Class B Tournament and will open against top-seeded Arlington at noon MT on Thursday in Summit Arena at the Monument in Rapid City.