South Dakota

Coaches remember the impact Brent Deckert made on South Dakota basketball

Published

2 years ago

March 16, 2024

Coaches remember the impact Brent Deckert made on South Dakota basketball

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – There are many who make an impact in the lives of young people: a friend, a mentor or a teacher. Some can be all three: a coach. Many coaches this week have described the relationship among coaches in South Dakota high school Class AA boys basketball as a fraternity or a brotherhood. That’s why Wednesday morning hurt so much for those who knew the late Brandon Valley head coach Brent Deckert, who passed away after a 3 1/2-year battle with lung cancer.

“He had such a passion for the game of basketball and he was such a competitor and we love those moments that we got to share with him as a person and as a fellow coach, but he also taught us how to be servant-leaders to our own programs,” said Harrisburg Head Coach Scott Langerock.

It’s been an emotional few days at the State AA Tournament. Coaches, players and even referees honored Deckert on the first day of the tournament with shirts that featured his motto, “The Game Honors Toughness”, on the front. A GoFundMe was set up to create a fund for a scholarship in Deckert’s memory. A moment of silence was held before Brandon Valley’s first game of the tournament and coaches continue to honor and remember Deckert through stories of how he touched their lives.

Langerock remembered how Deckert went the extra mile to support the Harrisburg boy’s basketball program as they transitioned to Class AA.

“He was the first guy to call and say, ‘Hey, I’m bringing my guys over for an open gym in the summer’ just so our guys understood what AA basketball looked like and what kind of strides we needed to make to be competitive,” explained Langerock. “He was the first person to call or shoot a text when you’re down on your luck and give you that confidence and he really wanted the best out of everybody. If that was a pat on the back or whatever it needed to be, he was willing to do that. The lessons are it’s bigger than just yourself, it’s bigger than just your personal goals for your team. It’s, you want the best out of everybody and the world’s a lot better place for that.”

Sioux Falls Roosevelt Head Coach Mitch Begeman recalled that his father coached against Deckert when he played high school basketball at O’Gorman. He grew to respect Deckert and when he became a coach like his father, he said his interactions with Deckert put the late coach’s character on display.

“My first year as a head coach was a very tough year,” Begeman said. “We won one basketball game. To kind of just speak of the coaching fraternity that we have in the AA and of coach Deckert, he was just one that really was very supportive. When you go through tough times, you know you have certain people in your life and it was a group of people that I leaned on a lot, but he was one that definitely was reaching out to me, encouraging me to keep fighting. He cared so much about people, regardless of competing or not.”

Many coaches said that Deckert’s motto was very fitting because they believe Deckert not only coached like that but lived with toughness every day, especially in his battle with cancer. The game may honor toughness, but this week, the game honored one of the toughest to grace the sideline. Brent Deckert was a friend, a mentor, a teacher and a coach at Brandon Valley for 21 years. Our thoughts and prayers remain with Brent’s wife, Jill, and their family in this difficult time.

“It really puts things into perspective,” Begeman reflected. “Yes, we care about what we’re doing this weekend, but at the time we lost a brother, we lost a colleague, we lost a coach. That really puts life into perspective a little bit and we had to kind of take a pause and understand that basketball isn’t everything all the time.”

Brent Deckert’s Brandon Valley Lynx had a big win in the first round of the tournament on Thursday and their run will continue to the state championship game after a win over Harrisburg Friday night; yet another fitting way to honor his memory.

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South Dakota

South Dakota confirms three cyclosporiasis cases as CDC investigates growing outbreak

Published

7 hours ago

July 16, 2026

Press Room

South Dakota confirms three cyclosporiasis cases as CDC investigates growing outbreak

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – The South Dakota Department of Health has confirmed three cases of cyclosporiasis as health officials across the country investigate a growing outbreak of the parasitic illness.

According to the department’s Infectious Disease Dashboard, two cases have been reported in Pennington County and one case in Clay County.

The South Dakota cases come as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports more than 1,600 probable cases in 34 states. Nationwide, more than 140 people have been hospitalized.

Cyclosporiasis is caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, which infects the intestines and can cause severe gastrointestinal illness. Symptoms include watery or explosive diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps, bloating and fatigue.

Unlike many common stomach illnesses that clear within a couple of days, cyclosporiasis can stick around for weeks or even months if left untreated.

Health experts say the parasite has most commonly been linked to contaminated fresh produce, including lettuce, basil, cilantro and raspberries. The parasite can also spread through contaminated water, including swimming pools and splash pads if contaminated water is swallowed. Officials note that Cyclospora is resistant to chlorine and bleach, meaning it can survive in properly chlorinated pools.

Federal investigators continue to search for the source of the nationwide outbreak, while The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said it identified lettuce and other salad greens as a potential source. The FDA said its traceback investigation is focusing on multiple produce items consumed by people who became sick.

Meanwhile, Taco Bell announced Tuesday that it has voluntarily and temporarily removed limited ingredients at select restaurants as a precaution while public health officials continue their investigation. The company said it is monitoring the situation and following guidance from health authorities. Federal officials have not identified Taco Bell or any other restaurant chain as the confirmed source of the outbreak.

The South Dakota Department of Health has not announced whether the state’s three reported cases are connected to the ongoing multistate outbreak.

Health officials recommend washing fresh produce thoroughly before eating it, although experts caution that washing may not completely remove the hardy parasite. Cooking fruits and vegetables can further reduce the risk of infection.

Anyone experiencing severe diarrhea or symptoms lasting longer than 48 hours should contact a healthcare provider. Early diagnosis and treatment can help shorten the illness and reduce complications.

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South Dakota

SD Lottery Powerball, Lotto America winning numbers for July 15, 2026

Published

19 hours ago

July 16, 2026

Press Room

The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at July 15, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from July 15 drawing

02-07-18-29-38, Powerball: 16, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from July 15 drawing

26-29-41-46-47, Star Ball: 09, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Dakota Cash numbers from July 15 drawing

01-09-10-16-33

Check Dakota Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from July 15 drawing

01-05-18-23-33, Bonus: 05

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes of $100 or less: Can be claimed at any South Dakota Lottery retailer.
Prizes of $101 or more: Must be claimed from the Lottery. By mail, send a claim form and a signed winning ticket to the Lottery at 711 E. Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.
Any jackpot-winning ticket for Dakota Cash or Lotto America, top prize-winning ticket for Lucky for Life, or for the second prizes for Powerball and Mega Millions must be presented in person at a Lottery office. A jackpot-winning Powerball or Mega Millions ticket must be presented in person at the Lottery office in Pierre.

When are the South Dakota Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Dakota Cash: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Dakota editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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