Sioux Falls Christian defeats Hamlin, wins South Dakota boys basketball state championship

Sioux Falls Christian got their revenge for last year’s title loss Saturday night, defeating Hamlin 61-51 to claim the Class A state championship.

Griffen Goodbary, viewed by many as the top boys’ basketball player in the state, carried the Chargers to the win, scoring 32 points on 12-for-21 shooting. The South Dakota State commit grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds, including six offensive rebounds. 

Brant Wassenaar was the only other Sioux Falls Christian player to score in double-figures. The sophomore guard recorded 11 points on 4-for-8 shooting.

Even though Hamlin out-did Sioux Falls Christian on the offensive glass, Sioux Falls outscored Hamlin in second chance points by five. The Chargers also had a plus-six margin in points in the paint. The Chargers recorded seven steals, forced 10 turnovers, and scored a total of 13 points off those turnovers.

Sioux Falls Christian held Hamlin to 43% shooting from the field. Hamlin junior Jackson Wadsworth scored a team-high 18 points on 7-for-12 shooting. Senior Easton Neuendorf scored nine points and also recorded six rebounds and seven assists.

Sioux Falls Christian ended the season with a 24-1 record.