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South Dakota Prep Media basketball polls for Jan. 13: SF Lincoln leaps Mitchell for No. 1

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South Dakota Prep Media basketball polls for Jan. 13: SF Lincoln leaps Mitchell for No. 1


MITCHELL — There’s a new No. 1-ranked team in Class AA boys basketball.

One of two remaining undefeated teams in the division, Sioux Falls Lincoln claimed the No. 1 position this week after slotting in at No. 2 since Dec. 16. While Lincoln was No. 2 for much of the 2022-23 season, it’s the Patriots’ first time atop Class AA since Feb. 18, 2019.

Lincoln garnered 16 of 17 first-place votes and 84 vote points this week, while Mitchell hung onto one top vote and 59 points for No. 2 in the poll, just ahead of No. 3 Brandon Valley with 53 points.

The defending state champion Kernels, who had occupied the top spot since taking over on Jan. 22, 2024, had a 22-game win streak snapped by No. 4 Harrisburg, which then lost to Huron, one of three teams receiving votes.

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The South Dakota Prep Media basketball polls for the week of Jan. 13, 2025, are listed below, ranking the top five teams in each class. First-place votes are indicated in parentheses and teams are ranked by total points received.

1. Sioux Falls Lincoln (16), 6-0, 84; 2. Mitchell (1), 6-1, 59; 3. Brandon Valley, 5-1, 53; 4. Harrisburg, 4-2, 31; 5. Spearfish, 6-0, 13.
Others receiving votes: Sioux Falls Washington 8, O’Gorman 5, Huron 2.

1. Sioux Falls Christian (17), 6-0, 85; 2. Hamlin, 5-2, 60; 3. Dakota Valley, 7-0, 53; 4. Rapid City Christian, 9-0, 37; 5. Lennox, 6-1, 17.
Others receiving votes: West Central 2, St. Thomas More 1.

Complete control: Sioux Falls Christian defeated Hamlin 75-60 in a battle of Class A boys heavyweights over the weekend, and now SFC has the distinction of being the unanimous No. 1. Even with the loss, Hamlin remained at No. 2, seven vote points ahead of No. 3 Dakota Valley. Overall, the entire top-five order remained unchanged, with Rapid City Christian at No. 4 and Lennox at No. 5. Only three total votes landed outside the top five, with West Central getting two and St. Thomas More getting one.

1. Castlewood (14), 6-1, 81; 2. Dell Rapids St. Mary (3), 7-0, 70; 3. Viborg-Hurley, 7-1, 53; 4. Leola/Frederick Area, 8-0, 29; 5. Howard, 6-2, 18.
Others receiving votes: Wessington Springs 2, Freeman 1, Wolsey-Wessington 1.

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Widening the gap: Last week, No. 5 Howard was separated from Wessington Springs as the top vote recipient outside the rankings by just one vote. This week, that margin expanded to 16 points, as the rest of the top five stayed intact. Four total votes landed outside the top five, with Springs still leading the way, followed by Freeman and Wolsey-Wessington. Neither received votes last week.

1. O’Gorman (17), 6-0, 85; 2. Sioux Falls Washington, 7-0, 67; 3. Brandon Valley, 5-1, 52; 4. Rapid City Stevens, 8-1, 34; 5. Spearfish, 4-2, 7.
Others receiving votes: Aberdeen Central 5, Harrisburg 3, Mitchell 2.

Battle of unbeatens on tap: No. 1 O’Gorman and No. 2 Sioux Falls Washington, the last two undefeated squads in the Class AA girls standings, square off on Tuesday night to decide the top team in the division. As it stands, O’Gorman is the unanimous No. 1 with 17 first-place votes, leading a top five that hasn’t changed since Dec. 16. Mitchell joined those receiving votes this week, while Brookings fell out.

1. Sioux Falls Christian (14), 8-0, 81; 2. Vermillion (1), 7-1, 64; 3. Mahpiya Luta (2), 8-0, 53; 4. Dakota Valley, 8-0, 22; 5. Hamlin, 5-2, 18.
Others receiving votes: Wagner 10, Elk Point-Jefferson 5, Rapid City Christian 2.

Patient Panthers: Out to an 8-0 start, Dakota Valley entered the Class A girls top five for the first time this season, checking in at No. 4. The Panthers had received votes in each edition of the poll before cracking the rankings this week. Last week’s No. 3 Wagner dropped a 47-43 final to Class B No. 4 Ethan, which caused the Red Raiders to fall out of the top five, though they still received 10 votes.

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Centerville’s Althea Gust dribbles the basketball in the first half of the girls Class B state championship game between Centerville and Arlington on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at The Monument in Rapid City.

Mitchell Republic file photo

1. Centerville (16), 9-0, 84; 2. Parkston (1), 8-0, 64; 3. Lyman, 5-0, 51; 4. Ethan, 7-1, 38; T-5. Dell Rapids St. Mary, 7-1, 6; T-5. Sanborn Central/Woonsocket, 5-2, 6.
Others receiving votes: Andes Central/Dakota Christian 1, Colman-Egan 1, Corsica-Stickney 1, Kadoka Area 1, Bennett County 1, Harding County 1.

Quite the cluster: While the top four in the Class B girls poll remained firm, the group battling for the No. 5 spot continued to grow. Sanborn Central/Woonsocket maintained its No. 5 ranking but fell into a tie with Dell Rapids St. Mary for the spot, both teams receiving six votes. Among those outside the poll receiving votes, six programs got one vote apiece. This class is poised to see some shakeup in next week’s poll, as No. 1 Centerville squares off with No. 4 Ethan and No. 2 Parkston battles No. 3 Lyman at the Hanson Classic on Saturday.

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TBD vs. South Dakota Coyotes – Live Score – March 31, 2026

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TBD vs. South Dakota Coyotes – Live Score – March 31, 2026



TBD vs. South Dakota Coyotes – Live Score – March 31, 2026 | FOX Sports


































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SD Lottery Powerball, Lotto America winning numbers for March 28, 2026

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

Here’s a look at March 28, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 28 drawing

11-42-43-59-61, Powerball: 25, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Lotto America numbers from March 28 drawing

15-29-30-32-35, Star Ball: 09, ASB: 05

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Dakota Cash numbers from March 28 drawing

04-08-13-31-35

Check Dakota Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 28 drawing

12-14-17-22-55, Bonus: 04

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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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7 Most Rattlesnake Infested Areas in South Dakota

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7 Most Rattlesnake Infested Areas in South Dakota


There is only one rattlesnake native to South Dakota: the prairie rattlesnake. Also known as the Great Plains rattlesnake, it has the largest range of any rattlesnake in North America, stretching from Canada to Mexico.

In South Dakota, the prairie rattlesnake’s range crosses through the western parts of the state and lands around the Missouri River. The prairies, badlands, rocky outcrops, and river watersheds make ideal places for it to thrive, and these snakes are most often found in areas where that terrain provides them with room to hide and hunt.

These snakes are not aggressive toward humans, but they will defend themselves if threatened. That is why the areas below stand out, as they combine the kinds of habitat where prairie rattlesnakes are most likely to live with places where people also hike, camp, and explore.

Custer State Park

Herd of buffalo in Custer State Park.

Spanning 71,000 acres, Custer State Park is home to granite mountain peaks, lakes, and grasslands. Set in the Black Hills, its most noteworthy trails are up mountains such as Black Elk Peak, but its Wildlife Loop Road runs for 18 miles through open grasslands home to prairie dogs, bison, and other animals. These grasslands are a prairie rattlesnake’s preferred habitat, as they can slither through undetected and feed on prairie dogs, taking over their colonies.

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Prairie rattlesnakes can be found in other places in Custer State Park as well, including in lower-elevation campgrounds. There have been multiple reports of rattlesnakes wandering onto campgrounds. This can be especially dangerous for guests who wander outside without proper footwear. That’s why it’s critical to always wear good shoes or boots while in these parks to avoid a nasty bite if you accidentally step on one of these reptiles.

Badlands National Park

Badlands National Park in South Dakota, USA.
Badlands National Park in South Dakota, USA.

These badlands contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. The area was once covered by a sea, leaving behind many ancient marine creatures, such as the massive Mosasaurus. Mammal fossils are also common here, such as the Nimravid cat and the Brontothere, which likely grew to 8 to 16 feet tall and closely resembled modern rhinos. The badlands still provide rich habitat for wildlife, including prairie rattlesnakes, which are most often found in the prairies below the Badlands National Park’s iconic sedimentary rock formations.

The prairie rattlesnake feasts on a wide variety of prey in the park, from prairie dogs to burrowing owls and ferrets. It uses its heat-seeking pits to track its prey, while its tongue picks up particles in the air to “smell.” However, these snakes are not the only predators here. Red-tailed hawks and Golden Eagles are known to attack and eat these rattlesnakes, along with badgers.

Prairie rattlesnakes are most active from the spring to fall, but they can also come out in slightly cooler weather to bask in sunlight.

Lake Francis Case

Fishing boats on the eastern shore of Lake Francis Case.
Fishing boats on the eastern shore of Lake Francis Case. Image credit Joseph Kreiss via Shutterstock.

Lake Francis Case was formed by the Fort Randall Dam on the Missouri River in the 1950s. It covers 102,000 acres with a maximum depth of 140 feet. Unfortunately, its creation flooded a Native American settlement and forced the community out. The lake is surrounded by prairies, from which hikers have seen prairie rattlesnakes. The lake is also home to a population of prairie dogs, which are prime prey for prairie rattlesnakes.

However, some prairie rattlesnakes can get closer to the shoreline, as Snake Creek Recreation Area is one of the better-known hotspots. They have been spotted hiding in the rocks and bushes by the lake. One trail known as a rattlesnake hotspot is the Shannon Trail, which connects the north and south campgrounds and overlooks Lake Francis Case.

George S. Mickelson Trail

George S. Mickelson Trail in South Dakota
George S. Mickelson Trail in South Dakota. By GeneMJ530, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.

The George S. Mickelson Trail is a 109-mile-long trail along an abandoned rail line across western South Dakota in the Black Hills. It connects to multiple forests, state parks, and privately maintained trails, including areas near Custer State Park. Toward the lower-elevation southern end of the trail, rattlesnakes have been regularly sighted by hikers and South Dakota park authorities.

The southern end of the trail passes through several habitats that support the prairie rattlesnake, such as the lower-elevation Sheep Canyon, where the rattlesnakes can hide among rocks, and the grassy prairies near Custer, South Dakota. Hikers in South Dakota sometimes find these snakes in prairie dog holes, as prairie rattlesnakes occasionally stick their heads out of them.

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Wind Cave National Park

Natural Entrance to Wind Cave, Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota.
Natural Entrance to Wind Cave, Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota.

Wind Cave National Park comprises two distinct ecosystems: a vast cave and an above-ground prairie. The cave was of great importance to the Lakota people because it is central to their emergence story. What makes this park a good environment for rattlesnakes is its mixture of prairies and ponderosa forests. Prairie dogs in particular dig holes known as underground colonies or ‘towns,’ which prairie rattlesnakes often use as ambush sites to hunt prey.

Bison at Wind Cave National Park.
Bison at Wind Cave National Park.

The rattlesnakes can also take refuge in rocky outcrops, both to protect themselves from the elements and to ambush prey. During cooler parts of the year, snakes are more likely to bask in the sun, increasing the chance of human encounters. The Wind Cave National Park is also close to several other rattlesnake hotspots on this list, including Custer State Park.

Missouri River

Historic bridge carrying Interstate 90 over the Missouri River along the Lewis and Clark Trail in South Dakota
Historic bridge carrying Interstate 90 over the Missouri River along the Lewis and Clark Trail in South Dakota.

The Missouri River is the longest river in the United States, flowing for 2,341 miles from the Rocky Mountains of Montana down into the Mississippi River in Missouri. It flows through western and central South Dakota as well, providing water for a large semi-arid watershed. In South Dakota, the drier climate and the rocky bluffs, shorelines, and nearby prairie habitat along the river make this corridor one of the main areas where prairie rattlesnakes are found.

Prairie rattlesnakes are most strongly associated with western South Dakota and the lands around the Missouri River. They are more often found in rocky or grassy areas near the river than in the water itself, though they have been observed swimming and may occasionally enter the water. As a result, people fishing or hiking through the Missouri River valley should stay alert for this snake.

Black Hills National Forest

Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota
Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota. Photo Credit: Mary Key via Shutterstock.

The Black Hills National Forest is a massive area, covering 1.2 million acres of forests and mountains, or 110 miles long by 70 miles wide. It has been called an Island in the Plains, as it rises above the mostly flat landscape of the Great Plains.

The forest contains 1,300 miles of streams, 11 reservoirs, 353 miles of trails, and 30 campgrounds. While exploring this forest, hikers and campers may encounter rattlesnakes, especially in lower-elevation areas or in rocky areas. In hot summer weather, rattlesnakes often retreat from the heat, but during the cooler spring and fall months, they are more likely to bask in the open.

In some cases, hikers may not hear a warning rattle right away, which is one reason caution matters in rocky or brushy areas. These tails don’t provide the support needed for their rattles to make a sound. Wildlife experts believe this is an evolutionary change, since rattlesnakes that make a loud rattle are more likely to be killed by frightened hikers or campers.

Humans are rattlesnakes’ biggest predators

Prairie rattlesnakes face many threats, and encounters with humans are one of them. Rattlesnakes usually try to avoid people when they can, or warn them when someone gets too close. These incidents are often avoidable if you take proper precautions, such as wearing sturdy shoes, staying on trails, and being aware of what lies ahead. These snakes may be intimidating, but they are far more threatened by humans than we are by them.

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