South Dakota
What If North Dakota and South Dakota Merged Into One State?

Suppose North Dakota and also South Dakota Merged Into One State?
A request was really created back in 2019; it obtained near 24,000 trademarks. – So, not a whole lot. This conversation turns up from time to time, so allow’s place it back on the table and also follower the fire for a minute.
Calling The State:
Initially, we’d need to call it. Would certainly North Dakota cover South Dakota, and also we simply call the entire region North Dakota? Or… need to we go down the north and also southern and also simply choose “Dakota.”
Or possibly it’s time to think about something brand-new? Any kind of suggestions?
It’s a Biggin’. — Biggin (Adjective) – Southern jargon for “Big One”
If we placed both states with each other, the consolidated populace would certainly be right under 1.7 million individuals, and also the overall square miles would certainly be close to 147,820! We’d be an infant Pangaea.
Relabeling Essentially Whatever
Anything with “North” or “South” in the title would certainly need to go, so both UND and also NDSU would certainly need to go via an enormous change.
We’d additionally need to terminate North and also South Dakota certificate plates.
And also I can just picture the contest which city would certainly be called the resources. The evident front joggers would definitely be Bismarck, Fargo, Pierre, Sioux Falls and also Rapid City. Where would certainly you position your wager?
As Well As I’m not going to obtain right into the specifics, however consider the frustration that would certainly originate from attempting to combine our political systems. My mind harms considering it.
All that stated, I still have yet to discuss the expense of doing every one of this. I don’t wish to know just how much cash we’d need to spray to obtain every one of this done.one.
The Complication:
We’d need to transform our slogans and also labels… which, incidentally, I’m recently discovering that North Dakota is called the “Flickertail State,” … due to squirrels that flip their tails… we have them. That’s the entire tale behind that.
Pro: We would certainly have a couple of even more celebs to flaunt around. We enjoy our Josh Duhamel and also Lawrence Welk.
If we combined with South Dakota, we’d additionally have … umm… Bob Barker. That’s the just one I understand of in South Dakota.
Unique reference to Wiz Khalifa, that resided in Minot momentarily.
I expect I need to additionally discuss that we would certainly reach include Mount Rushmore to our listing of vacationer destinations as well.
Do You Know Why There Are 2 Dakotas?
Well, to be sincere, there’s not a great deal of info on this. According to Time.com, it was partially since there were various profession lines in the 1800’s and also it made good sense to damage them up, however eventually, the basic agreement is that both fifty percents simply didn’t such as each various other. It’s a Hatfield and also McCoy circumstance, obviously.
Last Ideas:
Each state has its very own… type of, individuality, and also essentially, we don’t desire the adjustment. We have our very own backgrounds, we have our very own policies, and also it simply doesn’t appear right to toss every one of that away.
Some individuals say that due to our reduced populace, it makes good sense to combine right into one. It makes good sense to combine right into one due to our reduced populace. Adhering to that reasoning, should Texas divided right into 4 or 5 states? It’s not the toughest debate, however I’m adhering to it.
Allow me inform you… as a person that relocated right here from out of state, it took me an entire 2 secs to see just how deep that North Dakota satisfaction runs. Never ever joke regarding the magnificence of our terrific state, or else, you will certainly obtain struck-ith down. Lesson discovered.
If We Need to, So Do They
Various other states that can (possibly) combine: North and also South Carolina, Virginia and also West Virginia.
The Most Awful North Dakota Cities To Stay In For 2021
PLACED: Right Here are one of the most prominent national forests

South Dakota
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.
South Dakota
South Dakota state boys basketball scores for March 22, tournament award winners
ABERDEEN, S.D. — A look at the South Dakota boys state basketball scores for Saturday, March 22, 2025, plus the tournament award winners in each class.
Class AA state tournament
At the Summit Arena in Rapid City
Saturday’s results
Championship
Brandon Valley 53, Mitchell 45
Third place
Sioux Falls Lincoln 81, Harrisburg 52
Fifth place
Sioux Falls Jefferson 61, Huron 60
Seventh place
Spearfish 61, Sioux Falls O’Gorman 55
Class AA tournament awards
Spirit of Su: Mitchell’s Markus Talley
Spirit of Six: Harrisburg
All-tourney team
Brandon Valley: Aiden Zerr, Mach Mayen, Landon Dulaney; Mitchell: Gavin Hinker, Markus Talley; Sioux Falls Lincoln: Sam DeGroot, Brody Schafer; Harrisburg: Stellen Larson; Sioux Falls Jefferson: Colby Nuttbrock; Huron: Blake Ellwein; Spearfish: Dylon Doren; Sioux Falls O’Gorman: Austin Terveen
At the Premier Center in Sioux Falls
Saturday’s games
Championship
Sioux Falls Christian 61, Hamlin 51
Third place
Rapid City Christian 60, Lennox 58
Fifth place
West Central 69, Hill City 54
Seventh place
Groton Area 64, Clark/Willow Lake 52
Class A tournament awards
Spirit of Su: Hill City’s Devin Buehler
Spirit of Six: Groton Area
All-tourney team
Sioux Falls Christian: Brant Wassenaar, Griffen Goodbary; Hamlin: Easton Neuendorf, Jackson Wadsworth; Rapid City Christian: Benson Kieffer, Simon Kieffer; Lennox: Tate Gerdes; West Central: Will Kuhl, Connor Mebius; Hill City: Devin Buehler; Groton Area: Ryder Johnson; Clark/Willow Lake: Chris Bevers
At the Barnett Center in Aberdeen
Saturday’s games
Championship
Castlewood 52, Viborg-Hurley 31
Third place
Dell Rapids St. Mary 71, Wessington Springs 54
Fifth place
Wall 79, Freeman 67
Seventh place
Aberdeen Christian 64, Lyman 46
Class B tournament awards
Spirit of Su: Viborg-Hurley’s Nick Hanson
Spirit of Six: Castlewood
All-tourney team
Castlewood: Jamison Keszler, Bryon Laue, Luke Baumberger; Viborg-Hurley: Nick Hanson, Brady Schroedermeier; Dell Rapids St. Mary: Trevon Beckman, Maverick LeBrun; Wessington Springs: Colby Flowers; Wall: Emmet Dinger, Teelan Kjerstad; Freeman: Tate Sorensen; Aberdeen Christian: Brooks Jett
Blake Durham is a Sports Reporter for the Mitchell Republic, having joined in October of 2023. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in December of 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in Communications. Durham can be found covering a variety of prep and collegiate sports in the area.
South Dakota
Tournament Preview: Cowgirls Face South Dakota State in First-Round Battle

The Cowgirls are back in action in the NCAA Tournament.
For the second time in Jacie Hoyt’s three seasons at OSU, the Cowgirls will be in the NCAA Tournament. In 2023, the Cowgirls suffered a heartbreaking loss to Miami in the first round and will soon look to get their first win in the big dance since 2021.
OSU has established itself as one of the top teams in the Big 12 and the entire country this season. At 25-6, this team has a case to be the best in program history. While an NCAA Tournament run would solidify those beliefs, getting out of the first round will be no easy task.
Game Information: No. 7 Oklahoma State (25-6) vs. No. 10 South Dakota State (29-3)
Date/Time: Saturday, March 22 at 2:30 p.m. CT
Where: Gampel Pavillion – Storrs, CT
TV/Streaming: ESPN2
Spread: Oklahoma State -5.5
Total Points: Over/Under 139.5 points
Moneyline: Oklahoma State -260, South Dakota State +200
All betting odds via ESPN Bet
While OSU’s season has been defined by signature wins and bad losses, the Jackrabbits haven’t done much losing at all. Sitting at 29-3, the Summit League champions went unbeaten in conference play and are riding a 19-game winning streak.
With plenty of talent throughout the rotation, SDSU is a popular pick to pull the first-round upset. With Brooklyn Meyer’s dominant inside play producing 17.4 points per game and a variety of good shooters surrounding her, the Jackrabbits are a dangerous team.
However, OSU has plenty of talent on its side as well. Stailee Heard has shown her ability to step up in big moments, putting up 59 points and 25 rebounds across two Big 12 Tournament contests. Alongside Heard, the Cowgirls have Anna Gret Asi and Micah Gray as reliable scoring options. With Tenin Magassa holding down the middle, her play against the Jackrabbits’ inside attack will be critical.
With so much firepower on both sides and an abundance of team success, this would have been a highly touted matchup, even in the regular season. Now, as the stakes are at their highest, these talented teams will battle it out in what should be one of the best games of the opening weekend.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Want to join the discussion? Like Oklahoma State Cowboys on SI on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest Cowboys news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.
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