Jaelyn Huntimer's big game carries top-seeded Arlington into finals

RAPID CITY — Thanks to Jaelyn Huntimer's big game, Arlington is getting the chance to play for its first-ever State B girls basketball championship.

Playing in only their thrid state tournament and first since 2011m the top--seeded Cardinals used a 24-point performance by Huntimer to defeat fourth-seeded Ethan 44-41 in Friday night's first semifinal game.

Huntimer, a 5-foot-8 sophomore, scored 16 points in the first half and drained five 3-pointers. One of those came with 1:14 remaining and gave the Cardinals a 40-34 lead. She also made three free throws in the final 26.4 seconds to seal the win.

Arlington (23-2) and Ethan (21-3) battled back and forth all game. Ethan led 15-9 after one quarter before Arlington rallied to build a 27-25 lead at halftime. The two teams were tied for 34 after three quarters.

The Cardinals took the lead for good on Addie Steffensen's 3-pointer at the 6:12 mark of the fourth quarter. Neither team scored again until Huntimer hit her 3.

Jo Steffensen added seven points, Addie Steffensen 10 rebounds and Harley Johnson seven rebounds for Arlington, which shot 40 percent (15 of 38) from the field and won the rebounding battle 43-28. Arlingtona avenged a 51-41 regular-season loss to Ethan.

Madeline Bartscher wcored 15 points and Rachel Klock and Ava Lingemann eight each for Ethan. Klock also grabbed 12 rebounds. Lingemann, who averages 20 points per game, did hit two 3-pointers to tie former Mitchell Christian standout Jill Young's state record for most 3-pointers in a season (105).

Ethan shot only 25 percent (14 of 57) from the field including 6-for-30 in 3-pointers.

Centerville 52, Lyman 45

Third-seeded Centerville used a 7-0 spurt in the final 83 seconds to escape with a semifinal win over seventh-seeded Lyman.

The two teams were tied for 45 before Centerville's Althea Gust made a field goal with 1:23 left. The Tornadoes (23-2) made five of eight free throws down the stretch.

Gust and Emma Marshall each tallied 14 points and Lillie Eide and Keira Austin eight apiece for Centerville, which was the state B runner-up in 2006 but has never won the title.

Jordyn Scott's 13 points, Skyler Volmer's nine and Mak Scott's eight points and eight rebounds topped Lyman (21-3).

Wall 62, James Valley Christian 59

Wall pulled out the close win by getting 20 points and seven rebounds from Paige Kjerstad, 11 points and six rebounds from Rhea Tucker and 12 points from Alexis Stephan.

Kaylie Robinson's 17 points and seven rebounds led JVC. Alexa Goertz added 13 points and seven rebounds, Addi Bartholow 11 points and Rhayonna Hood 10 points.

Harding County 62, Warner 57

A good start didn't hold up for Warner, which led 16-8 after the first quarter and 31-19 at halftime. The Monarchs still led 50-48 with just over three minutes remaining before Harding County closed with a 14-7 run.

Bailey Verhulst produced 17 points, Claire Verhulst 16, Kaylen Padden 14 and Jaelyn Wendt nine to go with eight rebounds for the Ranchers, who recovered from their first loss of the season by making 22 of 33 free throws.

Kyra Marcuson notched 17 points and Ava Nilsson and Sophie Hoeft 12 each for the Monarchs. Kyleigh Schopp added seven points and nine rebounds.

Saturday's Games

The schedule includes James Valley Christian vs. Wall for seventh place at 1 p.m. Central, Wall vs, Harding County in the consolation championship at 2:45 p.m., Ethan vs. Lyman for third place at 7 p.m. and Arlington vs. Centerville in the championship at 8:45 p.m.

Follow Watertown Public Opinion sports reporter Roger Merriam on X (formerly known as Twitter) @PO_Sports or email: rmerriam@thepublicopinion.com

This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Final two days of the state Class B girls basketball tournament