Sports

Wildcat boys second in state

Published by admin on Wed, 10/28/2026 - 3:02pm

To place second, they needed to catch athletes from Vermillion, and in a few narrow finishes, the Custer Jr./Sr. High School boys cross country team did just that at the 2026 South Dakota High School Activities Association State Cross Country Meet at Hart Ranch Oct. 24. 
Freshman Carter Cooper took the top spot for the Wildcats, finishing fourth with a personal best time of 16:03.4.

Football team closes out season

Published by admin on Wed, 10/28/2026 - 3:02pm

Nothing changes if nothing changes.
That well known axiom used for a variety of circumstances is essentially the message being given to underclassman of the Custer High School football team by the Wildcat coaching staff in regards to preparation for next year.
At the conclusion of last Thursday’s game there were plenty of hugs, some tears and lots of gratitude expressed by the staff to the players for sticking with things despite going through a 0-9 season that saw the team defeated by an average score of 51-7.

Wildcats face off against the Rangers

Published by admin on Wed, 10/28/2026 - 3:01pm

In its second-to-last regular game of the season, the Custer Jr./Sr. High School volleyball team headed north to face the Hill City Rangers Tuesday, Oct. 20.
Going into the match, Custer head coach Shayna Young said the Wildcats underestimated the Rangers a little based on their record, “but I don’t think their record reflects how talented of a team they are. They have an outstanding setter who can also put the ball away as a hitter. She’s a lefty, which always makes things fun and adds a different challenge.”

Rangers run at state meet

Published by admin on Wed, 10/28/2026 - 9:27am
The Hill City Rangers joined the state’s top high school runners on Saturday for the South Dakota State Cross Country Championships at Hart Ranch.
The boys’ team finished 12th with a notable performance by sophomore John Titus (J.T.) Isakson who finished 10th overall in Class A with a time of 16:30.0.
“That’s pretty darn good at a state meet for a sophomore to come in 10th,” said head coach Joe Noyes. “He ran really well.”

Rangers fall to Parkston in playoff opener

Published by admin on Wed, 10/28/2026 - 9:25am
The Hill City Rangers football team saw its season come to an end Thursday night in Parkston during the first round of the Class 9AA football playoffs.
Parkston entered the postseason as the number one seed with an 8-0 record, while Hill City went 2-6 and squeezed into the 16th seed with an encouraging win against Lead-Deadwood Oct. 16.
“We knew going in it was going to be a hard challenge, coming in as the 16 seed,” said head coach Brett Eckert. “They are a team that has had a lot of success this season.”

Rangers battle Wildcats in last home match

Published by admin on Wed, 10/28/2026 - 9:25am
Hill City volleyball hosted its neighbors to the south, the Custer Wildcats, for the last home match of the season Tuesday, Oct. 20, celebrating seven graduating seniors with Parents Night before the matchup. 
The Rangers used their depth throughout the match, drawing on the diverse strengths of players across the roster to challenge the Wildcats. 

Cross country teams make it to state

Published by admin on Wed, 10/21/2026 - 11:59am

In a tight race, the Custer Jr./Sr. High School girls cross country team placed third at the South Dakota High School Activities Association Region 5A Cross Country Meet, punching its ticket for the state meet. 
Lining up behind Belle Fourche, Hill City scored 46 as a team, and Custer scored 48, edging out Rapid City Christian, which scored 50. 

Football falls in Southern Hills Showdown

Published by admin on Wed, 10/21/2026 - 11:58am

The Custer High School football team found some offensive footing last Friday during its homecoming tilt with the visiting Hot Springs Bison, but struggled to limit the Bison running game and couldn’t keep up offfensively in a 47-14 loss that dropped the ’Cats’ record to 0-8 on the season.
Despite the loss, Custer head coach Russ Evans said playing the entirety of the game against a physical team like Hot Springs signals improvement for his young team.

Wildcats play both sides of the district

Published by admin on Wed, 10/21/2026 - 11:55am

In a three set sweep (25-14, 25-16, 25-21), the Custer Jr./Sr. High School volleyball team took down Mahpiya Luta in the Hermosa gym Oct. 13. 
Custer head coach Shayna Young said, “Our game against Mahpiya Luta went well, as we secured a three-set victory. Although it wasn’t our best volleyball, we were able to come away with another win. It was especially fun to play in the Hermosa gym and a bittersweet experience for our seniors who attended Hermosa School. The atmosphere was great, and we are thankful to everyone who helped make the night possible.” 

Rangers fall to STM, beat Wall

Published by admin on Wed, 10/21/2026 - 9:44am
The Hill City High School volleyball team went on the road this week, first taking on St. Thomas More (STM) Tuesday before heading East to take on the Wall Eagles Thursday.
Tuesday night’s matchup saw a fast-paced and hard hitting STM team.