Sullivan hits game-winner at buzzer

The Hill City High School boys basketball team had a successful week on the court. 

During the game against the New Underwood Tigers, the Rangers came out strong for the first quarter. Then, in the second and third quarters head coach Laramie Harvey said the boys had “a little bit of a rough stretch.”

“We weren’t as efficient offensively or defensively in the second and third quarters as we were in the first quarter,” said Harvey. 

However, Harvey said staying strong offensively and defensively and staying mentally engaged throughout the game are aspects the team is working to figure out. 

In the end, the Rangers won 54-25. The leading scorers were Erick Jorgensen with 14 points and Zane Messick with 11 points. 

For the first home game Dec. 16, Harvey said the turnout was “awesome.” There were a lot of people from Hill City, and the Hot Springs Bison brought a lot of people as well. 

“What a wonderful crowd. Like I told the boys when the game was going, this is why you work, for moments like it was on Saturday night. It was a great atmosphere and a great game,” said Harvey. 

The game was intense with the score going back and forth the entire time. At the end of the third quarter and transitioning into the fourth quarter, the Bison had a six point lead. 

“To our boys’ credit, they fought back,” said Harvey.

By the end, the Bison were in the lead, 61-60. With 3.8 seconds to go, Everett Sullivan received an inbound pass from Devin Buehler. He stayed calm and collected and put the ball in the basket. Time expired after it went through the net, and it gave the Rangers the victory, 62-61. 

The leading scorers of the game were Sullivan with 19 points, Alex Stoeckmann with 15 points and Buehler with 14 points. 

“It’s a big win for our kids to be able to beat a team and program of their caliber,” said Harvey. 

The Ranger boys have a break until they play at the Parkston Classic Friday, Dec. 29 and against the West Central Trojans Saturday, Dec. 30. 

In the meantime, Harvey said, “We’re just going to keep working, keep plugging away and get better.”