Great West River basketball players..

[MontanaRabbit]

Re: Great West River basketball players..

The article linked by "i got a fever" is another good one. It actually talks quite a bit about Mac (Mackenzie Casey).

FWIW, Macs sister tells me he's going for a tryout overseas.....can't remember where.

Good for him. Hopefully he can avoid getting stuck in the rut of the reservations.

[TeaJackrabbit]

Re: Great West River basketball players..

The article linked by "i got a fever" is another good one. It actually talks quite a bit about Mac (Mackenzie Casey).

FWIW, Macs sister tells me he's going for a tryout overseas.....can't remember where.

[BTownJack]

Re: Great West River basketball players..

Jess Hart from Little Wound, was hands down the best player ever from SD. Saw him in person, absolutely unstoppable. I remember watching him on TV in the state tournament against DeSmet either in the semis or title game. Absolutely unstoppable. He had a schollie offer to either Kansas or Kansas State, but didn't take it. Also, Derek Paulson, the older brother of Paige Paulson, was a great player from Custer. Definently up there in the elite status in SD history. Had a full ride to Illinois, but tragically died in a car accident.

I was there in person when Jess Hart lit up De Smet in the semifinals of the 1999 State Class A HS tournament in Rapid City. He went off for 45-50 points and in that game, yes, he was unstoppable. An untimely, stupid foul around the half court line took him out late in the game which De Smet ended up winning, I beleive in overtime. It was one of the most exciting and dramatic sporting events I've ever seen to this day. De Smet went on to beat Josh Mueller's West Central team in the finals.

The game itself is, without a doubt, one of the best ever in South Dakota HS basketball history. I believe this game was brought up many times on this board in a thread discussing the best basketball games ever. I can't seem to find it tough. Someone help me out!

I'm not going to say if Jess Hart was the best ever. He'd certainly be in the argument though. I do remember hearing about the K-State & Kansas talk as well but I know his grades weren't good enough in high school to get him into a 4-year school. Ultimately, right or wrong, his lack of a post high school career takes him out of running for "best ever."

[Nidaros]

Re: Great West River basketball players..

Steve grew up in Bryant (Hamlin County), that's East River.

Out culture, Right? got it.

[Nidaros]

Re: Great West River basketball players..

what is out culture?

You are not the only one thrown by this term. Thread drift so carry on.

[2002jack]

Re: Great West River basketball players..

Cowboy Cody Volmer from Lyman County. I'm not sure he would be considered "great", but he was a solid role player as a power forward. He had some monster dunks and bad ass blocks. I always enjoyed watching him play. He was the enforcer on those teams in the late 90's and early this decade.

[Prairiehaas]

Re: Great West River basketball players..

what is out culture?

Washington Nats?

[2002jack]

Re: Great West River basketball players..

Steve Brown?

Steve grew up in Bryant (Hamlin County), that's East River.

[JackJD]

Re: Great West River basketball players..

very different from out culture.

what is out culture?

[NoVaJack]

Re: Great West River basketball players..

Steve Brown?

[MontanaRabbit]

Re: Great West River basketball players..

Jess Hart from Little Wound, was hands down the best player ever from SD. Saw him in person, absolutely unstoppable. I remember watching him on TV in the state tournament against DeSmet either in the semis or title game. Absolutely unstoppable. He had a schollie offer to either Kansas or Kansas State, but didn't take it. Also, Derek Paulson, the older brother of Paige Paulson, was a great player from Custer. Definently up there in the elite status in SD history. Had a full ride to Illinois, but tragically died in a car accident.

Not a chance Jess Heart was the best ever. If he was he would be playing pro ball somewhere.

And didn't Derek Paulson have a full ride to Syracuse?

[jacks1]

Re: Great West River basketball players..

Jess Hart from Little Wound, was hands down the best player ever from SD.

...come on now, really?

[trueblue]

Re: Great West River basketball players..

Lance Luitjens played at Northern.

[RowdyRabbit]

Re: Great West River basketball players..

Back in the late 80's/early 90's Custer High School had a pretty good team, I think they won a couple state championships. Anyway, I was only about 10 at the time, but I remember a lot of talk about how good Lance Lutchens (sp?) was, but I don't know if that was because I had cousins in the Custer School system at that time or if he really was that good, on a statewide/national level. Not sure if he ever went on to play college ball.

[ringthebells]

Re: Great West River basketball players..

Help me out...I'm kind of trying to put together a list and it's bothering me I can't remember more west river high school hoopsters. It's also bothering me I can't remember any of those great Native American hoopsters....

Mackenzie Casey (SDSU)
Paige Paulson (UW-Milwaukee)
Eric Piatkowski (Nebraska)
Troy Piatkowski (Nebraska)
Adam Templeton (Drake)

Marty Branch from Rapid City Central had a nice stroke.
Willie White from Pine Ridge (I think) was a heck of a player as well.

Doug Miller was fun to watch as well. I can't remember if it was in high school or just at the barn, but he soared over and occasionally through the competiton.