BROOKINGS, S.D. – Ethan used a dominant third quarter to pull away and defeat Harding County 48-39 in the Class B Girls State Championship on Saturday at First Bank & Trust Arena.
The victory gives Ethan its second Class B state championship, and first since 2015.
Harding County started strong, knocking down three early three-pointers to take an 11-8 lead after the first quarter. The Ranchers continued to battle in the second period and trailed just 19-18 at halftime after a late basket from Brayden Padden.
Ethan took control after the break.
The Rustlers held Harding County to just one point in the third quarter, turning a one-point halftime lead into a 31-19 advantage entering the fourth. Taziah Hawkins and Rachel Klock each hit three-pointers during the run, while the Ethan defense forced multiple turnovers and limited Harding County to 0-for-8 shooting in the period.
Marissa Storm led Ethan with 20 points, including three three-pointers, while going 5-of-7 from the free-throw line. Hawkins added 10 points and five assists, and Klock finished with eight points and a game-high nine rebounds.
Harding County attempted to rally in the fourth quarter, scoring 20 points in the period behind Raelee Hunsucker, who led the Ranchers with 11 points and three three-pointers. Sattayn Wilson added six points, while Macey Wendt and Kamry Padden each finished with five points.
Despite the late push, Ethan maintained a double-digit lead for most of the final quarter and sealed the victory at the free-throw line.
The Rustlers finished 13-of-17 from the line compared to Harding County’s 4-of-10, while also holding a 36-32 rebounding edge.
With the win, Ethan capped its postseason run by returning to the top of Class B for the first time in more than a decade.