BROOKINGS, S.D. – Ethan used a dominant performance from beyond the arc to defeat Corsica-Stickney 54-34 on Friday night to advance to the Class B girls basketball state tournament championship.
The Rustlers knocked down 14 three-pointers, accounting for 42 of their 54 points and helping them control the game from start to finish. Ethan finished 19-of-45 from the field (42%) and 14-of-36 from three-point range (38%).
Marissa Storm led the way with 17 points, including five three-pointers, while adding five rebounds, four assists and three steals. Taziah Hawkins also connected on five three-pointers and finished with 15 points, and Macie Dean added 10 points, hitting two threes.
Corsica-Stickney jumped out early behind a pair of three-pointers from Sophie DeLange, taking a 10-5 lead midway through the first quarter. Ethan responded with a quick surge as Storm and Hawkins each hit three-pointers during a 9-0 run to give the Rustlers a 14-10 advantage at the end of the period.
Ethan extended the lead in the second quarter as the outside shooting continued. Storm knocked down another three-pointer early, Hawkins added one from deep and Sadie Mueller hit a three with 3:26 remaining to push the Rustlers ahead 25-13. Ethan carried a 25-16 lead into halftime.
The Rustlers broke the game open in the third quarter. Storm and Hawkins combined for four three-pointers during a decisive stretch as Ethan poured in 22 points in the period. A three-pointer by Dean with 4:55 left capped a run that stretched the lead to 39-19, and Ethan took a 47-30 advantage into the fourth.
Corsica-Stickney was led by DeLange with 19 points, including five three-pointers, while Braylee Bordewyk and Hadynn Johnson each scored six points.
Ethan also controlled the glass with a 26-22 rebounding edge, led by Rachel Klock’s nine rebounds, and forced 14 turnovers, converting them into 18 points.
Ethan will take on either Parkston or Harding County in the Class B state championship game on Saturday night at 6:45 pm in Brookings.