In the picturesque landscapes of South Dakota, high school basketball is more than just a sport—it’s an entrenched tradition that brings communities together. Recently, this beloved pastime was at the center of debate when a proposal to increase the regular season to 22 games was presented. However, in a vote held at the South Dakota Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (SDIAAA) spring conference, the proposal was defeated 89-23, ensuring that the season remains at 20 games.
Rapid City Christian’s activities director and head boys’ basketball coach Kyle Courtney was the brainchild behind the proposal. He argued that South Dakota high schools play fewer games than most states, which limits players’ development and exposure.
Despite an initial 4-2 approval from the South Dakota High School Activities Association (SDHSAA) basketball advisory committee, the proposal faced overwhelming opposition at the state level. Contact the SDHSAA for inquiries.
Dell Rapids Superintendent Donavan DeBoer emphasized fiscal concerns, stating, “I don’t think the superintendents would support spending two more nights on buses with referees and workers in the landscape of where we’re at dollars-wise in education right now.”
Cory Aadland, the Mitchell High School Athletic Director, echoed similar sentiments. “Financially, it would be tough to add games and incur more expenses during a time when there’s not really any extra money to go around as it is,” Aadland noted.
Even though South Dakota high schools will not be increasing their basketball games this season, a range of sports-related proposals were discussed during the conference. A proposal to refine seed-point classifications in Class 11B and nine-man football divisions received overwhelming approval, with 116 of 118 votes supporting it.
Meanwhile, efforts to increase officiating crew size during postseason football and plans to introduce field microphones fell flat. Other measures, including adding a third-place game to the state soccer playoffs, also struggled for support.
Mitchell boys’ basketball coach Ryker Kreutzfeldt viewed the potential for more games favorably but accepted the timing wasn’t right. “In a world where the schedule extended to 22 games, I would like to see those games not affect the seed-point calculation. This would encourage more diverse and thrilling matchups,” he explained.
Despite these setbacks, changes were approved to end the state dual wrestling championships, with plans to continue it under the South Dakota Wrestling Coaches Association’s regular season.
While the proposal to add more basketball games has been shelved, it has opened up conversations about how South Dakota can continue to provide opportunities for student-athletes in a fiscally responsible manner. Community members hope that dialogue will continue as they strive to balance tradition with progress.
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