Howard and MCM boys both fall in first day of the Hoop City Classic

The Ethan Rustlers and McCook Central/Montrose Fighting Cougars got the Hoop City Classic off to an exciting start on Thursday morning in Mitchell. Ethan overcame a nine point 4th quarter deficit, to defeat MCM by the final score of 67-64. The Rustlers held MCM without a field goal for the final 6 minutes and 20 seconds of the game. 

Riley Endres had a game high 31 points for Ethan. Mason Sabers led MCM with 16 points and 6 assists. Boston Katzer added 13 points, and Ty Morrison 10 in the loss. 

Ethan improved to 3-0 with McCook Central Montrose falling to 3-1. The Fighting Cougars will take on Corsica-Stickney Friday in the Parkston Classic. 

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Hamlin held off a Howard comeback attempt, in a 55-49 win over the Tigers in Mitchell. The Charger didn’t lose their shooting touch over the Christmas break, hitting 11 of 17 shots in the 2nd half. Tyson Stevenson led Hamlin with 16 points. Kolt Koepsell had 19 points and 8 rebounds for Howard. Luke Koepsell added 16 points with 10 rebounds. 

Hamlin is now 2-0 this season, with Howard falling to 2-1. Howard will play Lower Brule Friday in the Huron Classic. 

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Yesterday’s slate of games at the Corn Palace also included a match up of perennial Class B powers, as White River battled Bridgewater-Emery. Gavin Folker hit a 3-pointer with two seconds left in the game to lift #1 White River to a 62-61 win. 

Hoop City Classic games continue today, with the action moving to the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls.