Top Talents: Prepare for a Showdown in SD's Upcoming Tournament!
Mar. 16—Each year, the Spirit of Su and Spirit of Six awards, in addition to all-tournament honors, are handed out at the South Dakota high school state basketball tournaments. The Spirit of Su award, sponsored by the South Dakota Fraternal Order of Police, recognizes an outstanding senior state tournament athlete who exemplifies the life of SuAnne Big Crow, the Lakota basketball star from Pine Ridge who was killed in a car crash in 1992.
Student-athletes are recognized for athletic ability, sportsmanship, leadership, character and academic ability and must be nominated by their coaches. The Spirit of Six award is given out by the South Dakota Peace Officers' Association as a memorial for six cheerleaders from Rapid City who died in an airplane crash while returning home from the boys Class B basketball tournament in 1968. A complete list of award winners at the 2026 South Dakota high school girls basketball state tournaments includes: Spirit of Su: Alyvia Padgett, Brandon Valley.
Spirit of Six: Rapid City Stevens. All-tournament team O'Gorman: Sydney Terveen, Ruby Moore, Sadie Mehrman; Brandon Valley: Gracie Salter, Alyvia Padgett, Ava Kellenberger; Sioux Falls Washington: Dana Harpe; Aberdeen Central: Taryn Hermansen; Mitchell: Addie Siemsen; Rapid City Stevens: Mackenzie Schreiber; Tea Area: Emma Lingren; Sioux Falls Jefferson: Brinley Altenburg. Spirit of Su: Ashlan Carlow-Blount, Mahpiya Luta.
Spirit of Six: Mahpiya Luta. All-tournament team Lennox: Bergan Musser, Teagen Sturm, Tori Gerdes; Mahpiya Luta: Mya Mills, Ashlan Carlow-Blount; Sioux Falls Christian: Lezlei Setzer, Emory Lems; Hamlin: Addison Neuendorf; Sioux Valley: Kailey Cradduck; West Central: Kacey Jaton; Lakota Tech: Lizzie Robinson; Wagner: Ashlyn Koupal. Spirit of Su: Marissa Storm, Ethan.
Spirit of Six: Bennett County. All-tournament team Ethan: Taziah Hawkins, Marissa Storm; Harding County: Kaylen Padden; Corsica-Stickney: Braylee Bordewyk, Hadynn Johnson; Parkston: Berkley Ziebart, Keeara Oakley; Bennett County: Peyson O'Neill, Reagan O'Neill; Lyman: Mak Scott; Centerville: Izzie Eide; Colman-Egan: Brynlee Landis.