Top three seeds SF Lincoln, SF Roosevelt and Huron advance to state AA semis
Watertown's bid to reach the semis of the state Class AA boys basketball tourney for the first time since 2009 falls short.
RAPID CITY — Watertown definitely put up a valiant effort in a bid to secure a first-round win in the state Class AA high school boys basketball tournament for the first time in 17 years. In the end, however, it was fourth-seeded Harrisburg that escaped with a 65-61 win on Thursday , March 19, 2026, in the Ice Arena at The Momument. The two Eastern South Dakota Conference foes battled to the wire in a game late in the regular season and the rematch was nearly identical.
"It was just two evenly-matched teams going at it," Watetown coach Pat McClemans said. "I thought both teams made plays and big plays at times. " One of the game's biggest plays came with 25.
8 seconds when Harrisburg's Stellen Larson missed the second of two free throws and teammate David Doe grabbed the offensive rebound. Crayton Jibben then sank one of two free throws with 20. 5 seconds to put the Tigers ahead 63-59.
Still, Watertown didn't go away. Jackson McClemans capped a big game by hitting two free throws with 11. 4 seconds left.
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