Balanced attack sends Groton Area back to state tournament

WATERTOWN, S.D. (KELO) — The class ‘A’ and ‘B’ boys basketball SoDak 16 contests were played on Tuesday. 16 teams from each class had a chance to advance to the state tournament and that’s exactly what the Groton Area boys did.

The Tigers trailed by one point after the first quarter, but they’d outscore Dell Rapids in the second quarter 18-9 to give them an eight point halftime lead.

Groton continued to push the lead in the second half, ultimately earning a 69-55 win to advance to the class ‘A’ state tournament.

Click the video player above to see a the full highlight reel of Tuesday’s contest

The Tigers were paced by four players who scored in double figures. Lane Tietz was held five points under his season average, but the trio of Ryder Johnson, Keegan Tracy and Jacob Zak combined for 44 points, helping Groton reach state for the first time in two years.

“We knew coming into the game that they were going to probably face guard Lane and that other people would have to step up,” Groton Area sophomore Ryder Johnson said. “We just knew if we played as a team, that everyone would get their shots to start falling. If we shared the ball then everyone would get their chances and that’s what happened.”

“First time we made it to the state tournament, it was the best feeling in the world. Now that we punched our ticket back to the state tournament, it’s awesome,” Groton Area senior Lane Tietz said.

Groton Area will open tournament play against Hamlin a week from Thursday.

You can watch Tuesday’s game as streamed above: (Part of the third quarter is not available)

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