A look back at some of the sports happenings during the week of March 7-13:

Last year on March 13, 2020: After hearing the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference was going to suspend all athletic activities due to COVID-19 in a couple of days, Northern State softball coach Jenny Fuller and her team decided to hold senior day … in Winter Haven, FL. In what turned out to be their last game of the season, the Wolves defeated Edinboro (PA) University 7-2.

Not only were the seven NSU seniors honored after the game, they all got to be on the field playing at the same time. The seniors were: Shayla Steinley (LF); Julia Sullwold (CF); Sara Bendt (RF); Kaitlyn King (3B); Anne Jonas (SS); Madison Rutter (C); and Kennady Thompson (1B) — she got another season this year.

10 years ago on March 11, 2011: Conference foes Northern State and Concordia-St. Paul traveled 1,017 and 1,249 miles, respectively, to meet in the first round of the 64-team NCAA Division II National Women’s Basketball Tournament in Durango, Colo. Fort Lewis College in Durango hosted the first three games of the national tourney in the form of the Central Region, one of eight such regions across the nation. Durango is in the southwest corner of Colorado near the Utah, Arizona and New Mexico borders.

Five days earlier in the NSIC Tournament semifinals, CSP defeated Northern 74-67. However, the Wolves defeated CSP 74-70 in Durango as senior Jodi Reinschmidt scored NSU’s final eight points to end with 23 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Emily Becken added 19 points for the Wolves while Krista Rabenberg had 16 points, nine rebounds and two blocked shots. The Wolves lost to Adams State (CO) in the regional semifinals the following day to end the season 21-9.

20 years ago on March 9, 2001: Cheyenne-Eagle Butte advanced to the State A Boys’ Basketball Tournament by outscoring Crow Creek 17-8 in the fourth quarter to rally for a 55-48 victory in the Region 6A championship in Pierre. Matt Red Bear, Gideon Mendoza and James Veaux each scored four points in the pivotal final quarter for CEB. Red Bear led the winners with 20 points and nine rebounds while teammates Gideon Mendoza and Chase Mendoza each contributed nine points.

30 years ago on March 10, 1991: A Deadwood native is hanging up his referee whistle after his 16^th State AA boys’ basketball tourney this season. At age 48 with 28 years as a respected and decorated official, Bill Kohn said his body is giving out him and that this will be his last event as an official. He laughingly remembered officiating one district championship game in Belle Fourche that lasted until almost midnight with about 50 jump balls and about 500 travel calls.

40 years ago on March 12, 1981: The 1981 State B Boys’ Basketball Tournament in Rapid City started with impressive opening-round games:

Clark (21-1) vs. De Smet (22-1): Clark won 54-52 on Jerry Hartley’s tip-in offensive rebound with six seconds left. Hartley tied the game at 52 with his two free throws with 78 seconds left. De Smet was playing for a last shot but Randy Gruenwald stole the ball for Clark with 13 seconds left. 

Beresford (21-2) vs. Stickney (22-2): Stickney won 79-54, and won the tournament. Alan Miller had 28 points and 14 points for Stickney against Clark.

Redfield (16-6) vs. Bridgewater (19-3), Bridgewater won 39-37 on Doug Weber’s tip-in offensive rebound with four seconds left. Tim Bush scored 15 for Redfield.

Agar (20-2) vs. Custer (20-2), Custer won 65-58 in overtime as the winners went 23 of 32 from the free throw line and Agar made 30 of 43. Jim Massa and Tim Arnold combined for 36 points for Custer while Bruce Schreiber scored 31 for Agar. Agar’s Steve Gascoigne made two free throws with 13 seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime.

50 years ago on March 12, 1971: Redfield defeated Aberdeen Central 67-60 to win the Section 4 Boys’ Basketball Tournament to earn a trip to the State A. Dave Battey scored 32 for the winners, including an 18 for 19 performance at the free throw line. Sophomore Larry Andrews led Central with 17 points.

Redfield coach Lonnie Scriver also noted the play of Bob Patterson, Terry Newman, Dennis Lovett, Chuck Welke and Ed Gallagher in the game and tourney.

Redfield’s last trip to a state tournament 29 years ago ended with a Class B championship in 1942. The Pheasants defeated Armour 28-26 for the state title on Lloyd Dobratz’s long shot from the corner with one second left.