RAPID CITY – Groton overcame a sluggish start to produce a fitting finish to its season on Saturday afternoon.

The Tigers erased an early deficit, hit free throws down the stretch and collected a 66-57 victory over Lakota Tech during the State A Boys’ Basketball Tournament at The Monument in Rapid City.

“Today was a perfect culmination to our entire season,” said Groton coach Brian Dolan.

Groton managed just eight points in the opening eight minutes and trailed by nine after the first quarter.

However, the Tigers clawed their way back into the contest and grabbed a three-point lead at halftime followoing a 19-point second-quarter burst.

Groton opened up a 41-30 lead late in the third period on a three-pointer by Lane Tietz, but Lakota Tech scored seven straight points to close the gap.

From there, the Tigers were able to stay in front by making 16 of 18 free throws in the fourth quarter. They needed nearly every one of them as Lakota Tech hung around and was within four points in the final minute of action.

Groton’s only baskets in the final period came from Jayden Zak, one a three-pointer with 1:35 left that pushed a four-point lead to 57-50. He also made three free throws in the final 40 seconds to help secure the victory.

Tietz finished with 16 points to lead a balanced Groton attack. Tate Larson had 13 points and 13 rebounds, Jayden Zak 13 points, Kaden Kurtz 12, and Jacob Zak nine.

“Every kid in our program contributed to today’s victory,” Dolan said. “It feels good to win your last game of the season. Only four teams get to say they did that.”

Triston LeBeau led all players with 24 points for Lakota Tech. Beau Donovan followed with 13 and Marvin Richard 12.

Groton capped its season with a 21-5 record and returns the bulk of its squad for next year.

“It’s been a great year for a great group of young men,” Dolan said. “I’m excited about our three seniors and where they’re going, and excited about the future of Groton Area Tiger basketball.”

LAKOTA TECH (16-7): Marvin Richard 2 5-7 11, Beau Donovan 6 1-3 13, Dominic Ghost Bear 1 0-0 2, Quincy Means 1 0-0 3, Triston LeBeau 10 4-8 24, Jordan Whirlwind Horse 1 2-2 4. Totals 21-48 12-22 57.

GROTON (21-5): Jayden Zak 3 5-6 13, Lane Tietz 5 4-4 16, Tyson Parrow 0 2-2 2, Kaden Kurtz 2 7-9 12, Jacob Zak 4 1-2 9, Tate Larson 3 5-6 13, Teylor Diegel 1 0-0 3. Totals 18-46 24-29 66.

Lakota Tech 17 24 35 57

Groton 8 27 41 66

3-point field goals – Richard 2, Means; Jayden Zak 2, Tietz 2, Kurtz, Diegel. Fouled out – Donovan; Logan Ringgenberg. Total fouls – Lakota Tech 23; Groton 20. Rebounds – Lakota Tech 26 (Whirlwind Horse 10, LeBeau 8); Groton 28 (Larson 13). Turnovers – Lakota Tech 13; Groton 14. Assists – Lakota Tech 10 (Donovan 4); Groton 11 (Jayden Zak 4). Steals – Lakota Tech 8 ; Groton 6.