SISSETON – The Sisseton girls’ basketball team is once again having a solid season.

The Redmen are currently 16-2 with one game remaining in the regular season. Yet, Sisseton has been under the radar all season. The team has not received votes in the Class A poll this year, but continues to win games despite the lack of attention.

Sisseton began the season with 11 consecutive wins, all but two by double-digit margins. The Redmen’s two losses both came to ranked squads, one to top-rated Hamlin 52-43 and the other to fourth-rated Sioux Falls Christian 63-54.

Sisseton coach Sara Lincoln said the setbacks got her team’s attention.

“It was definitely a wakeup call,” Lincoln said. “While the girls are all talented and hardworking, we have not been able to put it together all four quarters. They know all the little things matter, and the team needs each of them every second of the game, on the floor and on the bench.”

Lincoln applauded the work ethic and talent of the team, despite its youth. The Redmen have no seniors on the roster and look to a combination of juniors and sophomores to lead the team. That includes 6-foot-2 sophomore center Krista Langager who anchors the paint on both the offensive and defensive sides, and junior guards Hannah Leverson and Emmalee Nielsen who have become leaders for the team. Lincoln said Leverson has been effective with her defensive leadership, while Nielsen “has become more comfortable on the offensive end.”

Sophomore guard Tara Nelson has also been effective on defensive, while junior Rylie Huff hustles to collect rebounds and loose balls. Ruby Rice and Chloe Langager are players that give the team a spark, whether on offense or defense. Lincoln noted that each girl has played a key role on the team.

“All of the girls have had a huge impact on our team,” Lincoln said. “They have adapted well to their new role, and new roles with different teams that we play against.”

Lincoln acknowledged her team has put in hard work, not only during the season, but during the offseason as well.

“This group of girls have a no-quit attitude. They put in the work all year round,” Lincoln said.

Not only has the team put in the effort on the court, they also have developed inner traits that go far beyond the game of basketball.

“They are also the most respectful, helpful, compassionate group of girls that I have worked with in my eight years in the Sisseton School District,” Lincoln said. “There have always been a few on the team that have had these traits. To have all the girls on the basketball team is a great feeling as a coach.”

Now the Redmen are beginning to set their sights on the postseason, where they hope to qualify for their first state tournament since 2012, when the Redmen finished as consolation champions. Before the postseason can begin, Sisseton has one more key regular season game.

The Redmen host Florence/Henry (15-1) tonight in a game with major seed point implications. The Falcons are receiving votes in this week’s Class A ratings, and are currently fifth in seed points (45.188), while Sisseton is tenth in seed points (43.944).

As the regular season comes to an end, Lincoln said she is excited to see where the rest of the season goes.

“They have their eyes set on the state tournament, but they also know we need to take each game as they come,” Lincoln said. “We are excited to see what regions and the Sweet 16 will bring.”