The ‘Dogs did it again.

The De Smet Bulldogs are rulers of the Class B boys’ basketball ranks for the third year in a row following a 62-48 win over Lower Brule in the championship game at Wachs Arena Saturday night.

Unlike their two previous titles which featured the likes of Rett Osthus and Kalen Garry, this year’s Bulldogs were neither top-ranked nor top-seeded. However, the squad still ended up in the same place as top-dogs.

“It’s definitely more special,” said Damon Wilkinson of capturing the state title in his senior season. “The first two they were talking Rett and Kalen, Rett and Kalen, and ‘Oh it’s going to be so easy to win,’ and now that they’re gone we’re kind of the underdogs. It was definitely nice to come out and win that.”

Unlike last year’s championship game win over Lower Brule, this one was in doubt up until the closing minutes.

While De Smet led the majority the contest, the Sioux made things interesting with a back-to-back three-point play and three-point shot to cut an 11-point deficit down to 47-42 with 5:51 remaining. It appeared that Lower Brule had claimed the momentum before De Smet’s Tom Aughenbaugh stemmed the tide less than a minute later.

The junior reserve nailed a 3-pointer to not only extend the lead, but also quell the momentum.

“He’s that guy. That’s what he does for us,” said De Smet coach Jeff Gruenhagen. “He tied the school record this year with seven 3’s earlier. That’s what the guys look for him to do.”

Aughenbaugh then added another basket moments later and soon the Bulldogs had regained their double-digit advantage.

Aughenbaugh went 4 of 8 from 3-point range on the way to 16 points.

“You try to make them all,” Aughenbaugh said, “but when they go in, they’re a lot of fun.”

Aughenbaugh took advantage of his opportunities when presented.

“He’s been hitting 3’s all year,” Wilkinson said. “He’s our leading 3-point percentage on the team. He’s our secret weapon.”

Aughenbaugh had managed just two points in the first two games of the tournament before coming up clutch in the final.

“We don’t close out. We end up not getting back. They end up knocking down those open shots. Who knows who the shooter is?” said Lower Brule coach Brian LaRoche of De Smet’s variety of scoring options. “It was just an open shot and they knock them down. When you have a big guy in the middle, there’s a lot of confidence on a team.”

There’s no question about that.

Aughenbaugh understands that open looks are coming his way with the 6-foot-10 Wilkinson attracting plenty of attention in the lane.

“It’s a lot of fun to have him because he gets you open shots,” Aughenbaugh said, “and he’s there to clean up a lot of the misses, too.”

Wilkinson finished with game-high totals of 18 points and 20 rebounds. Kadyn Fast contributed 10 points, and Kasen Janssen and George Jensen each followed with nine.

Brian LaRoche Jr. scored 16 points, Gavin Thigh had 15 and Ellwyn Langdeau contributed 10 for Lower Brule, which capped the year at 22-4. The trio is part of a senior group that has been instrumental in leading the Sioux to back-to-back state runner-up finishes.

“They set the tone, without a doubt,” Coach LaRoche said. “These boys have been playing together since they were young kids. I’m proud of them.”

De Smet, which finished the season at 22-3, will lose three senior starters, but has talent waiting in the wings.

Does that mean a four-peat is in the making?

“Hey, you know anything’s possible,” Gruenhagen said. “We return five great juniors coming in there. I didn’t get too deep on my bench tonight, but those guys are good. They’re ready to come to play.”

For now, the Bulldogs are just savoring the accomplishment of winning another state championship.

“It’s going to be a great memory for ever,” Aughenbaugh said.

De SMET (23-3): Kadyn Fast 2 5-6 10, Kasen Janssen 3 2-3 9, George Jensen 3 2-4 9, Damon Wilkinson 5 8-9 18, Tom Aughenbaugh 5 2-2 16. Totals 18-47 19-24 62.

LOWER BRULE (22-4): Lane Gray 1 2-2 5, Brian LaRoche Jr. 7 0-1 16, Gavin Thigh 4 5-6 15, Ellwyn Langdeau 5 0-0 10, Tayshawn Battese 1 0-1 2, Tate Elk Soldier 0 0-2 0. Totals 18-53 7-12 48.

De Smet 13 27 43 62

Lower Brule 15 26 36 48

3-point field goals – De Smet 7-19 (Fast, Janssen, Jensen, Aughenbaugh 4); Lower Brule 5-23 (Gray, LaRoche 2, Thigh 2). Fouled out – Battese. Total fouls – De Smet 15; Lower Brule 18. Rebounds – De Smet 42 (Wilkinson 20, Janssen 9); Lower Brule 27 (Thigh 5, Battese 5). Turnovers – De Smet 18; Lower Brule 14. Assists – De Smet 11 (Fast 6); Lower Brule 7 (Gray 3, Thigh 3). Blocked shots – De Smet 4 (Wilkinson 2); Lower Brule 3. Steals – De Smet 7 (Jensen 2, Aughenbaugh 2); Lower Brule 9 (Gray 3, LaRoche 2, Thigh 2).