SIOUX FALLS – On a night when neither squad was overly efficient on the offensive end of the court, it was a steady push from Hamlin that landed the Chargers the victory, a 53-40 win over eighth-seeded Elk Point-Jefferson in the third place contest at the State A boys basketball tournament.

The two squads shot a combined 36 percent from the field, but the difference was seven 3-pointers from Hamlin to just three for the Huskies. Hamlin also outscored Elk Point-Jefferson 14-7 at the free throw line.

“They had some big strong kids,” said Hamlin coach Todd Neuendorf. “We gave up some size. They try to pound it inside, and we had to dig it out of the post. … It was hard for shooters to get good looks.”

It was just the bounce back Hamlin was looking for after a setback a night prior to eventual state champion Dakota Valley. And on a night when open looks came at a premium, the Chargers needed contributions all around.

“Dawson Noem stepped up and hit a big three before half for us,” Neuendorf said. “Hit another one later. Brennan Keszler stepped up and finished some stuff for us at the rim. Everybody that came in did their part and chipped away, and it’s been that way all season.”

Hamlin sophomore Easton Neuendorf led the way for Hamlin with 13 points, four assists and five steals. Brennan Keszler added a dozen points, and Zach Van Meeteren had nine points and five boards.

Tyson Stevenson, who poured in points from the perimeter in Hamlin’s previous two games, was held to just seven points, five coming at the free throw line.

Stevenson and Neuendorf were both named to the all-tournament team.

Easton Kempf had 19 points for Elk Point-Jefferson. 

Hamlin will graduate just two seniors from this squad, including Keszler and Rylan Bawdon.

“It was a pretty good year for us,” Todd Neuendorf said. “We’ll graduate those two seniors. We hate to lose them, but we’ll bring back a young team that played in the third place game. We’re excited for the future of Hamlin basketball.”

ELK POINT-JEFFERSON (18-7): Chace Fornia 2 1-2 6, Devon Schmitz 3 0-0 7, Garret Merkley 1 0-0 2, Easton Kempf 6 6-7 19, Alexan Scarmon 1 0-0 2, Evan Fornia 2 0-0 4. Totals 15-40 7-9 40.

HAMLIN (21-4): Easton Neuendorf 4 3-4 13, Brennan Keszler 4 4-6 12, Dawson Noem 2 0-0 6, Tyson Stevenson 1 5-6 7, Zach Van Meeteren 3 2-2 9, Jackson Wadsworth 2 0-0 6, Evan Stormo 0 0-1 0. Totals 16-46 14-19 53.

Elk Point-Jefferson 6 16 28 40

Hamlin 13 26 38 53

3-point field goals – Elk Point-Jefferson 3-15 (C. Fornia, Schmitz, Kempf); Hamlin 7-26 (Neuendorf 2, Noem 2, Van Meeteren, Wadsworth 2). Total fouls – Elk Point-Jefferson 21; Hamlin 16. Rebounds – Elk Point-Jefferson 32 (C. Fornia 10); Hamlin 25 (Van Meeteren 5). Assists – Elk Point-Jefferson 8 (C. Fornia 2, Scarmon 2); Hamlin 10 (Neuendorf 4). Turnovers – Elk Point-Jefferson 20; Hamlin 10. Blocks – Elk Point-Jefferson 0; Hamlin 2 (Neuendorf, Stevenson). Steals – Elk Point-Jefferson 5; Hamlin 12 (Neuendorf 5).