WATERTOWN – Hamlin built an early lead and pulled away from Milbank Area for a 60-24 Class A SoDak 16 girls’ basketball win Thursday night at the Watertown Civic Arena.

The Chargers (22-0) will be competing in their fourth consecutive state tournament next week. They enter the event as the top seed and will take on Flandreau at noon Thursday in the opening round in Watertown.

Hamlin darted out to a 14-3 lead after the first quarter against the Bulldogs, and continued to build its lead to take a commanding 35-16 advantage into the intermission.

The Chargers then allowed just three points in the third quarter and continued to build their lead on the way to the victory.

Kami Wadsworth led Hamlin with 18 points, while Marissa Bawdon had 14. Brooklyn Brandriet followed with 11 points, and Addison Neuendorf had nine points and six assists. Ally Abraham contributed six points, 14 rebounds, and six assists.

For Milbank Area, Isabella Anderson led with 11 points and five rebounds, while Tyra Berry added six points.

Milbank Area finished its season at 14-8.

MILBANK AREA (14-8): Claire Snaza 0 1-2 1, Siera Wenzl 0 0-0 0, Isabella Anderson 4 3-4 11, Tyra Berry 1 3-4 6, Maurina Street 1 2-2 4, Ella Sandvig 1 0-0 2. Totals 7-36 9-12 24.

HAMLIN (22-0): Ally Abraham 3 0-0 6, Kami Wadsworth 6 6-9 18, Addison Neuendorf 2 4-4 9, Brooklyn Brandriet 4 0-0 11, Marissa Bawdon 5 0-0 14, Emily Everson 1 0-0 2. Totals 21-51 10-13 60.

Milbank Area 3 16 19 24

Hamlin 14 35 52 60

3-point field goals – Berry; Neuendorf, Brandriet 3, Bawdon 4. Total fouls – Milbank Area 10; Hamlin 13. Rebounds – Milbank Area 23 (Anderson 5); Hamlin 35 (Abraham 14); Turnovers – Milbank Area 6;  Hamlin 2. Assists – Hamlin 16 (Abraham 6, Neuendorf 6). Steals – Hamlin 4 (Brandriet 2).