A look back at some of the sports happenings during the week of March 5-11:

Last year on March 8, 2022: SDSU student Dillion Gross had a busy day of basketball in Sioux Falls. As student manager of the SDSU men’s team, the Jacks had a walk-through practice several hours before their Summit League championship game against North Dakota State. Late that afternoon, Gross went to the Sioux Falls Pentagon where his Sioux Valley boys’ basketball team — where he is a high school assistant coach — defeated Hanson for a State A Tournament berth. Then it was back to the Premier Center where SDSU handled NDSU for a NCAA DI Tournament berth.

10 years ago on March 7, 2013: Aberdeen Roncalli played in the girls’ basketball state tournament for first time since the program started in 1975.

20 years ago on March 5, 2003: The Presentation College men’s basketball team made school history by advancing to its first NAIA 32-team national tourney since the program began in 1995. The Saints, who got their first home, on-campus basketball facility (the Strode Center) in 1998, won the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference Tournament on March 1. PC had nine players, no seniors and no players taller than 6-foot-3. “We basically start five guards,” said coach Randy Jordan. “But the chemistry is so good. No one is
selfish.”

Starters were Marcus Robinson (Houston), Jesse Frohling (Hecla), Jason Lutz (Bristol) and the Aberdeen duo of Josh Mach and Tyler Wenbourne. The four reserves were Erick McElroy (Henderson, NV), Kellan Jordan (Aberdeen), Trevor Krawchuk (Canada) and Travis Borns (Hazel, SD). Two redshirts, Cody Marzahn (Tulare) and Dan Zimmerman (Anna, IL), helped PC from the sidelines as did assistant coach and former PC player Cecil Adams. On March 13 in the first round, The Saints (18-17) lost to Northwestern (29-2) of Iowa 99-72.

30 years ago on March 7, 1993: SDSU senior wrestler Brian Loeffler had the perfect ending to his collegiate career. He won the 190-pound NCAA DII national championship at Frost Arena in Brookings in front of a boisterous home crowd of 2,198. Loeffler was one of five North Central Conference wrestlers to win national titles, including former Rapid City Stevens standout Mike Leberknight of Northern Colorado at 177 pounds.

40 years ago on March 11, 1983: More than 20 radio stations from across the state are in Sioux Falls this week overflowing the Arena press box and covering the Class B boys’ basketball tourney. Among the announcers are Dave Merkel of KKAA in Aberdeen and Jim Davis of KQKD in Redfield.

50 years ago on March 9, 1973: Aberdeen Roncalli defeated Aberdeen Central 61-54 for the Section 4A boys’ basketball championship to advance to the state tourney. Cary Hornaman scored 27 for the winners while Bob Stewart, Keith Kusler and Bob Olson combined for 42 points and 30 rebounds for the Golden Eagles.