As re-matches go, this one was far less dramatic than its predecessor. 

White River and Lower Brule met in the semifinals of the Class B Boys’ State Basketball Tournament for the second straight year, but Friday’s matchup featured far less angst than last year’s triple-overtime affair.

The result, however, was the same. Lower Brule moved on to its second straight state title game with a 57-49 win over the Tigers.

“It means everything,” said Lower Brule senior Brian LaRoche Jr. “Not many people in our area go to a state championship two times, let alone one time. It feels great.”

While last year’s triple-overtime contest featured its share – and then some – of dramatic moments, Friday’s contest was sedate in comparison. White River closed the first half on a 15-2 run and led 26-22 at the break.

Lower Brule repaid that favor with an 8-0 run in the third quarter to regain the lead.

The Sioux never trailed again.

“Just keep our cool,” LaRoche Jr. said of the halftime speech of head coach Brian LaRoche. “We knew we were going to get a run. … Just go out and play our game.”

LaRoche Jr. and sophomore teammate Lane Gray finished with 15 points apiece to pace the Sioux offensively. Tayshawn Battese had 11 points and 12 rebounds in a physical underneath presence.

“We got to playing one-on-one in that second quarter,” Coach LaRoche said. “That’s disappointing. We don’t do that. Too much one-on-one. We’ve got to play team ball. That’s what happened. We started setting up our offense and moving the ball around. Then we started feeling confident.”

That confidence proved important for the Sioux, who needed to counteract a 28-point performance from Joe Sayler, who was 11-for-22 from the field, but just 3-of-11 from long range. A large portion of those misses, however, were near-misses.

Lower Brule was able to apply significant defensive pressure on Sayler and the rest of the White River shooters, as well.

“Letting our defense set the tone,” Coach LaRoche said. “Where are we at on fouls? Everybody’s good? Alright, let’s pressure, get up on them. Fourth quarter, we still got no fouls? Alright, let’s pressure some more.”

For White River, however, there was still angst to be felt.

“Not great,” said Tiger coach Eldon Marshall. “I feel disappointed. I feel as a coach I didn’t do a good enough job. Credit to our guys for battling.”

Aside from Sayler’s 28 points, no other player reached double figures. Evastine Wright finished with eight points, and TJ Beardt had six.

“Credit Lower Brule, they’re a very good basketball team,” Marshall said. “They made plays when they needed to make plays and we didn’t. But I’m proud of our guys. We’ve got one more to go. We’ve got to finish strong this weekend.”

White River will face Aberdeen Christian in the third place contest at 6 tonight. Lower Brule will face yet another rematch in the championship game, taking on De Smet for the State B title at around 7:45 p.m.

WHITE RIVER (20-5): Nic Marshall 1 0-0 2, Mackenzie Wike 1 0-1 2, Joe Sayler 11 3-4 28, T.J. Beardt 3 0-0 6, Gavin Folkers 1 0-0 3, Logan Wright 3 0-0 8. Totals 20 3-5 49.

LOWER BRULE (22-3): Lane Gray 5 2-2 15, Brian LaRoche, Jr. 6 1-2 15, Gavin Thigh 4 0-1 8, Ellwyn Langdeau 4 0-0 8, Tayshawn Battese 5 1-1 11. Totals 24 4-6 57.

White River 9 26 39 49

Lower Brule 12 22 41 57

3-point field goals – White River 6-21 (Sayler 3, Wright 2, Folkers); Lower Brule 5-12 (Gray 3, LaRoche, Jr. 2). Total fouls – White River 12; Lower Brule 10. Rebounds – White River 25 (Sayler 8, Beardt 8); Lower Brule 25 (Battese 12). Turnovers – White River 17; Lower Brule 12. Assists – White River 10 (Marshall 4); Lower Brule 11 (Thigh 4). Steals – White River 8 (Marshall 3, Folkers 3); Lower Brule 10 (LaRoche, Jr. 3).