RAPID CITY – After surviving its opening round game against Groton on Thursday, Hamlin got its groove back on Friday.

The Chargers followed up a one-point escape on Thursday with a display of offensive and defensive efficiency more in tune with its identity in a 62-45 win over Rapid City Christian in the semifinals of the State A boys’ basketball state tournament at Summit Arena.

“That first (game in a tournament) is the hardest because it’s about as level a playing field as there is,” Hamlin coach Todd Neuendorf said. “No one has shot a lot in that gym and everyone is nervous and it’s ripe for an upset.”

Neuendorf said his team had a three-pronged game plan for the Comets. Two of those prongs had to do with defense, namely pushing the Comets to their left-hand side and boxing out on every play.

“We did all those things,” he said. “They followed the game plan to a T.”

After a back-and-forth first quarter, the Chargers settled in and opened up a double-digit lead in the second quarter, then expanded it in the third and fourth stanzas. That lead was fueled largely by efficient offense – Hamlin shot the ball at a 45 percent clip and turned it over just six times all game – and a lockdown defensive effort that held the Comets under 32 percent shooting and gave up just nine second-chance points.

“I don’t know how we played offensively, but we played really well defensively,” Neuendorf said.

Easton Neuendorf and Tyson Stevenson paced Hamlin with nearly identical numbers. Both players finished with six made field goals, a pair of 3-pointers and three made free throws en route to 17 points apiece. Neuendorf also finished with four rebounds, five assists and a steal.

Zac VanMeeteren notched 13 points and seven rebounds, as well, for the Chargers. Evan Stormo tallied just seven points, but came up big on the boards with 14.

Rapid City Christian was led by Simon Kieffer’s 17 points. He was joined in double figures by Julius Frog with 13 points and seven rebounds.

Hamlin’s reward is a berth in the State A championship game. The Chargers last won a state title in 1983, which was its last appearance in the state tournament before last year’s third-place showing.

Hamlin will face Sioux Falls Christian for a third time this season in that state title contest. Two of Hamlin’s three losses during the regular season came at the hands of Sioux Falls Christian.

“We’ve given ourselves an opportunity against a really good team,” Coach Neuendorf said. “It comes down to 32 minutes. They’re a really good team. … I know this, if we play with the same intensity and effort that we did tonight, we’ll give ourselves a chance. That’s all you can ask for.”

RAPID CITY CHRISTIAN (21-4): Simon Kieffer 6 0-3 17, Benson Kieffer 4 0-1 8, Wilson Kieffer 1 1-2 3, Julius Frog 5 3-4 13, Lars Kieffer 0 1-2 1, Peyton Glenn 1 0-0 3. Totals 17-54 5-12 45.

HAMLIN (22-3): Easton Neuendorf 6 3-4 17, Evan Stormo 2 2-2 7, Jackson Wadsworth 1 2-2 5, Tyson Stevenson 6 3-6 17, Zac VanMeeteren 4 5-6 13, Turner Stevenson 0 1-2 1, Dawson Noem 1 0-0 2. Totals 20-44 16-22 62.

Rapid City Christian 10 17 30 45

Hamlin 13 29 49 62

3-point field goals – S. Kieffer (5), Glenn; Neuendorf (2), Stormo, Wadsworth, Tyson Stevenson (2). Fouled out – W. Kieffer. Totals fouls – Rapid City Christian 21; Hamlin 17. Rebounds – Rapid City Christian 30 (Frog 7); Hamlin 39 (Stormo 14). Assists – Rapid City Christian 3; Hamlin 11 (Neuendorf 5). Turnovers – Rapid City Christian 9; Hamlin 6. Blocks – Rapid City Christian 1 (Frog); Hamlin 2 (Tyson Stevenson, VanMeeteren). Steals – Rapid City Christian 4; Hamlin 5.