SPEARFISH – With the game on the line Saturday night, Hamlin’s Addie Neuendorf and Addie Steffensen rose to the challenge.

The dynamic duo combined for 17 fourth-quarter points to carry the Chargers to a 60-45 win over Dakota Valley in the third place game during the Class A State Girls’ Basketball Tournament at the Donald E. Young Center.

Hamlin led by just point entering the fourth quarter before the two guards took over.

“It just seemed like my two Addies, Addie Neuendorf and Addie Steffensen, just kind of stepped up and found a way to score,” said Hamlin coach Tim Koisti. “Between the two of them, they just did a nice job of finding scoring opportunities and put the ball in the hole.”

Steffensen scored nine points in the final period and Neuendorf had eight, including six straight free throws.

Meanwhile, the Chargers put the defensive clamps on Dakota Valley, scoring 13 unanswered points, holding the Panthers scoreless for nearly five minutes in the fourth quarter.

“It all started with our defense, which we played pretty well all night long,” Koisti said. “Some of the best defense we’ve played all year and what a time to do that.”

Hamlin also held its own on the boards against the taller Panthers.

“That’s something we talk about all year long is we’ve got to compete at the rebounding battle,” Koisti said. “It’s not necessarily about size, it’s kind of about heart and effort, and they really did that tonight.”

The Chargers were able to put up 60 points despite making just three 3-pointers in the contest.

“They were switching out on our screens to get out there and take that away from us,” Koisti said, “but we’re good enough to take you off the dribble if that’s what you’re going to take away.”

Neuendorf finished with 26 points and was named to the all-tournament team. Steffensen contributed 19 points, while Addelyn Jensen added eight points and eight rebounds.

The Chargers finished the season at 21-4.

“The kids played well,” Koisti said. “They played hard, especially to come back after a pretty tough shooting night (Friday against Sioux Falls Christian) and just played pretty well.”

Hamlin will lose three seniors to graduation, including starters twin sisters Addie Steffensen and Jo Steffensen.

“Addie and Jo Steffensen have just been solid for me all year long. People see Addie scoring and doing all those things, she’s a good leader, but what people don’t understand is how good Jo is at doing all the dirty work,” Koisti said. “She doesn’t care about the recognition. … She just goes in and gets the rebounds, does all the dirty work, plays good defense, does all the little things that a good team needs. Those two have been super special.”

The Chargers return the majority of their starting lineup as well as up and coming young players.

“At one time (Friday) night I had seventh-grader, an eighth-grader and two freshmen on the floor,” Koisti said, “so the future is bright.”

DAKOTA VALLEY (22-3): Emersen Mead 2 1-2 6, Cameryn Sommervold 3 6-8 12, Aubree Worden 3 0-0 7, Ella Otten 4 1-2 10, Katie Betsworth 1 1-2 3, Sophie Meyer 1 0-0 3, Jaidyn Jund 1 0-0 2, Alexa Verdoorn 1 0-0 2. Totals 16-53 9-14 45.

HAMLIN (21-4): Addie Steffensen 6 7-13 19, Addison Neuendorf 8 7-7 26, Issie Steffensen 1 1-2 3, Jo Steffensen 1 0-0 2, Addelyn Jensen 4 0-2 8, Paxton Neuendorf 0 2-2 2. Totals 20-45 17-26 60.

Dakota Valley 14 24 39 45

Hamlin 14 29 40 60

3-point field goals – Mead, Worden, Otten, Meyer; Neuendorf 3. Fouled out – Betsworth. Total fouls – Dakota Valley 20; Hamlin 15. Rebounds – Dakota Valley 36 (Mead 8, Sommervold 8); Hamlin 35 (I. Steffensen 9, Jensen 8). Turnovers – Dakota Valley 12; Hamlin 9. Assists – Dakota Valley 5 (Otten 3); Hamlin 6 (Neuendorf 3, I. Steffensen 2). Blocked shots – Dakota Valley 4 (Mead 2, Sommervold 2); Hamlin 1. Steals – Dakota Valley 2; Hamlin 6 (A. Steffensen 2, Neuendorf 2).