SIOUX FALLS – The reigning state champions would not be denied a chance to defend their title.

While Rapid City Christian controlled the first half, Hamlin took over in the second, pulling away for a 57-42 win over the Comets Friday night in the semifinals of the Class A State Boys’ Basketball Tournament and the Sanford Premier Center.

Rapid City Christian jumped out to an early lead and held on to it through a physical first half of play, heading into the locker room with a five-point halftime lead.

But the Chargers made the necessary adjustments at the half.

“We took some poor shots in the first half and we addressed that at halftime,” said Hamlin coach Todd Neuendorf. ”The guys came out and guarded. They played well defensively. They played really hard. We strung some stops together.”

Easton Neuendorf scored 12 of his 18 points in that second half, igniting the Charger comeback with one of his three 3’s that put Hamlin in front with 3:44 to go in the third. Hamlin held the slimmest of leads, 40-39, heading into the fourth quarter.

There, the Charger defense took over, holding Rapid City Christian to just three points in the fourth quarter – a three by Benson Kieffer with less than three minutes to play in the game.

“It was a group effort,” Coach Neuendorf said. “That’s the way we’ve played all year. They don’t care who gets the job done, they just want to get it done.”

In addition to Neuendorf’s 18 points and six steals, the Chargers got 14 points and four blocks from Zach Van Meeteren, 11 points from Evan Stormo, and seven points, five rebounds and seven assists from Jackson Wadsworth before the senior fouled out of the contest.

Benson Kieffer was the lone Comet to reach double figures, finishing with 13 points. Simon Kieffer had seven, while Julius Frog was limited to just six points on the night.

Friday’s win, which was itself a rematch from last year’s semifinals, sets up yet another rematch, this time for the state title where Hamlin will once again meet Sioux Falls Christian tonight at 7:45. The two teams played for last year’s title, as well, a game that Hamlin won in overtime.

“Everybody has picked Sioux Falls Christian to win this thing,” Neuendorf said. “We had to work our tail off to get to this point and get an opportunity. We got the opportunity, now we’re gonna put our cards on the table and see how they shake out.”

RAPID CITY CHRISTIAN (21-3): Simon Kieffer 1 4-4 7, Aiden Roberts 1 3-4 5, Benson Kieffer 5 1-1 13, Wes Schlabach 2 3-4 7, Julius Frog 3 0-0 6, Lars Kieffer 1 0-0 2, Sully Kieffer 0 2-2 2. Totals 13-41 13-15 42.

HAMLIN (22-2): Easton Neuendorf 5 3-5 18, Evan Stormo 5 0-0 10, Jackson Wadsworth 1 4-4 7, Dawson Noem 1 0-0 3, Zach VanMeeteren 6 1-2 14, Boden Stevenson 0 1-2 1, Turner Stevenson 1 0-0 3. Totals 20-45 9-13 57.

Rapid City Christian 14 25 39 42

Hamlin 9 22 40 57

3-point field goals – Simon Kieffer, B. Kieffer 2; Neuendorf 3, Stormo, Wadsworth, Noem, VanMeteeren, T. Stevenson). Fouled out – Simon Kieffer, Sully Kieffer; Wadsworth. Total fouls – Rapid City Christian 20; Hamlin 20. Rebounds – Rapid City Christian 26 (Schlabach 7); Hamlin 25 (Wadsworth 5, B. Stevenson 5). Assists – Rapid City Christian 3; Hamlin 14 (Wadsworth 7). Turnovers – Rapid City Christian 18; Hamlin 13. Blocks – Rapid City Christian 1 (Frog); Hamlin 4 (VanMeeteren 4). Steals – Rapid City Christian 3; Hamlin 12 (Neuendorf 6).