The Flandreau Flier Girls Basketball Team is heading back to the Class A State Tournament this weekend in Brookings after winning their SoDak16 game against Hill City last Thursday. They’ll take their #3 seed and 23-0 record and face #6 seed Tea Area this Thursday at 7:45 p.m. at the Dacotah Bank Center (former Swiftel Center). Put your Flier gear on and travel up I-29 to cheer them to another win. Team members are front from left, Madison Bushkofsky, Ella Hoffman, Claire Sheppard, Josie Hamilton, Hayden Neises, Elodie Amdahl and student manager Rhegan Sheppard. Second row, Sadie Iott, Lizzie Pavlis, Hailey Lahr, Hannah Krull, Aly Schepel, Morgan Sheppard, student manager Calla Wiese and statistician Hailieanne Schepel. Third row, assistant coach Brian Relf, Addy Hammer, Grace Krull, Lily Klein, head coach Megan Severtson and her son Beckett and assistant coach Jessi Gile. Back row, cheerleaders, Clara Kelm, Jacey Sundermeyer, Mya Nichols, Bella Olinger, Mackenzie Gregory and Breyana Ramirez.
ML Headrick
Posted
Our team has done a really nice job of managing expectations
We have been able to play each game with confidence in our preparation. Also, the girls just seem to be having a lot of fun. They enjoy playing with each other and are genuine in celebrating each other’s successes - I think that’s what makes them so fun to watch.”
Head Coach Megan Severtson
By Carleen Wild, Moody County Enterprise
The Flandreau Fliers head back to the Class A State Girls Basketball Championships after a 58-32 win over Hill City in Chamberlain this past Thursday night.
The opportunity is one the team has been waiting and fighting for after falling just shy of a state title this past year — and 2023 was the first time the Fliers had played in the State Tournament since 1997.
““Finish the Dream” was on a sign they held after last week’s game.
“Our team has done a really nice job of managing expectations,” Head Coach Megan Severtson said, heading into tournament week.
“We have been able to play each game with confidence in our preparation. Also, the girls just seem to be having a lot of fun. They enjoy playing with each other and are genuine in celebrating each other’s successes - I think that’s what makes them so fun to watch.”
Severtson and the team hope the town joins them at 8:45 a.m. Thursday morning for a sendoff pep rally as well as for their game Thursday night in Brookings. Tip off against Tea Area is 7:45 p.m.
“We have a great group of girls who are pushing each other every day,” said Senior Lily Klein. “The State tournament is an experience only eight teams get and it is awesome to be one of them. I can’t wait to see what we do at State!”
Teammate Lizzie Pavlis agreed, “We’re just taking care of business. We have so much fun with one another and I am beyond blessed to be part of this team! I’m excited for the State Tournament and hoping we seniors can really go out with a bang!
More on the team’s big win and details on the girls upcoming tournament appearance on pages 11 and 12 of this week’s Moody County Enterprise.
