RAPID CITY – It took roughly one quarter for Clark-Willow Lake to find its footing, but once it did, the Cyclones left Stanley County in their wake, pulling away for a big 66-36 win over the Buffaloes in the opening round of the State A Boys’ Basketball Tournament Thursday night.

Stanley County bolted out to a 7-2 lead early and held a 13-9 edge after the opening quarter. Clark-Willow Lake, however, held the Buffaloes to just four points, all free throws, in the second quarter to take control.

The Cyclones never looked back, putting four guys in double figures en route to the victory.

“I think the first quarter, we had to get rid of the jitters and shake the sillies loose a little bit, but once we got that done and figured out how to defend, I think things went pretty well for us,” said Clark-Willow Lake coach Jerome Nesheim.

The Cyclones got contributions from a variety of angles, but Neisheim noted the team’s offensive rhythm flows best when big man Sullivan Felberg is playing well. Fellberg finished with just 12 points on Thursday, but the majority of those came during the team’s surge to the lead.

“We tried to get Sully going, and I don’t know if he was playing a little soft early, but at halftime we told him, hey we need you to step up and we need you to be assertive offensively,” Neisheim said. “And when he gets going, it’s so much easier for Chris Bevers to get going because everyone puts a lot of attention around Sully and that opens things up for everyone else.”

Bevers and fellow guard Emmerson Larson were recipients of those open driving lanes. Bevers finished with 24 points, while Larson tallied 18. The pair combined to go 19-for-26 from the floor, including 18-for-20 from inside the arc.

Bo Begeman joined the double-digit club with 10 points. Felberg also had a dozen rebounds for the Cyclones.

Stanley County was led by Paxton Deal’s 15 points and six rebounds.

Clark-Willow Lake, 21-2 on the season, will face second-seeded unbeaten West Central in tonight’s semifinals around 7:45 (CDT). West Central handed the Cyclones one of their two losses on the season, a three-point affair at the Corn Palace in late January.

“On any given night, anybody’s going to get beat in this tournament,” Neisheim said. “That’s what we’re going to work on and take quality possessions, and move forward from there.”

STANLEY COUNTY (20-3): Brendon Bothwell 0 2-2 2, Eddie Duffy 2 2-2 6, Paxton Deal 5 3-3 14, Teegyn Breitag 1 0-2 2, Trevor Caldwell 3 0-2 6, Jack Deal 0 2-4 2, Carson Bourne 1 1-2 3. Totals 12-54 10-17 36.

CLARK-WILLOW LAKE (21-2): Emmerson Larson 9 0-0 18, Chris Bevers 10 3-5 24, Jakob Steen 0 0-2 0, Bo Begeman 5 0-1 10, Sullivan Felberg 5 1-1 12, Masyn Knock 0 2-2 2. Totals 29-55 8-11 66.

Stanley County 13 17 29 36

Clark-Willow Lake 9 25 42 66

3-point field goals – P. Deal 2; Bevers, Felberg. Total fouls – Stanley County 14; Clark-Willow Lake 15. Rebounds – Stanley County 31 (P. Deal 6, Breitag 5); Clark-Willow Lake 42 (Felberg 12, Begeman 7). Assists – Stanley County 1 (Duffy); Clark-Willow Lake 11 (Bevers 4, Begeman 4). Turnovers – Stanley County 11; Clark-Willow Lake 13. Steals – Stanley County 9 (P. Deal 4); Clark-Willow Lake 8 (Bevers 3). Blocks – Stanley County 1 (Duffy); Clark-Willow Lake 7 (Felberg 3, Bevers 2).