Wachs Arena will always have special memories for Steve Manger of Kennebec.

Manger, who has a son that plays for Lyman in this year’s State B Boys’ Basketball Tournament, was part of the Lyman team that won the 1990 State B championship in the same facility.

“I remember just the excitement in this building,” Manger said. “It was just, wow, it was just overwhelming.”

The Raiders were led by Cody King that year as they knocked off Northwestern in the title contest.

“Cody’s a stud. Always has been, always will be,” Manger said. “He’s my only classmate that I swear to God hasn’t aged one bit. … I think he could still play. Yes, he could. He’s got about three gray hairs now days, but that’s about it.”

Manger said he gets more nervous watching his son and his teammates play than when he was on the team.

“I just want everything to come out good and let them have some of the same experiences that I had in my career,” Manger said.

His best advice to his son for playing in the tourney: “Just don’t overthink anything. Go out and have fun and do what you’re trained to do.”

Manger said the building on the campus of Northern State will always be meaningful because of the state title won there more than 35 years ago.

“It’s really special, because it’s so hard to even explain all the emotions and everything that goes through your heart, mind, body and soul when you come to this place,” Manger said. “I’m really excited to watch some good basketball.”

It has already proven to be a memorable weekend for Manger as Lyman knocked off top-seeded Viborg-Hurley in the opening round of the tournament on Thursday.

Dave Vilhauer

LOADED WITH GIFTED ATHLETES

The Wall Eagles have a roster full of athletes, some of which are going to be playing sports at the next level, just not basketball.

“There are several that are going to play, but there are several that are capable who are choosing not to as well,” said Wall coach Ryan Kjerstad. “Just a very unique, special group for a town our size, and glad we get to come back and play on this stage again, that’s for sure.”

Three of the basketball players are heading to Chadron State to play football next season, and another is going to Dakota Wesleyan to play golf.

While Wall was once known as a football school and still is, basketball is on the rise.

“The vision of all this was seen long ago,” Kjerstad sad, “and these boys have stayed committed to doing something special.”

Kjerstad some of the members of the basketball team switched over from wrestling during grade school.

“I would say it’s a winning mindset that’s been established at an early age for a lot of these kids,” Kjerstad said. “State champion wrestlers, many of them placed every single year at AAU and beat kids who have gone to win state championships.”

He said success is contagious.

“Once one kid gets good at something, all the rest seem to jump in and it is just a competitive spirit that’s translated through,” Kjerstad said.

While Kjerstad enjoys seeing his players have success on the gridiron, he admits to being nervous about injuries every time the Eagles played.

“In the back of my mind, if I’m being honest, every football game,” Kjerstad said. “We’re grateful when we walk about of there and there’s no injuries. I’ve never been happier to win the (state championship at the) Dome and come away with no injuries.”

This is Wall’s second straight appearance in the State B and the Eagles feel right at home.

“Just Grateful for the City of Aberdeen,” Kjerstad said. “It’s really welcoming every time we walk in. Everybody that we come into contact with is excited for us to be here. It’s a really fun, unique experience for our kids and just really happy that we get to do it again.”

Dave Vilhauer

WILKINSON POWERS BULLDOGS ATTACK

The De Smet Bulldogs are back at this year’s tournament after a year’s absence.

A big part of that success for the Bulldogs this year is their 6-foot-10-inch senior center, Grant Wilkinson, who finished with 40 points and 19 rebounds in a game on Thursday night. His career highs are 47 points in one game and 26 rebounds in another.

And as dominant as Wilkinson is on the basketball court, he might be even more dominant on the football field.

Wilkinson is committed to play on the offensive line for South Dakota State next fall.

“(SDSU) is close to home, I like the environment, coaches and my future teammates are really nice,” Wilkins said of his choice to play for the Jackrabbies. “That’s just the place to be.”

Wilkinson says that football has really helped with basketball physically.

“I put on some weight for football and put on strength in the weight room this summer from doing all the football workouts,” Wilkinson said. “So, I feel like I can use that on the basketball floor, just overpowering everybody and getting to the rim.”

Cordell Vitense

ENHANCING THE FAN EXPERIENCE

While Wachs Arena has been the home of the State B Boys’ Basketball Tournament for decades, there is something new at this year’s event.

Northern has supplied a tunnel for the players to run through while entering the court, and also pieced together a video tribute for each of the eight teams competing in the tournament.

“The fans at the State Bs are just next level. You see them in their themed outfits and the arena is full, so they put on a great environment to begin with,” said Ashley Gauer, Senior Associate Athletic Director, Internal Operations at NSU. “Also, at the Northern games we’re trying to put on a great environtment for our fans, so that’s something we try to do day in and day out for our games.”

Gauer had a meeting with tournament director Dawn Seiler who shared some of the different things that she had seen at other state tournaments.

It was decided “Let’s see what we can piece together to ramp up this fan experience here for all these folks who maybe aren’t seeing some of this at the schools that they are at,” Gauer said.

There will be a different video for each day of the tournament.

Gauer said the extras at this year’s state tournament are in line with the current culture.

“This is how things are going. Whether it’s in sports or you’re out proposing to somebody, you’re going to put on a big show for everybody to see,” Gauer said. “That’s just what we’re trying to do here, showcase Northern and showcase the kids that are out there playing. They’ve worked hard to be here.”

Dave Vilhauer