Hot Springs Takes 7th At State, First Tourney Win Since ’45

The Hot Springs won their first state tournament game since 1945, knocking off Mount Vernon/Plankinton 60-50 in the 7th place game of the South Dakota class A tourney in Sioux Falls on Saturday.

The Bison were lifted by three players in double figures, led by Josh Kleinsasser with 21 and a rebound shy of a double-double with 9. Matt Close scored 15 and Camron Maciejewski scored 10.

Hot Springs shot worse than the Titans, but took 22 more shots and knocked down 8 more. The 8th seeded Bison, who finished the season at 20-6, went 7-of-8 from the free throw line in the final minute of the game to lock up the win.