One of South Dakota’s premier girls basketball players made the decision that will shape the next era of her life last Thursday, when she made her verbal commitment to play ball at South Dakota State University.
Selland had narrowed it down to an in-state school, but the success of SDSU’s program, her relationship with their coaches and the academic programs offered at State ultimately led Selland to Brookings. As an added bonus, Selland’s decision to become a Jackrabbit will make it easier for her family, friends and fans, of which she has many, to follow her collegiate career.
The women’s Jackrabbit program has seen a lot of success recently, winning seven Summit League championships in the past eight years. The team, which gets a number of its key players from in-state high schools, missed the Sweet 16 this past season by one point, as they fell to Stanford, 66-65.
The 6-foot-2 junior says the fact that SDSU’s success was achieved largely with area talent also played into her decision.
Selland, who is strong under the basket, yet a great ball-handler, plays a sort of point guard/forward position for the Blackhawks. With her multidimensional abilities, her coaches believe she will be a great fit for the Jacks, wherever they decide to play her.
Selland, who calls Letcher her home, can officially sign with the Jackrabbits on Nov. 9. She is the daughter of Brett and Kelly Selland.

With the completion of all the SDHSAA winter fine arts and athletic activities, the SDHSAA announces that 579 teams have received the “Academic Achievement Team Awards” for the 2015-2016 winter season. All varsity fine arts groups and athletic teams that achieve a combined grade point average of 3.0 or higher are eligible to receive the SDHSAA Academic Achievement Team Award.
Both the Blackhawks’ boys and girls basketball teams received the award.
Initiated during the 1996-97 school year, the SDHSAA Academic Achievement Team Award program is designed to recognize varsity athletic teams and fine arts groups for their academic excellence. The South Dakota High School Activities Association believes that high school students learn in two distinct ways; inside the classroom and outside the classroom – on the stage and/or athletic field. This academic program creates a positive environment for school teams to have its members excel in the classroom. This program is also meant to motivate students toward academic excellence and to promote academic encouragement from teammates.
All varsity teams that participate in Association sponsored activities are eligible for this recognition program. The Academic Team Award program provides high school students with the opportunity to prove they can be overwhelmingly successful in both academics as well as in athletic and fine arts activities.