The Region 3B Champion Blackhawks are pictured above. In back from left: Co-Head Coach Tim McCain, Co-Head Coach Rob Baruth, Assistant Coach Justin Dean; middle row: Bailey Moody, Tayla Weber, Morgan Selland, Myah Selland, Abby Doering, Sarah Morgan, Savannah Swenson, Tanna Kingsbury, Kayla Olson, Maddie Vermeulen; front row: student manager Kaylee White, Shelby Selland, Rachel Selland, Kelbi Dean, Marissa Weber and student manager Jaycee Baruth.

The Sanborn Central/Woonsocket Lady Blackhawks have done it again. The Hawks are State “B” bound, and this year, they mean business. The three-year-old co-op between former rivals Sanborn Central and Woonsocket is still in its infancy, but has been wildly successful, now with three State Tournament trips. The Lady Blackhawks finished in fourth place in 2012 and in 2013 were disappointed to find themselves in the consolation bracket after a tough first game loss to Sully Buttes. SCW came out of the 2013 tourney in fifth place. This year the girls have their sights set on the big hardware, the state championship. They enter the tournament seeded number three behind Hanson and Sully Buttes. State Tournament play begins for the Blackhawks on Thursday night as they take on number six seed Kimball/White Lake at 7:45 p.m. in the Huron Arena. Young team turned veteran When the Blackhawks first entered the state tournament in 2012, it wasn’t just the co-op that was young, but the players. These Hawks of 2014 are seasoned veterans. Every one of the starting five have either started in multiple state tournament games or seen ample playing time at the state level. Four of the starting five share a surname, which makes the team dynamic quite unique. Senior Shelby Selland regularly leads the way for the Blackhawks, averaging over 18 points per game. Shelby was a Wendy’s High School Heisman winner this year and was named Most Valuable Player of the 281 Conference Tournament. In last year’s state tournament, Shelby scored a total of 45 points, leading her team in scoring in all three games, and was named to the State “B” All-Tournament Team. Shelby has signed on with Augustana College to play basketball this fall. Freshman phenom Myah Selland, Shelby’s younger sister, also regularly scores in double figures. Myah has racked up loads of experience for her years, having been on the varsity squad since seventh grade. Despite Myah’s age, she can be considered a veteran and is looked upon by her teammates as a leader. Shelby and Myah are the daughters of Brett and Kelly Selland of Letcher. Also in the starting line-up is senior Rachel Selland and junior Morgan Selland. Rachel can always be counted on to put up points each game. She pounds the hardwood underneath the basket, grabbing rebounds, driving to the hoop and drawing fouls. Morgan, a junior, has a hot-hand on the outside shot and is considered one of the Blackhawks’ two elite three-point shooters. Morgan can be counted on for good ball handling and smart passing. Rachel is the daughter of Brad and Chris Selland of Woonsocket and Morgan is the daughter of Barry and Shelly Selland of Forestburg. Rounding out the starting line-up is senior Marissa Weber, the Hawks’ number one three-point shooter and Woonsocket School’s current three-point record holder. Weber has been draining threes for years and can always be counted on to come through with points. SCW’s other senior, Kelbi Dean, suffered a concussion earlier in the season, but still makes her presence known from the sideline, dressing for each game and cheering on her teammates. First off the bench for the Hawks is junior forward Savannah Swenson. Also coming off the bench is Maddie Vermeulen, Bailey Moody, Sarah Morgan, Tayla Weber, Kayla Olson and Abby Doering. Freshman Tanna Kingsbury also dresses for each game, lending support to her team. Kingsbury has spent the past year battling cancer and had double the reason to celebrate last week, as a recent check up confirmed she is cancer free. Tim McCain and Rob Baruth are co-head coaches of the Blackhawks and are assisted by Justin Dean. Dominating season The Blackhawks of 2014 have spent the last 22 games proving their dominance over their opponents, only suffering one loss to last year’s state champion and this year’s number four seed in the tournament, Warner. The Hawks average nearly 69 points per game and all their wins have been by an average of 27 points.

SENIOR LEADER of the Blackhawks Shelby Selland enjoys the honors of the first cut from the net. The final score remains on the scoreboard, affirming the Hawks’ win and State “B” berth.

SCW won its third Region championship Friday night with a 51-46 win over the 2013 second-place state finishers, DeSmet Bulldogs. The victory punched the Hawks’ ticket to yet another State “B” berth.
The Sanborn Central/Woonsocket Blackhawks put up a very impressive performance in front of a huge crowd in the Huron Arena.
The Hawks took a lead in the first quarter that they refused to give up throughout the contest. They scored 19 points in the second quarter to go into the locker room up 30-20. The girls came out in the third a little slower scoring, but held onto the lead with strong defense to end the period 38-30.
DeSmet attempted a final quarter surge and pulled within two points with just over a minute and a half to play, but late fouls by the Bulldogs and smart play by the Blackhawks, secured a victory for SCW.
The Hawks were led by senior leader Shelby Selland with 26 points and 10 of her team’s 20 rebounds. Myah Selland put in 10 points, had six assists and two steals. Rachel Selland added up seven points in the regional win.
DeSmet, which lost one of their senior starters, Taylor Schoenfelder, in the second quarter, was led by Grayson Gruenhagen with 14 points. Kelli Aughenbaugh added 11, while Rylie Osthus and Kelsey Poppen put up nine and eight, respectively.
DeSmet ended their season 20-3.
Sanborn Central/Woonsocket is currently 22-1 going into the State “B” Tournament. The Hawks are seeded number three and will play Kimball/White Lake, the number six seed, Thursday night at 7:45 p.m. in the Huron Arena.