Savage Words: An open letter to the SDHSAA - Crazy idea, let's move the tournaments outside

The state basketball tournaments are in the books, but you’d never know it by the weather.

Walking into the girls SoDak 16 game at Brandon Valley on March 1, there were five robins lined up on the fence next to the football field when I parked my car that sounded downright giddy. They were puffing out their red breasted chests and belted out a happy tune as fans streamed in. It was a weird sight.

Normally, postseason basketball in South Dakota is a better predictor of bad weather than the Farmer’s Almanac.

So, perhaps I’ve come up with a new and improved approach to the state basketball tournaments moving forward given the temps that greeted fans in 2024.

Here’s an open letter to Dan Swartos, Executive Director of the South Dakota High School Activities Association:

Dear Dr. Swartos:

Greetings from Brandon and Valley Springs!

Here’s to hoping you’ve enjoyed your early spring so far in Pierre. Judging by recent temps in central South Dakota, I’m hopeful you and yours have been able to spend some time on the Missouri River, skiing, fishing, lounging, and relaxing. Maybe even a little beach time near the Oahe dam? Lord knows you’ve had some great temps to do so!

It’s been pretty nice here, too. I know, I know, when you think of the state basketball tournaments in South Dakota in early and mid-March, horrific weather usually accompanies it.

I recall as a youngster, you could almost set your calendar to a nasty blizzard hitting the state when the state’s high schoolers got together for their annual postseason tournament. But not this year.

As teams from around the state made their way to Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen and Brookings earlier this month, it was clear sailing on all of South Dakota’s state highways and interstate systems. It seemed a tad unreal, didn’t it?

Weird weather aside, congratulations on another year of great state tournaments, both for the boys and girls. I know you were in Sioux Falls for the boys AA tournament. Did you notice the moment of silence for coach Brent Deckert before the Brandon Valley game on Thursday? Not sure if you were behind that, but whoever was, deserves a tip of the hat. There wasn’t a dry eye in the place and things got a little misty where I was standing, too.

And the coaching shirts? Did you notice that every head and assistant coach on Thursday wore TGHT shirts during their games to honor Coach Deckert? Again, not sure if you were behind it, but what a cool, memorable touch.

The tournaments were great and I don’t think I’d change a thing, except for the fact that there should only be two classes of basketball in our tiny state, not three. But, that’s a conversation for another day. I’m sure going back to two classes will never happen, but still, I think it’s worth a conversation (wink-wink, nudge-nudge). Wouldn’t it have been neat to see how one-loss Sioux Falls Christian or eventual Class A champion Hamlin would have fared against Brandon Valley or some other Sioux Falls schools? I guess we’ll never know.

Again, a topic for another day. For now, I’d like to propose a major switch to the current SoDak 16 games and all three state tournaments. Because the weather was so nice this year in South Dakota in February and March, I think it’s time for a venue change.

Let’s move those suckers outside!

You heard me. It was so nice for the SoDak 16 games this year that I have no doubt the Brandon Valley faithful would have filled McHardy Park to watch the Lynx girls eliminate Brookings on March 1 and the boys send Spearfish packing the following day. Even though there’s no hoops at the park right now, if we can get these tournaments scheduled outside, I know some people.

For as loud as the Brandon Valley gymnasium got on both nights of the SoDak 16, imagine the revenue windfall the Parks and Rec departments in every host city around the state would receive if they played at their outdoor venues?

I realize playing outside would bring its challenges. March winds in South Dakota can be ferocious. But trust me, the way Kennedi Deckert shot the 3-ball in Brandon Valley’s win over Brookings, I don’t think Hurricane Katrina gusts would have altered her trajectory. At the Class AA boys’ tournament, Ryland Carroll came off the bench and drilled three, 3-pointers in the first half and I’m doubtful a South Dakota gust would have changed that outcome either.

Schools could still sell hot dogs, pizza, popcorn, soft drinks and all of the other traditional concession stand foods at an outdoor venue. But imagine another jolt of revenue with sunscreen, mosquito repellant, fly swatters, sunglasses and perhaps an umbrella should a quick spring rainstorm pop up.

Kidding aside, I’ll be the first to admit that moving the state tournaments outdoors is a long shot. 

But that two-class system? I’d really, really like to talk to you about that