Tanager varsity loss ends season Saturday

The Vermillion Tanagers lost to the Elk Point-Jefferson Huskies 55-49 in the championship round of the boys' District 8A basketball tournament, held March 1 at the Elmen Center, Sioux Falls.

Broc Gauer scored 24 points and grabbed seven rebounds.

The Tanagers trailed 12-7 after the opening period, trailed 23-19 at halftime, and then trailed 35-29 going into the fourth quarter.

The contest was well-played, with the Tanagers committing only six turnovers and the Huskies committing only five.

"We had a slow start but hung in there to the bitter end," said VHS coach Jason Huska. "Our late efforts just couldn't overcome that early deficit."

The loss dropped VHS to a record of 3-3, while EP-J improved to 14-8.

VHS made 8 of 12 from the line while the Huskies hit 14 of 7 from the line.

Although defeated, the Tanagers had a number of fine individual efforts.

"Our seniors were disappointed to end their high school careers on a sour note, but they can be proud of their many accomplishments," coach Huska said.

Individual Stats, VHS: Scoring- Broc Gauer, 24, Jordan Boots, 20, Ryan Angelo, 3, Alex Schaack, 2. Rebounds- Gauer, 7, Schaack, 6. Assists- Schaack, 5.

Individual Stats, EP-J: Scoring- Luke Frankl, 22, Josh Gross, 14, John Frankl, 11, Michael Strassberg, 6, Bo Bruinsma, 2. Rebounds- Strassberg, 11, Gross, 6. Assists- Luke Frankl, 4.

Team rebounds: VHS-20, EP-J-29. Team fouls: VHS-15, EP-J-14.