Photos Courtesy of Randy Bachelor
Maȟpíya Lúta punched its ticket to the South Dakota State Tournament for the sixth consecutive season with a dominant performance on Thursday night, defeating McCook Central Montrose 79-21.
From the opening tip, Maȟpíya Lúta established control of the game with aggressive defense, strong rebounding, and efficient scoring on the offensive end. The team set the tone early and continued to build momentum throughout the night, steadily extending the lead and never allowing the Fighting Cougars to find a rhythm.
Leading the way was the senior duo of Ashlan Carlow-Blount and Shania Ferguson, who once again demonstrated why they have been such a driving force behind Maȟpíya Lúta’s undefeated season. Carlow-Blount delivered an outstanding all-around performance, finishing with a double-double of 24 points and 10 rebounds while also making her presence felt defensively. Ferguson added 18 points on an efficient 6-for-9 shooting performance and contributed three steals as the defense continued to pressure McCook Central Montrose throughout the game.
Carlow-Blount’s defensive impact has been remarkably consistent. With another strong performance on Thursday, she extended her streak of recording at least two steals to 46 consecutive games.
Maȟpíya Lúta also received strong contributions from several other players. Jayden Standing Soldier controlled the paint with eight points and eight rebounds, providing a steady presence inside. Mya Mills added eight points, while Dorthie Mesteth chipped in seven points. Tahca Zephier played a key role on the defensive end with five steals, helping fuel several transition opportunities, and Peyton Knife contributed five rebounds in the effort.
One of the biggest differences in the game came on the glass. Maȟpíya Lúta dominated the offensive boards, finishing with 23 offensive rebounds. Those extra possessions allowed the team to maintain constant pressure and create additional scoring chances throughout the contest. Rebounding has been a consistent strength for the team recently, as they have now recorded at least 11 offensive rebounds in four straight games.
The victory improves Maȟpíya Lúta’s record to 21-0 on the season, continuing what has been an impressive run through the schedule. For McCook Central Montrose, the loss brings their record to 15-8 and ends a three-game winning streak.
With the win, Maȟpíya Lúta officially secures its place in the state tournament and will enter the event as the #2 seed. They will open tournament play against West Central as they look to continue their strong season and compete for a state championship.
The appearance marks the sixth straight trip to the state tournament for the program, a testament to the consistency, dedication, and hard work of the players and coaches who have built Maȟpíya Lúta into one of the premier programs in South Dakota.