State runner-up: Madison stops Titans from back-to-back titles

Perhaps Tea Area’s Justin Hohn said it best… “Basketball is a game full of lessons. You win some you lose some but the love for the game will never die. I love my whole squad and always will! Couldn’t be more proud.”

Hohn tweeted those words following the State Championship game against the Tea Area Titans and Madison Bulldogs held Saturday night, Mar. 17 in Rapid City.

The Titans had battled in the opening rounds at State to defeat fourth seeded Crow Creek (76-63) on Thursday, Mar. 15 and to take down the number one seeded Sioux Falls Christian (76-68) on Friday, Mar. 16 to get them back to the State Championship game for the second straight year.

Once again a higher seeded Madison stood in their way. Last year the Titans defeated the Bulldogs to bring home the school’s first ever State Championship Class A Basketball Title. This year, however, Madison was not to be denied, using a fourth quarter surge to get the 72-59 victory.

“Coming into the tourney this game was the goal and I was proud of the guys for putting themselves in position to win another state championship,” said Titan head coach Chris Fechner. “I am proud of the team for the way we played and what we accomplished on the season. We came up short but left everything on the court.”