'That's the Warrior way': Washington pulls away from Pierre for Class AA girls title
Washington High School is back on top.
The Warrior girls basketball team pulled away to take the Class AA state title Saturday night, topping Pierre T.F. Riggs 54-36 inside a raucous Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls.
Head coach Jamie Parish and his side took control of the game at the tail end of the first half, going on a 13-1 run over the final five minutes to take an 11-point halftime edge. Pierre was unable to significantly cut into the lead in the final two quarters.
Brooklyn Harpe scored 21 points to lead the Warriors; her twin sister Hannah added four points, six rebounds and five assists. Grace Peterson added 13 points and six rebounds for the Warriors.
The victory is Washington's second state title in three years, and makes a distant memory of the Warriors' upset loss in their opening game of the state tourney by Jefferson a year ago.
Meanwhile, an outstanding season came to a close for Pierre, including a 20-4 record and the program's first trip to the state title game since 2008. But Kirk Beebout's team was unable to end a 32-year state championship drought.
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Second-quarter run key for Warriors
The game was nip-and-tuck to start. Washington erased a 7-2 run by Pierre to start, as both teams tried to find their rhythm. Pierre's trademark defense, spearheaded by assistant coach Terry Becker, made a palpable impact early.
"In the first quarter we had to get into our flow," Brooklyn Harpe said. "They were playing aggressive defense. We were taking kind of weird shots that we don't normally take."
That prompted Parish to tweak his strategy, including getting Peterson more involved at the high post. Their defense also kicked it up a notch, forcing four second-quarter turnovers and not allowing a field goal over the final 5 minutes of the half.
Parish said the team's ability to adjust on the fly spoke to their poise in big moments.
"These seniors, they've been on a state championship team before," Parish said. "They've played in big games. They have a ton of experience. And that's what happens when you have those opportunities."
The Warriors got far more quality shots, especially down the stretch. They outscored Pierre 40-12 in the paint and shot 41% despite a 2-of-12 night from three. The Governors made six two-point baskets all night.
Harpe twins go out on top
Brooklyn and Hannah Harpe put a perfect cap on their high school career with the victory. The two are committed to play together at the University of Sioux Falls next season. Brooklyn was superb, shooting 9-of-16. But Hannah was just as valuable, contributing five assists and six rebounds.
More:Pairings finalized for state Class A, B boys basketball tournaments
"She is so generous. She could have a wide-open layup and she'll dish it to someone else," Brooklyn Harpe said of her sister.
"I just love that family right there," Parish said, pointing out the duo's younger sister Dana, who got into the game late as a freshman.
Parish stressed the win was about much more than two people. Among others, he highlighted senior guard Alexus Motley, who worked her way back from an ACL injury suffered during the offseason. She battled for seven rebounds and three assists in 24 minutes.
Amid the postgame celebration, several Warrior players signed autographs for young fans on the court.
"At one point, I was the younger generation, and I was the one getting autographs from the older kids," Brooklyn Harpe said. "It means a lot that the culture of Washington is going to continue for years and years to come. That's the Warrior way."
Electric atmosphere
The Sanford Pentagon rarely disappoints for big games, and the atmosphere for Saturday's game was as good as it gets. Both fan bases brought it all night, including the two student sections rattling the bleachers at each end of the court.
When back-to-back Brooklyn Harpe buckets gave Washington a 16-point lead in the waning minutes of the third, the arena was deafening.
"It's awesome in this environment," Parish said. "I've coached in several state tournaments and this is the best place I've ever had it."
Other Saturday Games
Third Place (Sioux Falls Jefferson 55, Harrisburg 34): Jefferson finished off a 19-5 season with 11 points and seven rebounds from Jaidyn Dunn, 11 points from Aliyah McGovern and 10 points from Cierra Watkins. Kayleigh Hybertson had nine points and eight rebounds for Harrisburg (17-7).
Fifth Place (Sioux Falls O'Gorman 70, Mitchell 33): O'Gorman (19-5) rolled to the consolation championship with 17 points from Mahli Abdouch and 11 each from Lucy Moore and Julia Eggert. Sawyer Stoebner's 14 points and seven rebounds paced Mitchell (10-14).
Seventh Place (Rapid City Stevens 53, Watertown 51): Stevens overcame a 10-point deficit and used Taaliyah Porter's two free throws with 12.4 seconds left to clinch the victory. Watertown's Kendall Paulson scored at the buzzer.
Porter collected 21 points, nine rebounds and four assists for the Raiders (15-9), who also got 13 points and eight rebounds from Isabel Higgins and nine points from Macey Wathen.
Seniors Jaida Young (22 points, six rebounds and four assists) and Maddy Rohde (15 points) paced the Arrows, who finished the year 12-12. Jade Lund added six points and Miranda Falconer five rebounds.
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Washington pulls away from Pierre for Class AA girls title
