It’s been 25 years since the Lyman Raiders had reached the state tournament.
But when the buzzer sounded in Philip on March 9th, Head Coach Cooper Garnos couldn’t help but reflect on the hard work his team had put in.
“It was emotional, relieved and happy. We have had quite a year, but the kids have really hung in there together, and we have actually had a lot of kids step up and do great things for us,” Garnos said. “They put the work in year round, and put the time in the summer. I was also happy for the community and the parents. “
Lyman put together one of the most interesting seasons in the state, from Covid-19 to injuries, but nothing seemed to shake the Raiders, and that mental toughness comes from preparation and determination.
After a Sodak 16 loss last season, Lyman decided to create a more difficult schedule, hopefully preparing the Raiders for road to the State Tournament, however nothing could prepare a team for the road to follow.
“We hadn’t been to the state tournament in the last 25 years. I think if we look back to last year, we knew we would be competing state-wide,” Coach Garnos said. “One thing we have been focusing on is getting a very good schedule and going back East River, playing at the corn palace a couple times.”
The Raiders played well early in the tough schedule, defeating Sully Buttes and Timber Lake before the New Year, but the team was soon struck by COVID-19 and illness. Multiple starters were out for the toughest stretch of the season, but bench players quickly stepped up for the Raiders.
“It has really been an exciting season,” Garnos said. “It has been an up and down year in that we had players with sickness and illness.”
Lyman was able to get even a win against Faith during that stretch, and when the starters returned, the Raiders swept through the West River area, winning 10 games. And maybe none more defining then a 50-49 win against Class A State Qualifier Chamberlain. That win, along with the Faith victory, showed Lyman they had the ability to reach the state tournament.
“First, the first time we beat Faith, we had two starters out then, and when we got everybody back against Chamberlain, that was probably one of those that I think we can play with and beat some of those [state level] teams,” Garnos said.
Now the 19-4 Raiders are going to enjoy their first state tournament run over two decades, but are also still determined to play their best. It won’t be an easy challenge, as Lyman drew a tough Viborg-Hurley team in the first round, but the Raiders have proved this season that they can handle any challenge put in their way.
“It is really going to be a tough matchup, they are big, they are physical. The [Gradee] Sherman kid is probably the best post in the B level,” Garnos said. “But let’s take it one day at a time. We are going to enjoy things.”
This article is part of our series of State Tournament Previews. Visit our South Dakota section on our homepage for more tournament coverage.
