March 20 was a day of high-stakes basketball across the United States, with thrilling finishes and remarkable performances in various tournaments. As teams advanced in playoffs, the atmosphere was rife with anticipation and tension.
In the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class AA semifinal, Niskayuna narrowly defeated Greece Athena in a nail-biter that had fans on the edge of their seats. Despite being just seconds away from victory, Greece Athena's I'Zick Reaves saw his last-second shot bounce three times on the rim before refusing to drop, resulting in a heartbreak for the team, falling by a score of 48-47. This game was played at the Visions Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton on March 20, 2025.
Leading up to that dramatic finish, the game was a back-and-forth affair, marked by intense defensive battles. Russell Ellis of Greece Athena was instrumental in the team’s performance, scoring eight of his twelve points in a strong fourth quarter, helping Athena to a brief lead of 47-46 with just 26 seconds remaining. Ellis said, “I just tried to step up when the game got close. We had that feeling that we could pull it off.” Unfortunately for the Trojans, the Warriors’ Brady Olsen managed to score off a rebound, granting Niskayuna the final 48-47 lead, dashing Athena's hopes just as time expired.
Leading the way for Niskayuna, Daniel Smalls, who averages 25 points per game, had to leave the game late due to fouling out, yet he still contributed significantly with 17 points. The outcome means that Niskayuna will compete in the Class AA final against Binghamton, which they haven’t done in 47 years.
In South Dakota, the Class AA state tournament also showcased exciting matchups on March 20, with several teams posting impressive wins. At the Summit Arena in Rapid City, Brandon Valley defeated Sioux Falls Jefferson decisively, scoring 55-41. Other results included Harrisburg outscoring Sioux Falls O’Gorman 48-45 and Mitchell defeating Huron 50-41. Sioux Falls Lincoln handily beat Spearfish with a score of 55-33.
On March 21, the excitement continues. In the Class AA state tournament, Sioux Falls Lincoln will take on Mitchell at 7 p.m. for the semifinals, while Brandon Valley will battle Harrisburg at 8:45 p.m.
The Class A tournament reported Hamlin defeating Hill City with an impressive score of 82-43. Lennox edged West Central 51-43, while Rapid City Christian beat Clark/Willow Lake 76-53. Sioux Falls Christian also had a solid outing, defeating Groton Area 66-41, setting the stage for crucial games on March 21.
The Class B state tournament featured wins from Castlewood over Lyman 64-38, Dell Rapids St. Mary against Aberdeen Christian 66-45, Viborg-Hurley defeating Freeman 72-44, and Wessington Springs outpacing Wall 74-52.
Moving north to Minnesota, the high school basketball scene was just as thrilling. The No. 1 Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders challenged the No. 4 Maple Grove Crimson in a Class 4A semifinal on March 20 at Williams Arena. A tightly contested game echoed the earlier sentiments in the day’s other tournaments, where scoring started slow but surged in the second half.
At halftime, the Raiders were trailing Maple Grove 22-15, suffering from shots falling short at just 25.9 percent from the field. However, they came out roaring in the second half, overturning the deficit led by Tommy Ahneman, who exploded for 19 second-half points, finishing with an impressive total of 28 points. Joe Mitchell contributed 14 points to help the Raiders secure a 63-49 victory.
Cretin-Derham Hall will now face the winner of the Wayzata vs. Shakopee matchup in the Class 4A championship set for Saturday at 8 p.m. Given the Raiders’ stellar play, there’s an air of confidence about them heading to the finals.
As the excitement builds across various state basketball tournaments, fans are treated to a thrilling spectacle replete with breathtaking moments, near misses, and hard-fought victories. The next few days promise even more unforgettable college and high school hoops action.
