YANKTON, S.D. — The Watertown Laker Bantam A team opened its state tournament run with a 5-3 win over the Oahe Capitals. Watertown goals came from Riley Randall (2), Daxton Huber, Beau Anderson, and Kaleb Bohling. In Saturday’s semifinal, Lincoln Kaiser locked down the net in the Lakers’ 5-0 shutout of the Aberdeen Cougars. Goals were scored by Jett Engen (2), Kaleb Bohling (2), and Huber. That victory sent the Lakers to the championship game on Sunday to face the Brookings Rangers.
Brookings jumped out to an early 3-0 lead with goals by Weston Diers, Graham Gerlach, and Tegan Jensen. Daxton Huber, assisted by Dominic Vannelli, put Watertown on the board with 36 seconds left in the second period to make it 3-1 heading into the third. Riley Randall cut the lead to 3-2 at the 9:33 mark of the third period, assisted by Kaleb Bohling. However, the Rangers’ Owen Rounds sealed the win with a goal at 3:55 to end the Lakers’ title hopes.
Laker Girls 14U Takes Seventh Place
On Friday, Watertown opened the tournament with a 4-2 loss to Rushmore. Goals for Watertown were scored by Gracelyn Webb and Keagan Stolp. Watertown was held scoreless Saturday in a 6-0 loss to Mitchell, sending the Lakers to the seventh-place contest on Sunday. The Lakers emerged victorious over the Aberdeen Cougars, 2-0. Webb scored both of Watertown’s goals with assists from Sheylin Stricherz, Keagan Stolp, and Sloane Allard.
Watertown Girls to Compete at State Hockey
The Watertown Laker girls will compete Friday through Sunday at the 2026 SDAHA Girls State Hockey Tournament in Mitchell. The Lakers open the tournament Friday against Aberdeen. Watertown is 1-3 against Aberdeen this season, with its lone win coming Nov. 28 in a 3-2 finish. The Cougars have won two straight against the Lakers: 3-1 on Jan. 26 and 4-3 on Feb. 20.
Watertown to Host Boys JV State Tournament
Watertown will host the 2026 State Boys JV Hockey Tournament Friday through Sunday at Prairie Lakes Ice Arena. Yankton, Rushmore, Brookings 1, Brookings 2, Sioux Falls East, Sioux Falls West, and Huron will participate.
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