WATERTOWN, S.D. — The Hamlin girls basketball team begins its quest for another Class A championship Thursday, returning to the site of its most recent title run.
The top-seeded Chargers (21-1) enter the tournament looking to improve on their runner-up finish to Sioux Falls Christian in 2025. While Hamlin missed the state tournament in 2024, the program famously claimed the 2023 crown in a 58-55 thriller over Wagner at the Watertown Civic Arena.
This year’s squad returns to the same arena led by a potent offensive duo. Senior Addie Neuendorf and junior Issie Steffensen both average 16 points per game. Sophomore Addelyn Jensen has anchored the interior, leading the team with nine rebounds per game while contributing 10 points per contest.
As a unit, Hamlin has been statistically overwhelming, averaging 58 points per game while holding opponents to just 35. Their resume includes regular-season victories over tournament qualifiers Sioux Valley, Lennox, and Sioux Falls Christian. The Chargers’ lone setback was a 54-48 loss to Wagner on Jan. 17 during the Hanson Classic.
Hamlin opens the tournament Thursday against No. 8 Lakota Tech at 11 a.m. Live coverage will can be found on SDPB-TV3, SDPB.org/Basketball and YouTube. Radio coverage can be found on Power 106.3 and New Country KS93.
WTNSports.com 