Titans open season with impressive win over Huron

The Tea Area High School boys’ basketball team tipped off their season on Friday, Dec. 13, with a hard-fought road victory against the Huron Tigers. The Titans took an early lead, finishing the first quarter ahead 18-9, and held on for a 69-63 win.

Head coach Drew Weber expressed his pride in the team’s performance. 

“This was a tremendous way to kick off the season. Huron is a returning state tournament team and one that rightfully has aspirations to cut down the nets come March, so to go into their place and get a win is very impressive,” Weber said. “I thought our boys showed toughness and resiliency as we battled through some injuries and foul trouble. We had a number of players step up in key spots and it was as much of a TEAM win as you will see.

“We obviously have a lot of inexperience and that showed up at times in the fourth quarter, but we kept battling. We will continue to grow as a team, but I’m awfully proud of how we practiced the first two weeks of the season and to see that hard work result in a W in game one proves this team can surprise a lot of people this season.”

The Titans’ balanced scoring attack featured four players in double figures. Marshall Smythe led the way with 18 points, adding two rebounds, a team-high six assists, and five steals. Grifin Wiebenga contributed 17 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and one steal. Jaxson Merrigan tallied 14 points, five rebounds, one assist, and one steal, while Gavin Shawn added 13 points, four rebounds, one assist, and two steals.

Kayden Williamson chipped in eight points and seven rebounds, while Cole McKinney provided two points, two rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Mitch Grant recorded two points, one rebound, and one steal, and Rylan Norris rounded out the scoring with one point, two rebounds, and two assists.

The Titans shot an impressive 47 percent from the field in the game.

Looking ahead, Tea Area will travel to Brookings on Thursday, Dec. 19, before hosting Watertown on Saturday, Dec. 21.