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It's boys basketball state tournament time and White River is trying to keep a solid streak of championship game appearances alive.
The Mellette County team has been the South Dakota Class B Boys Basketball champions or runners up for the last five years.
After a win Thursday, White River came one win closer to returning to the championship game for the sixth year in a row. The team has a target on its back again.
"There's always pressure but you kind of like it, you kind of want that pressure. You know you're doing something good if you've got that pressure of making the championship," senior Wyatt Krogman said.
Loyal fan Mick Strain says the team is very important to White River. The town takes pride in the team's success and backs the players.
"One hundred percent, 110 I'd say. I'd say 120 come tournament time," Strain said. "It's the most important thing we've really got going."
Krogman was a 7th grader cheering in the stands when the championship game appearance streak started. He's sure young basketball players doing the same this year will help White River succeed in the future.
During its streak, the team has alternated between state champions and runners up every other year. If that tradition holds, this would be a runner up year. The team plans to change that pattern.
"I hope so. I hope so,” Krogman said. “That's the goal and I hope we can do it. Repeat sounds good so hopefully we can get it done."
Krogman isn't taking anything for granted and understands the team still needs to win another game before reaching the championship. That said, many fans are counting on it. Strain, whose son-in-law coaches the team, is even guaranteeing a title.
"That's for sure; put that in the bank," Strain said.
White River was in the state tournament two years in a row leading up to its string of championship appearances too.
