GARRETSON – Sioux Valley split with Garretson in a Big East Conference basketball doubleheader Thursday.

The Cossacks won the boys’ game 69-38 and the Blue Dragons prevailed 69-67 in overtime the girls’ matchup.

The Cossack boys finished 7-0 in BEC regular-season contests to claim the title. They also won the BEC Tournament on Jan. 7-9. Sioux Valley earlier clinched the Lake Central Conference crown, going 6-0 in such games.

BOYS

• Sioux Valley 69, Garretson 38

The Cossacks put four players in double figures and dominated the middle quarters in the victory.

Kelton Vincent scored a game-high 23 points. Oliver Vincent added 16 points. The brothers both went 3-of-6 from long range as the squad finished 13-of-29 from deep.

Oliver dished out five dimes and Kelton four.

Parker Puetz had 15 points, eight rebounds, six assists and four steals. He was 5-of-10 on 3s.

Hayden Ruesink recorded a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds.

Sioux Valley finished at 49% (24-of-49) from the field and limited the Blue Dragons to 23.5% (12-of-51).

“We came out with great energy, fueled by our defense,” said Cossack coach Bill Vincent. “Our defense led to offense and we were great at attacking their zone.

“Colby Gatzke and Damian Danzeisen were outstanding at guarding Garretson’s top scorer – Cooper Long – holding him to just one field goal. It was hard for Garretson to get going offensively.

“We rebounded well and had a balanced attack, and once again hit our free throws.”

The Cossacks were up 17-11 after a quarter. They pushed the margin to 41-21 at halftime and extended the advantage to 64-28 following a big third period.

They went 11-of-12 at the foul line.

Garretson got nine points apiece from Jake Schroeder and Josef Zahn. Long ended up with three markers.

Sioux Valley (18-1) is host to Sioux Falls Christian (14-3) – which beat Class AA No. 4 Harrisburg 58-57 in overtime Thursday – to wrap up the regular season on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

GIRLS

• Garretson 69, Sioux Valley 67, OT

The Cossacks played what head coach Jamie Granum called their “best game of the year” but came up just short versus the Blue Dragons.

“Unbelievable effort,” added Granum, whose team fell 61-25 to Garretson in the BEC Tournament third-place game Jan. 30. “So proud of our girls. We could go through every one of them and they all made play.

“It was one of those games where someone had to lose. Unfortunately, it was us tonight.

“I really wanted that win for these girls. All the work they have put in – the practice focus, the effort, the work.”

Lily Ranmschau put the Blue Dragons on top for good – 65-63 – with a bucket at the 1:37 mark of overtime.

Lauren Heesch scored 16 points, Ranschau 15 and Lizzie Olson 13.

Garretson led 15-13 after a quarter. It was tied at 31-all at intermission and Sioux Valley grabbed a 44-42 advantage heading to the fourth.

The Blue Dragons rallied from a seven-point advantage, going on a an 9-0 run to move ahead 58-56 with 2:13 left.

Julia Schneider scored with 20 seconds left in regulation to pull the Cossacks even.

Reagan Johnson posted a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds to go with seven assists for Sioux Valley.

Isabelle Bloker scored a game-high 21 points, Julia Schneider added 12 and Abbie Schneider 11.

Garretson improved to 15-5 on the season.

Sioux Valley (11-8) concludes the regular season take on McCook Central/Montrose tonight at 7:30 in Montrose.