The Spearfish Lady Spartans (4–3) head east on I‑90 Tuesday night for a key Black Hills Conference matchup against the St. Thomas More Lady Cavaliers (8–3), as they continue their search for their first win over a team with a winning record. Spearfish is 0–3 this season against opponents above .500, and a victory in Rapid City would mark a major step forward in both conference play and the Class AA Power Point standings.
The Lady Spartans enter the contest following a 43–18 loss to top‑ranked Mahpiya Luta. While Spearfish held the undefeated Crusaders to their lowest scoring total in several years, the Spartans also posted their lowest offensive output in recent memory. Senior standout Kate Scharf, who came in averaging 16 points per game, was limited to just four.
Road games have been a challenge for Spearfish this season. Two of their three losses have come away from home, each against teams with winning records. St. Thomas More presents a similar test: disciplined, aggressive, and defensively sound. The Lady Cavaliers allow just 36.5 points per game, one of the stingiest marks in Class A. Spearfish will look to establish confidence early by getting shots up quickly and finding rhythm before STM’s defense settles in.
Rebounding will also be critical for Head Coach Dakota Johnson’s crew. Not allowing second-chance opportunities will limit the possessions the Lady Cavs might have in the game. Spearfish will also rely on a defense that has been really good at taking the ball away all season to steal some opportunities from St. Thomas More and help the Spartans out with transition points.
St. Thomas More enters the matchup on a three‑game winning streak, including an impressive 57–52 victory over Dakota Valley at the Hanson Classic in the Corn Palace. The Lady Cavs average 51.4 points per game and feature a young but experienced roster, with only three seniors and a large sophomore class that saw significant varsity minutes last season.
Home court has been kind to STM this year. The Lady Cavaliers are 3–0 at home and 4–0 in Rapid City, and they remain unbeaten in Black Hills Conference play. Their three losses have come against strong regional opponents: Thunder Basin (WY), Kearney (NE), and West Central (SD).
Expect St. Thomas More to use its size to establish a presence in the paint early. Spearfish’s athletic backcourt has shown the ability to pressure the ball, and the Spartans defended the interior well against Mahpiya Luta. However, that focus opened up perimeter looks—shots the Crusaders failed to convert, but the Lady Cavaliers are more than capable of knocking down.
Since 2012, St. Thomas More leads the series 17–5, though Spearfish has won the last three meetings.
Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m., with Claysen Davis and Paul James on the call on KDSJ‑TV on YouTube and KDSJ Facebook Live.
Watch LIVE: https://www.youtube.com/live/DQA2DK34t2U?si=ZDplNm8jYtyL_L42
