The O’Gorman girls basketball program added another historic chapter to its storied legacy on March 14, 2026, in Rapid City, capturing their third consecutive Class AA state championship and fourth title in five years with a hard-fought 59-53 victory over top-ranked Brandon Valley, according to reporting from Sioux Falls Live. Playing inside Summit Arena, the second-seeded Knights relied on a career-high 33 points from senior Sydney Terveen to secure the victory and avenge an earlier 63-54 season-opening loss on December 11 that had previously snapped a 50-game winning streak.
The championship matchup served as the decisive third chapter in a high-stakes rivalry, with Brandon Valley holding the No. 1 ranking for three months following their early-season win. Despite a raging winter blizzard closing Interstate 90 across much of South Dakota outside the arena, the Knights established control early by racing out to an 11-2 start. The victory handed Brandon Valley just its second loss in 47 games over the last two seasons against South Dakota opponents, both defeats coming against O’Gorman in title games.
Championship Battle and Tactical Execution
Brandon Valley mounted a significant 13-0 run late in the first half to briefly grab their only lead of the game—holding the advantage for just 10 seconds—before O’Gorman regrouped. The Knights utilized a vaunted 2-3 zone defense to stifle the Lynx’s high-powered attack, neutralizing senior Alyvia Padgett in her final high school appearance, as detailed by Sioux Falls Live.
O’Gorman coach Kent Kolsrud noted the team’s ability to maintain composure amid mounting pressure. “Unfortunately, we did lose that (first) game of the season. We lost our 50-game winning streak. I think that took some pressure off,” Kolsrud said, according to Sioux Falls Live. The coach earned his fifth title in 30 years at the school, cementing the program’s status as the first Class AA team to achieve a three-peat since Sioux Falls Roosevelt won five straight between 1997 and 2001.
Standout Individual Performances
Sydney Terveen, who has committed to play college basketball for the Omaha Mavericks in the Summit League, delivered a historic performance by hitting seven of her nine 3-point attempts. “Great players make big plays in big games and she just went out — she was a baller,” Kolsrud said of Terveen, as reported by Sioux Falls Live.
Supporting contributions came from junior Ruby Moore, bound for South Dakota State University, who contributed nine points, and senior Sadie Mehrman, who added seven points. Both Moore and Mehrman earned All-Tournament team honors alongside Terveen. Alongside senior Zoey McEneaney, the group wrapped up their careers with a combined 90-6 record and three state championships.
Looking Ahead
With another state championship secured under extraordinary weather conditions and against elite competition, the O’Gorman program enters the offseason celebrating the culmination of a dominant senior class’s journey. Fans and community members are encouraged to share their thoughts and join the discussion in the comments below.
