The first-round pairings have been set for the 2021 Lakota National Invitational boys’ and girls’ basketball tournaments in Rapid City Thursday and Saturday, Dec. 17-18. For more information on the tournament and the complete schedule of the 44th annual event visit www.lakotanationinvitational.com.
In first round girls’ games, Wakpala tips things off at 8 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 17 against top-seeded Red Cloud in Summit Arena where Dupree will square off against Lakota Tech at 2 p.m. Fifth-seeded McLaughlin will take on fourth-seed Custer at 12:3-p.m. in the Ice Arena.
Other opening round games put White River against Crow Creek, Rapid City Christian vs. Custer, Todd County facing St, Francis, Pine Ridge taking on Crazy Horse and Crow Creek squaring up with Omaha Nation.
In the boys’ brackets, Cheyenne-Eagle Butte battles Lakota Tech at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 16, at Summit Arena while McLaughlin takes on Custer at 12:30 p.m, in the Ice Arena, Takini goes up against top-seeded Wakpala at 12:30 p.m. in Barnett Arena and No. 2 seed Dupree will be challenged by Santee at 3:30 p.m. in Barnett Arena.
Other opening round matchups include White River against Rapid City Christian, Red Cloud vs, Tiospa Zina, Lower Brule facing Little Wound, Todd County meeting St. Francis, Pine Ridge battling Crazy Horse and Crow Creek squaring off with Omaha Nation.