The Dickinson State men’s basketball team made history on December 31, 1983, by winning the inaugural Blue Hawk Holiday Basketball Tournament. The Blue Hawks secured a hard-fought victory against South Dakota Tech, triumphing 89-83 to capture the tournament title.
A Memorable Championship Game
Held at Scott Gymnasium, Dickinson State’s victory marked the culmination of a successful tournament run. The Blue Hawks finished the event with a perfect 3-0 record, showcasing their skills and teamwork throughout the competition. This win also improved their season record to 5-5 as they prepared to enter the North Dakota College Athletic Conference (NDCC) play.
Coach Sam Milanovich expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, noting their “true team involvement” during the tournament. After back-to-back games where the team demonstrated impressive intensity and focus, Milanovich remarked, “We really executed well both days. Outside of a couple lapses, we really executed.”
In the championship game, the Blue Hawks shot 37-for-69 (approximately 54%) from the field, continuing their trend of strong offensive play. Earlier in the tournament, they had achieved a shooting percentage of 56% against Wisconsin-Superior, scoring 35 of 62 attempts.
Key Performers and Team Depth
The Blue Hawks exhibited remarkable depth, with significant contributions from multiple players. Guard duo Hank Price and Troy Hefta combined for 24 points, while small forwards Kerry Duncan and Mike McMahon added 23 points, with Duncan leading the team with 17 points. Forwards Bob Thorpe and Bob Allard chipped in 27 points and 10 rebounds, demonstrating the team’s balanced scoring ability.
Despite not placing any forwards on the all-tournament team, Milanovich praised the productivity of his frontcourt, stating, “At least these two games, between Allard, McMahon, Thorpe, Duncan, and Steve Hall, we got 40 minutes of solid play at both forward positions… which is crucial to our success.”
The Blue Hawks built a 40-35 lead at halftime, although their advantage could have been larger had it not been for inconsistent free throw shooting, where they missed nine of 13 attempts in the first half. Adjusting in the second half, the team converted 11 of 12 free throws, which proved vital in maintaining their lead.
As the second half progressed, the Blue Hawks demonstrated resilience when South Dakota Tech mounted a comeback, taking a brief lead. However, critical plays by Price and Duncan helped stabilize the game, allowing Dickinson State to regain control and secure the championship.
Milanovich concluded, “Not only were we intense out there, but we played in a businesslike fashion.” With the Blue Hawks now poised for the NDCC season, their performance in the inaugural tournament suggests they are ready to compete at a higher level.
As they look ahead to their next challenge against Montana Western, the Blue Hawks carry the momentum and confidence gained from this historic tournament victory.
