A trio of wins started the Elk Point-Jefferson (EPJ) softball season for spring 2026. It was a home opener victory for the Huskies, on March 30, 2026, versus Vermillion. Next it was a double- header on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at the Sanford Diamonds in Sioux Falls. The doubleheader meant double the victories for EPJ.

An indoor track and field meet, on March 27, 2026, had some Panther varsity athletes getting a head start on the spring season. The competition happened at Mount Marty University (MMU), in Yankton, where Dakota Valley went up against bigger schools from South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska. Tammy Lilly, the sprint coach for the Panther plus the girls head coach, felt her team performed well on the day. Dakota Valley (DV) held their own versus Sioux Falls and Sioux City metro area schools. The Panthers also performed strong against South Sioux City, Tea Area, Brandon Valley, Harrisburg, Council Bluffs and more.

File Photos by Peterman Sports Photography • stevepeterman5@gmail.com Down 0-5 early in their regional game against Beresford, a 3-pointer from the top of the key via Aaron Bruns put Dakota Valley on the board. The Panthers were hosting their 1st round of postseason play as the #4 seed on March 3, 2026.

Bishop Heelan girls basketball competed in the Iowa Girls High School state tournament on March 3-5, 2026. The Heelan Crusaders entered the tourney as the #1 seed and with an undefeated record. Three players on the roster are from the local South Dakota area, they are: Melina Snoozy, Ella Otten and Kennedy Bainbridge.

Postseason play began for the Elk Point-Jefferson (EPJ) boys varsity basketball team on March 2, 2026. In South Dakota, the Huskies have fierce competition in region 4 for Class A. As a 6th seed, EPJ traveled to Vermillion to go up against a tough Tanager squad in their 1st round of regional play.

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The Panther boys basketball team traveled to Lennox to battle the Orioles on February 27, 2026. It was the last regular season contest before regional play. It was to be a tough match-up as Lennox had just 5 losses on the season whereas Dakota Valley was sitting at a record of 12-7.

Panther junior Bella Stokes opened up scoring for Dakota Valley (DV) with a 3-pointer at their regional game, in Vermillion, on February 24, 2026. Their opponent, the Tanagers, then scored 6 points off a pair of plays. Junior Sophie Meyer was tasked with guarding Vermillion’s top athlete, Taylor Reuvers, and stuck by her on the perimeter and the baseline. Meyer worked hard to contain the strong guard.

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Regional postseason play happened for the Elk Point-Jefferson girls basketball team on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. The Huskies traveled to Sioux Falls to battle the Chargers of Sioux Falls Christian (SFC). Rated as #7, in Region 4’s Class A, EPJ would need an upset over #2 seeded SFC to advance.