Coaches remember the impact Brent Deckert made on South Dakota basketball [Video]

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – There are many who make an impact in the lives of young people: a friend, a mentor or a teacher. Some can be all three: a coach. Many coaches this week have described the relationship among coaches in South Dakota high school Class AA boys basketball as a fraternity or a brotherhood. That’s why Wednesday morning hurt so much for those who knew the late Brandon Valley head coach Brent Deckert, who passed away after a 3 1/2-year battle with lung cancer.

“He had such a passion for the game of basketball and he was such a competitor and we love those moments that we got to share with him as a person and as a fellow coach, but he also taught us how to be servant-leaders to our own programs,” said Harrisburg Head Coach Scott Langerock.

It’s been an emotional few days at the State AA Tournament. Coaches, …