LEAD - Tanner Adler sizzled the nets for a game-high 40 points and 16 rebounds, sparking Lead-Deadwood to a 74-60 win over Hill City in a Black Hills Conference boys basketball matchup on Thursday in the Lead-Deadwood High School Gymnasium.

Joining Adler in double-digit point production for the Golddiggers was Tommy Anderson with 16 points.

Hudson Koel poured in 26 points and Andy Coy netted 17 for Hill City.

"For a while, it was a one-on-one scoring duel between Adler and Hudson Koel," Hill City coach Blake Gardner said.

Koel netted nine points in the opening quarter, while Adler countered with seven. A 3-pointer by Coy presented the Rangers with a 19-18 lead at the quarter break.

Lead-Deadwood rattled off 14 straight points in the second period, claiming a 34-23 advantage. Adler notched 16 points in the quarter. The talented junior's slam dunk gave the 'Diggers a 41-28 lead.

Lead-Deadwood took a 45-30 halftime edge.

"I was really pleased with our first half," Lead-Deadwood coach Curt Shaw said. "In the second half, we lost our focus."

Shaw said he wants Lead-Deadwood to play up-tempo. "We don't want people to slow us down.

"Our concern was their (Rangers) pressure, and keeping our people out of foul trouble. I thought we did a good job on the boards and boxed out well."

Lead-Deadwood improved to 2-1 in the Black Hills Conference and 4-3 overall.

"They (Diggers) have great shooters and great scorers," said coach Gardner.

"We got back in the game after forcing a couple of turnovers. We have three mottoes for our team - play hard, play smart and play together.

"We always play hard. It gets me excited to see our guys diving on the floor and taking charges."

Hill City, 3-5 overall, hosts Hot Springs on January 11.