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There are plenty of fixtures at the Class B Boys State Basketball Tournament in Aberdeen.
Dawn Sikkink is one of them.
A 67-year-old fan of Castlewood High School basketball, she has been attending the State B since 1996. That’s whether or not the Warriors qualify.
Dawn once handled the travel plans for fans when Castlewood advanced to the tournament, making sure enough rooms were booked to accommodate everybody.
Her husband Jeff is an assistant coach for the Warriors, who finished the recent season as runners-up to Freeman on Saturday, March 21 at the Barnett Center.
“My husband and I were both sports people and we raised our kids with (basketball), and so seeing them play has been so much fun,” Dawn said. “It’s really how I got involved, and I’ve loved it ever since.”
Sports have been an integral part of the Sikkink family, particularly basketball. And that’s what keeps Dawn coming back to the State B year after year.
Illness, MS can’t stop Sikkink
Making her attendance more impressive is that she has multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, and uses a wheelchair. Dawn was actually in a nursing home recovering from an illness a few days before this year’s tournament, but that didn’t stop her basketball pilgrimage.
Castlewood’s Dawn Sikkink looks on during the Warriors’ 56-28 semifinal win against Lyman at the 2026 Class B Boys State Basketball Tournament. Aberdeen Insider photo by Robb Garofalo.
“Oh no, I plan on coming here every year until I can’t. I never thought about not coming. Never,” she said.
Her son Dallas knew his mother was not going to miss the State B.
“She would have checked herself out. No way she would miss this,” he said.
When it comes to getting ready for the tournament, Dawn has a method. According to family members, she waits for hours for them to check her suitcase to make sure she has everything packed. Then, she sleeps with her tennis shoes on so she’s ready to roll the next morning.
Dawn said her family members will be tasked with carrying on her tradition of annual State B attendance.
“Oh, I’ll make sure they will,” she said.
Familiar faces welcome Sikkink every year
In addition to the Castlewood players, coaches and fans, plenty of other people who attend the tournament every year recognize Dawn.
“Oh yes, I have a lot of people coming up and saying hello and giving me a hug. A lot of the same people who have done it over the years,” she said. “I love it. It’s nice to see those faces.”
Aberdeen Central Athletic Director Dawn Seiler said the “State B isn’t State B without Dawn (Sikkink) at the table.”
“She’s been coming here as long as I have, so it’s another sign that it’s State B in Aberdeen when Dawn is here,” said Seiler, who has helped at the tournament for years.
Dawn Sikkink’s daughter-in-law Kristi said there’s an array of folks who stop to see Dawn.
“There isn’t a person that comes through … whether it’s a fan or news reporter or coach from another team that may have lost to us (who doesn’t) stop and give her a hug and ask how she’s doing,” Kristi said.
Warriors recent success adds to State B memories
Castlewood has had an impressive run over the past five seasons, qualifying for the State B each year.
Paul Raasch, a Castlewood native, has led the Warriors to the tournament the past three years since taking over as head coach.
“It’s fun watching him coach those boys,” Dawn said. “He grew up here, and so it’s nice to have him coaching. He does a really good job, and we like him a lot.”
She said one of her favorite moments came at last year’s state tournament as Raasch finally won the first high school basketball championship of his decorated career when Castlewood defeated Viborg-Hurley.
“Oh, wow, that was so cool to see him win that,” Dawn said. “He really deserved it, and it was fun watching him and the boys hold that trophy.”
Raasch said having Dawn around the team “is a blessing” and that her support goes above just attending games.
“She does all the laundry for the team despite not being able to move around all that well. We’re lucky to have her around, that’s for sure,” Raasch said.
The team took its No. 1 fan out to dinner before the start of this year’s tournament.
“She means an awful lot, and we want her to know that,” Raasch said.
Dawn said she loves all the State B games, but most treasures the moments she spends visiting with others.
“It’s for basketball, but it’s really more for the people,” she said. “It’s just such a good time. It’s been a dream come true for me to have come here all these years, and I think more people should so they can see what it’s like.”
Members of the Castlewood basketball team surround No. 1 fan Dawn Sikkink during a dinner prior to the 2026 Class B Boys State Basketball Tournament. Sikkink has attended every State B since 1996. Courtesy photo.
