Santistevan switches to Rocky

Former Viking basketball standout Beau Santistevan will be making the move to Rocky Mountain College next season after spending two years at Dawson Community College in Glendive.

A 6-foot-7-inch forward, Santistevan averaged 12.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per contest for the Buccaneers last year, including a season-high 21-point, 12-rebound performance against Colorado Northwestern Community College Nov. 16. Santistevan also scored 21 against Miles Community College Feb. 20.

Santistevan helped lead the Bucs to 27-7 record overall, including a perfect 14-0 mark in conference play last season, helping the team earn both NJCAA Region 13 Conference and Tournament titles.

Santistevan was two-time All-State selection with the Vikings in high school, helping lead the team to the Class B state title as the state tournament MVP in 2018. Santistevan recorded 18-points and nine rebounds in the title game that season as Bigfork downed Shelby 60-56. He averaged 17 points, eight rebounds and three blocks per game in his senior season in high school in 2017-18.

“Coming out of high school, I really wanted to go to Rocky, but the Dawson coaches told me that if I came to Dawson, they would help develop me into a player who could have an impact in the Frontier Conference,” Santistevan said in a press release. “I made one of the best decisions in my life, went to Dawson and developed into a player who can help Rocky win games. My competitive nature drives me to be the best I can be to help my teams win, whether it’s a state championship in high school or a regional championship in college. I plan on bringing that same hunger and competitiveness to Rocky.”

Santistevan was among the Mon-Dak Conference leaders in field goal percentage last season and was a first-team Academic All-America selection. He was also named to the All-Conference Second Team.